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Participating Members

Afghanistan
Signature, date of signature: 22-12-04, date of entry into force: 21-01-05

Algeria
Signature, date of signature: 10-01-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Antigua and Barbuda
Accession, date of accession: 06-10-05, date of entry into force: 05-11-05

Barbados
Signature, date of signature: 31-12-04, date of entry into force: 30-01-05

Benin
Signature, date of signature: 14-02-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Bhutan
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Bolivia
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Burkina Faso
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 06-06-03, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: —, date of entry into force: —

Burundi
Signature, date of signature: 19-06-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Cambodia
Signature, date of signature: 03-03-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Cape Verde
Signature, date of signature: 12-11-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Central African Republic
Accession, date of accession: 30-03-05, date of entry into force: 29-04-05

Chad
Signature, date of signature: 28-04-04, date of entry into force: 28-05-04

Congo, Dem. Rep. of the
Signature, date of signature: 03-02-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Congo, Rep. of the
Accession, date of accession: 23-11-06, date of entry into force: 23-12-06

Cuba
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: —, date of entry into force: —

Dominica
Accession, date of accession: 19-10-05, date of entry into force: 18-11-05

Dominican Republic
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Ecuador
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 11-11-05, date of entry into force: 11-12-05

El Salvador
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 23-12-04, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: —, date of entry into force: —

Ethiopia
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Gabon
Accession, date of accession: 10-05-06, date of entry into force: 09-06-06

Gambia
Signature, date of signature: 24-11-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Georgia
Accession, date of accession: 10-04-06, date of entry into force: 10-05-06

Guatemala
Signature, date of signature: 13-12-04, date of entry into force: 12-01-05

Guinea
Signature, date of signature: 20-10-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Guyana
Signature, date of signature: 13-09-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Haiti
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Honduras
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Jamaica
Signature, date of signature: 23-12-04, date of entry into force: 22-01-05

Jordan
Signature, date of signature: 07-07-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Kyrgyz, Rep.
Accession, date of accession: 21-09-06, date of entry into force: 21-10-06

Lao People’s Dem. Rep.
Accession, date of accession: 28-11-06, date of entry into force: 28-12-06

Madagascar
Accession, date of accession: 03-01-07, date of entry into force: 02-02-07

Mali
Signature, date of signature: 13-12-04, date of entry into force: 12-01-05

Mauritania
Signature, date of signature: 23-07-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Mauritius
Signature, date of signature: 24-03-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Moldova, Rep. of
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 17-12-04, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 17-12-04, date of entry into force: 16-01-05

Mongolia
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 21-12-04, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 18-03-05, date of entry into force: 17-04-05

Montenegro
Accession, date of accession: 02-06-05, date of entry into force: 02-07-05

Morocco
Accession, date of accession: 14-06-05, date of entry into force: 14-07-05

Mozambique
Signature, date of signature: 11-03-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Nepal
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 30-01-03, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: —, date of entry into force: —

Nicaragua
Signature, date of signature: 10-10-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Nigeria
Signature, date of signature: 31-01-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Paraguay
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: —, date of entry into force: —

Rwanda
Signature, date of signature: 17-12-04, date of entry into force: 16-01-05

Saint Lucia
Accession, date of accession: 21-06-05, date of entry into force: 21-07-05

Samoa
Accession, date of accession: 17-06-05, date of entry into force: 17-07-05

Senegal
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 23-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: —, date of entry into force: —

Sri Lanka
Signature, date of signature: 20-05-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Sudan
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: —, date of entry into force: —

Suriname
Accession, date of accession: 20-07-07, date of entry into force: 19-08-07

Togo
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Trinidad and Tobago
Accession, date of accession: 30-02-07, date of entry into force: 30-03-07

Tunisia
Accession, date of accession: 12-07-06, date of entry into force: 11-08-06

Uganda
Signature, date of signature: 13-12-04, date of entry into force: 12-01-05

Vanuatu
Signature, date of signature: 12-09-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Yemen
Signature, date of signature: 25-03-03, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Zambia
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04
 
