INF/TGE/W/1  
 
21 December 2020  
(20-9247) Page: 1/2 
Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender  Original: English  
 
 
DRAFT WORK PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING ACTIVITIES UNDER  
THE INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON TRADE AND GENDER  
WHITE PAPER PROPOSAL BY CANADA  
The following proposed work plan outlines four activities aligned with the four pillars (Aid for Trade, 
Gender lens, Research and data, best practice workshops/webinars) identified in the 
"INTERIM  REPORT FOLLOWING THE BUENOS AIRES JOINT DECLARATION ON TRADE AND WOMEN'S 
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT ".  These activities could be implemented beginning at the first meeting 
of the Informal Working Group (IWG) in 2021  and is aimed at helping participants identify potential 
content for an MC12 deliverable.  
 
In Canada’s view, the deliverable could take the form of a Ministerial Statement that recognizes, for 
the first time, the importance of the WTO role in removing bar riers to women’s participation in trade.  
Modelled on the MSME Declaration approach, the Statement could include a series of 
recommendations on key actions that will be implemented by the WTO strengthen its work, build 
knowledge and understanding of the tr ade and gender nexus among members. These 
recommendations would be drawn from the work of the IWG in 2021, including through experience 
sharing and lessons learned.  
 
We agree with the Co -Chairs’ suggestion that the Agenda for each substantive meeting of t he IWG 
include the four pillars included in the interim report. This said, and with the objective of trying to 
help focus discussions, we would propose that each meeting have a central theme (i.e. one of the 
pillars). We would also suggest that with a view  to helping the IWG deliver an outcome at MC12, 
that the four thematic substantives meetings take place ideally in the first three quarters of 2021 so 
as to allow for work in the fourth quarter to focus on MC12 deliverables. In this context, we believe 
it would be important to remain flexible and pragmatic in terms of scheduling and keep open the 
possibility of holding additional substantive meetings in late 2021 to focus on MC12 deliverables.  
 
Guiding Principles:  
 
- Each activity will be jointly sponsored by  a developed and developing country;  
- Recognition of the important and continuing role of the International Trade Centre (ITC) 
in helping deliver on this work, as well as other organizations and experts such as 
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Dev elopment (UNCTAD);  
- Recognizing the different levels of ambition of Member states.  
Pillar  Activity  Lead for 
implementation  Timeline  
RESEARCH AND DATA :  
 
Review and discuss gender -related 
analytical work produced by the 
WTO Secretariat.  
 Potential presentations by the 
WTO Trade and Gender Focal Point 
on the recent analytical work on 
Trade and Gender.  
 
This could be followed by other 
presenters on what they are doing in 
this space.  
 
Potential to include a presentation on 
the WTO/World Bank joint rep ort on 
trade and gender of July 2020.  Developed 
country : TBC  
 
Developing 
country : TBC  First 
Meeting 
of 2021  INF/TGE/W/1  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Pillar  Activity  Lead for 
implementation  Timeline  
 
Key data/indicators to measure 
results and do gender impact 
assessments of trade agreements? 
What is the key data that needs to be 
collected to tell a trade and gender 
story in developed and developing 
markets?  
Can we establish a minimum standard 
of key gender disaggregated data that 
needs to be collected?   
 
BEST PRACTICE 
WORKSHOPS/WEBINAR :  
 
Share best practices, information 
and exchange views on removing 
trade -related barriers and 
increasing the participation of 
women in trade. As a first step, 
Members that have adopted 
ambitious or innovative initiatives 
would be invited to showcase their 
national and/or regional approaches 
and experiences as potential 
inspiration and guidance to others.  
 Potential presentations:   
 
Global Trade and Gender Arrangement 
by members of the Inclusive Trade 
Action Group (Canada, Chile and New 
Zealand)  
 
Others TBC  
 Developed 
country : TBC  
 
Developing 
country : TBC  Second 
Meeting 
in 2021  
GENDER LENS :  
 
Consider and clarify what a 'gender 
lens' is and how it could be applied 
to trade, and consider how a gender 
lens could usefully be applied to the 
work of the WTO, with a view to 
presenting a concept and work plan 
to members at MC12.  Potential presentations:  
 
Potential presenters could include: 
ITC, WTO, UNCTAD (e.g. tool box), 
EU, Australia and Canada.   
 
Presentations by Canada and the EU 
to share their experiences  on 
conducting impact assessments of 
trade agreements on both an ex -ante 
and ex -post basis.  
 
Objective would be to demonstrate 
what applying a gender lens means in 
practical terms, make it accessible to 
WTO Members, and demonstrate its 
potential value adde d.  
 
Consideration could be given to 
bringing a gender lens to WTO 
agreements (e.g. services, IP, TBT, 
GP) and functions (e.g. committees, 
negotiations, accessions) and propose 
options to advance a gender 
responsive approach.   
 Developed 
country : TBC  
 
Developing 
country : TBC  Third 
Meeting 
in 2021  
AID FOR TRADE :  
 
Explore how best to support the 
delivery of the WTO Aid for Trade 
Work Programme.  Potential activity could consider the 
impact of COVID -19 on women’s 
participation in trade and the 
importance of digital 
trade/e -commerce to address issues 
and capture opportunities. Potential 
leads could be ITC, UNCTAD and 
others.  Developed 
country : TBC  
 
Developing 
country : TBC  Fourth 
Meeting 
in 2021  
 
 
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