Title of the activity
Virtual Course on Essentials for SPS Committee Participation
Activity Type
Virtual workshop - Global
Description
This is the second edition of the virtual course on Essentials for SPS Committee Participation. This activity will take place from 1 October to 27 November 2025, with 1-2 Zoom sessions of 1h30 per week.
This activity is an in-depth and "hands-on" activity focusing on the work of the SPS Committee as a vital tool to oversee the implementation of the SPS Agreement and on the instruments available to Members to resolve SPS issues. Through presentations, discussions, briefing sessions, and practical exercises on the work of the SPS Committee and the principles and guidelines that underpin it, this training activity will give participants the necessary tools to engage actively in the work of the SPS Committee. Participants will be required to use a virtual classroom to consult key materials, complete assignments, report on progress, etc. The activity will also involve a follow-up session to monitor progress on participants' individual action points and participants will be expected to attend the November meeting of the SPS Committee meetings and related events.
This activity is an in-depth and "hands-on" activity focusing on the work of the SPS Committee as a vital tool to oversee the implementation of the SPS Agreement and on the instruments available to Members to resolve SPS issues. Through presentations, discussions, briefing sessions, and practical exercises on the work of the SPS Committee and the principles and guidelines that underpin it, this training activity will give participants the necessary tools to engage actively in the work of the SPS Committee. Participants will be required to use a virtual classroom to consult key materials, complete assignments, report on progress, etc. The activity will also involve a follow-up session to monitor progress on participants' individual action points and participants will be expected to attend the November meeting of the SPS Committee meetings and related events.
Venue
Switzerland
Trade topic
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)
Start Date
End Date
Duration (days)
42
Activity Level
selection process
The Application Form must be returned by 26 August 2025, completed and signed by the candidate as well as by the nominating national authority which presents the candidate, via the Permanent Mission/Embassy to the WTO, to the Logistics Unit, WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation. 25 candidates will be selected using criteria such as the fulfilment of pre-requisites, prior selection of other candidates from the Member or Observer, as well as balance among the selected candidates. Selected candidates will be informed about the results of the selection in September 2025.
Pre-requisite
Candidates must:
a. have successfully completed the WTO SPS e-Learning Course by the time of their application (accessible at https://www.learning.wto.org);
b. hold direct responsibilities in the SPS area, e.g. specialists on food safety, animal health, plant protection, or be officials from a relevant Ministry in charge of coordinating SPS matters and international trade;
c. be tasked to follow the work of the WTO SPS Committee from capital;
d. possess a proven advanced level of understanding of the provisions and structure of the WTO, and the principles and provisions of the SPS Agreement, and must be willing to take initiative and leadership; and
e. be fluent in oral and written English.
a. have successfully completed the WTO SPS e-Learning Course by the time of their application (accessible at https://www.learning.wto.org);
b. hold direct responsibilities in the SPS area, e.g. specialists on food safety, animal health, plant protection, or be officials from a relevant Ministry in charge of coordinating SPS matters and international trade;
c. be tasked to follow the work of the WTO SPS Committee from capital;
d. possess a proven advanced level of understanding of the provisions and structure of the WTO, and the principles and provisions of the SPS Agreement, and must be willing to take initiative and leadership; and
e. be fluent in oral and written English.
Target Audience
Government officials
Language
English
Key Result
1. Government officials are implementing WTO Agreements and fully realising Members' rights and obligations
Key Output
1.1: Government officials have enhanced knowledge about WTO Agreements, trade policy formulation and conduct of trade negotiations
Invited Members and Observers:
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain, Kingdom of
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Costa Rica
Côte dʼIvoire
Curaçao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong, China
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait, the State of
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao Peopleʼs Democratic Republic
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao, China
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova, Republic of
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Chinese Taipei
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Viet Nam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe