(IPEF) NEGOTIATING ROUND IN THAILAND
The Fiji delegation actively participated in the fifth in-person negotiating round of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 7-16 September 2023. The delegation participated in negotiations, coordinated by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the United States Department of Commerce, to drive progress and shape high-standard outcomes under Pillars I (Trade), III (Clean Economy), and IV (Fair Economy) of the IPEF.
The IPEF initiative was launched in May 2022, by the United States, together with Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 percent of global Gross Domestic Product and 28 percent of global goods and services trade.
The launch began discussions of future negotiations on the following pillars: (I) Trade; (II) Supply Chains; (III) Clean Energy, Decarbonisation, and Infrastructure; and (IV) Tax and Anti-Corruption. The IPEF is designed to be flexible, meaning that IPEF partners are not required to join all four pillars.
Fiji was represented in the Bangkok round of negotiations by interagency delegation consisting of officials from the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communication, Office of the Prime Minister, Climate Change, Environment, Information and Veteran Affairs, Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Office of the Solicitor-General, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption, Fiji Revenue and Customs Services and the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji.
The Fiji delegation, led by the Permanent Secretary for Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications and Fiji’s Chief Negotiator, Shaheen Ali, engaged in constructive dialogues and built upon the discussions from the previous negotiating round held in Busan, South Korea, in July 2023. The dedicated effort was directed towards advancing negotiations and fostering cooperation to achieve ambitious objectives within the framework.
Prior to the Bangkok round, the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communication consulted and briefed key stakeholders and sought feedback to ensure that Fiji’s interests are effectively represented throughout the negotiation process.
During the Bangkok round, Fiji emphasised the importance of delivering concrete outcomes for technical assistance and economic cooperation to support future implementation of high standard commitments envisioned under the various pillars of the IPEF.
The journey towards this achievement commenced with the initial negotiating round in Brisbane, Australia, held from 10-12 December 2022. This was followed by a special negotiating round focusing on Pillars II-IV in New Delhi, India, from 8-11 February 2023. Subsequently, the negotiating momentum carried forward with the second round hosted in Bali, Indonesia, from 13-19 March 2023, and then proceeded to the third round in Singapore from 8-15 May 2023. The collaborative efforts persisted and led to the fourth negotiating round convened in Busan, South Korea, from 9-15 July 2023.
The IPEF Ministers also met in Detroit, Michigan, in May 2023 to conclude Pillar II Supply Chain Agreement of the IPEF. Fiji was led by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications, Honourable Manoa Kamikamica. The agreement was recently ratified by the Fiji Parliament, making Fiji the first party to do so and displaying our strong commitment to the Framework and to resilient regional supply chains.
Through relentless dedication and cooperation, the IPEF partners have showcased their shared commitment to fostering stronger economic ties and promoting sustainable development across the Indo-Pacific region.
Fiji looks forward to continued engagement and active participation in the upcoming negotiating rounds, remaining dedicated to shaping a prosperous future for the Indo-Pacific region.
-ENDS-