The Center for World Trade Studies at Universitas Gadjah Mada (PSPD UGM) once again represented Indonesia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Chairs Program (WCP) Annual Conference 2026, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from July 1 to 3. The annual conference brings together universities, academics, and research institutions from developing countries within the WCP network to exchange knowledge, share research, and discuss developments in international trade. This year, PSPD UGM was represented by Dr. Maharani Hapsari, Director of the UGM Center for World Trade Studies and Indonesia’s WTO Chairs Program Chair Holder, alongside fellow chair holders from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Dr. Maharani explained that the conference serves as a forum for experts to discuss and evaluate global economic developments while reflecting on WTO policies. Through the WTO Chairs Program, PSPD UGM contributes to global trade discourse through three flagship themes: global trade dynamics and governance, international competitiveness, and fair and sustainable trade. These themes underpin a wide range of academic, research, and policy activities at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
“One tangible example of this contribution is the Journal of World Trade Studies (JWTS), an international journal jointly developed by PSPD UGM and the WTO Chairs Program since 2010. The journal critically examines the global trading system at bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels,” Dr. Maharani said on Friday (July 17).
She noted that JWTS is published twice a year and has now reached its tenth volume. Beyond scholarly publishing, PSPD UGM also conducts capacity-building programs on sustainable commodity diplomacy in collaboration with international donor organizations and several Indonesian government agencies, demonstrating how academia can help strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness in global trade.
This commitment to multi-stakeholder collaboration is further reflected in PSPD UGM’s capacity-building program on international negotiation and diplomacy for sustainable strategic commodities. Developed in partnership with Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the program has been running continuously since April 2026.
Addressing fellow WCP chair holders, Dr. Maharani emphasized that PSPD UGM consistently brings together government, academia, communities, and the private sector in its programs. Looking ahead, she said PSPD plans to expand cross-country discussion forums, particularly among WTO Chairs Program member institutions, to address strategic trade issues using the latest evidence-based approaches.
“We hope these forums will become platforms for exchanging ideas while helping bridge the gap between scholars and practitioners in international trade,” she said.
For Dr. Maharani, the conference also provided an opportunity to gain broader perspectives on global political and economic developments, as well as the trade challenges facing different countries. At the same time, it strengthened collaborative networks among WTO Chairs Program members across regions.
She added that PSPD UGM’s continued participation in the conference reflects Indonesia’s growing contribution to a more inclusive multilateral trading system while opening new opportunities for international collaboration in trade research and policy development.
Author: Leony
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyanandaningrat
Photo: Documentation of PSPD