INF/TE/FFSR/CN/ 5 
 
8 May 2024  
(24-3675) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
 
FOSSIL FUEL SUBSIDY REFORM (FFSR)  
CONVENING NOTICE  
The following convening notice , dated 8 May , is being circulated at the request of the delegation of 
New Zealand  (as Coordinator of the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform Initiative) . 
 
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The Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) Initiative will hold its fifth meeting, in hybrid mode in Room  W 
and via Zoom on 28 May , from 10.00, Geneva time.  All WTO Members are invited to attend the 
meeting. Please see technical arrangements in Annex I.  
 
AGENDA  
1. Introductory Remarks by the Chair  
2. Update Reports  
a. Overview of key points arising from the 26 February Ministerial Statement on Fossil Fuel 
Subsidies (WTO Doc WT/MIN(24)/19 ). 
b. Update from OECD on findings from the OECD Inventory of Support Measures for Fossil 
Fuels 2023 . 
c. Other recent update  reports.  
3. Next Steps on Concrete Options (WTO Doc WT/MIN(24)/19 , Annex I)  
(a) Pillar One: Enhanced Transparency  
Action Steps:  
(i) Steps to include information on fossil fuel subsidies and fossil fuel subsidy reform in 
WTO Trade Policy Reviews, including through questions posed by Members and in the 
next (8th) appraisal of the TPR Mechanism: overview of upcoming Trade Policy Reviews 
for 2024/2025 and opportunities these provide to include information on fossil fuel 
subsidies  and fossil fuel subsidy reform, as well as to ask questions on these subjects 
(based on 2024/2025 programme of scheduled Trade Policy Reviews); consideration 
of a submission from the FFSR Initiative to the 8th appraisal of the TPR Mechanism.  
(ii) Proposal to i nclude fossil fuel subsidy reform as part of a topic for more detailed 
sharing of experience and analysis during the Committee on Trade and Environment 
(CTE)'s next (or subsequent) "thematic session": discussion of the aspects FFSR 
co-sponsors would like t o highlight as part of such a topic in a future "thematic 
session"; together with preparation of a short communication to the Chair of the CTE 
to propose the inclusion of FFSR at a forthcoming CTE thematic session.  INF/TE/FFSR/CN/ 5 
 
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  (iii) Consideration of how best to encourage us e of other WTO mechanisms to increase 
transparency: drawing on information to be provided by the WTO Secretariat outlining 
current additional WTO processes where information is being provided or measures 
are being notified in relation to fossil fuel subsid ies or fossil fuel subsidy reform.   
(iv) Discussion of ways to broaden the base of stakeholder input – including business and 
civil society stakeholders – into the work of the FFSR Initiative.  
(b) Pillar Two: Crisis Support Measures  
Action Steps:  
(i) Member experience in the review, refinement and roll -back of crisis support 
measures implemented during the recent energy crisis:  
(ii) Discussion on joint development (Secretariat and Members) of an information 
paper documenting the design, review, evolution and remov al of crisis support 
measures – discussion based on initial outline to be prepared by WTO Secretariat.  
(iii) Consider timing and process for periodic review of Members' temporary crisis 
support measures and their efforts to reform, reduce and remove these, as we ll 
as ways in which the information paper (developed jointly by Secretariat and 
Members) can be used in support of this work.  
(c) Pillar Three: Addressing Most Harmful Fossil Fuel Subsidies  
Action Steps:  
(i) and (ii) Examine characteristics of different catego ries of fossil fuel subsidies and their 
effects; as well as build understanding on pathways to reform:  
- Presentation by TESS on its April 2024 policy paper " Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform: 
Options for Inclusive Collective Action at the WTO ". 
- Presentation by IISD on its 2020 paper " Exploring the Trade Impacts of Fossil 
Fuel Subsidies ". 
(iii) Outline of planned informal dialogue, being organised for Ju ne, to enable deeper 
engagement on pillar three issues.  
4. Interventions by other stakeholders  
5. Conclusion  
Summary of discussions.   
 
  INF/TE/FFSR/CN/ 5 
 
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ANNEX  
Technical Arrangements  
Please note that this meeting will be held in hybrid mode (Room W and via Zoom).  
 
2  REMOTE PARTICIPATION  
Delegates wishing to participate virtually via the Zoom platform, including capital -based officials, 
must register in advance of the meeting through this  link: 
 
https://worldtradeorganization.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuc -yrpzouH9N7zYmpOphOwzKQ8wd3HOCS  
 
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the 
meeting.  
 
Before the meeting : 
 
• We are available 30 minutes before the meeting to test your connection with you.  
During the meeting : 
 
• If technical difficulties result in delegations being unable to intervene virtually under a 
given agenda item, the opportunity to take the floor will be given at an appropriate 
juncture before the meeting closes. Should the technical problem persist, delegations may 
contact the meeting coordinators ( ffsr@wto.org ) during the course  of the meeting, either 
to send their statement for it to be read out during the meeting, or to request that the 
attendees be informed of their interest in the item under consideration and their intention 
to circulate their written statement after the meet ing.  
3  ATTENDANCE IN THE MEETING ROOM  
For the health protection of all, and to respect the sanitary measures in place, masks remain 
recommended in common areas and meeting rooms.  
 
4  STATEMENTS  
To facilitate interpretation, delegations are strongly encouraged to send their written statements to 
the Secretariat ( ffsr@wto.org ) before the meeting starts. Statements will also be gratefully received 
during the meeting ( ffsr@wto.org ). 
 
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