N° 92 — February/March 2019 - World Trade Organization€¦ · 1st Working Party Meeting — 21 March 2019 The íst Working Party meeting took place on March . The meeting was

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Accessions Strategic Objectives

Domestic reform instrument

Systemic update

Market access expansion

International cooperation for trade

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Inside this issue: • Accession of South Sudan: 1st Working Party

Meeting — 21 March 2019

• Trade for Peace through the WTO Accession

Process: Opportunities for South Sudan

• Accession of Uzbekistan: DDG Wolff’s visit to Tashkent, 19-21 February 2019 and Working Party Chairperson’s visit to Tashkent, 12-13 March 2019

• Accession Working Parties 2019 Strategic Focus: Belarus, Serbia

• Accession Working Parties State of Play:

Equatorial Guinea , Sudan, and Timor-Leste

• WTO Accession Progress Tracker and Evolving Work Programme

• Accessions Anniversary Dates — Article XII

Members — March

• Accessions Toolbox

N° 92 — February/March 2019

Accession of South Sudan: 1st Working Party Meeting — 21 March 2019

The 1st Working Party meeting took place on 21 March 2019. The meeting was chaired by Ambassador Mohammad Qurban Haqjo (Afghanistan), who had been appointed as Chairperson of the Working Party just before the meeting. The delegation of South Sudan was led by Mr. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni, Chief Nego-tiator and Presidential Advisor on Economic Affairs, and included thirteen senior officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and EAC Affairs; the Ministry of Petroleum; the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; the Bank of South Sudan; as well as a member of the Tran-sitional Legislative Assembly. This meeting took place back-to-back with the third Joint Trade Policy Review of the East African Com-munity (EAC), as South Sudan has been a member of the Community since 2016.

In his opening statement, Mr. Sabuni con-firmed South Sudan Government's commit-ment to undertake the required reforms for WTO accession based on the principles of the rule of law, transparency, good governance and respect for human rights. South Sudan had adopted an open-market-based economic model to stimulate economic growth and recognized the role of WTO membership in:

(i) providing a level-playing field (ii) contrib-uting towards poverty eradication by creating jobs for vulnerable groups such as women and the youth; (iii) promoting peace and state building; (iv) attracting foreign direct invest-ment; and (v) increasing access to internation-al markets. Joining the WTO would put South Sudan on an equal footing with its partners in the EAC and facilitate the implementation of its EAC obligations. Finally, the Chief Negotia-tor conveyed his Government's determination to achieve WTO membership within 5 years.

Members expressed support and readiness to work with South Sudan to advance the acces-sion process. They commended South Sudan for holding the first Meeting of the Working Party within 15 months since the establish-ment of the Working Party; this constituted a record-breaking achievement.

Following the examination of South Sudan's foreign trade regime, based on the Memoran-dum of the Foreign Trade Regime (MFTR), Members were invited to submit questions and comments by 18 April 2019. South Sudan was invited to update the MFTR and prepare negotiating inputs, including initial market access offers on goods and services.

1st Working Party Meeting on the Accession of South Sudan , 21 March 2019

Ambassador Mohammad Haqjo and Delegation of South Sudan

Ambassador Mohammad Haqjo (Afghanistan), Working Party Chairperson

Mr Aggrey Tisa Sabuni, Chief Negotiator

Delegation of South Sudan, 21 March 2019

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Trade for Peace through the WTO Accession Process: Opportunities for South Sudan On the margins of the 1st Working Party meeting, the Secretariat organised a panel discussion on "Trade for Peace through the WTO Accession Process: Opportunities for South Sudan". In his opening remarks, WTO Deputy Director-General Alan Wm. Wolff noted that one of the most compelling reasons for optimism for the multilateral trading system was that acceding governments saw in the WTO what the founders of the GATT had envisioned in its creation in 1947 - a path towards economic growth, leading to greater domestic stability, and a better chance to attain and sustain peace. Chief Negotiator Sabuni stated that while after years of instability and conflict, stability was returning to South Sudan with the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement in September 2018, the country would now "need to incentivize peace" by creating job opportunities for the youth and providing sustained economic growth.

Ambassador Kadra Ahmed Hassan, Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the WTO noted that progress in WTO accessions could

enhance regional integration and economic prosperity in the Horn of Africa where landmark peace agreements had recently been signed. Ambassador Zorica Maric Djordjevic, former Permanent Representative of Montenegro to the WTO, highlighted four factors that would make the case for the WTO as a "peace project", i.e. WTO accession as (i) a contribution to the foundation for durable peace; (ii) an instrument for better resource mobilization, budget allocation and expenditure management; (iii) a framework for reducing the risk factors in countries with high dependence on natural resources; and (iv) an instrument for rebranding a country’s image. Finally, Mr. Daniel Weston, General Counsel and Global Head of Corporate Affairs and Creating Shared Value, Nestle Nespresso, highlighted South Sudan's commercial potential in the coffee sector where Nespresso had operated to help rebuild the industry after years of conflict.

