G/SPS/GEN/1694/Rev.1  
 
7 June 2019 
(19-3966) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures    
 
WORKSHOP ON TRANSPARENCY AND COO RDINATION  
MONDAY, 15 JULY – TUESDAY, 1 6 JULY 2019  
WTO, CENTRE WILLIAM RAPPARD, GENEVA  
PROGRAMME  
Note by the Secretariat1 
Revision  
1.   The SPS Committee decided that the July SPS thematic workshop would focus on transparency 
and coordination. Th e first draft of the programme  was discuss ed at the 2019 March SPS Committee 
meetings. Members were invited to submit comments  on the draft programme and suggest speakers 
by 3 May 2019 . The Secretariat is circulat ing this revised version of the programme  after taking into 
consideration comments received.  A final version will be circulated in advance of the workshop , 
taking into a ccount inputs received. Members are invited to submit additional comments  and suggest 
speakers by 17 June 2019 .
                                                
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice to 
the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  G/SPS/GEN/1694/Rev.1  
 
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  DRAFT PROGRAMME  
MONDA Y, 15 JULY 2019  (10:00 –18:00)  
Opening remarks by  the Chairperson  of the SPS Committee  
Overview of t he workshop and its objectives  
Session 1: Introduction  
▪ Overview of the transparency provisions in the SPS Agreement and of relevant 
Committee/Ministerial Decisions  
▪ Overview of SPS/TBT coverage  
▪ Examples of notification  of SPS and TBT measures  
▪ Report on discussions at the June TBT Committee Thematic Session on Transparency2 
This session will briefly present the key SPS transparency provisions and recommendations. It will give 
an overview of the d ifference in scope between the SPS and TBT Agreements , review of transparency 
provisions and procedures applicable to regulations that might contain relevant elements under both 
the SPS and TBT Agreements . The session will end with a report on the TBT Committee T hematic Session 
on Transparency to be held on 18 -19 June.  
Speaker(s):  WTO Secretariat  
Session 2: Implementation of the transparency provisions: Members' experience with 
SPS/TBT notifications3 
Speaker(s):   
▪ Brazil:   
o Brazilian experience with incoming notifications/trade implications , Mr. Rafael D’Aquino 
Mafra,  Director of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Department , Ministry of Agriculture, 
Livestock and Food Supply ; and  
o Brazilian experience  in submitting notifications, Mr. Diogo Penha Soares, Brazilian 
Health Regulatory Agency  
▪ Japan:  Japan’s implementation and handling of SPS and TBT notifications , speaker  TBC 
▪ Chinese Taipei:  TBC 
13:00–15:00  Lunch break  
Session 3: Tools and sources of SPS/TBT  information  
▪ Documents Online; SPS IMS; updated Practical Manual for SPS NNAs and NEPs  (2018  edition ) 
▪ SPS & TBT notification alert system ePing   
Speaker(s):   
▪ WTO Secretariat  
▪ Other TBC  
                                                
2 See current draft programme in G/TBT/GEN/264.  
3 See G/SPS/W/312.  G/SPS/GEN/1694/Rev.1  
 
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  Session 4 : Sharing of Members' experiences: Transparency -related coordination  
Domestic coordination to ensure notification of all SPS regulations  
Speaker(s):   
▪ China:  Domestic coordination of SPS transparency in China , Mr DENG Jie , China Nanjing 
Customs  
▪ Other  TBC 
Experiences in using established SPS information exchange mechanisms (ePing and/or other similar 
systems)  
Speaker(s):   
▪ Australia : (TBC)  
▪ Uganda : (TBC)  
▪ Other TBC  
 
 
 
TUESD AY, 16 JULY 2019  (10:00 -18:00)  
Opening remarks  
Session 5: Guidelines and available tools for coordination  
Speaker(s):  
▪ WTO Secretariat (Trade Facilitation)  
▪ UNCTAD  
▪ STDF  
Session 6: Sharing national coordination  experience s  
This session could  explore the use of national coordination mechanisms for purposes other than 
transparency -related coordination, discussed in session 4 . These other purposes  include  develop ing 
national SPS strategies to prevent and resolve trade concerns , developing nationa l positions and 
establishing priorities . Possible topics for discussion  include :4 
▪ Establishing national SPS coordination mechanisms: Lessons learnt  
▪ National SPS coordination mechanisms: What role for the private sector?  
▪ Role of national SPS coordination mechanisms in communication/advocacy at the national level  
▪ The procedures for developing national SPS strategies and positions in regional  and 
international organizations  
Speaker(s):  
▪ Canada : TBC 
▪ United States: TBC 
▪ Other TBC  
Taking advantage of the expertise in the room, participants will have the opportunity to share 
experiences and lessons learnt.  
13:00–15:00 Lunch break  
                                                
4 See G/SPS/W/297.  G/SPS/GEN/1694/Rev.1  
 
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  Session 7: Regional/International initiatives to support national coordination  
Speaker(s):   
▪ African  Union : TBC 
▪ APEC : TBC 
▪ Chile:  Action Plan for Strengthening the National Notification Authorities of the Pacific Alliance 
in the area of SPS , Ms Roxana Inés Vera Muñoz, Sub -departmental Chief, International 
Agreements, Department of International Negotiations, Division of Internationa l Affairs, 
Agricultural and Livestock Service  
▪ ECOWAS : Dr Benoit Gnonlonfin , Senior SPS standards adviser  
▪ IICA : TBC 
▪ Other TBC  
Closing remarks by the Chairperson of the SPS Committee  
 
 
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