世贸组织总干事：服务贸易将成为未来贸易与发展的核心

Core Viewpoint - The "Services Trade for Development" conference highlights the growing importance of services trade as a core component of future trade and development, driven by the digital revolution [1]. Group 1: Services Trade Growth - Services trade has become the fastest-growing segment of global trade over the past two decades, with a strong boost from digital advancements [1]. - The World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts a 4.6% growth in global commercial services trade by 2025 and 4.4% by 2026, significantly outpacing the growth of goods trade, which is projected at 2.4% for this year and only 0.5% for next year [1]. - Digital delivery services are identified as the most dynamic sub-sector, expected to grow by 6.1% in 2025 and 5.6% in 2026 [1]. Group 2: Challenges for Developing Countries - Developing countries are seizing opportunities related to services trade but face challenges, including insufficient policy focus on services trade [1]. - Many developing and least developed economies continue to be marginalized in global services trade, missing out on growth, employment, and inclusive development opportunities [1]. Group 3: Collaborative Initiatives - The WTO and the World Bank will launch the "Services Trade for Development Initiative" in 2024, aimed at capacity building and technical assistance to help developing economies better leverage services trade for development [1]. - Representatives from governments, international organizations, and the private sector are discussing the use of new tools and sharing the latest developments and best practices in the services trade sector during the conference [2].