WTO Members Discussed E-Commerce Ahead of MC14 to Be Held in Yaoundé

Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) exchanged views in Geneva on 28 January on the future of e-commerce as part of preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), which will be held between 26 and 29 March in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

During the discussions, the possibility of a ministerial decision was addressed, including the long-standing moratorium on the non-imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions and the revitalization of the WTO’s e-commerce work programme. The meeting was held within the framework of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, under which members have been conducting negotiations on digital trade issues since 1998.

Draft Proposals by WTO Members and the Search for Convergence

Jamaica’s Ambassador Richard Brown, the facilitator of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, recalled that two text-based proposals have been under consideration since November. One of these proposals was submitted by the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group, and the other by the United States and its co-sponsors. Brown noted that members were asked in December to reflect on these texts and on the views expressed in previous meetings.

As MC14 approached, Brown drew attention to the importance of intensifying work in Geneva. He stated that the objective was to reach convergence on the core elements of a ministerial decision reflecting members’ shared expectations on how e-commerce should be addressed within the WTO.

Moratorium and the Development Dimension

One of the key items on the agenda of the WTO members’ meeting was the extension of the moratorium on the non-imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions. This practice had been renewed for fixed periods at previous ministerial conferences. Members also raised the issue of making the Work Programme more effective and more development-oriented.

During the discussions, delegations shared their assessments of the proposals on the table, offered suggestions aimed at bridging different approaches, and expressed their readiness to engage constructively in order to achieve a meaningful outcome at MC14.

Steps to Be Taken Toward MC14

At the close of the WTO meeting, Ambassador Brown recommended that proponents and interested delegations engage in informal consultations to converge on common elements that could be included in a draft ministerial decision. He noted that such contacts could help narrow differences ahead of the ministerial conference.

The next meeting of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce is planned to take place on 2 March. This timeline points to a limited period for members to make progress before the conference in Cameroon.