|
> List
of participants (Word format, 6 pages, 89KB)
|
This workshop is organized by the WTO with the cooperation of Pacific
Forum Island Secretariat (PIFS) as part of its Technical Assistance
Programme for 2006. It is funded through the WTO Global Trust Fund.
Officials who are responsible for the implementation of the Agreement on
Technical Barriers to Trade (the TBT Agreement) from Fiji, Papua New
Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu have been invited.
Structure and Objective
back to top
The programme of the Workshop is designed to assist participating
countries to consolidate knowledge of the principles and disciplines of
the TBT Agreement. The workshop will aim at updating participants on
current issues in the TBT Committee, with the view of promoting a more
effective participation of the Region in its work. Participants from the
invited countries will be expected to contribute directly to the
Workshop, in particular on issues related to (i) specific trade concerns
affecting products of export interest that may be relevant to the TBT
Agreement; (ii) standardization and conformity assessment activities;
and, (iii) the implementation and operation of the Agreement's
transparency provisions (Enquiry Point, Notification Authority).
The WTO Secretariat is organizing the workshop in cooperation with the
PIFS. For more information on the substantive elements of the workshop,
please contact directly Mr. Erik Wijkström or
Mrs. Stefania Bernabè. The contact person at
the PIFS is Mr. Sumbue Antas. Representatives
from international standard-setting organizations have also been
invited.
The Workshop will be held in Nadi at the Tanoa International Hotel,
where participants and resource persons will also be lodged.
|
Wednesday 28 June 2006
back to top |
|
09:00 – 09:30 |
Opening
Dr Roman Grynberg, Manager Economic Governance, PIFS Secretariat
Mr. Erik Wijkström on Structure and Objective, WTO Secretariat |
|
09:30 – 10:30 |
Examples of how the TBT Agreement applies in specific cases
WTO
> Powerpoint presentation (220KB)
- Specific trade concerns
- Case Study: EC-Sardines
- Using the TBT (and SPS) Committees to address specific trade
concerns
|
|
10:45 – 12:30 |
Trade concerns in the Region relevant to the TBT Agreement
PIFS, Participants
> Powerpoint presentation
(548KB)
- The objective of this session is to shed light on the specific
trade concerns of the region that are related to the TBT
Agreement. Participants and the PIFS will make brief interventions
that may deal with actual or potential trade concerns that have
arisen in the region.
|
|
14:00 – 15:30 |
TBT Agreement: Concepts, Definitions and Principles
WTO
> Powerpoint presentation
(453KB)
- The context: non-tariff barriers to trade (NTBs) and the WTO
- Purpose and scope of the TBT Agreement
- Differences with the SPS Agreement
- Principles (Non-discrimination, avoidance of
- unnecessary barriers to trade, harmonization, etc.)
|
|
15:45 – 17:00 |
Current issues in the context of the on-going Fourth Triennial
Review
WTO
> Powerpoint presentation
(142KB)
- Good Regulatory Practice
- Conformity Assessment Procedures
- Transparency
- Technical Assistance
- Special and Differential Treatment
|
|
|
|
Thursday 29 June 2006
back to top |
|
09:00 – 10:30 |
Using international standards
- Panel session with introductory presentations from WTO, ISO
and IEC.
|
|
10:45 – 12:30 |
Cont'd
- The panel will continue with a focus on interventions from
participants who will describe (i) the national standardization
activities in the region and (ii) national conformity assessment
activities. The PIFS Secretariat will also shed light on what
extent there exist regional efforts to address standardization,
conformity assessment (regional certification schemes,
accreditation schemes for laboratories, etc) and metrology
activities.
|
|
14:00 – 15:15 |
Transparency Provisions: Rights and Obligations
WTO
- Notifications: obligations and handling of comments
- Enquiry Points: role and practical function
|
|
15:30 – 17:00 |
National / Regional experiences
Participants, PIFS
- Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands and Tonga will be invited to make a
brief presentation on steps they have taken to implement the
transparency obligations of the TBT Agreement (TBT notifications,
Publication, role of Enquiry Point, etc.). The PIFS will be asked
to speak about regional cooperation in the area of transparency.
|
|
|
|
Friday 30 June 2006
back to top |
|
09:00 – 09:30 |
Technical Cooperation and Special and Differential Treatment
WTO
- Articles 11 and 12 of the TBT Agreement
- The work and role of the TBT Committee
|
|
09:30 – 10:30 |
Capacity building activities by international standard-setting
bodies
|
|
10:45 – 12:00 |
Identification of Capacity needs in the region
PIFS, participants
- The objective of this session it to have participants express
what specific technical assistance needs they have in the Region.
The PIFS will contribute by giving their perspective on particular
needs of the Region.
|
|
12:00 |
Conclusion
WTO, PIFS |
|
|
