Joint statement initiative on electronic commerce

26 July 2024

The following communication, dated 26 July 2024 is being circulated at the request of Australia, Japan and Singapore as Co-Convenors on behalf of the participants* of the Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce.

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We recognise the importance of global electronic commerce and the opportunities it creates for inclusive trade and development, and the important role of the WTO in promoting open, transparent, non-discriminatory and predictable regulatory environments in facilitating electronic commerce.

After five years of negotiations under the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce, participants have reached a new phase, achieving stabilised text on the attached Agreement on Electronic Commerce that reflects a balanced and inclusive outcome. The Agreement is set to benefit consumers and businesses involved in digital trade, especially MSMEs. It will also play a pivotal role in supporting digital transformation among participating members.

Participants will proceed with their domestic processes, with a view to integrating the outcome of negotiations in the WTO legal framework.

We reaffirm the importance of supporting developing and least-developed country Members in implementing the Agreement on Electronic Commerce by addressing their identified needs including through implementation periods, technical assistance and capacity building support.

Taking note of the evolving nature of cross-border electronic commerce and digital technology, participants recognise that some issues of importance to digital trade have not been addressed in this text. Participants will discuss the inclusion of these issues in future negotiations. Participants reserve the right in any future negotiations to propose amendments to the attached Agreement including with respect to scope, exceptions and dispute settlement.

We encourage all WTO Members to support and join this Initiative and, in this context, we will extend our outreach to WTO Members on the benefits of the negotiated rules for facilitating electronic transactions.

We acknowledge that some Members that participated in negotiations continue to undertake internal consultations or domestic processes and we commit to continued engagement with these Members in coming months with the goal of expanding participation.