Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agribusiness Agricultural chains Trade

WTO-IICA Reference Center celebrates four years of service to the agriculture sector in the hemisphere through knowledge management

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

In 2015, the Center fielded over 400 technical queries about market access for agricultural products and trade and agricultural policies in the Americas.

Nadia Monge, Trade Specialist at the WTO-IICA Reference Center, is one of the staff members responsible for providing advisory services and information regarding a wide range of trade-related topics.

San José, 21 June, 2016 (IICA). The World Trade Organization (WTO) Reference Center located at the headquarters of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) celebrates four years of operation today.

The Reference Center provides IICA member countries with information and knowledge management services in areas related to trade and agribusiness, trade policy, international trade negotiations, and matters addressed by the WTO Agriculture and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Committees.

In 2015 alone, the Center fielded over 400 technical queries about market access for agricultural products and trade and agricultural policies in the countries. Additionally, stakeholders in the government, business and academic sectors requested advisory services on trade and tariff negotiations and preferences for agricultural products in free trade agreements, as well as general information about the WTO.

The Reference Center also provided guidance on topics such as the implementation of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, market trends for tropical products, and the WTO Trade Policy Reviews, which detail all of the measures that governments implement for trade with other countries.

“We also addressed questions regarding regulations on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, statistical information on the export and import of agricultural products, data on profiles and tariffs, and regulations and laws on export regimes,” stated Adriana Campos, Trade Specialist and Coordinator of the WTO Reference Center.

The duties carried out by the Reference Center are part of the IICA Flagship Project entitled “Competitiveness and Sustainability of Agricultural Chains for Food Security and Economic Development,” as a result of the partnership between the Institute and the WTO. The Center addresses the project’s specific objective related to institutional frameworks and policies. Its work is also directly related to one of the expected results of the project, which focuses on enhancing the capabilities of the Member States for participating effectively in international forums dealing with the mobilization of resources for agriculture.

Any interested person may request technical assistance from the Reference Center. Queries may be submitted via email to centroreferencia.omc@iica.int, by phone at 2216-0358 or 2216-0170, or in person by scheduling an appointment.

More information:

adriana.campos@iica.int

nadia.monge@iica.int

centroreferencia.omc@iica.int

 

Share

Related news​

San José, Costa Rica

June 5, 2025

At IICA, Costa Rican cacao producers are recognized for the excellence of their products and for their contribution to rural development and nutrition in the region

Experts analyzed 15 samples of cacao from various parts of the Central American country, with the five that received the highest scores then declared winners of the 2025 competition. The same five samples were sent to Rome, Italy, where they will represent Costa Rica in the international “Cacao of Excellence” competition, the stepping stone to the International Cocoa Awards.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Turrialba, Costa Rica

June 3, 2025

On a study visit to Costa Rica, ministers of Agriculture, rural youth and women of the Eastern Caribbean were introduced to improved agricultural practices

The mission began with two days of activities at IICA Headquarters in San Jose, including meeting with the IICA Director General, Manuel Otero. The visitors then travelled to CATIE.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

June 2, 2025

Ibero-America sees biofuels as a solution to decarbonize the energy sector  

The annual meeting of the Ibero-American Association of Energy Regulators (ARIAE), held in San Jose and Guanacaste, Costa Rica, featured the II Entrepreneurial Forum, attracting 200 participants, including the Costa Rican Minister of Environment and Energy, the Executive Secretary of the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) and authorities of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB); the XV Regular Annual Meeting of the ARIAE General Assembly, which was attended by 17 regulatory agencies of ARIAE; and the XXVI Annual Meeting of ARIAE Energy Regulators.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins