WTPO AWARDS 2027
are now open!

The WTPO Awards recognize outstanding Trade Promotion Organizations that excel in export development initiatives.

Apply Now

Countdown to the Application Deadline

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About the WTPO Awards

For nearly 30 years, ITC has brought together Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) from around the world to celebrate excellence, share good practices and strengthen the global trade promotion community.

The WTPO Awards recognize innovative and impactful initiatives that strengthen exports, enhance SME competitiveness and contribute to sustainable economic development. Together with the TPO Leadership Dialogue, they offer a unique platform to gain international recognition, learn from peers and build meaningful connections.

TPO Leadership Dialogue and Awards around the world

The WTPO Awards finalists will be announced at the TPO Leadership Dialogue, a high-level global forum bringing together leaders of national trade and investment promotion organizations and senior trade representatives from around the world.

The Dialogue provides a unique space for TPO leaders to exchange experiences, address emerging challenges and opportunities, and strengthen relationships and partnerships.

Held alongside the Global SME Ministerial, the Dialogue also creates a unique opportunity for TPO leaders to connect with ministers, policymakers and the private sector, strengthening collaboration and coordination between trade policy and trade promotion.

Over the years, the TPO Leadership Dialogue and WTPO Awards have travelled around the world, bringing the global trade promotion community together in different host cities. Explore the journey through past host cities and editions below.

🏰
1996
Cartagena
Colombia
⛰️
1998
Santiago
Chile
🕌
2000
Marrakech
Morocco
🏯
2002
Beijing
China
2004
St. Julian's
Malta
🏛️
2007
Buenos Aires
Argentina
⚖️
2008
The Hague
Netherlands
🌅
2010
Mexico City
Mexico
🏙️
2012
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
🌇
2014
Dubai
UAE
🕌
2016
Marrakech
Morocco
🗼
2018
Paris
France
🗽
2022
Accra
Ghana
🏢
2025
Johannesburg
South Africa

2027 Award Categories

Explore the three award categories and choose the one that best fits your initiative(s).

Best Use of Partnerships

Best Use of Partnerships

Leverages partnerships and collaborative networks to strengthen export development and increase impact.

Best Use of Technology

Best Use of Technology

Uses innovative digital solutions to improve productivity, service delivery, client engagement and exporter support.

Best Initiative for Inclusive and Sustainable Trade

Best Initiative for Inclusive and Sustainable Trade

Advances inclusive growth, sustainable trade and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

WTPO Awards 2027: Download the Application Guide and Apply Now.

New For 2027:Special TPO Trailblazer Award
Learn More

Hear From 2024 Winners

Winner: Business France
Winner: Switzerland Global Enterprise
Winner: ApexBrasil

Why Apply

Participating in the WTPO Awards is more than competing for an award; it is an opportunity to demonstrate your organization's impact and join a global community of leading Trade Promotion Organizations.

Gain international recognition for outstanding achievements
Demonstrate impact to governments, partners and stakeholders
Benchmark your initiatives against leading TPOs worldwide
Share innovative practices with the global trade promotion community
Increase your visibility through ITC's international communication channels
Receive expert feedback to strengthen future initiatives

Download the application guide to prepare for your submission, with eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and other FAQs.

Download Now

Key Dates

21 Sept 2026
Call for Applications
Launch of WTPO Awards
15 Nov 2026
Application Deadline
Stage 1
21 Dec 2026
Qualifying applicants
confirmed and informed
26 Feb 2027
Application Deadline
Stage 2
4 May 2027
Shortlisted Finalists
announced and informed
25 May 2027
Winners announced
at the Global SME Ministerial & TPO Leadership Dialogue

The first TPO Leadership Dialogue in its new format was held on 22 July 2025, alongside the inaugural Global SME Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event culminated in a gala ceremony celebrating the WTPO Awards winners - Business France, Switzerland Global Enterprise and ApexBrasil - and runners-up PROCOMER, ProDominicana and NIPDB.

New This Year: TPO Trailblazer Award

For the first time, the WTPO Awards introduce a special distinction: the TPO Trailblazer Award.

Separate from the three main TPO Award categories, the Trailblazer Award:

  • Recognizes TPOs that are turning commitment into action by implementing concrete changes aligned with their TPO Roadmaps for Excellence, developed as an outcome of the 2025 TPO Leadership Dialogue.
  • Follows a distinct evaluation criteria and process, separate from the three main WTPO Award categories.
  • Is conferred by the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC) rather than assessed by the WTPO Awards jury.

Organizations may apply for both the TPO Awards and the Trailblazer Award. Applications are independent, and applying for one does not affect eligibility for the other.

The TPO Roadmaps for Excellence were launched during the 2025 TPO Leadership Dialogue.

Learn More

TPO Trailblazer Award: Download the Application Guide and Apply Now.

Need Assistance?

For questions regarding the WTPO Awards or the application process, please contact: wtpo-awards@intracen.org.