DRAFT REPORT (2023) OF THE

COMMITTEE ON REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS
TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Chair: Ambassador H.E. Ms. Clare KELLY (New Zealand)

1  INTRODUCTION

1.1.   The Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) pursued its activities with meetings held in person with a virtual add on through the Interprefy platform. At its first meeting in March 2023, the CRTA elected, by acclamation, Ambassador H.E. Ms Clare KELLY (New Zealand), as Chair of the CRTA.

1.2.  During 2023, the Committee held three sessions (in March, July and November).[1] The minutes of those meetings are listed in the Attachment.

2  Observer Status

2.1.  No decision was taken with respect to the requests for observer status listed in document _WT/REG/W/11/Add.4/Rev.2.

3  EARLY ANNOUNCEMENTS

3.1.  In the period 16 October 2022 to 15 October 2023, three early announcements were received from Members.[2]

4  Notifications

4.1.  In the period 16 October 2022 to 15 October 2023, the CRTA received 15 notifications of new regional trade agreements (RTAs), seven on trade in goods notified under Article XXIV of GATT 1994 and eight on trade in services notified under Article V of GATS.[3] The CRTA also received additional notifications concerning six RTAs that are already notified.[4]

4.2.  In an effort to encourage the notification of non-notified RTAs, the Chair with the help of the Secretariat continued to draw up and circulate in advance of CRTA meetings a list of non‑notified RTAs which have been verified by their parties as being in force and appeared in factual presentations.[5] The most recent list, circulated in September 2023, contains 56 RTAs. [to be updated upon the circulation of _WT/REG/W/181/Rev.1]

5  considerATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS

5.1.  In the period 16 October 2022 to 15 October 2023, 17 factual presentations were distributed, all of which were used as the basis for consideration of RTAs in the CRTA in 2023 (see Attachment).

5.2.  In an effort to unblock the backlog in the receipt of delayed data and comments, the Chair consulted with some delegations. The Chair continued to encourage parties to collectively improve transparency in RTAs by attending these consultations and providing the missing information as soon as possible. The Chair with the help of the Secretariat drew up and circulated in advance of CRTA meetings a list of such RTAs.^[6]

5.3.  The Committee continues to experience difficulties in adhering to its work programme, due in particular to delays in the receipt of statistical data from parties, data discrepancies in Members' submissions and delays in the receipt of comments from parties.

6  subsequent notification and REPORTING

6.1.  In the period 16 October 2022 to 15 October 2023, six notifications of changes were received and posted on the RTA Database.[7]

6.2.  The Secretariat circulated a list of RTAs subject to end of implementation (EOI) reports as of 1 March 2023 (document _WT/REG/W/177). EOI reports were due for 194 RTAs, and the EOI for 16 RTAs was in 2023. The EOI for 111 RTAs is from 2024 onwards, while for one RTA the EOI year is not available. No such report was circulated in the period 16 October 2022 to 15 October 2023.

7  DATabase on RTAs and interactive tools

7.1.  The Secretariat continues to update the database on individual RTAs, in accordance with the requirements of the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs.

7.2.  At the 107^th Session of the Committee, the Secretariat presented two new tools to assist delegations in tracking progress on the preparation of factual presentations and their consideration by the CRTA: the RTA consideration calendar and the interactive Dashboard which were made available on the WTO RTA webpages.

8  technical assistance

8.1.  [At the 108^th Session of the Committee, the Secretariat gave an account of the RTA-related technical assistance activities it had undertaken in 2023 and those planned for 2024.]

9  procedures to improve and facilitate the examination process

9.1.  No discussion took place on this item.

10  MC12 Outcome and wto reform

10.1.  In 2023, the Committee embarked on in-depth discussions regarding ways to improve its operation. Members have played an active role in these discussions, including by tabling submissions, providing written comments to issues raised and attending informal meetings and consultations held by the Chair in different configurations.

10.2.   Three overall points have emerged from these consultations: procedural and other changes that are being implemented by the Secretariat following Members suggestions, the possibility of holding thematic sessions on RTA related issues, and numerous issues requiring further discussion, such as the schedule and format of CRTA meetings, elements of the Committee's terms of reference, the content and length of factual presentations, etc.

10.3.  The Secretariat is implementing a number of procedural suggestions including the interactive tools referred to in paragraph 7.2.  above. The Secretariat also organized two information sessions in September on procedures for the consideration of regional trade agreements under the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs. The information presented is also available on the WTO RTA webpages.

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ATTACHMENT

Minutes of the Meetings held in 2023

106^th Session – 27 March 2023

107^th Session – 5 July 2023

108th Session – 20-21 November 2023 (to be issued)

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