WTO
SPS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES IN 2025:
GENERAL INFORMATION, SELECTION PROCESS
AND APPLICATION FORM
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT[1]
Addendum
1 essentials for sps cOMMITTEE pARTICIPATION (virtual training
activity)
Level of this activity: 1 3
1.1 Overview
1.1. A virtual course on Essentials for SPS Committee Participation will
replace the originally planned Specialized Course on SPS Committee
Participation that had been announced in Section 6 and Annex IV of G/SPS/GEN/997/Rev.15.
1.2. The course on Essentials for SPS Committee Participation is
scheduled to take place from 1 October to 27
November 2025. This course will be held virtually, in
English.
1.3. This course will be an in-depth, "hands-on" training
activity focusing on the work of the SPS Committee as a vital tool to
oversee the implementation of the SPS Agreement, and on the instruments
available to Members and Observers to resolve SPS issues. The course will
promote the active involvement of participants with responsibilities in
SPS-related matters, assisting them in enhancing their understanding of and
participation in the work of the SPS Committee.
1.4. The course will comprise a series of sessions and practical
exercises related to the work of the SPS Committee and the principles and
practices that underpin it. It will also include sessions aimed at deepening
participants' understanding of the SPS Agreement and its practical
implementation. Participants will be expected to attend the November meeting of
the SPS Committee meetings and related events. The course will also be
complemented by briefing sessions with key SPS actors and external experts.
1.2 Selection Process
1.5. The Secretariat will select a maximum of 25 participants for the
course. The target audience for this course are capital-based government
officials working on SPS issues.
1.6. Eligible candidates must be government officials at the time of
applying for the course, during the course, and ideally after the course.
1.7. The governments of WTO Members and Observers, eligible to benefit
from training and technical cooperation activities, will be invited to present
officials by 26 August 2025 for consideration in the selection process. In this
regard, an invitation letter with the application form will be distributed to
eligible technical assistance beneficiaries through their WTO representation.
Please consult the information in Annex
I.
1.8. Candidates will be selected using criteria such as the fulfilment of
pre-requisites, prior selection of other candidates from the Member or Observer,
as well as balance among the selected candidates.
1.9. Other administrative information
will be provided in due course to the selected candidates.
1.3 Pre-requisites for Participation
1.10. For the course on Essentials for SPS Committee Participation,
candidates must:
a._
have successfully
completed the WTO SPS e-Learning Course by the time of their application (see Section
1 of document G/SPS/GEN/997/Rev.15 regarding enrolment in the e-Learning Course);
b._
hold direct
responsibilities in the SPS area, e.g. specialists on food safety, animal
health, plant protection, or be officials from a relevant Ministry in charge of
coordinating SPS matters and international trade;
c._
be
tasked to follow the work of the WTO SPS Committee from capital;
d._
possess a proven
advanced level of understanding of the provisions and structure of the WTO, and
the principles and provisions of the SPS Agreement, and must be willing to
take initiative and leadership; and
e._
be fluent in oral
and written English.