Participants were trained on the importance of transparency in the SPS Agreement, with particular attention to notifications of health and safety regulations. They also gained hands-on experience of the ePing SPS&TBT Platform designed to facilitate this process.
The course’s programme included sessions dedicated to supporting participants in developing action plans to improve SPS transparency frameworks in their respective governments. Participants further benefited from the expert guidance and contributions of SPS practitioners from Brazil and Uganda, and from various organizations, including Codex Alimentarius, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL).
In his remarks at the opening session of the course, Edwini Kessie, Director of the WTO Agriculture and Commodities Division, underscored the critical role of transparency in international trade.
“Non-tariff measures like SPS regulations are a double-edged sword. While they play a vital role in safeguarding public health and safety, they can sometimes be misused as disguised restrictions to trade. Therefore, being ‘transparent’ about these measures is critical to facilitating trade, and ensuring a stable, predictable business environment, which, in turn, encourages investment,” said Edwini Kessie. He further emphasised the significance of tools like ePing in streamlining notifications and fostering coordination on SPS regulations.
Upon completion of the course, Sakshee Pipliyal, from India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority, highlighted the engaging format of the course, which combined theoretical insights with real-world examples: “The course offered an in-depth exploration of the SPS Agreement and its transparency provisions, significantly enhancing my understanding of both the legal framework and practical implementation.”
For Sonam Dorji N, from Bhutan’s Ministry of Health, the training was an eye-opener: “The course expanded my capability to understand how to manage SPS related issues and communicate effectively with the traders and private industries, which is important for exporting agricultural products.”
Jabulani Njabulo Mkhonta, from Eswatini’s Ministry of Agriculture, stressed the broader economic benefits of SPS transparency among his key takeaways: “Being transparent on SPS measures benefits the country by boosting participation in global trade.” He also noted that the interactive and practical aspects of the programme were particularly enriching, allowing participants to network and share experiences across diverse sectors.
After the training programme, participants are expected to implement the action plans developed during the course to strengthen transparency in their SPS frameworks. A follow-up session, scheduled for 2025, will provide them with the opportunity to report on their progress and share lessons learned.
The WTO members and observers represented at the training course included: Angola, Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Eswatini, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Russian Federation, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Türkiye, and Zambia.
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