FOSSIL FUEL SUBSIDY REFORM (FFSR)

Convening Notice

The following convening notice, dated 1 April, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of New Zealand (as Co-ordinator of the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Initiative).

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The Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) Initiative will hold its seventh meeting, in hybrid mode in Room S2 and via Zoom on 30 April, from 10:30 Geneva time. All WTO Members are invited to attend the meeting. Please see technical arrangements in Annex I.

Agenda

1._        Introductory remarks by the Chair

2._        More detailed discussion on different categories of subsidies: Production subsidies (10:30-12:30)

Further to discussion at the last meeting, this item will provide the opportunity for a more detailed discussion of the production subsidies category.

(a)_  Breaking down and understanding the different types of production subsidies.

(b)_ Discussion: impacts, energy transition and reform challenges.

3._        Pillar One: Enhanced transparency (12:30-13:00 and 14:30-15:00)

(a)_  Confirm Work Programme for 2025 Trade Policy Reviews.

(b)_ Review Secretariat compilation of information generated through 2024 TPRs and consider next steps.

(c)_  Other existing WTO transparency mechanisms.

4._        Pillar Two: Crisis support measures (15:00-16:00)

(a)_  Presentations on recent Member experience with review, reduction and removal of temporary crisis measures.

(b)_ Member inputs to help Secretariat prepare initial draft of possible guidelines.

5._        Dedicated session on experience sharing (16:00-18:00)

Experience sharing among Members on approaches to fossil fuel subsidy reform, including case studies, lessons learnt and complementary policies adopted to support reform.

(a)_  Member presentations.

(b)_ Stakeholder interventions.

6._        Interventions by other stakeholders

7._        Conclusion

Annex I

Technical Arrangements

Please note that this meeting will be held in hybrid mode (Room S2 and via Zoom).

1  REMOTE PARTICIPATION

Delegates wishing to participate virtually via the Zoom platform, including capital-based officials, must register in advance of the meeting through this link:

https://worldtradeorganization.zoom.us/meeting/register/IRIjpWm3QKivHoFVdfSUQw

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Before the meeting:

·_        We are available 30 minutes before the meeting to test your connection with you.

During the meeting:

·_        If technical difficulties result in delegations being unable to intervene virtually under a given agenda item, the opportunity to take the floor will be given at an appropriate juncture before the meeting closes. Should the technical problem persist, delegations may contact the meeting coordinators (ffsr@wto.org) during the course of the meeting, either to send their statement for it to be read out during the meeting, or to request that the attendees be informed of their interest in the item under consideration and their intention to circulate their written statement after the meeting.

2  STATEMENTS

To facilitate interpretation, delegations are strongly encouraged to send their written statements to the Secretariat (ffsr@wto.org) before the meeting starts. Statements will also be gratefully received during the meeting (ffsr@wto.org).

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