ANDREY TSYGANOV: RESULTS OF THE UN COMPETITION CONFERENCE DETERMINED FUTURE WORK ON CROSS-BORDER CARTELS
FAS Russia took part in the closing of the 8th UN Competition Conference
The key stage of the closing ceremony of the Conference was the approval and adoption by the UN Member States of the Resolution – the principal document of the event, representing the main results and the agenda of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) for the next five years.
In particular, the Resolution of the Conference adopted the Guiding Policies and Procedures under Section F (International Measures) of the UN Set on Competition developed at the initiative of the FAS Russia. The document assigns a set of tools for the international cooperation in the implementation of antimonopoly enforcement, in particular, in the investigation of cases of violation of the antimonopoly legislation that have cross-border nature and the investigation of global transactions of economic concentration.
The Guiding Policies and Procedures provide tools for international cooperation in antimonopoly enforcement, including such mechanisms as initial contacts and exchange of information, including confidential information based on waivers.
In addition, at the initiative of the FAS Russia with the support of co-sponsors from 26 countries, the Resolution of the Conference included the topic of combating cross-border cartels as one of the four priority areas of the UNCTAD activity for the next five years.
“UNCTAD, which unites 195 countries, is the most suitable platform for developing updated mechanisms for combating cross-border cartels that meet the interests of all Member States regardless of their level of economic and social-cultural development. We thank the countries that supported our initiative, as well as the UNCTAD Secretariat for choosing the topic of combating cross-border cartels as one of the priority areas”, - said Andrey Tsyganov, Deputy Head of the FAS Russia.
In order to hold broad discussions on combating cross-border cartels within the framework of the 19th Session of the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on Competition Law and Policy (IGE) UNCTAD, which will be held in July 2021 and the agenda of which was approved by the Resolution of the Conference, a session on the relevant topic will be organized.
In addition, the Resolution of the Conference also established the UNCTAD Working Group on Cross-Border Cartels to analyze the best practices, accumulate an advanced experience and facilitate information exchange and consultations.
“The idea to create a working group appeared as a result of the Round table on cross-border cartels held on October 22. We received a lot of positive feedback from the UN Member States from different parts of the world, which expressed their readiness to take an active part in the activities of the working group. In particular, the antimonopoly regulators of the CIS and BRICS, as well as a number of other countries, including Italy, Germany, Portugal, Greece, Thailand supported the given initiative. During the negotiations, we managed to convince other interested UN Member States that this working group is necessary and consistent with the goals and objectives of UNCTAD, in particular, with regard to support and assistance to developing countries. We are grateful to all countries that have already supported us and we invite the rest of the competition authorities to join the work,” – said Andrey Tsyganov.
At the end of the closing ceremony, Andrey Tsyganov addressed the delegates and thanked the UNCTAD Secretariat, noting that the Conference was held at the highest level.
“During the discussions within the framework of the Conference, the most actual problems faced by competition authorities worldwide were raised together with the proposed possible solutions. The agenda for the next five years was presented and we are ready to contribute to the implementation of the plans,” – summed up Andrey Tsyganov.