WTO concludes second phase of advanced workshop on agriculture notifications

The two-day programme included practical training sessions that complemented the first phase — held in October 2023 — giving participants an overview of the WTO’s agricultural notification requirements. Market access and domestic support notifications were a focal point of the training and participants were given guidance on how to use the WTO's Agriculture Information Management System.

Participants practised the drafting of notifications for their government's agricultural measures and took part in group exercises.

Speaking at the opening session on 15 October, the Director of the WTO’s Agriculture and Commodities Division, Edwini Kessie, stressed the importance of the workshop for increasing the transparency of agriculture policies. Underscoring the essential role the activity plays in helping to simplify the often-complex agricultural notifications rules, he said: “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.”

The workshop also featured a roundtable discussion with government representatives from Hong Kong, China; Guatemala; Jamaica; and the European Union. They emphasized the importance of transparency in the work of the WTO Committee on Agriculture and provided participants with insights into the Committee's review process and the broader implications of complying with notification obligations.

After completing the course, Haroon Sarwar, Economic Consultant at Pakistan's Ministry of National Food Security and Research, said: “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.”

Another course participant, Brenda Kisingiri, Senior Agricultural Inspector at Uganda's Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, said: “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.”