Role of healthcare services provisions highlighted at the World Trade Organisation Public Forum

Posted on 06.10.2021

The recent World Trade Organisation (WTO) Public Forum (28 September – 01 October) flagged the importance of healthcare provision to achieve recovery and resilience in global health crises. In the opening plenary session, keynote speaker South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa argued that “the rapid and equitable rollout of life saving medical products is the best response to the virus, and the best stimulus plan for a strong sustained and economic recovery”. Paul Polman, UN Global Compact Vice-Chair, underscored the need to build resilient and efficient supply chains for vaccines and medical devices.

The Public Forum is the WTO’s largest annual outreach event. It provides a unique platform for politicians, businesspeople, academics, and civil society to come together and debate a wide range of trade and development topics. This year’s Public Forum, entitled “Trade Beyond COVID-19: Building Resilience”, looked at the effects of the pandemic on trade and how the multilateral trading system can help build resilience to COVID-19 and future crises.

Video recordings of this year’s Public Forum are available on the WTO website.

Trade and customs issues are amongst the key areas of activity of MedTech Europe’s International Affairs team. For more information, please contact Dario Belluomini, Manager International Affairs.