WTO E-commerce Joint Statement Initiative Negotiations: Nearing the Finish Line

About the event

As the e-commerce JSI negotiations at the WTO near the completion of their draft legal text, this session serves as a crucial moment to review and assess the current draft. Attendees will receive the latest updates on the negotiations, gain insights into the agreement's contents, and understand the remaining points of discussion. Additionally, the session will focus on the development goals of the agreement, exploring the expected benefits for developing countries and LDC parties and identifying areas where stronger outcomes may be achieved. This event is exclusively for WTO developing and LDC member government delegates from Geneva and their capitals. Both signatories and non-signatories are welcome, and we encourage sharing this invitation with knowledgeable colleagues who would find the seminar beneficial.

Tentative agenda

1:30 - 1:35 pm. Welcoming remarks.

• Alice Tipping, Director, Trade and Sustainable Development, IISD.

1:35 - 2:15 pm. Session 1: State-of-Play of the E-Commerce JSI Negotiations at the WTO.

• Moderator: Alice Tipping, Director, Trade and Sustainable Development, IISD.
• Gerbera Choo, Mission of Singapore to the WTO.
• Rashmi Jose, Senior Policy Advisor, IISD.

2:15 - 2:50 pm. Session 2: A Closer Look at Development.

• Moderator: Rashid S. Kaukab, Senior Specialist, IISD.
• Débora Cumes, Counsellor Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the WTO.
• Joel K. Richards, Counsellor, Mission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) in Geneva.

2:50 - 3:00 pm. Closing remarks.

• Alice Tipping, Director, Trade and Sustainable Development, IISD.