eAgendaTBT Committee

Why eAgenda?

• Origins:• mandate from Members (from 8th TR) to improve efficiency and effectiveness

(on STCs)• Simplify the submission of specific trade concerns (STCs)

• SPS context: extended to other agenda items• Benefits:

• faster and easier• increases transparency and early notice on STCs• more time for preparation• easier sharing of statements

Core features

• Member use only, password/login• Collaborative – in real time• Dashboard (+timeline)• Uploading and downloading statements• Email alerts• Search STCs• Consult my STCs and agenda of last meeting• Generation of AdA / Minutes (Secretariat)

1. eAgenda submission open

2. Members raise/support/withdraw STCs

3. Deadline for STCs / eAgenda submission closes

4. Annotated Draft Agenda circulated

5. TBT Committee meeting

30 calendardays

15 calendardays

(G/TBT/43)

eAgenda and STC timeline

20 calendardays

(G/TBT/43)

Current status• Piloted by nine Members at November 2019 TBT Committee• Currently have around 180 users from 70 different Members• 87% of all STCs raised with eAgenda in February 2020• Used by all Members raising STC discussions in October 2020.• At last meeting: 97% of all statements were uploaded through eAgenda• eAgenda now in use by SPS Committee (piloting phase over)• Remains a work in progress – feedback is welcome!

Jane.greenleaves@wto.org