Macao, China Holds a Working Session at the WTO Public Forum for the First Time
MACAU, September 18 - The Chief Executive, Mr. Sam Hou Fai, stated during his visit to the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland in April this year that Macao, China would actively participate in this year’s WTO Public Forum to share its practical experience as a small economy, and enhance exchanges with other WTO members. The WTO Public Forum 2026 was held in Geneva, Switzerland from 15 to 17 September. The Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) organized a working session titled “How Youth and MSMEs in Small Economies Can Benefit from Cross-Border E-Commerce (CBEC)?”, marking Macao, China’s first time hosting a working session during the Public Forum.
The Public Forum is the WTO’s largest annual outreach event, which provides a platform for stakeholders from around the world to exchange views, jointly discuss the latest developments in global trade, and put forward recommendations for improving the multilateral trading system. This year’s Forum, themed “Powering the Future”, focused on the role of trade in services as an engine of development, source of income, and driver of job creation and empowerment worldwide. Over the three-day event, more than 4,000 representatives and 540 speakers from around the world took part, with more than 110 sessions held.
The working session organized by Macao, China was held on 16 September. It was moderated by Trade Policy Advisor at the International Trade Centre, Ms. Fabiana Fong. Speakers included Head of External Trade and Economic Cooperation Department of the DSEDT, Mr. Lam Hoi Kin; Chief of Digital Trade and Frontier Technologies at the WTO, Ms. Emmanuelle Ganne; Director-General of the Macao Live Streaming Association, Mr. José Chan Rodrigues; and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of iMpact, Mr. Chris Pereira. They delivered remarks and exchanged views on the theme.
At the session, Mr. Lam Hoi Kin introduced Macao, China’s efforts in promoting the development of the CBEC industry. Through policy measures, collaboration with the industry, and professional training, MSMEs and young people are empowered to make good use of CBEC to explore local and overseas markets. These efforts include support for industry associations in providing businesses with “One-Stop CBEC Services”. The project was recently selected for inclusion in the 2026 World Internet Conference Collection of Cross-border E-commerce Practice Cases. Looking ahead, Macao, China will continue to leverage its advantage of internal and external connections, strengthen cooperation and ties with international organizations, and actively support multilateral trade cooperation.
Furthermore, the other speakers shared their respective perspectives, including the WTO’s experience in supporting MSMEs worldwide in participating in digital trade, the experience of Macao, China’s e-commerce industry associations in supporting MSMEs and young people in participating in CBEC, as well as the challenges and solutions faced by multinational corporations in helping enterprises expand into global markets.
The session attracted participants from various countries and regions. They exchanged views on supporting policies and practical operations relating to CBEC, thereby strengthening the ties and exchanges between Macao, China and other WTO members.
During the visit, DSEDT representatives also called on the Permanent Mission of China to the WTO to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR)’s participation in WTO affairs and expressed gratitude for the Mission’s longstanding support. In addition, DSEDT representatives attended the World Trade & Tech Day 2026 held at the WTO on 14 September to learn how frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence can empower global trade.
The MSAR’s Third Five-Year Plan calls for stronger ties and cooperation with the WTO, as well as more active, proactive, in-depth and extensive participation in international organizations and international conferences, with a view to enhancing global influence. Macao, China has long actively supported multilateral trade affairs as a WTO member. Leveraging the WTO Public Forum as an international exchange platform, Macao, China shared with other WTO members its practical experience in promoting the development of CBEC, giving full play to its advantages as an international exchange platform under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle to promote external exchanges and cooperation.
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