TC26-13

Against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and profound technological change, the WTO’s Aid for Trade Global Review 2026 brings together governments, businesses, international organizations and development partners to examine how trade can continue to drive growth, resilience and opportunity. To coincide with the Review, and the 20th anniversary of the Aid for Trade initiative, the WTO Secretariat, in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), organizes a four-day media training and reporting workshop for 16 journalists from developing country and least-developed country (LDC) WTO Members and Observers. Combining technical training with live access to one of the WTO’s flagship events, the programme aims at strengthening participants’ ability to report on the WTO, global trade, multilateralism and major policy debates with greater depth, accuracy and independence. It also aims at helping to amplify perspectives from developing economies and LDCs in international trade coverage. The initiative contributes directly to the WTO Technical Assistance and Training Plan 2026–2027, notably Key Result 4: “Legislators and key non-governmental stakeholders are better informed on the WTO and the MTS.”

Delivered by the Information and External Relations Division (IERD), the programme combines interactive seminars on trade, development and multilateralism with real-time reporting opportunities during Aid for Trade Global Review Week from 27 to 30 October 2026. Participants are expected to engage directly with WTO officials, economists and representatives of partner international organizations through briefings, discussions and practical media sessions focused on today’s trade agenda, including tariffs, subsidies, digital trade, development and economic resilience. The programme also provides access to selected Aid for Trade sessions, interviews and networking opportunities with trade experts, member delegates and policymakers, allowing journalists to see how Aid for Trade programmes directly benefit small businesses and entrepreneurs in their countries and/or regions. The activity is expected to be co-financed by the WTO Secretariat and KAS, with both partners contributing to the travel and subsistence costs of participating journalists.