Press Releases

Adoption of Interim Arrangements for the Agreement on Electronic Commerce

March 28, 2026
Japanese
Group photo of the WTO member countries' representatives who adopted Interim Arrangements for the Agreement on Electronic Commerce (Photo courtesy of the WTO)

On March 28, on the occasion of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, 66 WTO Members including Japan (hereinafter referred to as “participants”) adopted interim arrangements for the Agreement on Electronic Commerce. An overview is as follows:

  1. The Agreement on Electronic Commerce is the first agreement to establish common rules for global digital trade, achieved as the outcome of the WTO electronic commerce negotiations in which Japan, Australia, and Singapore serve as Co-Convenors. Since the text of the Agreement was published in July 2024, efforts have been made towards incorporating it into the WTO Agreement as an Annex 4; however, the consensus among all WTO Members necessary for such incorporation has not yet been reached as of this date.
  2. The interim arrangements for the Agreement on Electronic Commerce are intended to implement the Agreement pending its incorporation into the WTO Agreement. The Agreement sets out rules on matters including:
    1. trade facilitation of electronic commerce by promoting electronic payments and the digitalization of trade documents;
    2. ensuring an open electronic commerce environment, including through the prohibition of the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions and open government data; and
    3. enhancing trust in electronic commerce, including through cybersecurity and online consumer protection.
      4. The implementation of the Agreement is expected to enhance predictability and reduce business costs, as well as to contribute to a safe and secure environment for consumers. Participants, including Japan, will proceed with the domestic processes necessary for acceptance of the Agreement and aim to implement it, pursuant to the “Declaration on Interim Arrangements for the Agreement on Electronic Commerce” adopted on this occasion.
  3. Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu, in a joint press release issued by the Co-Convenors, stated: “Japan, as one of the Co-Convenors, heartily welcomes, together with a remarkable number of co-sponsors, the adoption of the interim arrangements for the Agreement on Electronic Commerce. This initiative will further promote global digital trade of growing importance, exemplify the significance of the WTO’s rule-making function and strengthen the multilateral trading system. Japan will continue to take the lead in achieving the incorporation of this Agreement into the WTO Agreement.”
  4. Japan, as a Co-Convenor, will encourage all WTO Members to accept the Agreement and continue to play a leading role towards its incorporation into the WTO Agreement.

(Reference)

Joint Press Release by the Co-Convenors (PDF)Open a New Window

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