The National University of Lesotho was awarded a World Trade Organization Chair in 2022. To celebrate this honour, it held a hybrid launch ceremony on Tuesday July 13, 2022 at Avani Lesotho Hotel; with virtual attendance by a Zoom link. There were two parts to this stunning event: the official launch ceremony in the morning and an Academic Seminar and Roundtable discussion on the Outcomes of the World Trade Organization 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in the afternoon. Giving remarks at this event were:

Assoc. Prof. Kananelo Mosito, NUL Pro-Vice Chancellor NUL, Assoc. Prof. Motlamelle Kapa, NUL WTO Chairholder, H.E. Xiangchen Zhang, Deputy Director General WTO, Mr. Werner Zdouc, Director, Knowledge Management Division, WTO, H.E. Mr. Oudot de Dainville, Permanent Representative of France to the WTO, H.E. Mr Thabang Matjama, Lesotho Permanent Representative to the WTO, Mr. Stephen Karingi, WCP Advisory Board Member, Mr Fako Hakane, Secretary General Lesotho Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hon Minister Thabiso Molapo, Minister Trade and Industry and Prof. Olusola Isaac Fajana, Vice Chancellor NUL

1. Key Issues of Special Interest to Lesotho from MC12;
2. Declaration on the WTO Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics;
3. Emergency Response to Food Insecurity Declaration;
4. Moratorium on e-commerce and Digital Trade in Africa.