Members review five regional trade agreements, consider evolution of gender provisions

The Committee considered the following agreements: 

The new Chair of the Committee, Ambassador Clara Manuela da Luz Delgado Jesus of Cabo Verde, noted that there were two new notifications of RTAs, between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland)  and India, on goods and services, and between the Republic of Moldova and Azerbaijan, covering goods. The Committee was also presented with  notifications of changes to four existing RTAs.

The CRTA took note that 79 RTAs have appeared in factual presentations but have not yet been notified to the WTO. Noting with concern a backlog of 34 RTAs with pending factual presentations, the CRTA Secretary highlighted that the main reason was  that data had not been submitted by parties to RTAs.

At the request of Iceland (on behalf of the EFTA states), New Zealand and Ukraine, the Committee heard presentations and statements from various members, who highlighted the evolution of gender provisions in their RTAs and presented results on the impact of these provisions on women's trade and empowerment. 

Election of new chair

Members elected Ambassador Clara Manuela da Luz Delgado Jesus (Cabo Verde) as the new Committee chair. She replaces Ambassador José Valencia of Ecuador.

Next meeting

The next Committee meeting is scheduled for 3 November 2026.