The Framework Agreement to Facilitate Paperless Cross-Border Trade in Asia and the Pacific, a UN treaty deposited with the UN Secretary-General in New York, aims to accelerate the implementation of measures to facilitate digital trade for trade and development. The treaty, conceived as an inclusive instrument accessible to countries at all stages of development, consists of facilitating paperless cross-border exchanges (data exchange) between consenting ESCAP member states by providing a specific intergovernmental framework for the development of legal and technical solutions. The treaty, which focuses exclusively on paperless trade, helps the parties to implement trade facilitation measures in innovative ways and to move rapidly to the knowledge-based economy. It also complements the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and other (sub)regional efforts in the area of paperless trade and e-commerce and contributes to the effective implementation of these initiatives. The Framework Agreement to Facilitate Paperless Cross-Border Trade in Asia and the Pacific, a UN treaty deposited with the UN Secretary-General in New York, aims to accelerate the implementation of measures to facilitate digital trade for trade and development. The final text of the treaty, designed as an inclusive instrument accessible to countries at all stages of development to develop their cross-border paperless trade capacity, was adopted in May 2016 by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.* The expected trade cost reductions from the full implementation of paperless cross-border trade are estimated at 10-30% of existing transaction costs. depending on the current evolution of paperless trade in the participating countries. Significant benefits in terms of trade respect are also expected. Countries in need of technical assistance and advisory services could apply for an accession/ratification accelerator programme.

The video subtitled in other languages is available here: youtu.be/OKMMugp2jvA The Agreement will enter into force on the 20th It will enter into force 90 days after the date on which the governments of at least 5 ESCAP Member States have deposited their instruments of ratification or accession, as set out in Article 19 of the Agreement. Azerbaijan joined in March 2018 and the Philippines in December 2019. The Islamic Republic of Iran was ratified in May 2020, Bangladesh in October 2020 and China as the 5th country in November 2020. . . .