Summary of General Council meeting of 12 May 2014

1. Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee

   The Director-General noted that members remained focused on the two main priorities of implementing the Bali outcomes and meeting the December deadline for the preparation of the work programme to complete the Doha Development Agenda.  He stressed that work would further intensify in June and July. The full statement can be found in JOB/GC/68. Thirteen delegations intervened in the discussion which followed. 

2. Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation — Report by the Chairman

   The Chairman of the Preparatory Committee announced that the legal review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement was concluded as far as the English text was concerned. The next task on the agenda was to prepare the Protocol of Amendment. Twelve delegations took the floor.

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

   The report of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) Chair pointed out that the proponents of small economies appointed Guatemala as their new coordinator, and said that they had been discussing 2014 priorities and follow-up activities to the Bali Ministerial Decision. Four delegations intervened.

4. Aid for Trade Work Programme 2014-2015 — Statement by the Chairman of the Committee on Trade and Development

   The new biennial Aid for Trade Work Programme was introduced with the theme “Reducing trade costs for inclusive, sustainable growth.” Six delegations took the floor.

5. Trade restrictive measures of certain members — communication from the Russian Federation

   Russia raised concerns about certain measures adopted by certain members. The United States, Canada and the European Union intervened.

6. Trade restrictive measures by Russia — communication from the European Union (WT/GC/158)

   The European Union raised concerns on a number of measures by Russia. Ten other delegations and Russia took the floor.

7. Improving the guidelines for granting intergovernmental organizations permanent observer status in the WTO — statement by the Chairman

   The Chairman said he would continue to seek delegations’ views and report to the General Council as appropriate. Jordan, on behalf of the Arab Group, and the United States intervened.

8. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration — report on meeting of April 2014 (WT/BFA/142)

   The General Council adopted the Budget Committee’s report (WT/BFA/142).

Under “Other Business”, the Chairman announced that he would soon be starting consultations on the date and venue for WTO’s Tenth Ministerial Conference, and on the possibility of appointing a “facilitator” for e-commerce. He also made an announcement regarding members and observers in arrears.