|
|
2. Data Free Flow with Trust
16. Cross-border flow of data, information, ideas and knowledge generates higher productivity, greater innovation, and improved sustainable development. At the same time, we recognize that the free flow of data raises certain challenges. By continuing to address challenges related to privacy, data protection, intellectual property rights, and security, we can further facilitate data free flow and strengthen consumer and business trust. In order to build trust and facilitate the free flow of data, it is necessary that legal frameworks both domestic and international should be respected. Such data free flow with trust will harness the opportunities of the digital economy. We will cooperate to encourage the interoperability of different frameworks, and we affirm the role of data for development.
4. Governance Innovation - Agile and Flexible Policy Approaches in the Digital Economy -
We recognize that governance in the digital era needs to be not only innovation-friendly but also innovative itself, while not losing legal certainty. Interoperable standards, frameworks and regulatory cooperation can help in this regard. International as well as national policy formulation with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders in their respective roles is instrumental to address a wide range of societal challenges and facilitate discussion on how technology can be better incorporated into policy tools.
24. To adapt better policy approaches and guide technical innovation, we support the sharing of good practices between G20 countries, including by utilizing the G20 Repository of Digital Policies established under Argentina’s presidency. We note the work of relevant international organizations.
II. Trade
1. Dialogue on Trade Developments
40. We, the G20 Trade Ministers, exchanged views on the current trade environment. We agree that expanding trade and investment will be important factors to promote future widespread economic prosperity and sustainable growth.
41. We note that trade and investment growth slowed in 2018 and that this is contributing to a weaker global growth outlook for 2019-20 than previously projected. While growth is expected to increase in 2020, downside risks arising from the current trade environment could undermine this growth.
42. We continued our dialogue to mitigate risks and enhance confidence among exporters and investors, as we committed to do in Mar del Plata last year. We affirmed the need to handle trade tensions and to foster mutually beneficial trade relations.
43. We strive to realize a free, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, predictable and stable trade and investment environment, to keep our markets open.
44. International trade is important for productivity, innovation, job creation and development. We recognize the contributions that the WTO has made to this end. We agree that action is necessary to improve the functioning of the WTO. We recognize our business community's call for the G20 to continue supporting the multilateral trading system.
2. Sound Business Environment that Promotes Market-Driven Investment Decisions
45. We reaffirm that structural problems in some sectors can cause a negative impact, especially as the global economy has become more integrated. We will strive to ensure a level playing field and foster an enabling business environment.
46. Many members affirm the need to strengthen international rules on industrial subsidies and welcome ongoing international efforts to improve trade rules affecting agriculture. Many of us highlighted agricultural subsidies and agricultural market access.
47. In order to foster an open, transparent and conducive global policy environment for investment, we recognize the value of improving open, non-discriminatory, transparent and predictable conditions for investment.
3. Promotion of Trade and Investment that Contribute to Sustainable and Inclusive Growth
48. Trade and investment have contributed to widespread and sustainable global growth, inclusivity, poverty reduction and sustainable economic development. In particular, Global Value Chains are important features of the global economy, which can help shape trade, investment and development.
49. There is recognition that the benefits of trade and investment have not been shared widely enough with all countries and all members of society, especially those who are vulnerable. We need to enhance the benefits of trade and broaden participation. We also need to better understand the effects of trade and investment, better communicate their benefits to our citizens, and address their challenges.
50. We should promote, facilitate and increase the participation of groups that have not benefitted sufficiently from international trade, such as women, youth and MSMEs, while assisting them to seize the opportunities of international trade. We will continue to seek to enable enhanced participation by developing countries and MSMEs in Global Value Chains in increasingly meaningful ways. In this context, we recalled the discussion last year on key factors for G20 trade and investment policy-making options to support the participation and increase value addition in agro-food Global Value Chains.
51. We take note of the “B20 Tokyo Summit Joint Recommendations: Society 5.0 for SDGs” as a voice of the business sector, while recognizing different national views on these proposals.
52. We also take note of the adoption by the B20 of a “Business Voluntary Action Plan” which reflects views from the private sector and the intention of global businesses to strengthen efforts to jointly contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, through responsible business conduct.
53. We shared information on business and policy examples that contribute to widespread and sustainable growth and inclusivity through trade and investment with the aim of learning from each other’s experiences, while acknowledging the different approaches of individual G20 Members, and noted the importance of the idea of Sanpoyoshi - benefitting the seller, the purchaser and society. These examples will be publicly available. 4. WTO reform and Recent Developments in Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements
54. Building on the G20 Leaders’ declaration in Buenos Aires, we will work constructively with other WTO Members to undertake necessary WTO reform with a sense of urgency, including in the lead-up to the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference.
55. We recognize the importance of transparency of the WTO Members’ trade related policies. We note ongoing initiatives on transparency and notifications with this purpose in mind. We confirm our commitment to fulfilling our existing notification obligations.
56. We also note ongoing initiatives to strengthen the activities of the WTO regular committees and bodies in order to make the WTO function more effectively.
57. We confirm the importance of the role of the WTO in generating opportunities and addressing various challenges. We reiterate our support for the work to agree on comprehensive and effective disciplines on fisheries subsidies as mandated in MC11. We also note some ongoing initiatives for updating WTO rules.
58. We reaffirm the importance of the Work Programme on electronic commerce.
59. We note the ongoing discussion under the Joint Statement Initiative on electronic commerce.
60. Participants in the respective Joint Statement Initiatives under the WTO welcome the ongoing discussion and confirm their commitment to achieve progress.
61. In order to share the benefits of digitalization worldwide, we recognize that there is a need to enhance investment in infrastructure focusing on ICT, including in developing countries, to facilitate their participation in the digital economy. We also acknowledge the need for capacity building for women, youth and MSMEs to benefit more from digitalization. To this end, we will continue our effort to harness and enhance the potential of trade and the digital economy.
62. We recognize the complementary roles of bilateral and regional free trade agreements that are WTO-consistent.
63. We agree that action is necessary regarding the functioning of the dispute settlement system consistent with the rules as negotiated by the WTO Members. III. Interface between Trade and the Digital Economy
64. We, the G20 Trade Ministers and Digital Economy Ministers, recognizing the growing impact of digitalization on our societies and economies including in trade and commerce, reaffirmed the importance of the interface between trade and the digital economy as stated in the Buenos Aires Leaders’ declaration. We discussed related issues on the interface between trade and the digital economy.
65. We exchanged views on various issues including the concept of data free flow with trust, WTO discussions on electronic commerce, and needs for capacity building, bearing in mind the importance of ensuring that all countries are able to realize their opportunities. Discussions should continue with a view to enhance the benefits of digitalization, which is transforming every aspect of our economies and societies, and can contribute to economic growth, job creation, inclusion, development and innovation. [...]
G20 Ministerial Statement on Trade and Digital Economy