N° 92 — February/March 2019

Accession of Uzbekistan: DDG Alan Wolff’s visit to Tashkent — 19-21 February 2019

At the invitation of the Government of Uzbekistan, WTO Deputy-Director General Alan Wm. Wolff participated in the International Conference "Central Asian Connectivity: Challenges and New Opportunities", on 19-20 February 2019. In his intervention, he highlighted the contributions that the WTO could make to realising the potential of Central Asia through increased connectivity and greater integration, including through WTO accession, the implementation of the TFA and a platform to discuss new rules on e-commerce.

On the margins of the Conference, he met with senior government officials to discuss Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO. These included: Mr. Elyor Ganiyev, Deputy Prime Minister; Mr Sardor Umurzakov, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade; Mr. Badriddin Abidov, Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession; Mr Jamshid Khodjaev, Minister of Agriculture; Mr. Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Sadyk Safayev, First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of Uzbekistan.

The Government of Uzbekistan expressed its strong desire to join the WTO as soon as possible, and highlighted the reform efforts undertaken so far.

It was also noted that all necessary institutional arrangements to support the WTO accession process had been put in place. These included the appointment of Deputy Minister Abidov as Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession, the establishment of the Inter-Agency Commission on WTO Accession chaired by the Minister, and the establishment of a new Department dedicated to WTO affairs at the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade.

Panel discussion on « Trade for Peace through the WTO Accession Process: Opportunities for South Sudan »

Nespresso Coffee « Suluja » from South Sudan

Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Ganiyev

Meeting with Mr Khodjaev, Minister of Agriculture

Meeting with Mr Umurzakov, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade, and Mr Abidov, Deputy Minister of Investments

and Foreign Trade and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession

DDG Wolff speaking to local journalists

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Accompanied by the Secretariat, Ambassador Ji-ah Paik (Republic of Korea), Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan, visited Tashkent on 12-13 March 2019. During her visit, she met with Mr. Sardor Umurzakov, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade; Mr. Badriddin Abidov, Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession; Mr. Ilkhom Nematov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Sakhib Saifnazarov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry. She welcomed the Government's efforts to resume the accession process after more than a decade of dormancy and conveyed the WTO Membership's readiness to engage with Uzbekistan. On the accession process, the Government informed the Chairperson of the state of preparation of accession documents, including the Memorandum on Foreign Trade

Regime, and expressed its desire to officially resume the Working Party around the summer break, following the submission of all required negotiating inputs. The Secretariat reiterated its readiness to provide technical assistance. In addition to these meetings, the Chairperson opened a workshop on “WTO Accession and Economic Development: The Experiences of Korea and the Implications for Uzbekistan”, organised by the Korean Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), on 12 March. At the workshop, Korean researchers presented on Korea's achievements and challenges in global trade, and its experience on agriculture and SPS issues in the WTO. On the margins of the Chairperson's visit, the International Trade Centre (ITC) also organized a "Round Table on Uzbekistan's WTO Accession: Law and Practice and Prioritization of Needs", with the participation of Ambassador Eduards Stiprais, Head of EU Delegation to Uzbekistan. Among the objectives of this event was the identification of Uzbekistan's priority needs in terms of technical assistance to be provided in the context of an EU-funded project that will be implemented by the ITC.

Accession of Uzbekistan:

Working Party Chairperson, Ambassador Ji-Ah Paik’s visit to Tashkent— 12-13 March 2019

N° 92 — February/March 2019

Belarus: Following the 11th Working Party Meeting held on 15 February 2019, Members submitted questions in writing. Belarus is currently preparing responses to those questions. Belarus aims at holding the 12th Working Party Meeting in the first half of July, depending on the timely preparation and circulation of the necessary inputs.

Serbia: On 4 March 2019, the Secretariat participated in a seminar on the WTO Accession of Serbia, organized at the University of Belgrade by the Government of Switzerland and the IDEAS Centre. The seminar addressed the academic community and focused on matters related to WTO accession and the benefits of WTO membership. On the margins of the seminar, the Secretariat held a technical working session with Serbia's negotiating team to discuss the Draft Report of the Working Party which was currently being updated for an official resumption of the Working Party.

