The World Trade Organization (WTO) has concluded the second phase of its advanced workshop on agriculture notifications. The two-day program, held in October 2024, provided practical training sessions that built upon the first phase conducted a year earlier. Participants received an overview of the WTO's agricultural notification requirements, focusing particularly on market access and domestic support notifications. They were also guided on using the WTO's Agriculture Information Management System.
Attendees engaged in drafting notifications for their respective governments' agricultural measures and participated in group exercises to enhance their understanding.
Edwini Kessie, Director of the WTO’s Agriculture and Commodities Division, addressed participants during the opening session on October 15. He highlighted the workshop's significance in enhancing transparency within agriculture policies and simplifying complex notification rules. Kessie noted: “While significant progress has been made over recent years, over 2,000 agricultural notifications from members remain outstanding. We hope that this workshop will equip government officials with the expertise to catch up on their obligations as WTO members.”
A roundtable discussion featured representatives from Hong Kong, China; Guatemala; Jamaica; and the European Union. They underscored transparency's role within the WTO Committee on Agriculture's work and shared insights into its review process along with broader implications tied to notification compliance.
Haroon Sarwar from Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research expressed satisfaction upon completing the course: “The workshop has improved my knowledge and removed many doubts regarding notification drafting and submission processes. I feel more confident now in helping my country fulfil its obligations as a member of this Organization.”
Brenda Kisingiri from Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries added: “Upon completing this workshop, I now feel more familiar with the context, the categories, timelines and scope of commitments surrounding the obligations that we, as WTO members, need to fulfil under the Agreement on Agriculture.”