CPA UK is excited to host a series of virtual workshops in June 2021 exploring Parliamentary oversight of Trade Agreements.  

As the UK exits the European Union and takes responsibility for negotiating trade agreements with partners across the world, parliament must look to equip itself with the tools to scrutinise and negotiate these trade agreements effectively. 

CPA UK is offering parliamentarians and clerks the chance to speak with international experts on how to influence and scrutinise these deals. During the virtual workshops, delegates will hear from experienced colleagues and subject matter experts on methods of ensuring a fruitful trade deal, and mechanisms for guaranteeing effective parliamentary oversight.  

These workshops will use the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a case study for discussions. The CPTPP is a multi-national free trade agreement, which the UK applied to join in February 2021. It currently accounts for around 13% of global GDP and the Commonwealth nations of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Malaysia, and New Zealand are all already part of the agreement. Speakers from several of these Commonwealth nations will attend the workshops to answer questions about CPTPP and share their experiences of scrutinising or negotiating successful deals. 

The workshops will focus on the following areas:  

• 14 June (10:45 - 11:20 GMT+1) The UK’s application to CPTPP – UK members only 

• 14 June (12:00 - 13:30 GMT+1) Multilateral Trade Agreements, Opportunities and Challenges 

• 17 June (12:00 - 13:30 GMT+1) - Negotiating Trade Agreements 

• 21 June (12:00 - 13:30 GMT+1) - Scrutinising Trade Agreements 

• 28 June (12:00 - 13:00 GMT+1) - CPTPP and Agriculture 

• 28 June (13:00 - 14:00 GMT+1) - CPTPP and Creative Industries 

The events are open to both members and staff from the UK and Commonwealth Parliaments. To register interest in attending any of these workshops please contact cpauk@parliament.uk or complete the online form found at this link.  

We are looking forward to hosting some inspiring and insightful discussions.