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Septembre 2011

Worldwide Alliance for Global Paperless Trade

Paperless trade is a concept building now on a strong technological and legal framework to set itself up as the main mode of international trade transactions. The emergence of many local, bilateral and regional initiatives around the globe is illustrative of the concept’s breakthrough. However, there are some objective limitations that slow down its development. These include:

• A lack of perfect integration of the B2B and G2G logics in international trade transactions;
• A lack of harmonization in the implementation of paperless-related recommendations;
• Problems of legal recognition, at international level, of digital signatures and international trade-related documents.

Thus, with the increasing development of Single Windows for trade formalities around the world, there is an operational framework likely to provide practical solutions and help bypass hindrances to the development of paperless trading worldwide. Single Windows should be pooled around a Worldwide Alliance to play that practical role.

Missions
The Worldwide Alliance is meant to be a framework enabling Single Windows to better structure their operation (notably as part of the receivability and issuance of international documents) and adopt common practices and diligences. The main missions to be assigned to such an Alliance should include the following:

• Liaise with international organizations to address practical problems and the stakes of SWs and paperless trading;
• Formulate recommendations and practical guidance for the establishment of paperless trade;
• Facilitate the implementation of pooled platforms for certain crosscutting aspects of SW operation and cross border trade;
• Promote the universal acceptance of international e-documents relative to trade, transport and customs.

Organization
The Worldwide Alliance might operate based on a governance structure shaped on the following bodies:

• The General Assembly: All members
• The Board : Elected members
  • Chairman
  • Deputy Chair for Africa
  • Deputy Chair for Americas
  • Deputy Chair for Asia – Pacific
  • Deputy Chair for Europe
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary in charge of Communication (to be recruited)
  • Executive Secretary (to be recruited)
• The Technical Commission
  • Chairman
  • Deputy Chairman
  • Secretary
  • Members
• The Legal Commission
  • Chairman
  • Deputy Chairman
  • Secretary
  • Members
• The Organizing and Standards Commission
  • Chairman
  • Deputy Chairman
  • Secretary
  • Members

Legal Form of Organization
The Worldwide Alliance could take the form of an international association registered in Geneva where it can have its main office.

Funding
The Alliance shall have adequate means to operate a Secretariat. To this end, it will secure funding from the following sources:

• Members’ contributions ;
• Members’ donations ;
• Grants as part of specific projects ;
• Services provided to members.

Membership
The Alliance will have three categories of members:

1. Ex-officio members: All corporate bodies operating a Single Window for trade can be fully-fledged members and are entitled to hold all responsibilities within the Alliance;


2. Associate members: Any physical person or corporate body having an interest in issues relative to the Worldwide Alliance. They shall pay contributions but will hold no responsibility within the Alliance ;


3. Observer members: this category is intended for international organizations and associations. They shall pay no contribution, nor will they hold any responsibility.