WT/MIN(17)/22  
6 December 2017  
(17-6712) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh  Session  
Buenos Aires , 10-13 December 20 17 Original: English  
 
WORK PROGRAMME ON EL ECTRONIC COMMERCE1 
 
COMMUNICATION FROM T HE AFRICAN GROUP2 
The following communication, dated 5 December 2017, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of  Rwanda on behalf of the African Group.  
 
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DRAFT MINISTERIAL DE CISION ON ELECTRONIC  COMMERCE  
 
Ministers,  
 
Recognizing  that global electronic commerce is growing rapidly and creating an alternative means 
for trade;  
 
Committed to addressing the uneven spread of global electronic commerce and risk of disruptive 
impacts;  
 
Committed to overcoming the digital and technological divide underlying digital trade and 
electronic commerce;  
 
Recognizing  that diverse national measures are necessary to build national capabilities, with a view 
to promote inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth;  
 
Recognizing the need to clarify the treatment of electronic commerce in relevant WTO Agreements, 
and the broa d interest of Members to continue examining all trade -related issues relating to global 
electronic commerce;  
 
Resolved  to ensuring access to the Internet to more than half of the world’s population who remain 
offline;  
 
Taking particular account of the econ omic, financial, and development needs of developing 
countries;  
 
Recognizing  the valuable work being undertaken in other multilateral and international fora;  
 
Decide:  
 
1. To continue the work under the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce since our last 
session, based on the existing mandate and guidelines, in the relevant WTO bodies as set out in 
paragraphs 2 to 5 of the Work Programme.  
2. To address all open issues in the relevant bodies, as provided for in paragraphs 2 to 5 of the 
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, including but not limited to definition, classification and 
technological neutrality.  
                                                
1 This document was previously circulated as JOB/GC/155 dated 21 November 2017.  
2 This submission is without prejudice to the position of Nigeria.  WT/MIN(17)/22  
 
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  3. To discuss, in the relevant bodies,  the manner in which Members can preserve their right to 
regulate electronic commerce and consideration of all measures to promote national digital 
industrial development with a view to promoting inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth.  
4. To undertake, i n the relevant bodies, a thorough examination of the opportunities and risks 
associated with digital transformation and electronic commerce.  
5. To discuss, in the relevant bodies, measures Members have taken and may take to develop 
their national institutiona l regulatory capacity that ensure: the protection of information of all 
Members and their citizens, including but not limited to mandatory disclosure of data; the 
disclosure of source codes; access to, and transfer of technology.  
6. To continue, in the relev ant bodies, the practice of national experience sharing of inter alia : 
the historical development of the digital industry; the challenges and measures adopted to 
promote digital economy and electronic commerce.  
7. To instruct the General Council to hold perio dic reviews in its sessions of July and 
December  2018 and July 2019 based on the reports that may be submitted by the WTO bodies 
entrusted with the implementation of the Work Programme and report to the next session of the 
Ministerial Conference.  
On the m oratorium, the African Group is still discussing it in view of the revenue implications of 
the current moratorium on customs duties, particularly in the context of increasing digitization of 
goods and services. For these reasons, the renewal of the morator ium should not be seen as 
automatic.  
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