Senior trade officials representing New Zealand, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Viet Nam met virtually on 21 February for the first CPTPP Senior Officials Meeting of 2023, hosted by New Zealand.
CPTPP members were pleased to welcome Chile’s ratification of CPTPP entering into force on the date of the meeting, and looked forward to working together with Chile as a full CPTPP Party.
Officials discussed a range of issues of importance to CPTPP members, including matters relating to the implementation of the Agreement and priorities for 2023, such as building on the work led by Singapore as 2022 Chair on digital trade and the ‘green economy’. CPTPP members are focused on finding ways to ensure that CPTPP remains at the forefront of global trading arrangements and can deliver ambitious outcomes for trade and the economy for all. CPTPP members also noted the growing interest from other economies to join the CPTPP, and acknowledged the ongoing discussions for the United Kingdom’s accession process.
The meeting was followed by a stakeholder engagement session with representatives from industry, unions and trade advocacy groups, Māori groups, academic and media, to hear about what was discussed and have the opportunity for Q&A.
The next CPTPP Senior Officials Meeting will take place in person in Auckland on 18-19 April.