HNLU Raipur To Host International Trade Law Summit On 'WTO@30: Reimagining Multilateralism'
Law School Correspondent
1 March 2026 10:28 AM IST
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, through its Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School of Law and Technology, in collaboration with the WTO Young Trade Leaders Programme and the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), IIFT, under the WTO Chairs Programme of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India is set to organise International Trade Law Summit on “The WTO@30: Reimagining Multilateralism in International Trade Law,” from 2 - 4 October 2026 in offline mode. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO), this Summit is designed as an outreach of the WTO Young Trade Leaders Programme and aims to foster global trade awareness and career opportunities for young professionals. The event will feature thematic panel discussions and in-person technical sessions showcasing selected research papers and articles. It also includes Mock WTO Exercise (First of its Kind in India) offering students a hands-on experience in multilateral trade diplomacy through a simulation of trade negotiations and resolution drafting. This summit is open to academicians, researchers, professionals, practitioners, and students of law, business and economics from India and the international community.
Context and Rationale
Over the past three decades, the WTO has remained the cornerstone of the multilateral trading system, facilitating trade liberalisation, economic integration, and rule-based global commerce. Despite contemporary challenges, such as the paralysis of the Appellate Body, negotiation deadlocks, and increasing unilateralism, the WTO continues to demonstrate resilience.
Notably:
· The Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, now in force, marks a significant normative breakthrough.
· The Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) reflects a collective commitment to preserving dispute settlement discipline.
Multilateralism remains indispensable despite the proliferation of bilateral & regional trade agreements. Against this backdrop, the Summit aims to critically assess the WTO's past, interrogate present challenges, and reimagine pathways for a revitalised multilateral trading system.
Pre-Summit International Colloquium
As a precursor, a One-Day Pre-Summit International Colloquium on “Global Trade Careers, the WTO's 30-Year Legacy, and Future Pathways” was organised on 06 February 2026.
This Colloquium also marked the establishment of the International Network for Trade Advocacy, Development & Research (IN-TADR) under the Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, SLT aimed at strengthening advocacy, capacity-building, and high-quality research in international trade law.
Structure of the Summit
The Summit will consist of two parallel flagship components:
Module I: International Conference
· Paper presentations in technical sessions
· Expert-led thematic panel discussions
Module II: Mock WTO Exercise (First of its Kind in India)
· Student-exclusive simulation of WTO negotiations
· Drafting of negotiated outcomes and resolutions
(Detailed schedule will be circulated post-registration closure.)
Theme of the Conference
'The WTO@30: Reimagining Multilateralism in International Trade Law'
Indicative Sub-Themes
· Digital Trade and the Data-Driven Economy
· Trade, Sustainability, and Climate Action
· Emerging Goods, Services, and Hybrid Trade Forms
· Power Asymmetries in Global Trade Governance
· Reforming the Dispute Settlement System
· Services Liberalisation and the GATS Agenda
· Investment Facilitation and Trade
(Sub-themes are indicative and non-exhaustive.)
Call for Papers
Research papers in English are invited from academicians, professionals, researchers, practitioners, and students in India and abroad.
Abstract Submission
· Maximum 500 words (including 5 keywords), Bio-note (50 words), MS Word format, Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing, Justified Alignment
Full Paper Submission
· Maximum 10000 words (inclusive of abstract and footnotes), OSCOLA (4th Edition) citation style, Co-authorship permitted upto two authors, Times New Roman, 12pt, 1.5 line spacing, Justified Alignment.
Note:
· Registration fee for paper presentation is payable only after the Notification of Acceptance of the Abstract.
· Author/s of the selected abstract shall be notified separately along with a QR Code/Link for full paper submission, registration & fee payment through email.
· Registration fee shall apply to co-authors as per their respective designations.
Mock WTO Exercise
Theme: The Intersection between Trade and the Digital Economy
Objective
The Mock WTO Exercise is designed to provide students with hands-on exposure to multilateral trade diplomacy, mirroring actual WTO negotiation processes.
Eligibility
Undergraduate and postgraduate students of law, economics, business, and allied disciplines (India and abroad).
Participation Framework
· Country Delegations representing WTO Members
· Provisional Committees, including:
o Council for Trade in Services
o Negotiating Group on Market Access
o TRIPS Council
o Trade and Competition
· Position Papers (to be compulsorily submitted by delegates)
· Committee Chairs to guide procedure and consensus-building
Registration & Fees
Conference Only
· Indian Academicians/Professionals/ Research Scholars: INR 2500
· Indian Students: INR 1500
· Foreign Participants: USD 20
Mock WTO Only (Students)
· Indian Delegates: INR 1200
· Foreign Delegates: USD 15
Both Conference & Mock WTO
· Indian Students: INR 2700
· Foreign Students: USD 35
Link for the Submission of Abstract: https://forms.gle/Y3oArfsPmyx4EHCW8
Link for Mock WTO Registration: https://forms.gle/tZmka8SX7wYQHLhq9
Bank Details
Account Holder Name: Registrar, Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur
Bank Name: State Bank of India
Branch Address: Indravati Bhawan, Nava Raipur Atal Nagar
Bank Account No.: 41394244908
Bank IFSC Code: SBIN0018097
Swift Code: SBININBB646
Accommodation
· INR 1500 per person for the duration
· University Hostel accommodation available (non-AC)
· Separate facilities for male and female participants
· Can be extended for INR 500 per day (subject to availability)
For more event details, please visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X80xjqDMnpvqU9JVEDgxqD1ienuwzFnP
Important Dates
· Opening of Registration (only for Mock WTO Delegates): 06 February 2026 onwards
· Deadline for the Submission of Abstract: 31 March 2026 till 11:59 PM IST
· Notification of Acceptance of Abstract: 26 April 2026
· Opening of Registration & Fee Payment (for Conference): 27 April 2026
· DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION & FEE PAYMENT (for both Conference & Mock WTO): 20 July 2026 till 11:59 PM IST
· Deadline for the Submission of Research Paper: 06 September 2026 till 11:59 PM IST
· Date of the International Trade Law Summit: 02 to 04 October 2026
About HNLU
A premier national law university committed to advanced legal education, interdisciplinary research, and public service, guided by its motto “Dharma Sansthapanartham.”
About the School for Law & Technology
HNLU's research hub for technology, trade, IP, data protection, AI, and policy studies.
About the Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies
A leading centre for research and capacity-building in international trade and intellectual property law, with sustained collaboration under the WTO Chairs Programme.
About the WTO
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the only global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations.
About the WTO Young Trade Leaders Programme
The WTO's Young Trade Leaders Programme aims to foster understanding of the WTO and international trade among young people by creating a global network of “Young Trade Leaders'.
About the Centre for Trade and Investment Law
CTIL was established in 2016 by India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry at IIFT. Its main goal is to analyse legal issues related to international trade and investment law for the government of India and agencies.
About the WTO Chairs Programme
The WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) enhances knowledge and understanding of the multilateral trading system among academics, policymakers and other stakeholders.
Contact Information
For further details and queries, please contact:
Dr. Ankit Awasthi
Head, Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies
Email: itls@hnlu.ac.in
Ms. Kruthika Senthil Kumar
Student Convenor
Email: itls@hnlu.ac.in