This new technical assistance activity followed directly from the SPS Committee meeting of 8-11 November, in which participants were invited to attend. The activity gave participants the opportunity to gain a behind-the-scenes experience of the SPS committee and to speak with the key stakeholders of the committee. Participants also exchanged national experiences and created a network of French-speaking SPS experts from African countries.
Some participants shared their views on the activity and importance of the participation of the SPS Committee:
“He was curious and friendly. In addition to the knowledge acquired, this course allowed me to get closer to the SPS Committee and to participate in an effective professional network. This exchange showed me that behind the rules the benefits are invaluable.” Ms Asma LAZGHAB, Official Veterinarian, Border Control, General Directorate of Veterinary Services, Tunisia.
“I was able to immerse myself in the work of the SPS Committee, a real forum for resolving commercial problems among Members. The SPS agreement, rather than a text, has become for me a “Bible” which I now know better and which I am ready to disseminate among the various economic players in Benin”. Mr. Joël Agossou, Head of Service, International Economic and Trade Relations Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Benin.
“I am ready to meet the SPS challenges of the modern world through my participation in the SPS Committee because I am a key element for my country and for Francophone Africa in general.” Mr. François Félix Gandji Mossi, Head of Support Component for the Improvement of the Quality of Cocoa Products, Cocoa Development Support Project, Directorate of Agricultural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Cameroon .
“The course was very rich and very useful both from a theoretical and practical point of view. I enjoyed the interactions between the various colleagues from the participating French-speaking African countries. I am convinced that this type of activity, organized by the WTO, will be a positive lever for the participation of these countries in the work of the SPS Committee, in particular in the ongoing discussions on SPS issues at the MC12″. Abdelkarim MOUJANNI, Head of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Surveillance and Market Access, Risk Assessment and Legal Affairs Directorate, National Office for the Sanitary Safety of Food Products, Morocco.
The SPS Committee Chair discussed his exchanges with course participants:
“This course helped participants understand the SPS Agreement and the work of the Committee. The participants were active and asked me many questions. By answering their questions, I not only gave them a better understanding of the chairman’s role, but also learned their expectations of the Committee.” M Tang-Kai Wang (Chinese Taipei), Chairman of the SPS Committee.
The course was organized by the SPS branch of the WTO’s Agriculture and Raw Materials Division and the Institute for Technical Cooperation and Training. Participants in the first edition of this course were government officials with direct SPS responsibilities.
More information on sanitary and phytosanitary measures is available here.
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