The
following items were discussed by the General Council:
1. Report by the Chairman of the Trade
Negotiations Committee (TNC)
The Council heard a report by the Director-General
on recent developments in the Doha Round (see
news item). In the discussion,
several delegations called for the early harvest of issues of importance to
least-developed countries (LDCs), including duty-free quota-free market
access, cotton and the services waiver for LDCs, adding that this would give
credibility to the development mandate of the Round. Most speakers supported
the “cocktail approach” outlined by the TNC Chair, while emphasizing the
need for transparency and inclusiveness. Some stressed the importance of
continued political guidance, in particular at the upcoming APEC and OECD
meetings.
2. Work Programme on Small Economies — Report
by the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the Committee on Trade and
Development (CTD)
The new Chair of the Dedicated Session of the CTD
said that the small and vulnerable economies were continuing their internal
group discussion and engagement with other WTO members and they planned to
make new submissions in some negotiating groups.
3. Committee on Budget, Finance And
Administration — Report on meeting of March 2010
The Budget Committee Chair reported on the March
meeting, in particular with respect to the renovation work of the WTO
building and a report on diversity in the WTO Secretariat.
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 reported on his recent
consultations on the proposal (WT/GC/W/617
and
Add.1), noting that all
delegations he had met had agreed that transparency should be enhanced and
no-one had objected to further analysis being undertaken. However, divergent
views remained on whether the analysis should be global or sector-based, and
on a possible methodology. He was continuing his contacts with delegations
in order to get a sense of the best way forward.
5. Implementation of the Transparency
Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements on a permanent basis — Communication
from China, India and Pakistan
India introduced its joint submission with China
and Pakistan (WT/GC/W/621) proposing that the General Council should advise
the Chair of the Negotiating Group on Rules to immediately start
consultations, aiming at reviewing, and modifying if necessary the
Transparency Mechanism. At the end of the discussion, the Chairman noted
that there seemed to be general support for the intent of the proposal and
he would inform the Chair of the Rules Group of the discussions.
6. Harmonization Work Programme under the
Agreement on Rules Of Origin — The way forward — Communication from China,
India and Pakistan
India, Pakistan and China introduced their
proposal (WT/GC/W/622), stressing that this was unfinished work from the
Uruguay Round, which had not received the attention it deserved. Their
proposal set out the next steps and timetable for the work, including
bringing some aspects of it back to the General Council. After a lengthy and
detailed discussion, the Chairman noted that different perspectives had
emerged in the discussion, and he would consult with WTO members on the best
way to proceed on this issue.
7. Request by the Syrian Arab Republic to
accede to the WTO — Communication from Egypt on behalf of the Arab Group
The Council agreed to establish a Working Party to
examine Syria's request for accession, with standard terms of reference and
composition, and to grant Syria observer status in the WTO (see
news item).
Other business
Zambia (on behalf of the LDC Group) informed
delegations of the Dialogue on LDC Accession which was to take place in the
WTO on 5 May; the Chairman reported on the recent informal consultations he
had undertaken with WTO members so as to understand their priorities in the
work of the Council over the coming months; and the Chairman announced that
he would continue his consultations on the appointment of a new Chair of the
Negotiating Group on Rules, in conjunction with Amb. Agah (Nigeria).
The next General Council meeting is scheduled for 29-30 July 2010.
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