The Chairperson of the
Third WTO Ministerial Conference, US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, announced
at the plenary meeting held today, 30 November, the creation of four Ministerial Working
Groups on key areas of the Seattle Ministerial Declaration. A fifth group—on
"systemic" issues—will focus on members’ concerns about the way the
WTO works such as transparency and ensuring all members can participate fully in WTO
activities.Ambassador Barshefsky said that the Chairs of these groups have started
consulting with delegations to establish a solid basis for their work. Each group will be
open to all delegations and will report each morning to a Committee of the Whole, chaired
by Ambassador Barshefsky.
She said
that she will be working closely with the Chairs and with Director-General Mike Moore
"to ensure the overall progress and balance of the drafting".
The
Ministerial Working Groups and their respective Chairs:
1. Agriculture
Trade and Industry Minister George YEO (Singapore)
2. Implementation
and Rules International Trade Minister Pierre S. PETTIGREW (Canada)
3. Market
Access Minister of Trade, Industry and Marketing Mpho MALIE (Lesotho)
4. Singapore
Agenda & Other Issues International Trade Minister Alexander LOCKWOOD SMITH (New
Zealand)
5. Systemic Issues
Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Gabriel VALDES (Chile)
Co-Chair:
Commerce, Business Development and Investment Minister Anup KUMAR (Fiji) |
