The World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Regional Trade Agreements met to review five regional trade agreements (RTAs) and discuss issues related to transparency and notification. The agreements considered included the Free Trade Agreement between China and Ecuador, the Economic Partnership Agreement between the United Kingdom and Côte d'Ivoire, the Interim Partnership Agreement between the United Kingdom and Ghana, the Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Israel, and the Free Trade Agreement between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ambassador José Valencia of Ecuador, Chair of the Committee, reported that there were four new notifications of RTAs as well as two notifications regarding changes to existing RTAs. He also noted that at least 62 RTAs currently in force have not yet been notified.
Valencia provided an update on informal consultations held in September and October with WTO members concerning non-notified RTAs and factual presentations. "While there was broad agreement on some issues, many others would require further discussions if the Committee decided to take them forward," he said. He added that although some members had suggested possible contributions earlier in the year for the 14th Ministerial Conference, these matters were not addressed by the Committee.
During other business, China called on members who have recently concluded agreements with non-conventional features to notify them or share relevant information with WTO members. The WTO Secretariat gave an overview of technical assistance activities related to RTAs conducted in 2025 as well as those planned for 2026.
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for March 3, 2026.