The Information Technology Agreement and its role in an era of digital transformation
The Information Technology Agreement 1996, as well as the 2015 ITA Expansion Agreement (ITA2) are WTO plurilateral agreements open for acceptance by all WTO Members and acceding governments. With the background of rapid technology development and digital transformation globally, an increasing number of developing governments have expressed their interests to better understand the ITA Agreements and explore possibilities of participation. This Geneva-based five-day training workshop is organized with a view to enhance and improve participants’ knowledge on ITA and ITA Agreements; to improve their capacity to use WTO IT tools and database to find relevant tariff and trade information regarding ITA products; and to enhance the participants’ analytical skills to assess the benefits of joining the ITA and its implication on the digital transformation. The workshop has been scheduled on October 28 to 1 November 2024 in Geneva, with a maximum of 28 participants from TA beneficiary governments. The training will be undertaken in the form of lectures, case studies, group discussions as well as presentations by participants. External speakers from international organizations, ITA participant governments, and ICT industries are invited to make presentations on related subjects or share national experience, so as to provide participants with an overview of linkage between ITA, digital infrastructure, trade facilitation and integration into the global ICT value chain.
Selection process
Preference will be given to nominees having a demonstrated background in information technology trade policies and direct responsibility in ITA-related issues. The Organisers reserve the right to select candidates and to decline the candidature of nominees who do not meet these requirements and/or on the basis of the maximum number of funded participants.
Pre-requisite
This activity will be delivered in English. Participants are required to have full command of English. Selected candidates will also be expected to make a presentation to share national experience of ITA participation or challenges faced to join the ITA or ITA II.
Target Audience
Government officials