Imagine the arteries of global trade clogged by cumbersome customs procedures, with goods stranded at borders and businesses suffering. How can these trade bottlenecks be cleared to enable freer and more efficient movement of goods and services worldwide? The Istanbul Convention and ATA Convention serve as two powerful international instruments designed for this very purpose.
From April 20 to 22, 2015, the 14th session of the Istanbul Convention Management Committee and the 11th session of the ATA Convention Contracting Parties convened at the World Customs Organization (WCO) headquarters. The meetings focused on optimizing temporary admission procedures to enhance trade facilitation. This article examines the core discussions and their potential impact on global trade dynamics.
I. Meeting Overview: Building Consensus Amid Challenges
Hosted by the WCO, the gathering brought together representatives from contracting parties, observers, and experts from international organizations. The agenda centered on reviewing implementation progress, addressing challenges, and exploring future directions for both conventions.
The WCO Director of Compliance and Facilitation opened by emphasizing how temporary admission procedures boost trade facilitation, customs-business cooperation, and global supply chains. However, he acknowledged persistent challenges in achieving quorum for committee meetings.
Participation and Quorum Status
- Istanbul Convention: With 67 contracting parties, the meeting achieved its required quorum of 23 representatives.
- ATA Convention: Despite having 63 contracting parties, the meeting failed to reach its higher quorum threshold of 32 representatives, highlighting participation challenges.
Leadership and Agenda
Delegates elected Mr. Matome Mathole (South Africa) as chair and Ms. Özlem Soysanli (Turkey) as vice-chair. The revised agenda prioritized informational items before decision-making topics. Participants brainstormed solutions for quorum issues, including potential amendments to the Istanbul Convention's terms of reference.
II. Istanbul Convention Developments
Qatar and Indonesia recently joined the convention, bringing total membership to 67. Indonesia shared its implementation experiences, while delegates agreed to standardize reservation clause documentation for future accessions.
III. eATA Project: Digital Transformation
The EU presented its eATA utility module project to digitize ATA carnets. While generally welcomed, concerns emerged about some issuing associations' readiness for electronic processing. Delegates established an eATA working group and approved the draft utility module with modifications.
Turkey proposed ATA Convention amendments to legalize e-carnets, though some parties expressed reservations. Further discussion was deferred to the next meeting.
IV. Cross-Convention Collaboration
The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) updated participants on TIR Convention and eTIR initiatives, prompting discussions about coordination between TIR and ATA systems. Meanwhile, the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) implementation was reviewed, with consensus that the Revised Kyoto Convention and Istanbul Convention complement TFA obligations.
V. Operational Updates
International Chamber of Commerce representatives reported 2014 ATA carnet issuance statistics, including new participants Bahrain and Indonesia. The International Touring Alliance detailed CPD carnet operations and new anti-counterfeiting measures.
VI. Humanitarian Provisions
Turkey proposed amendments to Appendix B9 (relief consignments), with UNOCHA and IFRC suggesting modifications based on field experience. The committee deferred final decisions pending further consultation.
VII. Handbook Revision
Secretariat concerns about stagnant progress on updating the Istanbul Handbook prompted commitments for more active participation in the virtual revision group.