About the Event: International Trade Law Summit 2026
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), Raipur, through its Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, School of Law and Technology, in collaboration with the WTO Young Trade Leaders Programme and the Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL), IIFT, under the WTO Chairs Programme of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India is set to organise International Trade Law Summit on “The WTO@30: Reimagining Multilateralism in International Trade Law,” from 02 – 04 October 2026 in offline mode. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO), this Summit is designed as an outreach of the WTO Young Trade Leaders Programme and aims to foster global trade awareness and career opportunities for young professionals.
The event will feature thematic panel discussions and in-person technical sessions showcasing selected research papers and articles. It also includes Mock WTO Exercise (First of its Kind in India), offering students a hands-on experience in multilateral trade diplomacy through a simulation of trade negotiations and resolution drafting. This summit is open to academicians, researchers, professionals, practitioners, and students of law, business and economics from India and the international community.
Structure of the Summit
The Summit will consist of two parallel flagship components:
Module I: International Paper Conference
- Paper presentations in technical sessions.
- Expert-led thematic panel discussions.
Module II: Mock WTO Exercise (First of its Kind in India)
- Student-exclusive simulation of WTO negotiations.
- Drafting of negotiated outcomes and resolutions.
Module 1: Paper Presentation Conference
Theme of the Conference
‘The WTO@30: Reimagining Multilateralism in International Trade Law’
Indicative Sub-Themes
- Digital Trade and the Data-Driven Economy
- Trade, Sustainability, and Climate Action
- Emerging Goods, Services, and Hybrid Trade Forms
- Power Asymmetries in Global Trade Governance
- Reforming the Dispute Settlement System
- Services Liberalisation and the GATS Agenda
- Investment Facilitation and Trade
(Sub-themes are indicative and non-exhaustive.)
Call for Papers
Research papers in English are invited from academicians, professionals, researchers, practitioners, and students in India and abroad.
Abstract Submission
- Maximum 500 words (including 5 keywords), Bio-note (50 words), MS Word format, Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5-line spacing, Justified Alignment
Full Paper Submission
- Maximum 10000 words (inclusive of abstract and footnotes), OSCOLA (4th Edition) citation style, Co-authorship permitted up to two authors, Times New Roman, 12pt, 1.5-line spacing, Justified Alignment.
Note:
- Registration fee for paper presentation is payable only after the Notification of Acceptance of the Abstract.
- Author/s of the selected abstract shall be notified separately along with a QR Code/Link for full paper submission, registration & fee payment through email.
- Registration fee shall apply to co-authors as per their respective designations.
Registration & Fees
- Indian Academicians/Professionals/ Research Scholars: INR 2500
- Indian Students: INR 1500
- Foreign Participants: USD 20
Link for the Submission of Abstract: https://forms.gle/Y3oArfsPmyx4EHCW8
Module 2: Mock WTO Exercise
Theme
The Intersection between Trade and the Digital Economy
Eligibility
Undergraduate and postgraduate students of law, economics, business, and allied disciplines (India and abroad).
Participation Framework
- Country Delegations representing WTO Members
- Provisional Committees, including:
- Council for Trade in Services
- Negotiating Group on Market Access
- TRIPS Council
- Trade and Competition
- Position Papers (to be compulsorily submitted by delegates)
- Committee Chairs to guide procedure and consensus-building
Registration & Fees
- Indian Delegates: INR 1200
- Foreign Delegates: USD 15
Registration Fees for Both Conference & Mock WTO
- Indian Students: INR 2700
- Foreign Students: USD 35
Link for Mock WTO Registration: https://forms.gle/tZmka8SX7wYQHLhq9
Bank Details
Account Holder Name: 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
Swift Code: SBININBB646
Accommodation
- INR 1500 per person for the duration
- University Hostel accommodation available (non-AC)
- Separate facilities for male and female participants
- Can be extended for INR 500 per day (subject to availability)
Prizes
Internship opportunities, Publication opportunities & Cash Prizes to be announced soon on the Centre’s Instagram Handle and LinkedIn Profile.
Important Dates
| Date | Description |
| 06 February 2026 onwards
|
Opening of Registration (only for Mock WTO Delegates) |
| 20 April 2026 till 11:59 PM IST | Deadline for the Submission of Abstract |
| 26 April 2026 | Notification of Acceptance of Abstract
|
| 27 April 2026
|
Opening of Registration & Fee Payment (for Conference |
| 20 July 2026 till 11:59 PM IST | DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION & FEE PAYMENT (for both Conference & Mock WTO) |
| 06 September 2026 till 11:59 PM IST | Deadline for the Submission of Research Paper |
| 02 to 04 October 2026
|
Date of the International Trade Law Summit |
About Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU)
Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU), established in the year 2003, has carved out a niche in the realm of legal education, soaring to new heights with more than twenty years of its existence. It is committed to advanced legal education, interdisciplinary research, and public service, guided by its motto “Dharma Sansthapanartham.” Under its aegis, it has the School for Law & Technology, a research hub for technology, trade, IP, data protection, AI, and policy studies and the Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies, a leading centre for research and capacity-building in international trade and intellectual property law, with sustained collaboration under the WTO Chairs Programme.
About the Centre for Trade and Investment Law
CTIL was established in 2016 by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry at IIFT. Its main goal is to analyse legal issues related to international trade and investment law for the government of India and agencies.
Contact Information
Email: itls@hnlu.ac.in
For registration,
Ms. Anindita Pati (Student Organising Committee) +91 70774 02233
Ms. Soumya Yadav Student Organising Committee) +91 98103 02478
For further details and queries, please contact:
Dr. Ankit Awasthi, Head, Centre for WTO & WIPO Studies
Ms. Kruthika Senthil Kumar Student Convenor, +91 96064 33029
Ms. Amrita Nair, Student Co-convenor, +91 84848 08715
For more event details, please visit: https://linktr.ee/cwwsitls
