The Inclusive Trade Action Group (ITAG) represents like-minded countries focused on shaping international trade policy to address sustainability, climate change, labour and human rights, and gender equality.

On 26 February 2024, Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and New Zealand met as the Inclusive Trade Action Group (ITAG) in Abu Dhabi, in the margins of the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), to welcome Australia as a new member of ITAG. Australia's membership reinforces our commitment to promote sustainable, equitable and inclusive trade.

Also in February 2024, ITAG also welcomed Australia and Brazil as members of the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA), which promotes gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in international trade.

The Joint Statement on Sustainable and Inclusive Trade sets out how members of ITAG will work together to ensure the benefits of trade and investment are broadly shared within communities, contribute to sustainable development, and support efforts to protect the environment and combat climate change.

ITAG grew out of a Joint Declaration on Fostering Progressive and Inclusive Trade made by Canada, Chile and New Zealand in the margins of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) signing in March 2018 and the Tāmaki Makaurau Joint Declaration on Inclusive and Sustainable Trade endorsed in July 2023. Current membership of ITAG includes Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico and New Zealand.

Australia's membership complements our membership of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement. It places us at the table with like-minded partners to shape trade policy to address climate change, labour and human rights, gender equality issues, and drive economic growth for Indigenous People and local communities.

GTAGA

In 2020, ITAG established GTAGA, with new commitments to cooperate more to support women in trade. GTAGA is a less-than-treaty arrangement that focuses on promoting gender equality and women's economic empowerment in international trade. Membership of GTAGA includes ITAG members as well as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Peru.

GTAGA members’ work is guided by a work plan outlining priorities such as building international consensus on gender equality; providing networking opportunities for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs); and improving research and the collection of economic data to better understand women’s participation in trade.  The work plan was informed by a member-led review of the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement.

Key Events

March 2018

Joint Declaration on Fostering Progressive and Inclusive Trade

2020

GTAGA Established

July 2023

Tamaki Makaurau Joint Declaration on Inclusive and Sustainable Trade

July 2023

Assistant Minister for Trade, Assistant Minister for Manufacturing, Senator Tim Ayres announced Australia would join the ITAG and GTAGA

February 2024

ITAG Joint Statement on Sustainable and Inclusive Trade and Global Trade and Gender Arrangement amended

February 2024

Australia joins ITAG and GTAGA