The recent committee meeting spotlighted issues related to transparency and subsidy notification compliance under the WTO's SCM Agreement. The Chair expressed concern over the low compliance rates, noting that 84 members have not submitted their 2023 notifications, which were due by June 30, 2023. Additionally, 82 members have yet to make their 2021 notifications, and 71 members are still pending on their 2019 notifications.
The Chair emphasized the importance of timely and complete notifications for all members. "Ultimately, all members, in addition to being required to notify, have an interest in the notified information of other members," he stated. He urged non-compliant members to meet their obligations and highlighted a technical assistance project by the WTO Secretariat aimed at improving compliance.
This project saw participation from 23 out of 43 invited members in its first round completed in 2023. As a result, 11 participants submitted their subsidy notifications on time. A new round is planned for late this year with hopes for active member engagement.
Several delegations echoed these concerns and praised the Secretariat's support efforts. In response to suggestions for training sessions on subsidy notification obligations, the Chair proposed organizing one early next year as a new cycle begins in 2025.
During the meeting, reviews were conducted on various subsidy notifications from countries including Australia, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, among others. Discussions also covered national legislation submissions from Brazil and countervailing duty actions reports from multiple countries like Australia and Canada.
The Committee addressed several agenda items raised by different nations concerning discriminatory subsidies policies and other related topics. The United States called for increased transparency regarding Secretariat activities on subsidies—a sentiment supported by Australia, India, and others.
Furthermore, a transparency portal initiative was announced by the Secretariat aiming for launch towards November's end. Under other business discussions included updates on guidelines submission processes previously introduced by several countries.
Finally, plans were made for future meetings scheduled in April and October of 2025.