Overview

Following the success of a TF competition that was conducted by the WTO and the World Bank Group (WBG) at the 2017 A4T event, the TFAF was requested to organize a similar event in 2019. Trade facilitation is a significant element overall in Aid for Trade and this presented a good opportunity to take advantage of the large attendance at this event. An overview of the WTO TFA, including information on the benefits of its implementation, was presented to an audience with varying levels of existing knowledge through a competition between two teams that was based on the format of the popular television game show, "Family Feud".

Moreover, it was an important opportunity to demonstrate the strong connections necessary between international organizations, development partners, WTO developing Members, and the private sector, all of whom are essential to the implementation of the Agreement. All of these different stakeholder groups were represented in the two teams of five participants that competed to guess the correct answers to a TF survey that had been conducted in advance. The WTO and the WBG hosted this event, and participants were drawn from the OECS, UNCTAD, the Government of Montenegro, the UK Department for International Development, USAID, DHL, the Global Express Association, the International Standards Organization, the WCO, the World Economic Forum, and the Government of Zambia.

Outcome

Outcome: The event took place in the WTO's atrium, with an audience part of approximately 100. Feedback from all participants was universally positive, with increased understanding of the Agreement and stronger links to key collaborators identified as specific outcomes.