Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific

The Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in Asia and the Pacific, a UN treaty deposited with the Secretary General of the United Nations in New York, aims at accelerating the implementation of digital trade facilitation measures for trade and development. Designed as an inclusive instrument accessible to countries at all levels of development to develop their capacity to engage in cross-border paperless trade, the final treaty text was adopted by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in May 2016.* Trade cost reductions expected from full implementation of cross-border paperless trade are estimated at 10-30% of existing transactions costs, depending on the current state of paperless trade development in the participating countries. Significant benefits in terms of trade compliance are also expected.

*E/ESCAP/RES/72/4; [中文][English][Français][русский]

Text and Status of the Framework Agreement

The Agreement in Chinese, English and Russian languages is available on the website of the Treaty Section of the UN Office of Legal Affairs, along with an up-to-date list of countries who signed, ratified or acceded to the Agreement (here). Five ESCAP member states (Armenia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China and Islamic Republic of Iran) formally signed the Framework Agreement in 2017. Azerbaijan acceded to the Framework Agreement in March 2018. The treaty is currently open to all ESCAP member states for accession - or ratification for those who signed it earlier.

More Information on the Framework Agreement

• Introduction to the Framework Agreement
• Explanatory Note to the Framework Agreement
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Framework Agreement
• Draft road map for the implementation of the Framework Agreement
• Interim Intergovernmental Steering Group onCross-border Paperless Trade Facilitation
• Latest News

For details on the procedure to becoming a party, please contact the Secretariat and/or refer to the UN Treaty Handbook, in particular pages 5 – 10. Model Instruments of full powers, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession, and reservation and declaration can be found in the annexes of the UN Treaty Handbook.

Contact

For questions regarding this agreement, please contact:

Sangwon Lim (Mr.)
Trade Policy and Facilitation Section

Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations ESCAP
Email: [email protected], copied to [email protected]