Decision

9 October 2023: Joint minutes of the first UK-Central America Board on Trade and Sustainable Development meeting

Updated 18 September 2024

The United Kingdom (UK) and the Central American countries, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama held the first meeting of the Board on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD Board) on 9 October 2023 by videoconference, under the agreement establishing an association between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama (Central America) (hereafter ‘the Agreement’).

Host – United Kingdom (UK)

1. Greetings and opening remarks

The UK provided brief opening remarks acknowledging the strong partnership between the UK and Central America on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD). This was followed by a statement from El Salvador, as Pro Tempore Presidency of Central America and co-host of the meeting, who stressed the importance of the meeting in finding common ground to identify areas of future collaboration on TSD implementation. The key objective of the meeting was to share information and exchange views on approaches to TSD delivery.

2. Approval of agenda

The parties adopted the agenda without revision.

3. Structure of the next meetings of the TSD Board

The UK outlined its TSD approach and implementation of environment and labour articles followed by Central America’s presentation on potential areas of policy focus for discussion at the next TSD Board meeting.

In relation to environment and climate, Central America proposed that each Party would provide an overview of domestic relevant policy developments and initiatives related to strengthening environmental policies under Article 287 of the Agreement Establishing an Association between the European Union and Central America (Incorporated Agreement) incorporated mutatis mutandis to the Agreement Establishing an Association between the UK and Central America (UK-Central America Agreement), for example work in support of the Montreal Protocol and the Basel and Stockholm Conventions.

On labour, Central America proposed that the parties provide updates on labour policy developments and initiatives related to the effective implementation of the core labour agreements contained under Article 286 of the Incorporated Agreement in relation to International Labour Organization (ILO).

This would be accompanied by presentations on ongoing co-operation projects and initiatives.

Additionally, Central America proposed that each Party could share information on national policy development and relevant initiatives that promote sustainable development, in accordance with the provisions of Article 288 of the Incorporated Agreement.

The UK was asked to identify the areas which should supplement the agenda. The UK presented that the proposed agenda was similar to its approach to policy discussions at inaugural TSD boards which covers key updates on the implementation of TSD commitments, recent developments including legislation and identifying topics where more detailed exchanges would be valuable. The UK noted that the TSD Board should cover the full scope of TSD commitments under the Agreement including on fisheries and forestry, and other labour policy issues. The UK noted the agenda could be structured by articles or topics, for example sections on labour and environment.

Central America requested further detail on other specific topics the UK would like to raise and requested further guidance, in writing, on the policy exchange process covering both labour and environmental aspects to aid the discussion and decide the agenda of the next TSD Board meeting. Regarding the proposal of exchanging written policy documents before the TSD Board meetings, Central America pointed out that it prefers a brief exchange on a list of issues of interest of each country to guide an in-depth technical discussion of these issues during the meeting. Central America noted that the confirmation of dates for the next TSD Board meeting should be carried out at co-ordinator level.

The UK confirmed that it would provide detailed comments on Central America’s proposed agenda for the next TSD Board meeting in writing.

4. Discussion on domestic advisory groups (DAGs)

The UK outlined the establishment of its TSD DAG and its approach to engagement. The UK has established one advisory group to support all its agreements, including the UK-Central America Agreement. The group includes 40 representatives covering 12 member organisations.

The UK highlighted the independence of the advisory group and stated that it has worked with the group to establish clear, efficient, and appropriate ways of working. This approach includes monthly meetings with the Chair to discuss upcoming international engagements and advise the group on its next steps.

Costa Rica reported that its advisory group has been established in accordance with Article 294 of the Incorporated Agreement and includes representatives from the labour, environment and productive sectors. For operational purposes, 3 sub-committees were convened. The Ministries of Environment, Labour, and Trade extended an invitation to the stakeholders in each sector. This structure mirrors one developed with the European Union on the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union; however, the members’ composition is slightly different regarding their different interests. Each Ministry co-ordinates with its corresponding sub-committee before and after the sessions of the TSD Board, in order to review the topics and areas of interest discussed during TSD Board meeting. The 3 sub-committees also co-ordinate among themselves through designated focal points.

Panama noted that its advisory groups reflected the TSD structure demonstrated by representation from labour and environment.

El Salvador highlighted that the formation of its advisory group is a priority that is on the agenda, maintaining a balanced representation of the sectors outlined in the TSD title. El Salvador also mentioned the importance of co-operation within the framework of the UK-Central America Agreement to ensure the active participation of DAG members in on-site activities.

Guatemala indicated that its advisory group is made up of members and alternate representatives of the productive sector, unions and non-governmental environmental organisations. All are related to environmental and labour issues respectively.

Honduras considers for the advisory groups they would use the same exercise as conducted with the EU. The Advisory Group of Honduras is already formed and occasionally they request an update regarding its members if there are changes. It is not expected that there will be any changes in the way the bi-regional advisory group or the structure of the Forum have been functioning.

There was acceptance amongst Central America that the same dynamics for advisory groups for the European Union could be extended to the UK. It was expected that there would be no significant change foreseen in participation and group structure.

Prior to dialogues, Central American partners tended to exchange topics and hold meetings with respective advisory groups. It was recommended that a similar approach be adopted with the UK. This would be facilitated by nominated points of contact who facilitate interaction between subcommittee subgroups. Further explanation of UK’s role in supporting the DAG was requested.  The UK confirmed that the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) provides a secretariat for its DAG and has regular updates including 2 plenary meetings a year.

5. Discussion on logistical aspects of the Civil Society Dialogue

The UK presented an overview of its proposed approach for the UK-Central America Civil Society Dialogue forum covering context of the UK’s experience, explaining its preferred structure, and potential timelines for the forum, reiterating that policy exchange/discussion should ideally take place prior to the proposed forum.

During the discussion, the aim for an independent moderator for the Civil Society Dialogue was raised alongside hybrid participation to bring together a broad range of actors. Early preparation of the forum was recommended alongside the identification of a convenient date which should ideally be organised at the level of co-ordinators. In this regard, Honduras requested from the United Kingdom a document that might serve as a guide to understand the operation of the Civil Society Dialogue Forum.

The UK and Central America decided to share further details on the process for co-ordinating the Civil Society Dialogue via correspondence.

6. Actions and next steps

The parties noted the actions discussed and the next steps in support of TSD implementation.

In relation to the Panel of Experts, the UK will share its list of candidates shortly and requested Central America to do the same.

Central America indicated that this issue should be addressed at the level of Coordinators of the trade agreement.

Regarding the policy exchange, the UK proposed to outline its proposal for policy exchange and revert to Central America with comments on the proposed agenda for the second TSD Board meeting.

Central America and the UK decided to exchange key DAG contact points and the UK confirmed that it will circulate Civil Society Dialogue guidelines proposal.  

Lastly, the UK confirmed that it will prepare the draft minutes of the meeting for review and arrange translation into Spanish.

7. Closing remarks

El Salvador considered the outcome of the meeting was positive and had met expectations on building a consensus towards TSD implementation in the long term. El Salvador acknowledged progress made on finalising the agenda for the next TSD Board meeting.  All Central American countries were thanked for their efforts in delivering the meeting successfully.

The UK offered its thanks to El Salvador for co-chairing the meeting and for all its support on meeting preparation and looked forward to strengthening collaboration with Central America in the future. The importance of working together in taking the next steps was emphasised by the UK.