Trans-Pacific Partnership - Chapter 21 - Cooperation and Capacity Building

CHAPTER 21

COOPERATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING

Article 21.1: General Provisions

1. The Parties recognize the importance of cooperation and capacity building activities and shall undertake and strengthen supportive activities in implementing this Agreement and enhancing the benefits envisaged to promote economic growth and development.

2. The Parties acknowledge that cooperation and capacity building activities may be undertaken between two or more Parties on a consensual basis and shall seek to complement and build upon existing agreements between the Parties.

3. The Parties also recognize that private sector participation is crucial in these activities and SMEs may require assistance in participating in the global market.

Article 21.2: Areas of Cooperation and Capacity Building

1. The Parties may undertake and strengthen cooperation and capacity building activities to support the following:

(a) implementation of the provisions of this Agreement;

(b) enhancing each Party’s ability to exploit the economic opportunities created by this Agreement; and

(c) promoting and facilitating trade and investment of the Parties.

2. Cooperation and capacity building activities may include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

(a) agricultural, industrial, and service sectors;

(b) promoting education, culture, and gender equality; and

(c) disaster risk management.

3. The Parties recognize that technology and innovation add value to cooperation and capacity building activities and may be incorporated into the cooperation and capacity building activities under this Article.

4. The Parties may undertake cooperation and capacity building activities through means such as dialogues, seminars, conferences, cooperative programs and projects; technical assistance to promote and facilitate capacity building and training; sharing of experiences on policy and procedures; and exchanges on experts, information, and technology.

Article 21.3: Cooperation and Capacity Building Focal Points

1. Each Party shall designate and notify a focal point institution regarding coordination of cooperation and capacity building activities in accordance with Article 27.5 (Contact Points).

2. A Party may request cooperation and capacity building activities related to this Agreement from other Parties through the designated focal points.

Article 21.4: Committee on Cooperation and Capacity Building

1. The Parties hereby establish a Committee on Cooperation and Capacity Building (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) comprising government representatives of each Party.

2. The Committee shall be responsible for:

(a) facilitating the exchange of information among the Parties in the region including, but not limited to, best practices and lessons learned through cooperation and capacity building activities among the Parties;

(b) discussing and considering issues or proposals for future cooperation and capacity building activities;

(c) initiating and implementing cooperation, as appropriate, to enhance donor coordination and to facilitate public-private partnerships in cooperation and capacity building activities;

(d) inviting international donor organizations, private sector partners, non-governmental organizations, or other relevant organizations to assist in the development and implementation of cooperation and capacity building activities;

(e) establishing special working groups, as appropriate, which may include government representatives, non-governmental representatives, or both;

(f) cooperating with other committees, working groups, and subsidiary bodies established under this Agreement in supporting the development and implementation of cooperation and capacity building activities;

(g) reviewing the implementation of this Chapter; and

(h) engaging in other activities as the Parties may decide.

3. The Committee shall meet within one year of the date of entry into force of this Agreement and shall hold subsequent meetings as necessary.

4. The Committee shall establish an agreed record of the meeting, including decisions and next steps, and report to the TPP Commission.

Article 21.5: Resources

Recognizing the differing levels of development among the Parties, the Parties shall work to provide resources, either financial or in-kind, appropriate to carry out the cooperation and capacity building activities provided for in this Chapter, subject to availability of resources and comparable capabilities that the various Parties possess to achieve the objectives of this Chapter.

Article 21.6: Exemption from Dispute Settlement

No Party shall have recourse to the dispute settlement provisions under Article 28 (Dispute Settlement) for any matter arising under this Chapter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TPP - Chapter 00 - Introduction

TPP - Chapter 01 - General Definitions and Provisions

TPP - Chapter 02 - National Treatment and Market Access for Goods

TPP - Chapter 03 - Rules of Origin and Origin Procedures

TPP - Chapter 04 - Textiles and Apparel

TPP - Chapter 05 - Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation

TPP - Chapter 06 - Trade Remedies

TPP - Chapter 07 - Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures

TPP - Chapter 08 - Technical Barriers to Trade

TPP - Chapter 09 - Investment

TPP - Chapter 10 - Cross-Border Trade in Services

TPP - Chapter 11 - Financial Services

TPP - Chapter 12 - Temporary Entry for Business Persons

TPP - Chapter 13 - Telecommunications

TPP - Chapter 14 - Electronic Commerce

TPP - Chapter 15 - The Government Procurement

TPP - Chapter 16 - Competition Policy

TPP - Chapter 17 - State-Owned Enterprises and Designated Monopolies

TPP - Chapter 18 - Intellectual Property

TPP - Chapter 19 - Labor

TPP - Chapter 20 - Environment

TPP - Chapter 21 - Cooperation and Capacity Building

TPP - Chapter 22 - Competitiveness and Business Facilitation

TPP - Chapter 23 - Development

TPP - Chapter 24 - Small and Medium Enterprises

TPP - Chapter 25 - Regulatory Coherence

TPP - Chapter 26 - Transparency and Anti-Corruption

TPP - Chapter 27 - Administrative and Institutional Provisions

TPP - Chapter 28 - Dispute Settlement

TPP - Chapter 29 - Exceptions and General Provisions

TPP - Chapter 30 - Final Provisions

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