WTO Public Forum 2015 to Focus on Trade as Development Driving Force

The WTO annual Public Forum, which begins in Geneva Wednesday, will focus on trade as a driving force for development, the reduction of inequality between the rich and the poor, and political and economic stability.

GENEVA (Sputnik), Anastasia Levchenko — The WTO's largest annual outreach event will take place under the slogan "Trade works!" Discussions will revolve around issues including trade's role in setting the cost of living and providing stability; global risks that impede trade, such as protectionism or geopolitical instability; integration of the least developed countries into the global trade community, and many others.

Many discussions are particularly urgent in the context of the continuing downward adjustment in oil prices, existing geopolitical tensions, and new and reinstated global trade partners, including Iran.

According to the WTO website, the public forum normally attracts over 1,500 representatives from civil society, academia, business, the media, government, and inter-governmental organizations.

This year, the WTO director-general and his deputies, trade ministers and advisers from Western and Asian countries, members of the European Parliament and heads of international trade organizations are among the participants.

The work will be organized in a form of plenary debates and numerous working sessions and workshops, and will last three days. This year, the Public Forum is taking place in the context of the WTO's 20 anniversary.