Trade and health are increasingly interconnected. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the critical role that open, predictable and rules-based trade plays in ensuring the timely movement of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical technologies and the inputs required to produce them. It also exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains and underscored the importance of international cooperation, transparency and regulatory coordination in responding to health emergencies.

As governments strengthen pandemic preparedness and work towards more resilient health systems, trade policy has an important contribution to make, not only during crises, but also in supporting everyday access to safe, effective and innovative health technologies. The WTO’s work on trade and health has highlighted how predictable trade policies, efficient customs procedures, diversified supply chains and regulatory cooperation can improve resilience while supporting economic growth and sustainable development.

Against the backdrop of the WTO Public Forum theme, this session will examine how the multilateral trading system can help enhance the resilience of global health systems, create the conditions for continued innovation and collaboration, and preserve an open, predictable and rules-based trading environment that supports patients around the world.

The discussion will bring together representatives from governments, international organizations, industry, academia and civil society to explore practical policy solutions that strengthen the contribution of trade to global health. Building on lessons from recent health emergencies and ongoing discussions within the WTO and the wider global health community, panellists will consider how trade policy can support resilient supply chains, facilitate access to essential health products, encourage innovation, and promote greater regulatory cooperation.

Speakers for the event will be announced soon.

For more information about the theme and overall program, please visit the WTO Public Forum website.

Registration

To attend this event, you must be registered for the WTO Public Forum. Participants who do not already hold a valid WTO access pass are required to complete registration through the WTO online platform, by 21 August.

WTO Public Forum registrations