WTO 2026 Forum to Focus on Services Trade

The World Trade Organization has published the full programme for its 2026 Public Forum. The event will take place in person at the WTO's headquarters in Geneva, with many sessions available via livestream for those unable to attend.

According to the WTO, this year's forum will examine the role of services as an engine of development, a source of income, and a driver of job creation and empowerment worldwide. Particular focus will be given to the impact on women and young people.

High-Level Opening Day

The forum will kick off with a high-level panel organized by the International Chamber of Commerce and the International Institute for Sustainable Development. This session will focus on what will shape the trading system of the future. It will be followed by the launch of the WTO's World Trade Report. That report examines why the multilateral trading system is at a critical juncture and why the WTO's founding logic remains essential.

Other major discussions are scheduled for the first day. One high-level panel will cover the importance of rules-based services trade from a private sector perspective. Another will address the role of digital services as an enabler for growth. The opening day will conclude with a discussion led by the Peterson Institute for International Economics on the role of trade within a new world order.

Over 100 Sessions Across Three Days

Days two and three of the forum will feature a wide array of sessions. More than 100 discussions are planned, covering the full spectrum of issues affecting services trade and broader macroeconomic topics. The WTO states that several innovative features are included in this year's programme.

These include the Trade Policy Hub, which brings together researchers and policymakers. The WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) Research Hub will also be featured. A new series called "Curated Conversations" will debut, organized in partnership with the Geneva Trade Platform. The WTO says these are designed to create an opportunity for candid policy exchanges on key topics important to the international trade community.

Additional programme features include Meet the Author presentations and podcast sessions. Networking receptions will allow participants to engage in informal discussions on trade policy.

Event Logistics and Access

The forum is an in-person event. Registration for the event is now closed, and the WTO states that no new registrations can be made. For those unable to attend in Geneva, livestreaming of many sessions will be available on the WTO's website. The full programme is accessible via the organization's official announcement.