Led by the current TPRB Chair, Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel of Saudi Arabia, and his predecessor, Ambassador Ángel Villalobos of Mexico, the outcome was the result of an intense work programme set in motion by members in early 2022 and comprising informal meetings, dedicated sessions and numerous consultations.
The enhancement will significantly strengthen the TPRM as the cornerstone of transparency on members’ trade policies and practices, while reducing members’ workload to prepare for and participate in TPRs. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala congratulated Ambassador Almoqbel on leading members to a consensus on the text of the 7th TPRM Appraisal. “I understand you worked tirelessly and inclusively to deliver this outcome, which you have slated to go to ministers at MC13. Thanks to you and members for getting the ball rolling with this important outcome.”
Surveillance of national trade policies is a fundamentally important activity running throughout the work of the WTO. At the centre of this work is the TPRM. All WTO members are reviewed, the frequency of each country’s review varying according to its share of world trade. In addition, a trade monitoring exercise under the mechanism provides every six months regular and up-to-date information on global trends in trade measures and trade policy making.
One of the priorities set out by members was the implementation of an improved information technology (IT) system that would facilitate the questions and answers (Q&A) process during Trade Policy Reviews (TPRs). They agreed on a set of milestones so that the IT system is fully operational at the earliest possible date. In addition, they established an inclusive, member-led taskforce that will work closely with the WTO Secretariat on the IT system and will provide support to delegations facing capacity challenges.
Once fully functional, the IT system will make it easier for members to manage the Q&A process, and for policymakers, researchers, the private sector and other stakeholders to access and search the wealth of information generated by TPRs.
Members also agreed to exercise restraint in the number of advance written questions they can pose in TPRs. This measure came in response to the rapidly increasing number of questions received by some of the largest trading economies (over 2,000 questions in some cases). Most members supported introducing an indicative limit of 75 questions per member and per TPR.
The outcome document also contains members’ recommendations on strengthening the TPR reports drafted by the WTO Secretariat. Noting that the Secretariat report is a fundamental part of the TPR exercise and valuing its high quality and objectivity, members made a series of requests to the Secretariat to improve this process. These include preparing more concise reports focused on recent trade policy changes and on outstanding issues from a member’s previous TPR and including information on submitted and outstanding notifications. In addition, the Secretariat report should cover issues relevant to new trade-related developments of the member(s) under review.
Members emphasized the Secretariat’s independence and professional judgement in drafting and defining the scope of its report as key elements of an efficient and effective multilateral peer review, particularly in times of widening geopolitical rifts and mounting global challenges.
On trade monitoring, members agreed that the TPRB should play a greater role as a forum to share information on trade policies and practices, especially in times of global crises. Members highlighted the unique role of the TPRB to discuss the breadth of trade policies and practices, and their systemic implications.
It was also agreed that the next TPRM Appraisal should take place not later than 2027.
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