DOCUMENTS
HTML
PDF
Date
*Members only*
Trade Facilitation and Aid for Trade: Unlocking the Landlocked  
April 2008
AITIC Background Note: Trade Facilitation: So Near, Yet So Far  
April 2008
*Public*
Report on the Joint AITIC/OECD Workshop: Aid for Trade Self-Assessment Questionnaire – Challenges for Developing Countries (7 April 2008)
April 2008
UNCTAD XII: The Preparatory Process
April 2008
The Aid for Trade Questionnaire
April 2008
Summary of the Draft Consolidated Chair’s Texts on AD and SCM Agreements: an Obstacle to the “Horizontal” Negotiations?
March 2008
The Revised NAMA Modalities Text: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?
February 2008
AITIC Background Note: Revised Agricultural Modalities – Cutting the Gordian Knot?
February 2008
AITIC Report on the 15th Geneva Week for Non-Resident Members and Observers of the WTO (19 – 23 November 2007)
February 2008
Report on AITIC Flash Meeting - The Doha Negotiations: Potential Benefits for the Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) (14 December 2007, CCV)
February 2008
Farm Bill, the US Political Process and the Doha Negotiations: a “Catch-22”?
January 2008
AITIC NEWS

AITIC’s Official Fellowship Programme and Professional Training Programme.

Since April 2007, AITIC has set up two programmes aiming to strengthen the capacities of the less-advantaged countries Members of AITIC to participate in the multilateral trading system and the ongoing WTO negotiations.

  • The Official Fellowship Programme, financed by the Agency’s regular budget, aims to host for a period of six months government officials dealing with multilateral trade issues. The selected fellows will work in AITIC’s premises to develop a project of particular interest to their Government, concerning the activities of the WTO or international trade negotiations. Moreover, the professional experience gained in the multilateral trading system will enable the fellows to take part in the work and activities of the WTO and other trade-related international organisations in Geneva.

  • With similar objectives, the Professional Training Programme is implemented in collaboration with the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.

Please click here for additional information on these programmes. This area is restricted to AITIC Members only.

Aid for Trade – An AITIC Project for the Private Sector
Since May 2007, AITIC’s website contains two pages which focus respectively on Aid for Trade and the Integrated Framework. These pages present the most recent developments in these two areas and contain information on official meetings, documents as well as a glossary of the main technical terms used in the context of these initiatives. The Aid for Trade page also includes a chronology of past and forthcoming main events.
Our direct links to:


- Maseru Declaration, LDC Trade Ministers' Meeting (Maseru, Lesotho, 27-29 February 2008)

- UNCTAD XII, Accra - Ghana, 20 - 25 April 2008.

- Ulaanbaatar Declaration adopted at the Meeting of Trade Ministers of LLDCs, held in Ulaanbaatar, 28-29 August 2007.

- Istanbul Declaration on LDCs: Time for action, adopted at the Ministerial Conference of LDCs titled “Making Globalisation Work for LDCs”, Istanbul, Turkey, 9-10 July 2007

- The Addis Ababa African Union Trade Ministers Declaration on WTO Trade Negotiations, adopted by the Trade Ministers of the Members of the African Union, at their Third Extraordinary Session, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 15 – 16 January 2007.

- The Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference, Hong Kong (China), 13 to 18 December 2005. Hong Kong host government website.

- Fourth LDC Trade Ministers' Meeting, Livingstone, Zambia, 25 – 26 June 2005.

- Cairo Declaration and Road Map on the developments of the Doha Work Programme (DWP), adopted by the Trade Ministers of the Members of the African Union, at their Third Ordinary Session in Cairo, Egypt, on 8-9 June 2005.

- AUSAID: Australian Agency for International Development.

- Chinese Tapei

- NZAID: New Zealand Agency for International Development

- Organisation internationale de la Francophonie

- International Law Institute (ILI)

- Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

- Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI)

- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Liaison Office in Geneva (LOGE).

- United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

- The WTO Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC)

- Trade Policy Review, WTO

- Aid for Trade, WTO

- The Integrated Framework

- Information on Geneva for Delegates
  » Mandat International
  » Site officiel de l'Etat de Genève
  » Welcome Geneva
 
FORTHCOMING


 
WHAT'S NEW?
 
Sponsoring Members

Denmark
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Finland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 04-02-05, date of entry into force: 06-03-05

Ireland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 13-02-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Netherlands
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 22-01-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Sweden
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 20-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Switzerland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 12-03-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

United Kingdom
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 08-02-05, date of entry into force: 10-03-05

Denmark
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Finland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 04-02-05, date of entry into force: 06-03-05

Ireland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 13-02-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Netherlands
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 22-01-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Sweden
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 20-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Switzerland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 12-03-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

United Kingdom
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 08-02-05, date of entry into force: 10-03-05

Denmark
Signature, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Finland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 04-02-05, date of entry into force: 06-03-05

Ireland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 13-02-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Netherlands
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 22-01-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Sweden
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 20-12-02, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

Switzerland
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 12-03-04, date of entry into force: 30-04-04

United Kingdom
Signature subject to ratification, acceptance or approval, date of signature: 09-12-02, date of ratification, acceptance or approval: 08-02-05, date of entry into force: 10-03-05

AITIC and ITC National Seminar on Trade Facilitation

As part of its trade-related capacity building activities, AITIC, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), held a National Seminar on Trade Facilitation: Multilateral Negotiations and Free-Trade Agreements in Mexico City, Mexico, on 7-8 May 2008.

