WTO Members Discuss Ways to 'Advance Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform' at MC13
World Trade Organization members taking part in the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform negotiations Nov. 24 discussed a prospective work plan, an updated ministerial statement and a set of tangible options to "advance fossil fuel subsidy reform" at the 13th Ministerial Conference in February, the WTO said.
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The talks focused on three areas for "concrete follow-up action" ahead of MC13: enhancing transparency, crisis support measures and the most harmful fossil fuel subsidies. Topics also included how to "make fuller use of the Trade Policy Review (TPR) mechanism by developing a short list of questions on fossil fuel subsidies and FFSR for regular use in TPRs and promoting FFS-related information in TPR documentation."
Regarding crisis support measures, the WTO members discussed "consolidating and expanding information presented at earlier FFSR meetings to compile information on members' recent experience on fossil fuel support measures to address energy crises." The compilation would be reviewed periodically, the members said, noting practical guidelines would be issued to ensure the measures remain "targeted, transparent and temporary." They also suggested reviewing analyses of fossil fuel subsidies to find the most harmful one and looking at "possible pathways for reform of those categories."