   
  
INF/ECOM/56  
 
27 July 2020  
(20-5184) Page: 1/1 
 Original: English  
 
 
JOINT STATEMENT ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  
COMMUNICATION BY  GUATEMALA  
The following communication, dated 24 July 2020, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Guatemala . 
 
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On 25 January 2019, some WTO Members issued a  Joint Statement on Electronic Commerce . In this 
statement, signatories confirmed their intention to commence WTO negotiations on trade -related 
aspects of electronic commerce.  
 
Based on that, Guatemala is pleased to officially join the initiative to actively participate and 
contribute to the focused group discussions towards a high standard outcome on trade -related 
aspects of electronic commerce, which builds on existing WTO agreem ents and frameworks with the 
participation of as many WTO Members as possible.   
 
We recognize the importance of electronic commerce not only for business and trade but also for 
job creation, investment and development, especially for MSMEs.  
 
Thus, we shar e the goal of advancing electronic commerce work in the WTO and address the 
parameters and/or rules on e -commerce in order to have legal certainty and the harmonization of 
global rules . It is important to take into account the challenges faced by Members, especially 
developing countries such as Guatemala,  in the implementation of those rules. 
 
We recognize the importance of cooperation among Members and  the World Trade Organization 's 
support  to address the challenges and opportunities of digital trade for d eveloping countries.  
 
Guatemala welcomes the open, transparent and inclusive nature of this initiative, and looks forward 
to participating constructively in the negotiations in the lead -up to MC12.  
 
 
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