GENEVA — A Vietnamese delegation led by Dr. Ngô Xuân Nam, deputy director of the Vietnam SPS Office under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, attended the 92nd annual meeting of the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Committee) held in Geneva on June 18.

During the thematic session, representatives from 166 members of the Word Trade Organisation (WTO) discussed addressing risks associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through SPS measures in international trade. This session builds on recommendations from the SPS Agreement review report and supports the Committee’s continued dialogue on implementing the SPS Agreement amid emerging challenges and opportunities.

In the formal session, delegates reviewed the WTO Secretariat’s report on periodic notifications in the goods sector, proposing improvements in the quality and timeliness of notifications. A total of 59 specific trade concerns were also discussed, including four new issues.

On the sidelines of the SPS Committee meeting, the Vietnamese delegation held bilateral discussions with WTO member delegations. Talks with the Chinese Mission in Geneva and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) focused on measures to ensure smooth operations for Vietnamese agricultural and food exporters and prevent future border delays.

The delegation also met with representatives of the Japanese Mission to request SPS measures that will support the export of Vietnamese instant noodles containing beef products to Japan.

Việt Nam also held bilateral sessions with US and UK delegations to clarify regulations related to the quarantine of animals and terrestrial animal-based products. — VNS