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Treaty text and other reference materials
The DEPA negotiations were conducted on the basis of a draft framework. The Agreement was signed in an entirely virtual ceremony by New Zealand, Chile and Singapore on 12 June 2020 NZT. It entered into force for New Zealand and Singapore on 7 January 2021, Chile on 23 November 2021, and the Republic of Korea on 3 May 2024.
The Protocol to the DEPA (the ‘DEPA Protocol’) was signed on 15 July 2023 NZT. The DEPA Protocol reinforces the legal certainty and enforceability of key rules in the original DEPA for New Zealand digital exporters as well as DEPA Parties and accession candidates. The DEPA Protocol entered into force on 20 March 2024, following the completion of applicable domestic procedures by all Parties.
Side letters
Statements
Press releases
Joint Ministerial Statement on DEPA Substantial Conclusion [PDF, 65 KB] (January 2020)
Beehive press release - Canadian interest in the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement welcomed(external link) (December 2020)
Beehive press release - Digital trade agreement timely response to COVID-19(external link) (June 2020)
Beehive press release - New Zealand concludes digital economy trade talks with Singapore and Chile(external link) (January 2020)
Public submissions
A public submission process was held between May and July 2019. Six submissions were received related to DEPA and one submission related to e-commerce and digital more broadly.