Review-related News

Overview

The mentoring system was established following the Report of the Sixth Review of the Operation and Implementation of the SPS Agreement, adopted in March 2025 (G/SPS/74 and G/SPS/74/Add.1), to assist developing and LDC members, including with respect to transparency and their timely engagement on SPS matters. Mentoring objectives stem from an SPS-related issue, such as transparency, participation in the SPS Committee, operational implementation of a specific SPS issue or SPS Agreement provision, leadership and coordination on SPS matters, etc.

Mentoring is an informal, ad hoc supportive relationship between individuals (government officials) for knowledge-sharing, peer learning and engagement on SPS-related issues, including in the context of South-South cooperation. Mentoring may involve a one-on-one relationship between peers, several mentees and/or several mentors.

Mentoring does not imply any financial commitment (unless otherwise agreed).

Pilot

The mentoring system is being piloted in 2025-26, with the objective of evaluating, refining and possibly scaling up the initiative. The pilot phase will focus on a limited number of individuals requesting mentoring, based on diverse criteria, including the objective(s) identified in the mentoring request, the commitment of mentees to proactively engage in the mentoring, language and region. A concept note provides more information.

Why join the pilot?

Mentoring creates opportunities to learn from a peer and share knowledge, work on concrete objectives, develop skills and leadership, and build a stronger professional network.

How to request mentoring

If you are a government official from a developing or LDC member working on SPS matters and interested in benefiting from mentoring to help you navigate certain SPS issues at the domestic level, submit your request for possible mentoring in the pilot stage. Fill out this form, detailing the objective of your request, and submit it online by 29 August 2025. Just a few requests will be selected. 

How to express interest in being a mentor

Information will be shared with members once requests for mentoring are selected for the pilot. If you would already like to express your interest in being a mentor, please email [email protected].

Timeline

Date	Step	Documents
March 2025	Committee recommendation to explore a mentoring system	Sixth Review Report (G/SPS/74, para. 2.24)
March-June 2025	Defining the mentoring system	Concept note (G/SPS/GEN/2314/Rev.1)
June 2025	Launch of pilot by Committee	Summary report of the June meeting
June-September 2025	Call for and selection of mentees (applications by 29 August 2025)	Form
September-October 2025	Call for mentors and matching
November 2025	Intermediate reporting to Committee
November 2025 onwards	Mentoring phase (details to be agreed upon by mentees and mentors)
March 2026	Intermediate reporting to Committee
June 2026	Reporting to Committee, evaluation of pilot, and possible sustainability planning