The competition, convened through the Beyond Trade Network community—GTP’s global hub of trade professionals—challenged students to propose actionable ideas for  how international trade can better underpin resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food systems.

The response was overwhelming: 58 teams from across the world signed up. After an intense round of evaluations, 16 were shortlisted and, ultimately, 3 finalists emerged with creative, high-potential proposals to tackle one of the most urgent global challenges.

Now, the countdown is on.

As we gear up for Geneva Trade Week 2025, GTP is preparing to showcase the innovativeness of these student teams on the big stage. On 16 September 2025, the WTO Director-General will deliver keynote remarks before the three finalists present their ideas to a high-level jury of Ambassadors from across multilateral Geneva and a winner is announced.

To stay updated on the winning team, check out the WTO’s YouTube channel on 16 September 2025 at 14:00 CEST.

Finalist

Team Spice Pacific - Nanyang Technological University

"Redirecting Trade-Related Food Loss to Sustainable Biofuels"

• Taufeeq Nihal Khan Marcos (Captain)
• Parag Dass
• Eveline Tahir
• Joel Tan

Team Global Grains - European University Institute & Geneva graduate institute

"The Harvest-to-Market Facilitation Pathway"

• Jana Gröniger (Captain)
• Arne Olesen
• Antonia Massocco
• Mylan Evrard

Team AgroStrategos - Nanjing Agricultural University

"Reforming Agricultural Export Restrictions: A Step to Build a Resilient Trade System for Global Food Security"

• Yiqi Xu, (Captain)
• Lu Chen,
• Yan Du,
• Yifan Qu,

Other Proposals

Team Bin's Bingo - University of International Business and Economics CHINA

"Smallholder-Dedicated Green Trade Corridor Proposal"

• Siwan Bai (Captain)
• Yiwei Lu
• Dongxue Wu
• Weisen Luo

Team FastTrack Food - Indian Institute Of Foreign Trade

"Food Security Credit & Corridors  "

• Rohit Barman (Captain)
• Siddharth Yadavarag
• Soumendra Das

Team FoodBridge - Universiti Putra Malaysia, University of the Gambia, American International University

"Reducing Africa's Food Import Dependency: A Digital Platform to Connect Regional Surplus and Deficit Areas"

• Muhammad Marong (Captain) - Universiti Putra Malaysia
• Alagie Faye - University of the Gambia
• Maimuna Jammeh - American International University

Team Gold Coast - Baylor University & Fort Hays state University,

"Strengthening Global Food Security Through Multilateral Trade System Innovation"

• Raphael Abayateye (Captain)
• Nana-Esi Irie Hanson

Team Green Roots

"AI for Sustainable Trade: Green Roots of Global Commerce"

• Dur E Najaf (Captain), Arid Agriculture University
• Faiza Noor, University of Karachi
• Azzrial Rifky, Universitas gadha mada
• Emmanuel Fodieng - University Institute of Technology Fotso Victor | University of Dschang

Team Hope Seekers - university mohammed vi polytechnic

"AgriTrade Watch: From Surprise to Signal"

• Imane CHAKOUAT (Captain), Arid Agriculture University
• Aya MAGHRAOUI
• Fatima-Ezzahra EL OIRDANI
• Jihane TALBI

Team Life Wire - University of Lagos

"Smart Food Chain Network: Harnessing Digital Trade Tools to Strengthen Global Food Security"

• Abiodun Akinyemi (Captain)
• Joy Uchendu

Team M-PACT - University of Twente

"ADAPTIVE CIRCULAR RESILIENCE HUB NETWORKS FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL TRADE"

• Debraj Deka (Captain)
• Yatharth Ratan Gondwana

Team Policrafters - Université Clermont Auvergne, Johannes Kepler University

"Tackling Rice Insecurity in Southeast Asia Through Adaptive Multilayered Food Network Intelligence System (AMFIS)"

• Ashley Siagian (Captain)
• Alvian Jonathan Sutrisno
• Elise Guillot

Team Aurora - University of Cambridge

"Decentralising Trade to Strengthen Global Food Security"

• Chinemerem Akamihe (Captain)
• Stephanie Tawiah

Team TRADE4FOOD - International Relations Institute of Cameroun

"EduSPS DataHub"

• Prince Uriel Esdras DUCHESNE (Captain)
• Janisse Colombe BERÂKAH NDJE
• Rody Rostant Ngatan Kouetchou
• Obi Junior AKONTOP EYONG

Team UWI Mona - University of the West Indies

"Smallholder-Dedicated Green Trade Corridor Proposal"

• Rachelle Bradshaw (Captain)
• Sherline Gittens
• Daniel Williams
• Sharisa Buckle

Team WTO and Food Security - University of Carthage / University Paris Est Creteil

"Draft WTO Agreement on Food Security and Trade: Turning MC12 declarations into WTO rules and obligations"

• Houssem Hamdi (Captain)
• Myriam Ben Ali