N° 92 — February/March 2019

Accession of South Sudan: Accessions Strategic Objectives 1st Working Party Meeting — 21 March 2019  Domestic reform instrument  Systemic update  Market access expansion The 1st Working Party meeting took place on (i) providing a level-playing field (ii) contrib-  International cooperation for trade 21 March 2019. The meeting was chaired by uting towards poverty eradication by creating Ambassador Mohammad Qurban Haqjo jobs for vulnerable groups such as women and (Afghanistan), who had been appointed as the youth; (iii) promoting peace and state Inside this issue: Chairperson of the Working Party just before building; (iv) attracting foreign direct invest- st the meeting. The delegation of South Sudan ment; and (v) increasing access to internation- • Accession of South Sudan: 1 Working Party was led by Mr. Aggrey Tisa Sabuni, Chief Nego- al markets. Joining the WTO would put South Meeting — 21 March 2019 tiator and Presidential Advisor on Economic Sudan on an equal footing with its partners in • Trade for Peace through the WTO Accession Affairs, and included thirteen senior officials the EAC and facilitate the implementation of Process: Opportunities for South Sudan from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and EAC its EAC obligations. Finally, the Chief Negotia- • Accession of : DDG Wolff’s visit to Affairs; the Ministry of Petroleum; the Ministry tor conveyed his Government's determination , 19-21 February 2019 and Working of Agriculture and Food Security; the Bank of to achieve WTO membership within 5 years. Party Chairperson’s visit to Tashkent, 12-13 South Sudan; as well as a member of the Tran- March 2019 sitional Legislative Assembly. This meeting • Accession Working Parties 2019 Strategic Focus: took place back-to-back with the third Joint Belarus, Serbia Trade Policy Review of the East African Com- munity (EAC), as South Sudan has been a • Accession Working Parties State of Play: member of the Community since 2016. Equatorial Guinea , Sudan, and Timor-Leste • WTO Accession Progress Tracker and Evolving Work Programme • Accessions Anniversary Dates — Article XII Members — March Mr Aggrey Tisa Sabuni, Chief Negotiator • Accessions Toolbox Members expressed support and readiness to work with South Sudan to advance the acces- sion process. They commended South Sudan Stay connected for holding the first Meeting of the Working Ambassador Mohammad Haqjo (Afghanistan), Working Party within 15 months since the establish- Party Chairperson ment of the Working Party; this constituted a record-breaking achievement. In his opening statement, Mr. Sabuni con- firmed South Sudan Government's commit- Following the examination of South Sudan's ment to undertake the required reforms for foreign trade regime, based on the Memoran- WTO accession based on the principles of the dum of the Foreign Trade Regime (MFTR), rule of law, transparency, good governance Members were invited to submit questions and respect for human rights. South Sudan and comments by 18 April 2019. South Sudan had adopted an open-market-based economic was invited to update the MFTR and prepare model to stimulate economic growth and negotiating inputs, including initial market recognized the role of WTO membership in: access offers on goods and services.

1st Working Party Meeting on the Accession of South Sudan , 21 March 2019

Delegation of South Sudan, 21 March 2019

Ambassador Mohammad Haqjo and Delegation 1 of South Sudan

N° 92 — February/March 2019

Trade for Peace through the WTO Accession Process: Opportunities for South Sudan On the margins of the 1st Working Party enhance regional integration and economic meeting, the Secretariat organised a panel prosperity in the Horn of Africa where discussion on "Trade for Peace through the landmark peace agreements had recently WTO Accession Process: Opportunities for been signed. Ambassador Zorica Maric South Sudan". In his opening remarks, WTO Djordjevic, former Permanent Representative Deputy Director-General Alan Wm. Wolff of Montenegro to the WTO, highlighted four noted that one of the most compelling reasons factors that would make the case for the WTO for optimism for the multilateral trading as a "peace project", i.e. WTO accession as (i) system was that acceding governments saw in a contribution to the foundation for durable the WTO what the founders of the GATT had peace; (ii) an instrument for better resource envisioned in its creation in 1947 - a path mobilization, budget allocation and Panel discussion on « Trade for Peace through the WTO towards economic growth, leading to greater expenditure management; (iii) a framework Accession Process: Opportunities for South Sudan » domestic stability, and a better chance to for reducing the risk factors in countries with attain and sustain peace. Chief Negotiator high dependence on natural resources; and Sabuni stated that while after years of (iv) an instrument for rebranding a country’s instability and conflict, stability was returning image. Finally, Mr. Daniel Weston, General to South Sudan with the signing of the Counsel and Global Head of Corporate Affairs Revitalized Peace Agreement in September and Creating Shared Value, Nestle Nespresso, 2018, the country would now "need to highlighted South Sudan's commercial incentivize peace" by creating job potential in the coffee sector where opportunities for the youth and providing Nespresso had operated to help rebuild the sustained economic growth. industry after years of conflict. Ambassador Kadra Ahmed Hassan, Permanent Representative of Djibouti to the WTO noted that progress in WTO accessions could Nespresso Coffee « Suluja » from South Sudan

