G/TFA/W/75  
 
23 November  2021 
(21-8812) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Original: English  
 
 
TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT FOUR YEAR REVIEW  
ARTICLE 23.1.6 OF THE TFA  
 
PROPOSAL TO FORMALIZE ENGAGEMENT ON QUESTIONS RELATING TO ISSUES ON THE 
IMPLEMENTATION AND APPLICATION OF THE TRADE FACILITATION AGREEMENT AS PER  
ARTICLE 23.1.7. OF THE AGREEMENT  
Communication from Ukraine  
The following communication, dated 19 November  2021, is being circulated at the reque st of the 
delegation of Ukraine . 
 
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1  BACKGROUND  
1.1.  Ukraine considers that the First Review of the Operation and Implementation of the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement (TFA) provides an opportunity to reflect on the work of the Committee on 
Trade Fac ilitation (TF Committee) so as to facilitate its operation in the future.   
1.2.  Article 23.1.7 of the TFA states that Members are encouraged to raise before the TF Committee 
questions relating to issues on the implementation and application of this Agreement.  
1.3.  Since the establishment of the TF Committee in 2017 only one delegation has raised an issue 
regarding the implementation and application of the TFA by another Member by including an item 
on the agenda specific to the matter at hand . However , two other WTO Members on different 
occasions have informed the TF Committee about their concerns relevant to the implementation and 
application of the TFA by another Member by requesting an addition of an item to the agenda under 
"Other business ". 
1.4.  While recog nising that the TF Committee and the TFA are relatively new instruments on the 
WTO portfolio, Ukraine considers that with more Members implementing the TFA provisions an 
increase in concerns by Members with regard to its application can be expected.  
1.5.  Against this background and recognising relevant practices of dealing with issues relevant to 
the implementation and application of other WTO Agreements in other Committees1, Ukraine would 
like to put forward the following proposal for consideration by the Committee . 
2  PROPOSAL  
2.1.  Ukraine proposes to establish a permanent sub -item under the agenda item I "Matters Relating 
to the Implementation and Administration of the Trade Facilitation Agreement " that will be used by 
Members to  raise before the TF Committee questions relating to issues of the implementation and 
application of the TFA, such as specific concerns , in a more organized and systemic manner .  
 
1 See, inter alia , G/L/170 , G/TBT/1/Rev.14.  G/TFA/W/75  
 
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  2.2.  Ukraine would propose naming a new sub -item under agenda item I "Matters Relat ing to the 
Implementation and Administration of the Trade Facilitation Agreement " as "Other Matters Relating 
to the Implementation and Administration of the Trade Facilitation Agreement ". 
2.3.  Ukraine would further note that according to the Rules of Procedure of the TF Committee2, 
Members would be able to suggest amendments to the proposed agenda and, in particular, to the 
newly established sub -item, at the beginning of the meeting and before the adoption of the agenda. 
Members shall provide the Chairperson or the Secretariat, and  the other Members directly 
concerned, whenever possible, advance notice of items intended to be raised under this newly 
established sub -item.  
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2 G/L/1342 .