In Abu Dhabi, DHL Group and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), will host a side event together with its partners to present the four key takeaways from the recent GoTrade Summit.

The GoTrade initiative seeks to make the world a better place through public-private partnerships that foster international trade and sustainable economic growth.

• DHL Group trade and logistics experts, alongside other leading trade experts, will present the four key takeaways from the recent GoTrade Summit to serve as a basis for discussions at the conference in Abu Dhabi
• The policymakers and practitioners who met for the GoTrade Summit consider these four takeaways essential for sustainable and inclusive trade
• Fostering sustainable and inclusive trade around the world is a main goal of DHL’s program GoTrade

Trade and logistics experts from DHL Group, along with other leading trade experts, will be on hand at the 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference to share insights into how the world can foster sustainable and inclusive trade. The Ministerial Conference takes place on February 26-29, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Held every two years, the WTO’s Ministerial Conference serves as the highest decision-making body of the WTO, bringing together trade ministers from member countries to discuss and negotiate trade-related issues.

In Abu Dhabi, DHL Group and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), will host a side event together with its partners to present the four key takeaways from the recent GoTrade Summit, held in late 2023 in Bonn, Germany. These are essentially four key messages that emerged from the in-depth discussions in Bonn and which are documented in the comprehensive 2023 GoTrade Summit Report, recently released. DHL Group hopes that the Report and its four key takeaways will serve as a basis for discussions at WTO MC13.

At the 2023 GoTrade Summit, leading global trade and facilitation experts gathered to discuss everything from WTO reform to innovative digital solutions to foster global commerce. They agreed that global trade faces new realities and that the world is at a turning point. In the wake of recent crises, such as COVID-19 and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the case for supporting a multilateral, rules-based trade system has never been stronger.

The first key takeaway from the Summit was that restoring trust in the global trade system and the WTO is paramount for the system’s longevity and effectiveness. Stakeholders stressed the need to create a shared belief in the fairness and effectiveness of the system. The notion that partnerships are the lifeblood of a thriving global trade system was a second recurring theme at the GoTrade Summit. Partnerships provide a platform for stakeholders to come together, share insights, and build coalitions. These collaborations are crucial for overcoming challenges and ensuring that trade policies are impactful and inclusive. Supporting and addressing the needs of those “left behind” was a third key takeaway. This support is crucial for fostering inclusive growth and ensuring that the benefits of trade are more evenly distributed. Lastly, in an increasingly digitalized world, standards play a critical role in the global trade system. Within the context of trade facilitation and digital solutions, standards are essential for sharing information effectively between business partners, government agencies, and regulatory authorities.

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Steven Pope, Head of GoTrade at DHL Group & Chair of the ICC’s Trade & Investment Commission: “We are very much looking forward to being at the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference and sharing insights from leading trade experts. The findings in our latest GoTrade Summit Report will help attendees understand both the challenges and opportunities. It is a must-read for anyone involved in international trade and trade facilitation. Our message is clear: Trade builds bridges. It connects people and improves lives.“

GoTrade is one of DHL Group’s social impact programs. The initiative seeks to make the world a better place through public-private partnerships that foster international trade and sustainable economic growth. Particular focus is placed on increasing the number and volume of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing and least-developed countries that trade across borders, reducing barriers to trade through trade facilitation, and leveraging DHL Group resources and capabilities to help countries implement best-in-class trade and customs procedures.