Accession Working Parties: 2019 Strategic Focus

Informal Group of Acceding Government Meeting (IGAG) -27 March 2019

Meeting with ITC Meeting with Mr Umurzakov, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade, and Mr Abidov, Deputy Minister of

Investments and Foreign Trade and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession

Visit to Artel Production Plant

Meeting with Mr Saifnazarov, Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry

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Accession Working Parties: State-of-play

Equatorial Guinea: On 5-7 March 2019, the Secretariat conducted a training activity in the context of a National Seminar on the WTO and the Multilateral Trading System. A mission to Malabo is planned for late May to assist the Government in preparing the Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime.

Sudan: On 24 March 2019, Dr. Mohamed Kheir Ahmed Alzeiber was appointed as Chief Negotiator for Sudan's accession to the WTO.

Timor-Leste: Ambassador Rui Macieira (Portugal) has been appointed as Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Timor-Leste, following the departure of Ambassador Pedro Nuno Bártolo.

N° 92 — February/March 2019

National Seminar in Malabo — 5-7 March 2019

Meeting with Mr Francisco Dionisio Fernandes, Chargé d’affaires, Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste — 3 April 2019

On 25 February, the Accessions Division held its first biannual retreat of 2019. The Division assessed the work done in 2018, and discussed the management of accession work for 2019 and the period leading up to MC12. Mr Alexei Kireyev, Senior Economist, IMF, was invited to deliver an overview of the Global Political Economy Outlook for 2019.

Accessions Division Retreat

Mr Alexei Kireyev, IMF — 25 February 2019

Accessions Division retreat — 25 February 2019

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WTO Accessions 2019 — Evolving Work Programme

WTO Accession Progress Tracker

Notes: * LDC — AGST (Agricultural Supporting Tables); CVQ (Customs Valuation Questionnaire); DWPR (Draft Working Party Report); FS (Factual Summary of Points Raised); ILQ (Import Licensing Questionnaire); LAP (Legislative Action Plan); LEG (legislation); MA (market access); MFTR (Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime); Q1 (1st quarter); STQ (State Trading Questionnaire); TA (technical assistance); WP (Working Party); WPM (Working Party meeting).

Accession WP WP Establishment

Last WP Meeting

State of Play Upcoming Activity

1. Algeria (DZA) Chair: H.E. Mr. José Luís CANCELA GÓMEZ (Uruguay)

17 June 1987 14WPM, 31 March 2014

- Preparation of updated inputs (replies, LAP, AGSTs, LEG)

-Circulation of updated inputs (TBC)

2. Andorra (AND) 22 October 1997 Inactive 3. Azerbaijan (AZE)

Chair: H.E. Dr Walter WERNER (Germany)

16 July 1997 14WPM, 28 July 2017

- Preparation of updated inputs (replies, LAP, AGSTs, LEG)

- 15WPM (TBC)

4. The Bahamas (BHS) Chair: H.E. Mr. Andrew STAINES (United Kingdom)

18 July 2001 3WPM, 21 September 2018

- Updated inputs (replies, LAP , LEG in December 2018 and in March 2019)

- 4WPM 5 April 2019

5. Belarus (BLR) Chair: H.E. Mr. Kemal MADENOĞLU (Turkey)

27 October 1993 11WPM, 15 February 2019

- Preparation of updated inputs (replies, LAP and DWPR)

- 12WPM July 2019 (TBC)

6. Bhutan* (BTN) Chair: H.E. Dr. Elisabeth TICHY-FISSLBERGER (Austria)

6 October 1999 4WPM, 30 January 2008

No activity since 2008

7. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) Chair: H.E. Mr. Atanas PAPARIZOV (Bulgaria)

15 July 1999 13WPM, 7 February 2018

- Preparation of updated inputs (replies, LAP as well as DWPR)

- Next/final WPM to be held in 2019 (TBC)

8. Comoros* (COM) Chair: H.E. Mr. Luis Enrique CHÁVEZ BASAGOITIA (Peru)

9 October 2007 4WPM, 28 March 2018

- Preparation updated inputs (replies, LAP as well as DWPR)

- Circulation of updated inputs - 5WPM (TBC)

9. Equatorial Guinea (GNQ) Chair: Pending

5 February 2008 No WPM held to date

- Preparation of MFTR - Secretariat's TA mission to Malabo in May 2019 (TBC)

10. Ethiopia* (ETH) Chair: H.E. Mr Morten JESPERSEN (Denmark)

10 February 2003 3WPM, 27 March 2012

- Preparation of full range of updated inputs (LAP, LEG, AGST, all questionnaires and checklists, MA offers, as well as FS)

- 4WPM, Q2 2019 (TBC)

N° 92 — February/March 2019

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WTO Accessions 2019 — Evolving Work Programme (Cont’d)

Notes: * LDC - AGST (Agricultural Supporting Tables); CVQ (Customs Valuation Questionnaire); DWPR (Draft Working Party Report); FS (Factual Summary of Points Raised); ILQ (Import Licensing Questionnaire); LAP (Legislative Action Plan); LEG (legislation); MA (market access); MFTR (Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime); Q1 (1st quarter); STQ (State Trading Questionnaire); TA (technical assistance); WP (Working Party); WPM (Working Party meeting).

