Facilitator seeks members’ views on proposed workplan for e-commerce

Ambassador Richard Brown of Jamaica, the facilitator of the e-commerce work programme, sought members’ views on 12 November on a workplan which aims to provide a structure for members’ discussions on e-commerce between now and the next Ministerial Conference due to take place in early 2026. The goal is to present recommendations for action under the work programme at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), in line with the decision taken at MC13 earlier this year.

The workplan is based on discussions among members since MC13. It contains several suggestions and recommendations put forward by members as well as priority interventions or action points that can be taken. In addition, it includes examples of existing initiatives by international organizations addressing e-commerce. The aim of the plan is to capture what the WTO and members can do in response to the priorities and issues raised by members.

The topics that members aim to address in the plan are legal and regulatory frameworks, digital trade facilitation, the digital divide, the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, and additional issues such as emerging technologies and climate change. Ambassador Brown said: “I am hoping that from this workplan, we will be able to work on some specific, targeted priority deliverables for MC14.”

Members welcomed the workplan. In their preliminary feedback, they underscored the importance of prioritizing specific topics in the coming months, such as the moratorium, capacity building and bridging the digital divide. The facilitator noted that the upcoming thematic discussion in December will focus on the moratorium. Members also expressed interest in sharing experiences and collecting information on the imposition of non-discriminatory taxes on electronic transmissions. They were also supportive of a mapping exercise to identify available technical assistance and capacity building activities on e-commerce.

The facilitator shared with members a snapshot of the various Aid for Trade initiatives in support of digital trade, including support measures implemented by the WTO and other intergovernmental organizations with expertise on e-commerce and digital trade. Deputy Director-General Johanna Hill updated members on an upcoming conference on AI entitled “How AI shapes and is shaped by international trade” due to take place at the WTO on 21 November.

Looking ahead, the facilitator laid out a schedule of thematic discussions to be held from January to July 2025. He announced that he intends to organize workshops with the participation of international organizations and other stakeholders during the first quarter of 2025 and in June or July to dive deeper into some of the issues that members will address in the thematic sessions.