Accession of Uzbekistan: DDG Alan Wolff’s visit to Tashkent — 19-21 February 2019

At the invitation of the Government of The expressed its Uzbekistan, WTO Deputy-Director General strong desire to join the WTO as soon as Alan Wm. Wolff participated in the possible, and highlighted the reform efforts International Conference "Central Asian undertaken so far. Connectivity: Challenges and New Opportunities", on 19-20 February 2019. In his It was also noted that all necessary intervention, he highlighted the contributions institutional arrangements to support the that the WTO could make to realising the WTO accession process had been put in place. potential of Central Asia through increased These included the appointment of Deputy connectivity and greater integration, including Minister Abidov as Chief Negotiator for WTO through WTO accession, the implementation Accession, the establishment of the Inter- of the TFA and a platform to discuss new rules Agency Commission on WTO Accession Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Ganiyev on e-commerce. chaired by the Minister, and the establishment of a new Department On the margins of the Conference, he met dedicated to WTO affairs at the Ministry of with senior government officials to discuss Investments and Foreign Trade. Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO. These included: Mr. Elyor Ganiyev, Deputy Prime Minister; Mr Sardor Umurzakov, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade; Mr. Badriddin Abidov, Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession; Mr Jamshid Khodjaev, Minister of Agriculture; Mr. , Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Sadyk Safayev, First

Meeting with Mr Khodjaev, Minister of Agriculture Deputy Chairman of the of Uzbekistan.

DDG Wolff speaking to local journalists

Meeting with Mr Umurzakov, Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade, and Mr Abidov, Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession 2

N° 92 — February/March 2019

Accession of Uzbekistan: Working Party Chairperson, Ambassador Ji-Ah Paik’s visit to Tashkent— 12-13 March 2019

Accompanied by the Secretariat, Ambassador Regime, and expressed its desire to officially Ji-ah Paik (Republic of Korea), Chairperson of resume the Working Party around the the Working Party on the Accession of summer break, following the submission of all Uzbekistan, visited Tashkent on 12-13 March required negotiating inputs. The Secretariat 2019. During her visit, she met with Mr. reiterated its readiness to provide technical Sardor Umurzakov, Minister of Investments assistance. and Foreign Trade; Mr. Badriddin Abidov,

Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign In addition to these meetings, the Chairperson Meeting with Mr Saifnazarov, Deputy Minister of Economy Trade and Chief Negotiator for WTO opened a workshop on “WTO Accession and and Industry Accession; Mr. Ilkhom Nematov, First Deputy Economic Development: The Experiences of Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Sakhib Korea and the Implications for Uzbekistan”, Saifnazarov, Deputy Minister of Economy and organised by the Korean Institute for Industry. She welcomed the Government's International Economic Policy (KIEP), on 12 efforts to resume the accession process after March. At the workshop, Korean researchers more than a decade of dormancy and presented on Korea's achievements and conveyed the WTO Membership's readiness challenges in global trade, and its experience to engage with Uzbekistan. on agriculture and SPS issues in the WTO.

On the accession process, the Government On the margins of the Chairperson's visit, the informed the Chairperson of the state of International Trade Centre (ITC) also preparation of accession documents, organized a "Round Table on Uzbekistan's Visit to Artel Production Plant including the Memorandum on Foreign Trade WTO Accession: Law and Practice and Prioritization of Needs", with the participation of Ambassador Eduards Stiprais, Head of EU Delegation to Uzbekistan. Among the objectives of this event was the identification of Uzbekistan's priority needs in terms of technical assistance to be provided in the context of an EU-funded project that will be implemented by the ITC.

Meeting with Mr Umurzakov, Minister of Investments and Meeting with ITC Foreign Trade, and Mr Abidov, Deputy Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade and Chief Negotiator for WTO Accession

Accession Working Parties: 2019 Strategic Focus

Belarus: Following the 11th Working Party Serbia: On 4 March 2019, the Secretariat Meeting held on 15 February 2019, Members participated in a seminar on the WTO submitted questions in writing. Belarus is Accession of Serbia, organized at the currently preparing responses to those University of Belgrade by the Government of questions. Belarus aims at holding the 12th Switzerland and the IDEAS Centre. The Working Party Meeting in the first half of July, seminar addressed the academic community depending on the timely preparation and and focused on matters related to WTO circulation of the necessary inputs. accession and the benefits of WTO membership. On the margins of the seminar, the Secretariat held a technical working Informal Group of Acceding Government Meeting (IGAG) - session with Serbia's negotiating team to 27 March 2019 discuss the Draft Report of the Working Party which was currently being updated for an official resumption of the Working Party.