The seminar discussed trade facilitation experiences in Latin America, considered the progress made in the related WTO negotiations and the relevance of free trade agreements. It provided a forum for government officials and representatives of other organisations to share their experiences in this area.

Various experts presented their views and experience on trade facilitation. The seminar was made up of three sessions which focused first on the current trade facilitation negotiations before considering experiences of implementation of trade facilitation measures at national and then at regional level. The private sector of Mexico participated in the seminar and contributed to the discussions.

AITIC recently issued two Background Notes on Trade Facilitation: “Trade Facilitation and Aid for Trade: Unlocking the Landlocked” and “Trade Facilitation – So Near, Yet So Far”.

Students from the University of the West Indies (UWI) visited AITIC

In May 2008, students of the Masters in International Trade Policy (MITP) at the University of West Indies will spend two weeks in Geneva to gain insight into the work of the WTO and meet international trade experts.

In this context, AITIC organised an Information Session on 6 May 2008 in its offices.

The session began with an overview of the activities carried out by AITIC over the past few years with a view to addressing the trade-related technical assistance needs of the less-advantaged countries, in particular the OECS members. This was followed by a presentation on Aid for Trade which led to a lively exchange with participants. The morning ended with a presentation of the Enhanced Integrated Framework for the least-developed countries (LDCs).

Regional Seminar AITIC / ICDF in Guatemala

As part of its technical assistance programme in favour of the less-advantaged countries, AITIC, in collaboration with the International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF – Chinese Taipei) and the Ministry of Economy of Guatemala, organised a Regional Seminar on “Trade Facilitation in Central America” which took place in Guatemala City (Guatemala) from 28 to 30 April 2008.

The seminar aimed to encourage trade facilitation initiatives at a regional level and provided a forum for national representatives to share their experiences in this area.

Speakers discussed the state of play of negotiations on trade facilitation in the WTO and the position of the countries of Central America in these negotiations, progress in trade facilitation at a regional level and future challenges, national experiences in term of needs assessment as well as the implementation of trade facilitation measures both at national and regional level.

AITIC and UNIDO sign a Relationship Agreement in Accra, Ghana

AITIC and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) concluded a relationship agreement, which formalises the cooperation between the two organisations on matters of mutual interest.

The signature ceremony took place on Friday 25th April 2008 in Accra, Ghana, during the 12th Session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XII).

Through their cooperation, AITIC and UNIDO intend to exploit their respective strengths in order to offer trade-related assistance to less-advantaged countries. AITIC and UNIDO look forward to working together at the service of their members.

The Republic of Seychelles and the Republic of Senegal accede to AITIC

AITIC is pleased to announce that the Republic of Seychelles and the Republic of Senegal will become AITIC’s 55th and 56th Participating Members. Pursuant to Article 17, paragraph 3, of the Agreement Establishing AITIC as an Intergovernmental Organisation, the accessions will become effective 30 days after having deposited the Instrument of Accession with Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, i.e. on 8 and 11 May 2008 respectively.

AITIC welcomes these countries and looks forward to providing them its technical assistance activities and services.

New Zealand supports AITIC activities

AITIC is pleased to announce that it has received a contribution of NZ$ 200,000 from the Government of New Zealand in support of its work and activities in favour of the less-advantaged countries (LACs). This contribution forms part of New Zealand’s efforts to reduce international poverty, in which trade plays a significant role.

On this occasion, the New Zealand Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva stated that “AITIC provides valuable assistance to LACs participating in the multilateral trading system. New Zealand’s decision to contribute funding represents our confidence in [AITIC’s] ability to continue anticipating and responding to the needs of LACs in pursuit of their trade policy objectives”.

AITIC would like to thank the Government of New Zealand for this mark of support. Its valuable contribution will reinforce AITIC’s activities and help the organisation reach out to a larger number of LACs.

AITIC Post Trade Policy Special Session: Republic of Mauritius

The Republic of Mauritius presented its third Trade Policy Review (TPR) on 23 and 25 April 2008 at the WTO. On this occasion, AITIC and the Government of Mauritius held the Post TPRSpecial Session of Mauritius: Aid for Trade and Reform of the Economy, which took placeon Friday 25 April 2008 at the Centre William Rappard, Geneva.

