WTO e-Commerce Work Program Leader Calls for Member Recommendations

The facilitator of the World Trade Organization's e-commerce work program called for members to submit their views on a work plan to structure talks on e-commerce between now and the 14th Ministerial Conference, which will take place in early 2026, with the goal of presenting recommendations at MC14, the WTO said.

The plan includes various member recommendations along with priority action points and examples of existing initiatives. The WTO said the goal is to "capture what the WTO and members can do in response to the priorities and issues raised by members."

Program facilitator Richard Brown of Jamaica looks to address "legal and regulatory frameworks, digital trade facilitation, the digital divide, the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, and additional issues such as emerging technologies and climate change," the WTO said.

During a recent meeting, work program members stressed the importance of prioritizing specific topics in the "coming months," including the moratorium and capacity building, adding that members should share experiences imposing nondiscriminatory taxes on electronic transmissions. Members supported a "mapping exercise to identify available technical assistance and capacity building activities," the WTO said.

Brown said thematic sessions in December will center on the moratorium. He added that he intends to organize workshops with other international organizations and stakeholders in early 2025 and then in June or July to explore topics raised by the member nations.