In his opening remarks, Ambassador Hung Seng Tan of Singapore, co-convenor of the initiative and chair of the 2023 plenary meetings, said: “Let me just remind everyone that we have two remaining meetings from now to the end of the year. We must step on the accelerator. We must exercise maximum flexibility.”
He added: “I’m cautiously optimistic that with your cooperation, your commitment and willingness to be flexible, this target [of substantial conclusion of the negotiations by year-end] is attainable”.
Speaking on behalf of Ambassador George Mina, co-convenor of the initiative, Deputy Permanent Representative Jeremy Green noted that the revised consolidated text issued by the co-conveners over the summer break has been reduced by 30 per cent.
He said: “We are on track to achieve our goal. What we have within reach is a package, including the 12 already parked articles, plus the current work streams on data, privacy, source code, telecommunications, cryptography and development. If we can achieve outcomes in these areas, this will be an historic package: a comprehensive and modern set of global digital trade rules and one of which you should all be proud of contributing to. Of course, as we all know, the last mile will be the hardest.”
He noted that members have to achieve more convergence in the outstanding issues as well as on some important cross-cutting issues. However, he said that “the parameters of what is possible are emerging” and he thanked delegations who in recent months have tabled “landing zones” and compromises. “This is exactly the type of creative thinking that we need,” he said.
Facilitators of the discussions in small groups reported on progress made in negotiations in the areas of privacy, information and communication technology (ICT) products that use cryptography, source code, data flows and localisation, and telecommunications services disciplines. Members have also established a small group that will start text-based negotiations on development issues in the next cluster of meetings. Other discussions have covered prudential measures regarding financial services and the need for digital inclusion to take into consideration indigenous people.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Kazuyuki Yamazaki of Japan urged members to maintain momentum in the negotiations and to reflect on how to achieve convergence. He said: “We expect all members to take proactive actions to achieve further convergence.”
He also called on members with proposals that have not yet received broad support from other members to show further flexibility. He said: “It has been four and a half years since this negotiation started. Now it’s time to accelerate this negotiation by focusing on the issues supported substantially by members.”
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