WTO Wraps Up 2nd Phase of Agriculture Notification Workshop

The World Trade Organization held phase two of its Advanced Agriculture Notification Workshop Sept. 13-16 to help members fulfill their agricultural notification obligations under the Agriculture Agreement, the WTO said. The meetings covered issues involving market access and the implementation of the Bali Decision on tariff quota administration and the Committee on Agriculture's Review Process.

The first phase, which was held virtually in October 2021, centered on notifying members' agricultural subsidies and the transparency requirements laid out in the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition. The WTO said splitting the workshop into two sessions "allowed for a more comprehensive overview of the agricultural measures that members are required to notify through the Agriculture Information Management System."

Edwini Kessie, director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division, said in his opening remarks that participants can play an important role in keeping the trading system relevant. "Without your efforts, the WTO system would not be able to fulfill its role of enhancing transparency and predictability of international agricultural trade," Kessie said.