The global trading system, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core, is being reshaped in ways that may render the system fundamentally different from how we have known it in the past. As unilateral, protectionist and beggar-thy-neighbour policies proliferate, the system is struggling to reclaim its relevance and regain continued efficacy in promoting trade liberalisation and maintaining transparency, certainty and predictability in the world economy. New policy priorities in the post-pandemic era - economic security, climate change, supply chain resilience, sustainable development - plus new geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation are complicating the challenges facing the global trading system.
Meeting these challenges requires reflection on what the system was designed to do and what it has achieved, then rethinking what the system should look like going forward: a process of repurposing the system and realigning its objectives. Do we want a mechanism to strictly enforce the rules? What policy space do governments need? Where is the boundary of the system? The process of reconstructing the global trading system must be driven by governments collectively, with a genuine and sustained political will for cooperation. The system's continued effectiveness and legitimacy will require a delicate balance between law and diplomacy working jointly in response to changing circumstances and new challenges.
REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 4:00PM AEST ON Tuesday, August 1.
We will have space for a limited number of participants in-person at the Glover Cottages, tickets to be pre-paid . Once the limit for in-person attendees is reached, tickets will no longer be sold on the website or at the door. In-person attendees will get priority during the Q & A session.
Refreshments will be served from 6pm at Glover Cottages.
This event will also be streamed online via Zoom. Register by clicking the "get tickets" button below. Once you have registered, you will receive a follow-up confirmation email on the day of the event (Tuesday, August 1) containing details of the Zoom link and how to join the event.
The event will start at 6.30pm AEST (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne time), Tuesday August 1.
For further information please email nswexec@internationalaffairs.org.au