WTO Accession and Implications for Agriculture in CIS Countries (Second Edition)
13 October to 14 November 2014
About the Course
Course Background
This is a rerun of the first course that concluded in March 2014 and for which the demand exceeded the number of available places.
The majority of the CIS countries have been actively pursuing WTO accession after becoming independent states. Six of the countries are now members (Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Tajikistan), while Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are expected to finalize the negotiations in the near future. The accession to WTO by itself does not guarantee more effective participation in global agricultural trade or benefits to consumers or agricultural producers. Benefitting from the expansion in trade requires an informed and weighted approach in the post-accession period, both by the authorities and the private sector. Understanding and applying the provisions of the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, the SPS Agreement and other WTO accords is the first step towards the implementation. But taking advantage of the opportunities that WTO membership provides also requires updating regulatory frameworks and adopting accompanying measures to improve the overall competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
About FAO Regional Initiative on Agri-Food Trade and Regional Integration
Agricultural systems in Europe and Central Asia are still deeply affected by the process of political and economic transition. The transformation of agricultural production and markets has coincided with the process of globalization and deepening trade integration both within the region and worldwide. With greater participation in global agricultural trade, the region plays an increasingly important role as a supplier of agricultural commodities to international markets.
The Regional Initiative on Agri-Food Trade and Regional Integration focuses on strengthening national and regional capacities in Europe and Central Asia to deal effectively with the challenges posed by greater trade integration. It does this by developing better evidence on trade implications, improving the capacity of the countries to use this evidence, facilitating neutral forums and dialogues on trade agreements, and supporting design and implementation of appropriate trade policy at country level.
FAO's role in trade
The relationship between trade and food security has been a topic of long-standing debate.
FAO supports countries’ effective engagement in the formulation of trade agreements that are conducive to improved food security by strengthening evidence on the implications of changes in trade policies, providing capacity development in the use of this evidence, and facilitating neutral dialogue away from the negotiating table.
FAO also supports countries in the design and implementation of trade policies supportive to enhanced food security.
Online links and resources:
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FAO Trade:
http://www.fao.org/trade/en
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FAO Trade and Markets Division:
http://www.fao.org/economic/est
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FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia:
http://www.fao.org/europe/en
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World Trade Organization:
http://www.wto.org/
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WTO agreements in Russian:
http://www.wto.ru/documents.asp?f=sogl&t=13
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FAO Regional Training Workshop for CIS countries: WTO accession and agricultural policy, 12 – 13 November 2013, Kiev, Ukraine
http://www.fao.org/economic/est/est-events-new/cis/en/
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FAO Training Workshop: WTO commitments and support to Russian agriculture: issues and possible solutions, Kazan, 30-31 January 2013:
http://www.fao.org/economic/est/est-events-new/wtomeeting/en/
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FAO Training Workshop: Support to Russian agriculture in the context of WTO membership: Issues and possible solutions, 20 Nov 2013 - 21 Nov 2013, Belgorod, Russia:
http://www.fao.org/economic/est/est-events-new/wto-nov2013/en
Relevant publications:
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Brink, L. 2014. Countries in the Commonwealth of Independent States – Agricultural Policy Issues in the Context of the World Trade Organization. FAO, Rome.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3883e.pdf
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FAO. 2014. The Bali Package – implications for trade and food security. FAO Trade Policy Briefs.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/019/i3658e/i3658e.pdf
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FAO Trade Policy Technical Notes:
http://www.fao.org/economic/est/publications/trade-policy-technical-note...
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FAO. 2003. Trade Reforms and Food Security: Conceptualizing the Linkages. Rome.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/y4671e/y4671e00.htm
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FAO. 2000. Multilateral Trade Negotiations on Agriculture: A Resource Manual. Rome:
http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/X7351e/X7351e00.HTM
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Konandreas, P. & Mermigkas, G. 2014. WTO domestic support disciplines: options for alleviating constraints to stockholding in developing countries in the follow-up to Bali. FAO, Rome.
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3819e.pdf
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Morrison, J. & Sarris, A. 2007. WTO Rules for Agriculture Compatible with Development. FAO. Rome
http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/a0913e/a0913e00.htm