The WTO Fish Fund has marked an important milestone with the submission to the WTO of the first-ever fisheries subsidy notification made possible through support from the Fund. The submission on 3 June by Tonga under the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies has additional significance given the developing Pacific region's exposure to the effects of harmful fisheries subsidies. The notification was prepared during a workshop held from 20 to 22 May in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, as part of a project funded by the Fish Fund, and contributes to Tonga’s implementation of the Agreement.

Following World Food Safety Day on 7 June, the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) has launched its 2025 Annual Report, Accelerating Safe Trade: From Innovation to Scale. The report showcases how investments in strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) systems are improving food safety, facilitating trade and supporting sustainable development.

Global merchandise trade appears to have remained resilient in the first half of 2026 despite headwinds from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which seem to have been partly offset by rising demand for electronic components related to investment in artificial intelligence, according to the latest WTO Goods Trade Barometer.

Public and private sector representatives joined the Committee on Import Licensing’s second experience-sharing session on 4 June, focusing on improving WTO members' transparency and notification compliance. Speakers from Cambodia, the European Union, Myanmar, Thailand and the United States shared practices on notifications, public-private cooperation, access to information and digitalization of licensing procedures. The Committee also reviewed recent notifications, addressed 12 specific trade concerns and heard an EU presentation on its Electronic System for Agricultural Non-Customs Formalities during its regular session.

At a series of meetings held from 2 to 4 June, the WTO Council for Trade in Services and its subsidiary bodies discussed a broad range of issues for possible future work, ranging from the services aspects of electronic commerce to the green services economy. Members also agreed to hold a dedicated workshop to share information on the recognition of foreign professionals' qualifications. Discussions continued on ways to help least developed countries better participate in services trade, facilitate remittance transfers, and improve the classification of environmental services.

At a meeting of the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Trade and Gender held on 1 June, the co-Chairs announced the launch of the third edition of the International Prize for Gender Equality in Trade, which recognizes gender-responsive trade policies. They also updated members on ongoing work with the Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). Members also shared experiences on the links between intellectual property, innovation and women's economic empowerment as part of the group's second thematic focus for 2026.