WORLD TRADE WT/MIN(98)/DEC/2
25May1998
ORGANIZATION(98-2148)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Second Session
Geneva, 18and20May1998
DECLARATION ONGLOBAL ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
Adopted on20May1998
Ministers,
Recognizing thatglobal electronic commerce isgrowing andcreating newopportunities fortrade,
Declare that:
TheGeneral Council shall, byitsnextmeeting inspecial session, establish acomprehensive work
programme toexamine alltrade-related issues relating toglobal electronic commerce, including those
issues identified byMembers. Theworkprogramme willinvolve therelevant World Trade Organization
("WTO") bodies, takeintoaccount theeconomic, financial, anddevelopment needs ofdeveloping
countries, andrecognize thatwork isalsobeing undertaken inother international fora. TheGeneral
Council should produce areport ontheprogress ofthework programme andanyrecommendations
foraction tobesubmitted atourthirdsession. Without prejudice totheoutcome oftheworkprogramme
ortherights andobligations ofMembers under theWTO Agreements, wealsodeclare thatMembers
willcontinue theircurrent practice ofnotimposing customs duties onelectronic transmissions. When
reporting toourthirdsession, theGeneral Council willreview thisdeclaration, theextension ofwhich
willbedecided byconsensus, taking intoaccount theprogress ofthework programme.
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