WTO accession and implications for agriculture in the post-Soviet countries


Course Dates: 5 to 30 June, 2017


Registration has been CLOSED
Deadline 26 May, 2017

Welcome to the joint FAO-UNITAR online course on "WTO accession and implications for agriculture in the post-Soviet countries"


Course Title: WTO accession and implications for agriculture in the post-Soviet countries

Course Dates: 5 to 30 June, 2017

Language: The online course will be conducted in Russian language only

Registration Status: Registration has been CLOSED | (Deadline 26 May, 2017)


Course objectives

The course aims to equip participants with better understanding of WTO principles and rules that regulate global agricultural trade and accession commitments in agriculture assumed by the new WTO member states among the post-Soviet countries. It also seeks to raise awareness among the participants of the relationship between the changes in trade policy and domestic policy reforms in the agricultural sector.


Content and structure

This is the third and revised edition of course. Two previous versions were concluded in 2014.

The course is composed of three modules:

Module 1: The Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) of the WTO

Module 2: The Agreement on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS Agreement) and other relevant WTO agreement

Module 3: WTO and the CIS countries: Accession and implementation issues in agriculture

Fees: The course is offered free of charge. Limited slots are available and will be subject to a selection process conducted by FAO. Please register early to be considered.


Course Background

The transformation of agricultural markets as a result of political and economic transition in the post-Soviet countries was accompanied by the process of greater integration with world markets. The majority of the post-Soviet countries have been actively pursuing WTO accession after becoming independent states, creating new opportunities for fostering growth in agricultural trade. Eight of the countries are now members (Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and Tajikistan), while Azerbaijan, Belarus and Uzbekistan are still negotiating their accession. The region has a strong potential for expanding agricultural production, and therefore a reduction in trade barriers would reinforce the important role that some of these countries play as suppliers of agricultural commodities to world markets.

Benefitting from opportunities that WTO membership provides requires an informed and weighted approach in the post-accession period, both by the authorities and the private sector. Understanding and applying the provisions of the relevant agreements is the first step towards the implementation. But taking the full advantage of the participation in the global trading system also requires updating regulatory frameworks and adopting accompanying measures at the national level to improve the overall competitiveness of the agricultural sector.