Summary of General Council meeting of 29 July 2010

The following items were discussed by the General Council:

1. Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee

The TNC Chairman noted signs of a new dynamic emerging following months of impasse in the negotiations, and said Members would have to take this new level of engagement to a higher gear by going deeper and wider in their discussions after the summer break. He emphasized that while that expanding the small group discussions to all areas would be important, so would the need to maintain the centrality of the multilateral process. He also provided brief overviews of recent trade developments, Aid for Trade and the Enhanced Integrated Framework. The TNC Chair's full statement was circulated as JOB/GC/3. All delegations who spoke shared the TNC Chair's assessment of the state-of-play. They broadly agreed that work in the small groups had so far been useful and that this process needed to continue, but that the multilateral process remained the only forum where inclusiveness and transparency could be guaranteed. One delegation noted that one current problem related to what constituted ambition in the Doha Round, and called for a fact-based discussion of this concept.

2. Work Programme on Small Economies — Report by the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the Committee on Trade and Development

The Chair of the Dedicated Session of the CTD said the proponents were continuing their internal group discussion and engagement with other Members, and they planned to make new submissions in some negotiating groups.

3. Transparency for Preferential Trade Arrangements —  Report by the Chairman of the Committee on Trade and Development

The Chairman of the CTD reported on the Committee's consideration of this matter since his last report in December 2009, highlighting the significant progress which had been made. The Council agreed to extend the deadline for the completion of this work to December 2010.

4. The financial and economic crisis and the role of the WTO — Communication from Argentina, Ecuador and India — Statement by the Chairman

The Council Chairman, reporting on his recent consultations on this matter, said there seemed to be consensus on the proponents' recent proposal on the organization of a symposium to be held under the auspices of the TPRB, with the aim of Members being informed of research conducted by other international organizations on this issue and to allow them to exchange information and discuss their experiences. He would refer this matter to the Chair of the TPRB with the request that he take the necessary steps to organize such an event.

5. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement

Following a report by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods on that Council's consideration of the request by Argentina for an extension of its waiver, the General Council adopted the draft decision on the Introduction of Harmonized System 1996 changes into WTO Schedules of tariff concessions (G/C/W/632). The Council then undertook a review of nine waivers pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement, and in so doing took note of annual reports submitted by the Members concerned under these waivers.

6. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO — Report of the Joint Advisory Group on its Forty-third Session

Following a statement by the Chairman of the CTD on that body's consideration of this report at its meeting on 28 June, the General Council adopted the JAG's report.

7. Committee on Budget, Finance And Administration — Reports on meetings of May and July 2010

The Budget Committee Chair introduced the reports on these two meetings, and the Council adopted the Committee's recommendations specific recommendation in paragraphs 20, 23 and 25 of WT/BFA/116.

 

Other business

The Chairman made a statement regarding the Harmonization Work Programme under the Agreement on Rules of Origin, suggesting that the CRO Chair be given more time for her consultations and that the Council revert to this item in the autumn; he informed Members that it had been agreed that Ambassador Shinichi Kitajima (Japan) would serve as Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Samoa; and the Chair of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration provided information on Administrative Measures for Members in arrears.

The next General Council meeting is scheduled for 21 October 2010.