On 27 and 28 January 2026, members of the EFTA Parliamentary Committee and EFTA Consultative Committee convened in Geneva for a series of high-level exchanges on global trade developments and EFTA's third country relations. The two-day seminar brought together leading experts, senior officials and ambassadors to discuss key challenges and opportunities shaping the multilateral trading system.

Global trade instability and economic security in focus

Among the main topics on the agenda were the evolving trade landscape and economic security. The programme opened with an overview of global trends, followed by insights from the World Economic Forum on the outlook for 2026. Committee members were briefed by a European Commission representative on the EU's new economic security doctrine - its framework to shield itself from geopolitical threats - and discussed possible implications for the EFTA States.

The committees then engaged in a discussion with the EU Ambassador to the WTO, H.E. Mr João Aguiar Machado, focusing on the Union's approach to shifting trade dynamics and on expectations for the WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Strengthening partnerships

The programme then shifted to North America, with an exchange with Canada's Ambassador to the WTO, H.E. Ms Nadia Theodore. In light of recent geopolitical developments, the dialogue focused the need for increased cooperation among like-minded countries and the importance of diversifying and deepening partnerships. In this context, the parliamentarians and social partners highlighted opportunities for deeper trade cooperation between Canada and EFTA.

The committees also participated in a roundtable with the EFTA Ambassadors to the WTO to discuss topics including WTO reform and the new Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership.

In addition to these meetings, members had the opportunity to meet with high-level representatives from the Embassy of Viet Nam to Switzerland. The exchange focused on trade cooperation between EFTA and Viet Nam, as well as Viet Nam's priorities as Chair of the CPTPP in 2026.

The seminar concluded with a briefing from the International Labour Organization and a discussion with the Committee on Third-Country Relations, underlining EFTA's commitment to further deepening and diversifying partnerships worldwide.

Bringing EFTA closer to the lives of citizens

The EFTA Parliamentary Committee and EFTA Consultative Committee have an important advisory role within the organisation. The mission of both committees is to scrutinise and advise the Member States on EFTA's trade relations with third countries, as well as on relations with the European Union through the implementation of the EEA Agreement. They are vital platforms for dialogue and consultation on social, economic and political aspects of EFTA's FTAs and the functioning of the European Economic Area. 

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