Improved transparency is a fundamental first step for governments to cooperate more on subsidies. A better understanding of the complexity, size, design, and effects of subsidy measures could facilitate and expedite discussions to strengthen multilateral rules.
Our understanding of subsidies remains uneven and incomplete; while information for some sectors is relatively developed, in others it remains at an earlier stage. Filling important gaps in knowledge on the landscape of subsidies requires building greater transparency by governments at the national level and through international fora. International organizations that invest in collecting information on subsidies can also do more, individually and collectively, to identify and measure subsidies.
This platform is a first step to enhance transparency by bringing together in a common space information on subsidies from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Bank Group (WBG), and World Trade Organization (WTO). The site will continue to be improved and suggestions are welcome.