Accession WP WP Establishment

Last WP Meeting

State of Play Upcoming Activity

11. Iran (IRN) Chair: Pending

26 May 2005 No WPM held to date

- Preparation of updated inputs (MFTR and MA offers)

12. Iraq (IRQ) Chair: H.E. Mr. Omar HILALE (Morocco)

13 December 2004 2WPM, 2 April 2008

- Updated MFTR circulated in Feb. 2018. - Preparation of full range of updated inputs (replies, LAP, LEG, AGST, checklists and questionnaires, MA offers)

- TA Mission in June (TBC) - 3WPM (TBC)

13. Lebanese Republic (LBN) Chair: Mr. Jean-Paul THUILLIER (France)

14 April 1999 7WPM, 28 October 2009

- Updated inputs (AGST, LAP, LEG, checklists and questionnaires, as well as DWPR) circulated to WP in April-June 2017 - Preparation of updated MA offers

- 8WPM (TBC)

14. Libya (LBY) Chair: Mr. Victor ECHEVARRÍA UGARTE (Spain)

27 July 2004 No WPM held to date

Inactive

15. Sao Tome and Principe* (STP) Chair: Pending

26 May 2005 No WPM held to date

- Preparation of MFTR

16. Serbia (SRB) Chair: H.E. Mrs Marie-Claire SWÄRD CAPRA (Sweden)

15 February 2005 13WPM, 13 June 2013

- Preparation of updated inputs (AGST, LAP, LEG as well as DWPR)

- Circulation of updated inputs in Q2 2019 (TBC) - 14WPM (TBC)

17. Somalia* (SOM) Chair: Pending

7 December 2016 No WPM held to date

- Preparation of MFTR

18. South Sudan* (SSD) Chair: H.E. Mr. Mohammad Qurban HAQJO (Afghanistan)

13 December 2017 No WPM held to date

- 1WPM 21 March 2019 (WTO/AIR/ACC/21 refers)

- Circulation of an update MFTR and other inputs in Q2/3 - 2 WPM (TBC)

19. Sudan* (SDN) Chair: Mr. Katsuro NAGAI (Japan)

25 October 1994 4WPM, 14 July 2017

- Updated inputs circulated (AGSTs, LAP, LEG, as well as FS) circulated in January 2019

- 5WPM in Q2 2019 (TBC)

20. Syrian Arab Republic (SYR) Chair: Pending

4 May 2010 No WPM held to date

Inactive

21. Timor-Leste* (TLS) Chair: H.E. Mr. Rui MACIEIRA (Portugal)

7 December 2016 No WPM held to date

- Preparation of replies on MFTR circulated in July 2017, as well as other inputs (LAP, LEG, initial MA offers)

- Secretariat's TA mission to Dili, Q1 2019 (TBC) - 1WPM, 2019 (TBC)

22. Uzbekistan (UZB) Chair: H.E. Ms PAIK Ji-ah (Republic of Korea)

21 December 1994 3WPM, 14 October 2005

- Preparation of complete set of updated inputs (MFTR, LAP, LEG, AGST, all other questionnaires and checklists, MA offers)

- Circulation of updated inputs - 4WPM in Q3 2019 (TBC)

N° 92 — February/March 2019

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➔ Accession Working Parties ➔ Accessions Evolving Work Programme

➔ WTO Director-General's Annual Reports on Accessions

➔ Accession Commitments Database (ACDB)

➔ Handbook on Accessions to the WTO ➔ WTO Accessions Internship - "China Programme"

➔ Accession-Related Technical Assistance Activities ➔ Accession processes of Article XII Members, click here

➔ Accession Intelligence Portal (AIP) on the WTO Website

(En, Fr, Es)

➔ WTO Accessions Newsletters

Accessions Toolbox

Accessions Anniversary dates — Article XII Members

Article XII Member Membership date

MARCH

Tajikistan 2 March 2013

APRIL The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

4 April 2003

Jordan 11 April 2000

Nepal 23 April 2004

Seychelles, Republic of 26 April 2015

Montenegro 29 April 2012

Previous WTO Accessions newsletters:

November 2018 December 2018

WTO Building — Centre William Rappard

January/February 2019

N° 92 — February/March 2019