E-learning course on agriculture in trade agreements

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) and Markets and Trade Division (EST), in partnership with United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) are launching the first edition of their joint online course titled "Agriculture in Trade Agreements" from October 5 - 30, 2025. Conducted exclusively in Arabic, the course aims to enhance the capacity of stakeholders in Arabic-speaking countries to develop and implement evidence-based trade policies that support food security and agriculture.

The aim of this training course is to enhance participants' capacity to:

• Gain a better understanding of the international regulatory frameworks governing trade, their implementation mechanisms, and the implications of recent WTO ministerial conferences.
• Discuss the importance of non-tariff measures on international trade and the significance of WTO agreements related to these measures for national trade policies.
• Identify trends in regional trade agreements, describe the provisions of these agreements in areas related to agricultural trade policy, and compare them with the provisions of multilateral trade agreements.

This course explores the intersection of agriculture and international trade, focusing on the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements and Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs). It is structured into three modules, each containing 2–3 lessons.

• Module 1: WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA): How agriculture is treated under global trade rules.
• Module 2: Non-Tariff Measures & Related WTO Agreements: Regulatory measures affecting agricultural trade.
• Module 3: Agriculture in Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs): How agriculture is addressed in regional trade deals.

The course targets policymakers, trade negotiators, agricultural economists, and professionals involved in international trade and food policy in the Near East and North Africa.

The course employs a self-paced study method through the UNITAR e-learning platform, featuring optional and mandatory reading materials, exercises, discussion forums, and assessments. It is facilitated by renowned international experts, ensuring the integration of real-life examples into the curriculum.

This course is designed for representatives from government bodies, private sector stakeholders, researchers, and students involved in agricultural policy and trade within Arabic-speaking countries. Priority is given to policymakers and practitioners who can influence agricultural trade activities and provide technical advice in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region.

Registration is open until mid-September, 2025, and participation is free. Due to limited spaces, selection will be based on geographical distribution and gender balance. Participants must obtain permission from competent authority to attend. Successful participants will receive a certificate of participation upon completion.

For more information and to register, visit UNITAR’s official course page: https://aita-arabic.unitar.org/

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