G/TBT/W/791  
 
22 February  2024 
(24-1622) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 
PROPOSAL ON CROSS -CUTTING MEETINGS WITH OTHER WTO BODIES  
TENTH TRIENNIAL REVIEW  
Proposal from Australia  
The following submissi on, dated 22 February  2024, is being circulated at the request of the  
delegation of Australia . 
 
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1  BACKGROUND  
1.1.  At the June 2023 meeting of the TBT Committee, the Secretariat presented a document with 
proposals the Committee could draw upon in fulfilment of the direction from the Council for Trade in 
Goods, to explore mechanisms for impr oving Committee functioning.1 This proposal seeks to build 
on and formalise endorsement of one of the proposals deferred for later discussion in June 2023.2 
1.2.  WTO subsidiary bodies play a crucial role in the implementation of individual WTO agreements 
and in addressing other specific areas of trade; such as sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the 
environment, trade facilitation, development and WTO membership applications.  
1.3.  While there are obvious benefits to the specialised nature of the WTO Committee structure, 
there are also numerous trade issues that intersect across trade disciplines. Cross -cutting trade 
topics could be more effectively understood and addressed through l everaging the expertise of 
various WTO bodies.  
1.4.  It has been noted by Members that the TBT Committee rarely holds joint meetings with other 
WTO bodies.3 Australia 's proposal below could provide an innovative pathway to promote greater 
collaboration across the WTO and advance the objectives of the rules -based trading system.  
2  PROPOSAL  
2.1.  Australia proposes that the TBT Committee arrange informal cross -cutting meetings, such as 
joint thematic or information sessions with other WTO bodies on topics of relevance to the TBT 
Agreement, with a view to:  
a. enhance Members ' knowledge and understanding of the multifaceted nature of TBT 
principles, through leveraging the expertise o f other WTO Committees; and  
b. understand the role and work of other WTO bodies to identify potential synergies and 
areas of collaboration to strengthen the implementation of the TBT Agreement.  
 
1 JOB/TBT/510 .  
2 G/TBT/M/90 , paragraph 3.556 . 
3 JOB/TBT/510 , paragraph 1.4(c) . G/TBT/W/791  
 
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  2.2.  Engagement, topics and areas of focus could include:  
a. engagemen t with the Committee on Trade and Development to discuss TBT -related 
technical assistance, in particular for developing countries  
b. engagement with the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) to discuss 
mutual recognition and equivalence of fo od safety standards  
c. engagement with the Committee for Trade and Environment (CTE) on emerging 
environmental regulations and standards  
d. engagement with the Committee on Government Procurement (CGP) to exchange ideas 
and information topics such as technical s pecifications, sustainable / green procurement 
and good regulatory practice  
e. engagement with the Committee on Market Access (CMA) on identified topics of mutual 
interest.  
2.3.  Australia acknowledges that the implementation of such a proposal will require suppo rt from 
the other WTO subsidiary bodies. The Committee could begin by inviting participation by 
representatives from other subsidiary bodies to TBT Committee activities, such as thematic sessions 
when relevant topics arise. If this is successful, the Commi ttee could aim to transition to more 
structured, co -arranged activities coordinated by the relevant Secretariats, with input and support 
from Members as appropriate.  
 
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