Organised as part of AITIC’s Programme “Assistance to LACs on their WTO Trade Policy Review”, this meeting was an opportunity for the delegation of Mauritius to present the economic reforms it has carried out recently. The discussions focused on Mauritius’ trade-related technical assistance needs, on the basis of concrete Aid for Trade projects aiming to increase trade and to support the national development strategy.

Representatives of cooperation and development intergovernmental organisations, the private sector and permanent delegations in Geneva attended the meeting.

AITIC and UN-OHRLLS High-Level Ministerial Meeting in Accra, Ghana

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is holding its 12th Session in Accra, Ghana, from 20-25 April 2008. As a pre-Conference event, the AITIC Secretariat and the United Nations Office of High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) co-organised a High-Level Meeting on “Trade Facilitation and Aid for Trade: Keys for Unlocking the Landlocked”. The event took place on 19 April 2008 at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Statements:

With no easy access to world markets, due to constraints such as inadequate infrastructure and geographical situation, the landlocked developing countries (LLDCs) face a number of constraints in their participation in the multilateral trading system. The High-Level Meeting sought to examine the role that Aid for Trade and the WTO negotiations on Trade Facilitation can play in bridging the infrastructure deficit in the LLDCs. This forum was also be an opportunity to take stock of progress made as well as moving forward the Almaty Programme of Action, whose mid-term review is due this autumn.

HE Cheick Sidi Diarra, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of UN-OHRLLS co-chaired the High-Level Meeting with AITIC and a number of Trade Ministers from LLDCs attended.

AITIC held two Training Sessions on Services

As part of its technical assistance and capacity building activities, AITIC held two Training Sessions on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) for the English and French-speaking African WTO delegates. The sessions took place in April over four half-days on the AITIC premises.

The event aimed to reinforce the technical knowledge of the African delegates based in Geneva, allowing them to better understand the main provisions of the GATS and to participate more effectively in the WTO negotiations on services.

The sessions covered, inter alia, the main provisions of the GATS and the structure of the schedules of specific commitments. They also offered an overview of the current negotiations on services according to the interests of African countries. Presentations involved practical examples and exercises.

Sessions for the other regions will follow later.

AITIC Workshop on the Aid for Trade Questionnaire

AITIC organised in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE) a workshop on the “Aid for Trade Self-Assessment Questionnaire: Challenges for Developing Countries”. The event took place on Monday 7 April 2008 from 15:00 to 18:00 in the Centre de Conférences de Varembé, Geneva.

The aim of the workshop was to raise the awareness of the importance of the self-assessment process for the success of the Aid for Trade initiative. This event provided the participants, and in particular the LDC delegates, with an opportunity to discuss the challenges they face in replying to the OECD evaluation questionnaires.

In May 2007, AITIC developed a webpage dedicated to Aid for Trade which contains updated information on Aid for Trade developments.

AITIC Discussion Note
Presentation Ms Martina García
Presentation Mr Ambroise Balima

To thank the participants who had returned their evaluation form, AITIC organised its traditional raffle of AITIC umbrellas. The winners were: Mr LE Huu Hung (Vietnam), Mr Lucas N. SARONGA (Tanzania) and Ms Natalie HICKS (New Zealand). Thanks to all!

Madagascar’ Trade Policy Review

On 3 April 2008 and on the sidelines of Madagascar’s Trade Policy Review at the WTO, AITIC welcomed a delegation led by HE Mr Ivohasina Fizara RAZAFIMAHEFA, Minister of Trade and Industry of Madagascar.

The meeting provided an opportunity for a fruitful exchange of views on the collaboration between AITIC and Madagascar and on its trade-related technical assistance needs. It also gave the opportunity to take stock of progress so far under the Aid for Trade initiative and Enhanced Integrated Framework, as AITIC could assist Madagascar in the preparation and submission of projects to the donor community.

AITIC also reviewed with Minister Razafimahefa the participation of his country in the upcoming activities organised by AITIC in Geneva (workshop on the AFT Questionnaire, OFP, Training Session on Services), in Accra, Ghana (High-level meeting on Trade Facilitation and Aid for Trade: Keys for Unlocking the Landlocked), and in the field (e.g. in Madagascar).

With a view to further improving the services provided to its Members, AITIC is pleased to announce that a Members’ Area is available on its website, for their exclusive use. Members are not only able to consult all of AITIC’s publications long before these become available for the general public, but they are also able to browse the online version of the Glossary of Commonly Used International Trade Terminology with Particular Reference to the WTO, AITIC’s Constituent Documents and those relating to the meetings of its main Bodies, as well as other useful information for AITIC Members only.

Click here to register.

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