WTO-JVI Workshop on Trade and Supply Chain Resilience

Supply chains underpin a significant share of international trade and ensuring that they remain resilient in the face of shocks and disruptions is essential for the smooth flow of goods. The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Joint Vienna Institute (JVI) held a regional workshop on trade and supply chain resilience between 29 June and 2 July 2026. The workshop explored how trade policy measures can affect and support more robust supply chains.

The four-day workshop brought together 23 participants from 14 WTO Members and acceding governments from Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus region. The participants came from various government departments and backgrounds, including customs, trade and finance.

The workshop examined the concept of supply chain resilience and WTO Members' practices in this area, with particular focus on discussions in the WTO Committee on Market Access. Participants deepened their understanding of several WTO agreements and discussed how specific trade policy instruments such as tariffs, import licensing procedures, and quantitative restrictions affect trade. A targeted session zeroed in on and drew lessons from the use of these trade policy measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lectures were complemented by interactive exercises and practical case studies, which encouraged discussion and experience-sharing among the participants. Participants were also trained to independently use several WTO online tools and databases such as the Quantitative Restrictions Database, Import Licensing Procedures Database, and the WTO Tariffs and Trade Database, among others, for their daily work. 

The workshop placed particular emphasis on enhancing participants’ understanding of the transparency and notification requirements applicable to quantitative restrictions and import licensing procedures. Participants prepared draft notifications covering these measures, with a view to fostering further discussions within their respective administrations and facilitating their eventual submission to the WTO as formal notifications. The workshop also underscored the importance of timely, complete and accurate notifications, not only as a legal obligation but also as a key instrument for enhancing transparency, improving access to information, and supporting the effective functioning of the multilateral trading system.

The workshop was jointly coordinated by the WTO Secretariat and the Joint Vienna Institute. The Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation coordinates the WTO's technical assistance and training activities.

Adeet Dobhal and Daniela Tibuleac, Market Access Division, WTO