Economic Affairs

Trade, Economic Affairs and Labour

2025 is an exciting year for the Mission’s work within the trade and labour field. Not only is Denmark a member (2024-2027) of the ILO’s Governing Body, but also on 1st July took over the responsibility of the European Union Presidency which implies a central role within the collaboration among EU member states on trade policy during the second half of the year. Among the Danish priorities for the EU Presidency is preparing for a fruitful outcome of the upcoming 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in support of the multilateral, rules based trading system.

Denmark pursues international free trade as a means to achieve growth and increased employment on a global level. At the same time, we acknowledge that the poorest and least developed countries need support and transitional arrangements before they can fully integrate into the international trading system. Currently, the Danish Ambassador to the WTO, Mr Ib Petersen is chairing the Subcommittee on LDCs to meet this end. 

In trade negotiations conducted within the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the member states of the European Union (including Denmark) have agreed to be represented by the European Commission, except when it comes to budgetary issues, as EU member states pay individual, national contributions. Accordingly, Denmark collaborates closely with the European Commission, fellow EU member states, and other WTO members to further the multilateral trade negotiations. We actively engage in the normative work of WTO Committees, ensuring that important developments from Geneva are communicated back to our domestic decision-making processes. This helps to make sure that Denmark´s interests are well represented on the global stage. The Mission also follows the work of the WTO Dispute Settlement Bodies in areas of particular importance to Denmark.

Additionally, the Mission also assists Greenland and the Faroe Islands in furthering their interests in the WTO, and we have extensive cooperation with a number of Danish authorities in order to enhance specific Danish business interests in a WTO context. 

Geneva is also an important observation point for trends or developments in the economic and development area, including trade patterns and global value chains or supply chains, the digital economy, technological issues and globalisation more broadly. These developments may have an impact on Denmark. The mission is for these purposes following not just the work in the WTO in this regard, but also similar work in the framework of UNCTAD and the World Economic Forum (WEF) based in Geneva, which produces valuable reports and organises a considerable number of meetings and networking events. 

Furthermore, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is playing a vital role in improving labour standards globally and ensuring decent work for all. Through the ILO’s unique tripartite structure, worker’s, employer’s and government develop together conventions and recommendations on labour rights, labour market policies and social protection. Denmark is currently a deputy member of the ILO Governing Body until June 2027. The Government’s strategy for development cooperation with the ILO (2023 – 27) sets out the parameters for allocation of Danish funds within focus areas such as green and inclusive (youth, women, migrants) jobs.