Geneva: Members of the World Trade Organization are intensifying discussions on reforming the global trading system as governments seek to adapt international trade rules to a rapidly changing economic and geopolitical environment.

At a transparency session on September 30, facilitators overseeing the WTO reform process reported continued engagement across four major areas: foundational issues, decision-making, development and creating a level playing field. The WTO said momentum was building, although substantial differences and work remained.

The reform debate covers some of the organization’s fundamental principles, including most-favoured-nation treatment, non-discrimination, special and differential treatment for developing economies and the role of plurilateral agreements.

Another major focus is decision-making. WTO members are examining ways to improve transparency and participation while retaining consensus as a central feature of the organization. Smaller delegations have also raised concerns about their ability to participate effectively in an increasingly demanding schedule of meetings.

Development is a separate area of discussion. Members are considering how WTO rules can provide developing economies with sufficient policy space while maintaining a predictable international trading system.

The fourth reform track concerns the level playing field. Discussions have focused on transparency, notification requirements and compliance with existing WTO commitments. Members have highlighted the importance of improving transparency to strengthen confidence in the trading system.

The reform discussions come as international trade faces significant changes. The WTO’s 2026 World Trade Report says the multilateral trading system is experiencing serious disruption and that existing rules have struggled to keep pace with changes in technology, global value chains, economic power and geopolitical relations.

Digital trade and green technologies are also creating new policy questions. The WTO has noted that opportunities in these areas have not yet been matched by comprehensive new multilateral rules.

WTO members are continuing to submit proposals. Recent submissions have covered issues ranging from industrial subsidies and development policy to improving WTO decision-making and the use of plurilateral agreements.

The WTO’s negotiating function is continuing alongside the reform process. At a Trade Negotiations Committee meeting on October 1, members discussed progress across several negotiating areas, while WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called for greater flexibility and faster progress in negotiations.

The organization’s reform process is expected to continue through October, with the General Council scheduled to discuss WTO reform on October 5–6.

The latest discussions underline a critical moment for the global trading system. WTO members broadly agree that the organization needs to adapt, but differences over how its rules should change remain significant. The October meetings could therefore become an important test of whether members can turn broad support for reform into concrete agreements that make global trade rules more responsive to today’s economic and geopolitical realities.