G/TFA/W/45/Rev.1  
 
8 July 2021  
(21-5389) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT  FOUR YEAR REVIEW  
ARTICLE 23.1.6 OF THE TFA  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION  AND THE UNITED STATES  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 7 July 2021 , is being circulated at the request of the delegation s 
of the European Union and the United States . 
 
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Subject:  
 
1. Proposal by the European Union and the United States for invigorating the coordination 
process to identify the need for future assistance in the framework of the four -year review of the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
Background:  
2. The Special and Differential Treatment Provisions in Section II of the TFA afford Developing 
Country and LDC Members the ability to seek help to implement the provisions of the TFA. The TFA 
likewise includes a number of mechanisms for the Committee to foll ow up with these Members to 
ensure that no Developing Country or LDC Member is left behind with regard to the implementation 
of the TFA.  
3. For example, the mechanism set out in TFA Article 21.4(b) specifically requires the Committee 
to hold at least one ded icated session per year "to review progress in the provision of assistance and 
support for capacity building to support the implementation of the Agreement, including any 
developing or least -developed country Members not receiving adequate assistance and s upport for 
capacity building. " 
4. TFA Articles 16.1(c) and 16.2(d) also require Developing Country and LDC Members, 
respectively, to submit details about the T echnical Assistance and Capacity Building (TACB)  needed 
to implement Category C provisions. This inf ormation is important because it helps Committee 
Members understand what conversations are taking place in capital, where assistance is already 
provided, and identify any gaps. The notifications also promote transparency regarding any technical 
implementat ion issues that these Members encounter.  
Summary:  
5. We propose that beneficiary countries with category C commitments organize meetings with 
donors in capital, to review the state of assistance and potential future needs. Beneficiary countries 
are invited to  share the outcome of these meetings with the Trade Facilitation Committee by mid -
October 2021.  
6. The notifications already made by the Members regarding their category C commitments, on 
the arrangements concluded and progress made in the provision of techni cal assistance and capacity 
building support on category C designations, are extremely useful, as they provide transparency for G/TFA/W/45/Rev.1  
 
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  the TF Committee to understand the state of play for that Member. The collection of such information 
and evidence on the advance ment in the implementation of Members' commitments as well as their 
needs for future assistance facilitate the cooperation amongst Members. The notifications should be 
encouraged given that only few Members have notified the situation regarding their categ ory C 
commitments.  
7. Beneficiary countries should provide such detailed notifications of outstanding needs and gaps 
in implementation support identified in those capital -based meetings before mid -October 2021, 
when the next dedicated session on aid is schedu led. It is important that beneficiary countries 
explain in detail their needs, to allow the Committee to assess the outcome of the meetings, new 
areas of support, and any outstanding requests for assistance. Further, developing Members should 
notify or upd ate their contact points responsible for coordinating and prioritizing assistance and 
support, if they have not yet done so . 
8. In order to ensure a timely reception of these notifications, the EU and US express readiness 
to participate in meetings, called an d organi zed by the Members having notified category C 
commitments, in their capitals. We believe that these meetings should be organized in an inclusive 
manner by inviting together all potential donors and relevant international institutions.  
9. In addition t he Committee should add to the agenda a standing item that provides the 
opportunity for relevant Developing Country and LDC Members to update the Committee about the 
progress being made in submitting full details about TACB needs with respect to the implem entation 
of Category C commitments, the likely fulfilment of those needs by a donor, and outstanding 
remaining support gaps, if any.  
10. We would very much welcome the views of the Members concerned on our proposal.  
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