The 19th session of the UNCTAD’s Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy (IGE), held from 7 to 9 July 2021, decided “to renew the mandate of the Working Group on cross-border cartels, […] with a view to further exploration and deeper understanding of modalities, principles and international standards of cross-border cartel investigations, […]”.
During the previous meetings of the UNCTAD Working Group on Cross-border Cartels, member States discussed cross-border cartel cases from different regions (Latin America, Africa, Asia and CIS regions), identified different aspects and challenges related to crossborder cartels with a special focus on developing countries’ local dynamics and institutional development as well as the impact of neighbouring and/or regional cartels in their jurisdictions, and discussed how to address those challenges and future work for effective cross-border cartel investigations and sanctions schemes.
Considering those discussions and the informal discussions held during the 19th IGE, UNCTAD convenes an “Ad hoc” Expert Meeting on Competition Law and Policy dedicated to the topic of cross-border cartels for all UNCTAD member States and relevant stakeholders to deepen the discussion on this issue, and in view of the agenda of the UNCTAD Working Group on Cross-border Cartels, whose meetings will resume as of January 2022 onwards.
Member states will discuss effective tools and instruments in tackling cross-border cartel cases, including stock-taking of existing cooperation frameworks and possible improvements, and will share their investigation and collaboration experiences. Member states may also wish to address is how information sharing can be boosted at regional level and/or among neighbouring member states particularly between developing countries, sharing success stories and challenges with the participants. UNCTAD’s role to support less experienced competition authorities in handling those cases through international cooperation, namely using the recently adopted Guiding Policies and Procedures under Section F of the UN Set on Competition (GPP) in 2020, may also be considered.
Participation
This meeting is open to all member States of UNCTAD. Other organizations, including specialized agencies, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations in the general category may participate as observers.
