Event

ITC`s 60th Anniversary Celebrations

    Overview

    ITC’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations:  
    Transforming lives through trade! 

    On 27 June, we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the International Trade Centre (ITC). For 60 years, ITC has invested in its core services while innovating to make trade more connected, sustainable, and inclusive. Starting in 1964 with just a handful of staff, today we pursue four ambitious "moonshots": supporting women, empowering youth, promoting green trade, and enhancing digital connectivity. 

    Join us to celebrate!

    Programme details

    Date: Thursday, 27 June 

    Time: 16:00-18:00, followed by a reception from 18:15-20:00 

    Location: World Trade Organization, CR Room / Reception on WTO terrace (outside) 

    All participants must be registered for the Aid-for-Trade Global Review at the WTO here. Registration closes on 14 June.
     

    The event will be moderated by: 
    Georgie Ndirangu, Journalist, and Susanna Pak of the International Trade Centre 

    Date & location
    27 June 2024

    Geneva

    Programme

    Chapter 1
    The ITC Story
    Introduction
    Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, ITC
    Pamela Coke-Hamilton
    Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)
    Keynote Address
    H.E. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy-Secretary-General, United Nations
    Ms. Amina J. Mohammed
    Deputy Secretary-General, United Nations
    Anniversary messages by ITC's three former Executive Directors
    Introduced by Pamela Coke-Hamilton,
    Executive Director, International Trade Centre
    Pamela Coke-Hamilton
    Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)
    Original ITC Anniversary Song performed live
    Performed live by Li-Li Octave, Singer-Songwriter from Dominica
    Li-Li Octave
    Singer-Songwriter, Dominica
    Chapter 2
    The vision for Trade
    ITC and its parent organizations WTO and UNCTAD share their insights into the Geneva Trade Hub
    Pamela Coke-Hamilton, ITC Executive Director

    Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General

    Pedro Manuel Moreno, UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General
    Pamela Coke-Hamilton
    Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)
    Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
    Director-General, WTO
    Rebeca Grynspan
    Secretary General, UNCTAD
    Chapter 3
    Impact story on Inclusive Trade
    Commitment to inclusion is crucial for bridging economic, social, and environmental gaps. ITC’s work on inclusive trade highlights the importance of empowering women, youth, and vulnerable groups including refugees, internally displaced persons, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

    With voices from Bangladesh, the Gambia, Iraq, Kenya and more
    Chapter 4
    In Conversation: Trade and Market Intelligence as a Global Public Good
    H.E. Maria Pagán, Deputy United States Trade Representative (US Permanent Mission to International Organizations in Geneva)
    H.E. Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota Permanent Representative of Brazil to the WTO
    Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, ITC

    Pamela Coke-Hamilton
    Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)
    H.E. Maria Pagán
    Deputy United States Trade Representative (US Permanent Mission to International Organizations in Geneva)
    H.E. Guilherme de Aguiar Patriota
    Permanent Representative of Brazil to the WTO
    Impact Story on Sustainable Value Chains
    To create business opportunities for the vulnerable communities we serve, connecting them to value chains and helping them succeed in global trade is at the heart of ITC’s mission. While promoting sustainability and resilience, ITC focuses on sectors with the greatest potential to drive economic and social changes, especially for women, youth, and those in vulnerable situations.

    With voices from Morocco

    Chapter 5
    In Conversation: The importance of Regional Integration, with a focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area
    H.E. Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships, European Union (video message)

    H.E. Albert Muchanga, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union
    H.E. Jutta Urpilainen
    Commissioner for International Partnerships, European Union
    H.E. Albert Muchanga
    Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union
    Impact Story on Regional Integration
    Fostering regional integration is vital for sustainable value chains to work and for driving economic growth and development. We zoom into the African Continental Free Trade Area, a milestone for the African continent.

    With voices from Ghana and Kenya

    Chapter 6
    Impact Story on Digital Trade
    For regional integration to be effective, connectivity is essential. Without connectivity, digital trade cannot exist, and without digital trade, the broader goals of regional integration, robust value chains, and positive impacts on human lives cannot be achieved.

    With voices from Central Asia and Tunisia
    Chapter 7
    Leaving no one behind
    H.E. Rabab Fatima
    Under Secretary General and High Representative, United Nations Office of the High Representative for LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS; Secretary General for the 3rd UN Conference on LLDCs
    Chapter 8
    Impact Story on Green Trade
    Going ‘green’ is not just a theorem. It is a practical element that surrounds us and is vital to the pressing challenges of climate change and deforestation. These challenges significantly impact human lives and the health of our planet. At ITC, promoting green trade involves supporting sustainable practices across value chains.

    With voices from Ghana

    Chapter 9
    The Future
    Helene Budliger Artieda, State Secretary of Economic Affairs, Switzerland

    Pamela Coke-Hamilton, ITC Executive Director
    Helene Budliger Artieda
    State Secretary, SECO
    Pamela Coke-Hamilton
    Executive Director, International Trade Centre (ITC)

    60th publication