Session 8:
Supporting the international rules-based trading system: developments in the WTO, G20 and toward an FTA with the European Union
We invite you to attend the eighth lecture of the ILS International Law and Practice Course 2025 to hear Catherine Raper share her expertise on recent developments in international trade policy.
The international rules-based trading system, with the World Trade Organization at its core, is fundamental to Australia’s interests as a middle-sized, trading nation dependent on rules rather than power. However, that system is currently facing unprecedented tensions and challenges, including from unilateral trade measures such as “reciprocal tariffs” and rules that have not kept up with today’s practices. The Australian Government is actively working to navigate and address these challenges in fora such as the WTO and G20 through work on reforms and new rules, and through trade diversification with partners such as the European Union, Australia’s largest trading partner with which we do not have a trade agreement.
Date
Tuesday
25 November 2025
Time
7:45 am - 9:00 am
AEST
Register your in-person attendance via email to isabelle.coleman@lawcouncil.au
by Friday, 21 November 2025.
Location
Law Society of New South Wales
170 Phillip Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
Meet the Speaker
Catherine Raper
Catherine Raper is First Assistant Secretary of the Office of Global Trade Negotiations at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, responsible for World Trade Organization (WTO), OECD and G20 Foreign and Trade Ministers processes. She is also Australia’s Chief Negotiator for the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Previously she was Australian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (2021-24) and Head of Post (Representative) at the Australian Office in Taipei (2014-17). Earlier she served at the Australian Embassies in Washington and The Hague and at the Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva.