ITA Workshop –agreed programme^[1]

Thursday, 16 September 2021

The 2021 ITA Workshop will provide an opportunity for the Participants to the ITA Committee to meet with the private sector and ICT industry representatives in order:

(i)      to examine trade liberalization under the ITA and the latest developments in the ICT sector (e.g. new technologies and global supply chains) and how trade in ITA products has contributed to governments' efforts to combat the COVID‑19 pandemic;

(ii)     to share experiences and examine how ICT, as a development tool, has brought about socio‑economic benefits, opportunities, and challenges, including the relationship to the digitalization of the global economy;

(iii)    to discuss the future of the ITA, including prospects and challenges for further expansion of trade in ICT products and participation in the agreement and possible future work on non‑tariff barriers (NTBs).

The views expressed during the Workshop shall be without prejudice to ITA Participants' positions on any WTO‑related matters.

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OPENING OF THE WORKSHOP

10:00               Opening Remarks

SESSION I: Overview of the ITA and latest developments in the ICT sector

10:15 –

11:30          Three or four presentations (10‑15 minutes each) followed by a Q&A session (15 minutes)

·      Examples of presentation topics that could be discussed in this session:

Ø   The role played by trade in ITA products, and ICT and digital solutions in governments' efforts to combat the COVID‑19 pandemic;

Ø   Trade liberalization under the ITA and the evolution of global trade in ICT products;

Ø Latest advances in technologies and ICT products;

Ø Regional trends in ICT trade and best practices.

SESSION II: The role of ICT as an economic development tool

11:30 –

13:00          Three or four presentations (10 to 15 minutes each) followed by a Q&A session (15 minutes)

·      Examples of presentation topics that could be discussed in this session:

Ø   Benefits and challenges of ITA membership across the domestic economy, which can include quantitative analysis;

Ø   How ICT can contribute to development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including empowerment of MSMEs;

Ø   ICT challenges, solutions, and opportunities in the digitalization of the global economy;

Ø   How ITA participation can support integration into the digital economy.

==================== LUNCH BREAK =====================

SESSION III: The future of the ITA

15:00 –

17:00               Four to five presentations (10 to 15 minutes each) followed by a panel discussion including a Q&A session (about 45 to 60 minutes in total). Examples of presentations and topics for discussion include:

Ø   Prospects for, and challenges to, a further expansion of trade in ICT products;

Ø   Prospects for, and challenges to, a further expansion of participants of the agreement;

Ø   Non‑tariff barriers (NTBs) and opportunities for identification of regulatory best practices in the area of ICT products, including in the (possible) areas of product safety, energy efficiency, cybersecurity and e‑labelling;

Ø   Regional initiatives to facilitate trade in ICT products;

Ø   Conformity assessment procedures for ICT products and the role of the international system in the recognition of test results/mutual recognition.

CLOSING SESSION

The facilitator(s) will provide a summary of the Workshop. Participants will then have an opportunity for final discussion and to provide any last comments and feedback.

17:30             ===================END OF WORKSHOP ==================

Operational Details of the Workshop: To be announced.

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