By Jasper van Schaik, Board Member, ICC Netherlands

From 16 to 18 September, I had the privilege of representing ICC Netherlands at the World Trade Organization Public Forum in Geneva. This is the world’s largest trade gathering, bringing together over 4,500 participants at a moment when global trade is undergoing profound change.

The multilateral trading system established by the WTO has delivered enormous benefits in terms of predictability and trust. Yet it is now under serious threat and urgently needs to adapt. This has been evident for some time, but in 2025 the urgency is clearer than ever. While 72% of global trade is still conducted under WTO terms, this figure has dropped from 80% just a year ago — a sharp signal of erosion.

From shifting geopolitical dynamics to rapid digital transformation, it is obvious that a modernized and digitized trading system is no longer optional, but essential. We need a coherent framework for digital trade rules that reflect today’s realities, and anticipate tomorrow’s.

At ICC, we believe the multilateral trading system remains an essential engine of shared prosperity. Legitimate concerns about the WTO’s adaptability must be addressed, but tactical unilateral trade deals are no substitute. Fragmentation and “quick fixes” risk raising costs and uncertainty, especially for SMEs, threatening their participation in global value chains.

That is why WTO members must credibly commit to reform, and to modern rules on issues such as digital trade, AI, and sustainability. ICC is there to ensure the business voice, the voice of those who make trade happen, is heard.

ICC Chair Philippe Varin underlined this point in the Forum’s main panel discussion, delivering a compelling message: trust, the very foundation of global trade, is eroding. Without urgent reform, risks will rise further, and SMEs will pay the highest price. WTO has to become more agile, and his call to action was clear:

1. Revitalize the multilateral system and modernize WTO governance, including reform of consensus rules that allow a single member to block progress.

2. Develop a new playbook fit for today’s world. Fix the dispute settlement mechanism, which has been not fully functional for too long. Here, our ICC Arbitration system may offer inspiration.

3. Ensure business plays a key role, and is at the table from the start, not on the sidelines.

   
   

Varin also emphasized that the future of trade will increasingly depend on tools. AI, for example, could boost global trade by up to 40% by 2040 beyond current forecasts, mainly by reducing trade costs, enhancing productivity, and opening new export pathways. AI also has enormous potential in trade operations, including predictive risk management, supply-and-demand assessments, tariff and duty calculations, and customs documentation.

Another crucial tool is the digitization of documents for cross-border trade, which needs urgent acceleration. ICC Netherlands is working on this front together with the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, already delivering impact through the digitalization of phytosanitary certificates — a critical step toward faster, more secure border processes. Our next step will be to digitize more trade documents in more countries, creating tangible benefits for business.

Looking ahead, the next WTO Ministerial Conference , the WTO’s highest decision-making body, will be pivotal. The WTO Ministerial Conference, scheduled for 26-29 March 2026 in Cameroon, can take binding decisions on all matters under the multilateral trade agreements. Every member country, including the Netherlands, will be represented at ministerial level, usually the Minister of Foreign Trade.

It is vital that the voice of business is heard. ICC Netherlands, together with VNO-NCW, will work in the coming months to gather inputs from Dutch business and ensure they are reflected in the discussions leading to this crucial Ministerial Conference.

Please don’t hesitate to directly reach out to me or to Laure Jacquier, Director General of ICC Netherlands, already.