3

N° 92 — February/March 2019

Accession Working Parties: State-of-play

Equatorial Guinea: On 5-7 March 2019, the Secretariat conducted a training activity in the context of a National Seminar on the WTO and the Multilateral Trading System. A mission to Malabo is planned for late May to assist the Government in preparing the Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime.

Sudan: On 24 March 2019, Dr. Mohamed Kheir National Seminar in Malabo— 5-7 March 2019 Ahmed Alzeiber was appointed as Chief Negotiator for Sudan's accession to the WTO. Timor-Leste: Ambassador Rui Macieira (Portugal) has been appointed as Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Timor-Leste, following the departure of Ambassador Pedro Nuno Bártolo.

Meeting with Mr Francisco Dionisio Fernandes, Chargé d’affaires, Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste — 3 April 2019

Accessions Division Retreat

On 25 February, the Accessions Division held its first biannual retreat of 2019. The Division assessed the work done in 2018, and discussed the management of accession work for 2019 and the period leading up to MC12. Mr Alexei Kireyev, Senior Economist, IMF, was invited to deliver an overview of the Global Political Economy Outlook for 2019.

Mr Alexei Kireyev, IMF — 25 February 2019

Accessions Division retreat — 25 February 2019

4

N° 92 — February/March 2019

WTO Accession Progress Tracker

WTO Accessions 2019 — Evolving Work Programme

Accession WP WP Last WP State of Play Upcoming Activity Establishment Meeting 1. Algeria (DZA) 17 June 1987 14WPM, - Preparation of updated inputs -Circulation of updated Chair: H.E. Mr. José Luís 31 March 2014 (replies, LAP, AGSTs, LEG) inputs (TBC) CANCELA GÓMEZ (Uruguay) 2. Andorra (AND) 22 October 1997 Inactive 3. Azerbaijan (AZE) 16 July 1997 14WPM, - Preparation of updated inputs - 15WPM (TBC) Chair: H.E. Dr Walter 28 July 2017 (replies, LAP, AGSTs, LEG) WERNER (Germany)

4. The Bahamas (BHS) 18 July 2001 3WPM, - Updated inputs (replies, LAP , LEG - 4WPM 5 April 2019 Chair: H.E. Mr. Andrew 21 September in December 2018 and in March STAINES (United Kingdom) 2018 2019) 5. Belarus (BLR) 27 October 1993 11WPM, - Preparation of updated inputs - 12WPM July 2019 Chair: H.E. Mr. Kemal 15 February 2019 (replies, LAP and DWPR) (TBC) MADENOĞLU (Turkey)

6. Bhutan* (BTN) 6 October 1999 4WPM, No activity since 2008 Chair: H.E. Dr. Elisabeth TICHY- 30 January 2008 FISSLBERGER (Austria) 7. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH) 15 July 1999 13WPM, - Preparation of updated inputs - Next/final WPM to be Chair: H.E. Mr. Atanas 7 February 2018 (replies, LAP as well as DWPR) held in 2019 (TBC) PAPARIZOV (Bulgaria) 8. Comoros* (COM) 9 October 2007 4WPM, - Preparation updated inputs - Circulation of updated Chair: H.E. Mr. Luis Enrique 28 March 2018 (replies, LAP as well as DWPR) inputs CHÁVEZ BASAGOITIA (Peru) - 5WPM (TBC) 9. Equatorial Guinea (GNQ) 5 February 2008 No WPM held - Preparation of MFTR - Secretariat's TA Chair: Pending to date mission to Malabo in May 2019 (TBC) 10. Ethiopia* (ETH) 10 February 2003 3WPM, - Preparation of full range of - 4WPM, Q2 2019 (TBC) Chair: 27 March 2012 updated inputs (LAP, LEG, AGST, all H.E. Mr Morten JESPERSEN questionnaires and checklists, MA (Denmark) offers, as well as FS)

Notes: * LDC — AGST (Agricultural Supporting Tables); CVQ (Customs Valuation Questionnaire); DWPR (Draft Working Party Report); FS (Factual Summary of Points Raised); ILQ (Import Licensing Questionnaire); LAP (Legislative Action Plan); LEG (legislation); MA (market access); MFTR (Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime); Q1 (1st quarter); STQ (State Trading Questionnaire); TA (technical assistance); WP (Working Party); WPM (Working Party meeting).

