THE World Trade Organisation's (WTO) 2021 Public Forum, to be held later this year, will look at the effects of COVID-19 on trade and how the multilateral trading system can help build resilience to the pandemic and future crises.

The Public Forum is the WTO's largest annual outreach event, which provides a platform for heads of State, parliamentarians, business people, students, academics and civil society to come together and debate a wide range of trade and development topics.

To be held from September 28-30, the theme this year will be "Trade beyond COVID-19: Building Resilience," with the sub-themes, enhancing resilience beyond COVID-19, strengthening the multilateral trading system and collective action towards sustainable trade.

"The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented health crisis with far-reaching socio-economic effects. It has increased poverty and deepened inequality across the world - with women, youth and children the most affected," said the WTO.

Global employment losses stood at 114 million jobs relative to 2019, with the subsequent loss in income having far-reaching consequences, including increased stress and mental illness, greater domestic violence and fewer children going to school.

The World Bank estimates that the pandemic will push as many as 163 million people into poverty by this year, threatening progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The public forum sees over 1,500 participants in attendance each year.In light of the uncertainties and restrictions related to COVID-19, the WTO will announced the format of the forum by mid-June.