Title of the activity
SPS Transparency Champions Course
Activity Type
Thematic course/Workshop
Description
The first week (i.e. the Geneva-based segment) of the SPS Transparency Champions Course will be aimed at enhancing participants' understanding of the transparency provisions of the SPS Agreement, its associated obligations and recommendations and its relevance for agricultural trade. The course will target government officials from SPS National Notification Authorities (NNAs) and/or SPS National Enquiry Points (NEPs) in English-speaking African countries. The programme is designed to stimulate the active engagement of participants on SPS transparency-related matters which may affect trade, such as those related to notifications and coordination. It will include presentations, interactive exercises, group work, hands-on and specialized trainings, and discussion on SPS transparency matters. The Codex, OIE, IPPC, national and regional representatives would also be invited to participate in parts of the course. By the end of the first week, participants are expected to have a clear understanding of SPS transparency provisions and develop practical strategies to strengthen their implementation in their country or region.
Building on this, the second virtual phase of the SPS Transparency Champions Course will in part focus on the elaboration of an action plan to address implementation and/or market access challenges encountered in participants' countries and region. The implementation of these action plans will be monitored through periodic ad-hoc reporting to the WTO Secretariat.
A second face-to-face activity session (in Geneva or in the region) may be organized in March/May 2023, where participants to the SPS Transparency Champions Course would be invited to report on the implementation of their action plans.
Building on this, the second virtual phase of the SPS Transparency Champions Course will in part focus on the elaboration of an action plan to address implementation and/or market access challenges encountered in participants' countries and region. The implementation of these action plans will be monitored through periodic ad-hoc reporting to the WTO Secretariat.
A second face-to-face activity session (in Geneva or in the region) may be organized in March/May 2023, where participants to the SPS Transparency Champions Course would be invited to report on the implementation of their action plans.
Venue
Switzerland
City
WTO
Trade topic
Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS)
Start Date
End Date
Duration (days)
5
Activity Level
selection process
The Secretariat will select participants for the SPS Transparency Champions Course. The target audience for this course are government officials from SPS National Notification Authorities (NNAs) and/or SPS National Enquiry Points (NEPs) of English-speaking African countries.
Candidates will be selected using criteria such as the fulfilment of pre-requisites, as well as the balance among the selected candidates. In addition, candidates must be government officials from SPS NNAs and/or NEPs at the time of applying and during the entirety of the course.
Government officials from eligible WTO Members and Observers wishing to apply for the SPS Transparency Champions Course are invited to consult the instructions provided in Annex II of document G/SPS/GEN/997/Rev.12, and complete and submit the online application form available at:
https://worldtradeorganization.wufoo.com/forms/2022-wto-sps-technical-assistance-application-form
The Secretariat will inform Members' and Observers' contact points to the WTO (e.g. missions to the WTO) of the proposed selection of candidates from their government before the final selection.
Candidates will be selected using criteria such as the fulfilment of pre-requisites, as well as the balance among the selected candidates. In addition, candidates must be government officials from SPS NNAs and/or NEPs at the time of applying and during the entirety of the course.
Government officials from eligible WTO Members and Observers wishing to apply for the SPS Transparency Champions Course are invited to consult the instructions provided in Annex II of document G/SPS/GEN/997/Rev.12, and complete and submit the online application form available at:
https://worldtradeorganization.wufoo.com/forms/2022-wto-sps-technical-assistance-application-form
The Secretariat will inform Members' and Observers' contact points to the WTO (e.g. missions to the WTO) of the proposed selection of candidates from their government before the final selection.
Pre-requisite
Candidates are required to be government officials from SPS NNAs and/or NEPs at the time of applying and during the entirety of the course; possess an understanding of the provisions and structure of the WTO, and the principles and provisions of the SPS Agreement; be highly motivated to scale up the transparency framework in their countries; and be endorsed and supported by their respective Ministry.
Fluent in oral and written English.
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:
Botswana
Egypt
Eswatini
Ethiopia
The Gambia
Ghana
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Rwanda
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe