Pre-Summit International Colloquium on Global Trade Careers, The WTO’s 30-Year Legacy, and Future Pathways by HNLU: Register by Jan 28

About Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur

Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) is a premier institute for legal education and research, and is in its 21st year of establishment. The University’s motto, “Dharma sansthapanartham,” translates to ‘for the sake of establishing the primacy of laws of eternal values.’ In line with this ethos, HNLU strives to provide advanced legal education that shapes students into more than just legal professionals; it instils in them a profound responsibility to contribute to society.

About the International Colloquium

To commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Hidayatullah National Law University, Raipur, through its Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School of Law and Technology, in collaboration with the WTO Young Trade Leaders Programmeand the Centre for Trade and Investment Law, IIFT, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India under the ‘WTO Chairs Program’ is set to host a three-day in-person International Trade Law Summit titled ‘The WTO@30 Summit’ from October 2-4, 2026. This Summit is designed as an outreach of the ‘WTO Young Trade Leaders Program’ and aims to foster global trade awareness and career opportunities for young professionals.

To build momentum and set the stage for the official Summit launch, a One-Day Pre-Summit International Colloquium on ‘Global Trade Careers, The WTO’s 30-Year Legacy, and Future Pathways’ is planned for February 6, 2026. This Colloquium aims to bring together students, research scholars, academics, and trade practitioners for substantive engagement on emerging opportunities, skills, and professional trajectories in the field of international trade law and policy.

Structure of the International Colloquium

1. Meet the Young Trade Leader: A Conversation with Ms. Aarushi Shrivastav

The Colloquium will feature an in-person exclusive session with Ms. Aarushi Shrivastav, a distinguished Young Trade Leader (India) at the World Trade Organisation and an International Trade and Industrial Policy Analyst at Global Counsel. This session offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with a distinguished young professional shaping global trade advocacy and a roadmap to build a career in the field of International Trade Law.

2. Panel Discussion: Global Trade Careers, The WTO’s Institutional Evolution, and Beyond

This panel will convene leading trade experts, practitioners and young trade enthusiasts to explore two critical areas: The evolution of international trade law and policy over the past three decades, and the WTO’s institutional role and transformation since its establishment. The discussion will also delve into the impact of international trade policy on global economics and development, offering clear pathways and opportunities for careers in international trade law and policy. In brief, it aims to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of global trade careers.

3. Official Release: Launch of the WTO@30 Summit Brochure

The Colloquium will serve as the official platform to set the stage for the main event. It will culminate in the formal release of the detailed Summit brochure and dedicated webpage for the WTO@30 Summit (October 2-4, 2026). This Summit will bring together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and other key stakeholders to examine the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities for meaningful reform of the multilateral trading system, with a particular focus on the role of youth in shaping this process.

Key Summit Highlights

The Summit will include technical sessions for research paper presentations and a panel discussion covering key thematic areas such as digital trade and data governance, sustainable development, institutional reforms, and trade & competition policy.

The Summit will host a Mock WTO Simulation (the first time in India), offering students and young professionals hands-on experience in multilateral trade diplomacy through negotiations and resolution drafting. To provide participants with a broader understanding of trade negotiations and related strategies, a certificate program will also be organised for all registered participants of the summit prior to the day of the Mock WTO Simulation.

Members from trade lab clinics will be invited to join, along with registered participants. The purpose of this colloquium also includes the establishment of the International Network for Trade Advocacy, Development & Research (IN-TADR), a dedicated platform designed to advance advocacy, capacity development, and high-quality research in the field of international trade law and set the stage for the official release of the detailed Summit brochure and web page. Further details about the summit will be shared on February 6, 2026, at the Pre-Summit International Colloquium – ‘Global Trade Careers, The WTO’s 30-Year Legacy, and Future Pathways’.

Registration Fees for Participation in the Colloquium

Indian Participants

• Academicians/Professionals: INR 1000
• Research Scholars and Students: INR 800

Foreign Participants

• Academicians/Professionals: USD 20
• Research Scholars and Students: USD 10

Note:

• The registration fee includes the Registration Kit, Lunch, and High Tea scheduled for February 6, 2026.
• Accommodation is not included in the registration fee.
• Participants requiring accommodation may opt for it during registration.
• Accommodation will be allotted on a first-come, first-served basis upon payment.
• Registration fee is non-refundable under any circumstances.

Bank details

• Name of the Account Holder: 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 [For Indian participants]
• Bank MICR Code: 492002055
• Swift Code-SBININBB646 [For foreign participants]

Dates to Remember

• Deadline for the Registration & Fee Payment for the colloquium: 28 January 2026
• Date of the colloquium: 6 February 2026

Registration Procedure

Click Here To Apply.

The brochure is here.