E-commerce Joint Statement Initiative Negotiations Among World Trade Organization Members: State of play and the impacts of COVID-19
This paper provides an update on the e-commerce Joint Statement Initiative negotiations among a group of WTO members, looking at developments from early 2020 onward.
The author describes how the negotiations have been affected by the new context of COVID-19 and highlights the pandemic’s impacts on e-commerce, economic development, and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) aspects. Finally, the author gives an overview of the negotiations’ key issues where there are indications of convergence, and others where divergence remains, as the group prepares for the WTO’s Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12).
The author acknowledges substantive research support from Monica Werimo and Emmeline Perreve. This brief also benefitted from the review of Rashid S. Kaukab, Executive Director of CUTS International, Geneva and Sofia Baliño, Communications and Editorial Manager for IISD’s Economic Law and Policy program.
This material has been produced with funding by UK aid from the UK Government. The Umbrella Grant is a project of the Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+) and is implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, in consortium with CUTS International Geneva and BKP Economic Advisors.
Views expressed in the publication are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect HM Government’s official positions or those of the Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+).
Funded by
You might also be interested in
WTO Joint Initiative on E-Commerce State of Play
A finalized legal text of the e-commerce joint statement initiative agreement may be within reach: this report provides an overview of how close the participants are to the finish line and what remains to be agreed on.
Joint Statement Initiative on E-commerce at Crossroads for a “Substantial” Conclusion by MC13
Yasmin Ismail explores the recent updates of the JSI negotiation text on e-commerce and examines the impact of national policies, regional trade agreements, and digital economy accords on the ongoing negotiations.
The Evolving Context and Dynamics of the WTO Joint Initiative on E-Commerce
This report aims to give a stocktake of the Joint Statement Initiative on e-commerce as of December 2022 while focusing on dynamics and developments throughout the year and considering recent trends in the e-commerce policy activity and governance landscape at the national, regional, and multilateral levels.
Negotiating Services Market Access under the E-commerce Joint Statement Initiative: A development perspective
This brief examines the negotiations on services market access within the Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce among a group of WTO Members.