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Business mobilisation grows to 189 chambers and associations backing WTO reform and Moratorium renewal
Momentum is rising among global business organisations backing a Global Business Statement for action at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Global Business Statement – calling for the launch of a time-bound WTO reform process and the renewal of the e-Commerce Moratorium – has received 44 new signatories in the past week alone, bringing the total number of signatures 189, with representation from every region in the world.
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A growing number of chambers of commerce and business associations from around the world are urging governments to deliver concrete outcomes at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, as concerns mount over fragmentation in the global trading system.
Over the past week alone, 44 additional chambers of commerce and business associations have joined the Global Business Statement on WTO reform and renewal of the e-Commerce Moratorium, coordinated by the International Chamber of Commerce. The initiative now counts 189 signatories spanning every region of the world, signalling broad business support for action when trade ministers meet at the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).
The Statement urges ministers to agree on a structured and time-bound plan to reform the WTO, with the aim of revitalising the multilateral trading system at a moment of growing fragmentation and economic uncertainty.
Business groups argue the urgent need to restore the WTO negotiation, deliberation and dispute settlement functions – not least to ensure that the system remains relevant to 21st century trade realities.
Another key priority identified in the Statement is the renewal of the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions – a longstanding WTO member commitment that prevents governments from imposing tariffs on digital transmissions such as cloud-based tools, digital content and data flows.
Business warns that allowing the e-Commerce Moratorium to lapse would introduce new uncertainty into global trade and risk undermining the ability of businesses – and in particular micro- small- and medium-sized (MSME) businesses – to participate in cross-border e-commerce.
Are you a representative of a chamber of commerce or business association? Join our Global Business Statement
Associations and chambers of commerce that wish to add their organisation as a signatory to the Global Business Statement are invited to contact tradecustoms@iccwbo.org.
The process is simple. Via a short form, organisations will be invited to confirm to be publicly listed as a signatory. No logo or physical signature is required.
See the 189 business organisations who have already joined the Global Business Statement
Related publications and resources
See ICC’s Call for Action for MC14 and resources on why a well-functioning WTO is key to business and the global economy:
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