WTO TFA 5 Years

Five years since the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) entered into force on 22 February 2017, global trade flows are well positioned for a COVID-19 recovery on the back of WTO members’ steady progress in implementing the landmark Agreement. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said the TFA has helped support global supply chain resilience and called for further work to help economies withstand future challenges.

“WTO members’ efforts to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement over the past five years have been vital for global supply chain resilience, which is more than ever important amid the demands for a sustainable recovery from the pandemic. Border reforms to fulfil TFA commitments, such as the streamlining of trade procedures, expedited approvals for perishable goods, and establishment of information portals, have helped ensure that food, vaccines, medical products and other essential supplies continued to reach people despite difficult conditions,” DG Okonjo-Iweala said.