The WTO Joint Statement on Electronic Commerce Initiative (JSI) aims to agree common rules in the following areas: Promote openness and trust in electronic commerce. cross-cutting issues. Telecommunications and market access for e-commerce companies. The JSI was launched at the WTO Ministerial Conference in 2017.
The WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from February 26 to March 2, 2024. Ministers from around the world attended to review the functioning of the multilateral trading system and take action on the future work of the WTO.
During MC13, on e-commerce, Ministers adopted a ministerial decision instructing the General Council to regularly review the e-commerce work program, with a view to submitting recommendations for action to the Council of Ministers. Member States also agreed to maintain the current practice of not imposing tariffs on electronic transmissions until the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) or 31 March 2026, whichever is earlier. The suspension period and work program will expire on that date.
This webinar will feature experts in the field of e-commerce and the WTO who will discuss the impact of MC13 on e-commerce. This webinar will also serve as the kick-off live session for his ESCAP Facilitated Course on Electronic Commerce and Digital Clauses in Regional Trade Agreements (9-15 March 2024).
The panel of distinguished speakers includes:
- Ambassador Tan Hun SenPermanent Representative of the Republic of Singapore to the World Trade Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization, and Co-Chair of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce.
- Hamid Mamdouha senior advisor at King & Spalding LLP and former director of the WTO's Trade in Services and Investment Division.
- Yasmin IsmailSenior Policy Advisor at the Trade, Environment and SDGs Forum (TESS).
- Henry Gao, Professor, Faculty of Law, Singapore Management University. Senior Fellow at the Center for International Governance Innovation (CIGI).
