Costa Rica Joins DEPA as Fifth Party

Costa Rica has become the fifth party to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), joining Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea. The country's accession was marked at a meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, where Costa Rica's Instrument of Accession was presented.

This milestone demonstrates the growing global interest in high-quality digital trade rules and cooperation, according to a joint statement. Costa Rica formally requested accession on December 23, 2022, and an Accession Working Group (AWG) assessed this request from October 6, 2023, with New Zealand as Chair.

The DEPA commits parties to ambitious disciplines on digital trade, advancing the growth of an inclusive, innovative, and rules-based digital economy. It also provides a platform for collaboration on projects of mutual interest.