The interim Chairperson, Ms. Nicola Waterfield from Canada, reported on the thematic sessions focused on supply chain resilience held by the Committee during 2023-2024. Over 20 experts participated in these sessions. The Committee plans to hold a wrap-up session before the end of 2024 to discuss multilateral initiatives on supply chain resilience and how the WTO can support members in building resilience using available data.
Pakistan proposed organizing thematic sessions to explore trade policy tools and market access measures that could enhance crisis management frameworks and increase resilience.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) presented developments regarding vaccine classification. Currently, all vaccines are classified under one subheading, complicating targeted trade policies and statistics collection. A revised proposal developed with WHO and WTO aims to create a new heading for vaccines with seven new positions covering 36 specific diseases. This proposal is set for provisional adoption in March 2025.
Ms. Waterfield emphasized that collaboration among WCO, WHO, and WTO was crucial for approving the vaccine proposal, which will improve transparency in vaccine trade flows and aid public health policies.
Members welcomed improvements in the Committee's functioning following discussions on "reform by doing." Changes include a new online system for notifications of quantitative restrictions and updates to agendas.
A status report by the WTO Secretariat outlined efforts to transpose schedules of concessions due to amendments in the Harmonized System (HS). The General Council adopted procedures for HS changes, extending collective waivers until December 31, 2025.
Regarding submissions to the WTO's Integrated Database (IDB), only 74 out of 138 members submitted notifications on applied tariffs by November 11. Compliance with IDB tariff and import data notifications shows that 35 members are fully compliant while another 27 are nearly compliant.
A Secretariat report highlighted low compliance with a decision requiring complete notifications of quantitative restrictions since September 2012. Seventy-seven members have never submitted such notifications.
Discussions also covered concerns about the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) raised by Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru. Members discussed various trade concerns including import restrictions in Kazakhstan, tariff quotas in Canada, excise taxes in Mongolia, and investigations related to China by the United States.
The Committee tentatively scheduled formal meetings for April and October next year.