On 27 November 2014 the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council adopted the Protocol of Amendment to the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). This decision inserts the TFA into Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement.
The WTO decision is a critical step to implement the TFA, which focuses on Customs-related topics and foresees cooperation between all relevant agencies and stakeholders.
WTO Director-General Roberto Azevo congratulated members for adopting decisions related to public stockholding for food security purposes, the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the post-Bali work. He said: We have delivered today on a promise we made in Bali. Now let make it count.
It will be recalled that, in his opening address at the Inaugural INCU Global Conference in May 2014, Director-General Azevo publicly recognised the significance of the INCU role in promoting the trade facilitation agenda and, in response, the INCU has undertaken to continue to support the work of the WTO.