5

N° 92 — February/March 2019

WTO Accessions 2019 — Evolving Work Programme (Cont’d)

Accession WP WP Last WP State of Play Upcoming Activity Establishment Meeting 11. Iran (IRN) 26 May 2005 No WPM held to - Preparation of updated inputs Chair: Pending date (MFTR and MA offers) 12. Iraq (IRQ) 13 December 2004 2WPM, - Updated MFTR circulated in Feb. - TA Mission in June Chair: H.E. Mr. Omar HILALE 2 April 2008 2018. (TBC) (Morocco) - Preparation of full range of - 3WPM (TBC) updated inputs (replies, LAP, LEG, AGST, checklists and questionnaires, MA offers) 13. Lebanese Republic (LBN) 14 April 1999 7WPM, - Updated inputs (AGST, LAP, LEG, - 8WPM (TBC) Chair: Mr. Jean-Paul THUILLIER 28 October 2009 checklists and questionnaires, as (France) well as DWPR) circulated to WP in April-June 2017 - Preparation of updated MA offers 14. Libya (LBY) 27 July 2004 No WPM held Inactive Chair: Mr. Victor to date ECHEVARRÍA UGARTE (Spain) 15. Sao Tome and Principe* (STP) 26 May 2005 No WPM held - Preparation of MFTR Chair: Pending to date 16. Serbia (SRB) 15 February 2005 13WPM, - Preparation of updated inputs - Circulation of updated Chair: H.E. Mrs Marie-Claire 13 June 2013 (AGST, LAP, LEG as well as DWPR) inputs in Q2 2019 (TBC) SWÄRD CAPRA (Sweden) - 14WPM (TBC)

17. Somalia* (SOM) 7 December 2016 No WPM held - Preparation of MFTR Chair: Pending to date 18. South Sudan* (SSD) 13 December 2017 No WPM held - 1WPM 21 March 2019 (WTO/ - Circulation of an Chair: H.E. Mr. Mohammad to date AIR/ACC/21 refers) update MFTR and other Qurban HAQJO (Afghanistan) inputs in Q2/3 - 2 WPM (TBC) 19. Sudan* (SDN) 25 October 1994 4WPM, - Updated inputs circulated (AGSTs, - 5WPM in Q2 2019 Chair: Mr. Katsuro NAGAI 14 July 2017 LAP, LEG, as well as FS) circulated (TBC) (Japan) in January 2019

20. Syrian Arab Republic (SYR) 4 May 2010 No WPM held Inactive Chair: Pending to date 21. Timor-Leste* (TLS) 7 December 2016 No WPM held - Preparation of replies on MFTR - Secretariat's TA Chair: H.E. Mr. Rui MACIEIRA to date circulated in July 2017, as well as mission to Dili, Q1 2019 (Portugal) other inputs (LAP, LEG, initial (TBC) MA offers) - 1WPM, 2019 (TBC) 22. Uzbekistan (UZB) 21 December 1994 3WPM, - Preparation of complete set of - Circulation of updated Chair: H.E. Ms PAIK Ji-ah 14 October 2005 updated inputs (MFTR, LAP, LEG, inputs (Republic of Korea) AGST, all other questionnaires and - 4WPM in Q3 2019 checklists, MA offers) (TBC)

Notes: * LDC - AGST (Agricultural Supporting Tables); CVQ (Customs Valuation Questionnaire); DWPR (Draft Working Party Report); FS (Factual Summary of Points Raised); ILQ (Import Licensing Questionnaire); LAP (Legislative Action Plan); LEG (legislation); MA (market access); MFTR (Memorandum onthe Foreign Trade Regime); Q1 (1st quarter); STQ (State Trading Questionnaire); TA (technical assistance); WP (Working Party); WPM (Working Party meeting).

6

N° 92 — February/March 2019

Accessions Anniversary dates — Article XII Members

Article XII Member Membership date MARCH Tajikistan 2 March 2013 APRIL The former Yugoslav Republic of 4 April 2003 Macedonia Jordan 11 April 2000 Nepal 23 April 2004 Seychelles, Republic of 26 April 2015 WTO Building — Centre William Rappard Montenegro 29 April 2012

Accessions Toolbox

➔ Accession Working Parties ➔ Accessions Evolving Work Programme

➔ WTO Director-General's Annual Reports on Accessions ➔ Accession Commitments Database (ACDB)

➔ Handbook on Accessions to the WTO ➔ WTO Accessions Internship - "China Programme"

➔ Accession-Related Technical Assistance Activities ➔ Accession processes of Article XII Members, click here

➔ Accession Intelligence Portal (AIP) on the WTO Website ➔ WTO Accessions Newsletters (En, Fr, Es)

Previous WTO Accessions newsletters:

January/February 2019 December 2018 November 2018

7