regional trade agreements
Members review five regional trade agreements, consider evolution of gender provisions
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- Iceland
- Canada
- United Arab Emirates
- European Union (formerly EC)
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Serbia
- Kazakhstan
- New Zealand
- Moldova
- Azerbaijan
- Ukraine
- Cabo Verde
- India
Note
This note has been prepared by the WTO Secretariat to assist public understanding about the work of the WTO's councils, committees and other bodies. It is not intended as a complete account of all issues raised at the meeting. These can be found in the formal meeting minutes.
The Committee considered the following agreements:
- Accession of the United Kingdom to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) - goods and services
- Türkiye - United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement - goods and services
- Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine - goods and services
- Free Trade Agreement between Kazakhstan and Serbia - goods
- Free Trade Agreement between Kyrgyz Republic and Azerbaijan - goods
The new Chair of the Committee, Ambassador Clara Manuela da Luz Delgado Jesus of Cabo Verde, noted that there were two new notifications of RTAs, between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and India, on goods and services, and between the Republic of Moldova and Azerbaijan, covering goods. The Committee was also presented with notifications of changes to four existing RTAs.
The CRTA took note that 79 RTAs have appeared in factual presentations but have not yet been notified to the WTO. Noting with concern a backlog of 34 RTAs with pending factual presentations, the CRTA Secretary highlighted that the main reason was that data had not been submitted by parties to RTAs.
At the request of Iceland (on behalf of the EFTA states), New Zealand and Ukraine, the Committee heard presentations and statements from various members, who highlighted the evolution of gender provisions in their RTAs and presented results on the impact of these provisions on women's trade and empowerment.
Election of new chair
Members elected Ambassador Clara Manuela da Luz Delgado Jesus (Cabo Verde) as the new Committee chair. She replaces Ambassador José Valencia of Ecuador.
Next meeting
The next Committee meeting is scheduled for 3 November 2026.
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