The fourth edition of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade for Peace (T4P) Week, themed “Expanding Horizons: Integrating the Private Sector & Advancing the Trade for Peace Programme,” commenced in Geneva on 17 February.
The event brings together policymakers, private sector leaders, and international organizations to explore the pivotal role of trade in fostering peace and economic resilience in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Running until 21 February, this year’s discussions emphasize the evolving role of businesses in peacebuilding and economic development.
Opening Session: Building Resilience through Trade
The inaugural session, “Building Resilience through Trade: Private Sector Engagement for Sustainable Peace,” underscored the private sector’s capacity to drive post-conflict economic recovery and long-term stability. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala delivered opening remarks via video message, reinforcing the significance of trade in promoting peace, particularly amid rising global uncertainty.
“Promoting peace and prosperity through trade was a founding goal of the multilateral trading system 80 years ago,” she stated. “For trade to deliver tangible dividends for peace in conflict-affected regions, we need partnerships that bridge trade, peace, and development. That is what the Trade for Peace Programme is about.”
Somalia’s Commitment to Trade-Driven Peace
A key highlight of the session was Somalia’s reaffirmation of its commitment to leveraging trade for stability, coinciding with the country’s first Working Party meeting on WTO accession. Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, emphasized the strategic importance of trade integration: “Somalia’s WTO accession is more than an economic milestone—it is a strategic move towards sustainable peace. By fostering an inclusive and rules-based trade system, we are not only integrating into the global economy but also creating opportunities that reduce conflict drivers.”
High-Level Discussions on Trade and Peacebuilding
Moderated by Itonde Kakoma, President of Interpeace, the high-level session featured insights from distinguished speakers, including:
- Idris Abdul Rahman Al Khanjari, Ambassador of Oman to the United Nations Office in Geneva
- Vepa Hajiyev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the United Nations Office in Geneva
- Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC)
- Andrew Wilson, Deputy Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
- Frank Clary, Vice-President of Sustainability at Agility
Their discussions highlighted innovative strategies for bridging trade and peacebuilding, emphasizing responsible investment and market-driven solutions as catalysts for long-term stability.
Key Events and Initiatives
T4P Week 2024 features interactive sessions, panel discussions, and strategic dialogues, providing a platform for collaboration among policymakers, business leaders, and peace practitioners. A major highlight of the event is the High-Level Book Launch, “Pathways to Sustainable Trade and Peace,” on 20 February. Experts and contributors will present research findings on how trade can serve as a tool for economic resilience and peacebuilding in fragile regions.
Additionally, the WTO will launch the Trade for Peace Research and Knowledge Database, a comprehensive platform compiling research studies and resources on trade-peace linkages. This database aims to support governments, policymakers, and researchers in data analysis, policymaking, and informed decision-making.
