Summary of General Council meeting of 20 February 2015

1. Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee

The Director-General reported that in light of the new time-frame in elaborating a clearly defined work programme on the remaining DDA issues, work had intensified by engaging in discussions through a number of parallel, but complementary tracks: the Chairs' process, his consultations as TNC Chair at Ambassadorial level and the Room W meetings. He provided an overview of the progress in the negotiating areas: Agriculture, NAMA, Services, Development, TRIPS, Rules, Trade and Environment, and DSU. He said that Members were committed to agreeing a clear, detailed, modalities-like work programme leading to the Round's rapid conclusion so they needed to be ready to explore scenarios and to be in a solution-finding mode. The full statement can be found in JOB/GC/74. Seventeen delegations intervened.

2. Implementation of the Bali Outcomes — Statement by the Chairman

The Chairman focused on the areas with relevant updates since December. He reported on progress in the preparations for the Fifth Global Review of Aid for Trade and on the results of the High-Level Meeting on the Operationalization of the LDC Services Waiver on 5 February and of the Dedicated Discussion on the Work Programme on E-Commerce on 16 February. On Trade Facilitation, the Preparatory Committee continued to receive Category A notifications and since the adoption of the Protocol, three Members had deposited their instrument of acceptance following ratification of the TFA at national level. The full statement can be found in JOB/GC/75.

3. Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement: Update on Status — Statement by the Director-General

The Director-General urged Members who had not yet accepted the amendment to do so. Twenty-seven more acceptances were needed for the amendment to come into force. He had written to Ministers of all relevant countries who had not yet taken that step to urge them to formally accept the TRIPS amendment, and he hoped the delegations would make a follow up. The Dominican Republic (IGDC), Canada and the United States spoke.

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

The Chairman, on behalf of the CTD Chair, reported that the Secretariat was currently carrying out the research on small economies and global value chains with the hope that it would be finished in a few months' time. Guatemala (SVEs) and the European Union spoke.

5. Review of the Exemption Provided under Paragraph 3 of the GATT 1994 (WT/L/948)

In line with the procedure agreed by the Council in 2002, statements made at GC meetings in 2015, questions posed to the United States and related replies would form the basis of this year's review, together with the annual report provided by the US (WT/L/948). The General Council will take up the matter again at its December meeting. A number of delegations expressed concerns about the exemption and called for a meaningful review which should consider if the conditions for the exemption still prevailed. The United States stood ready to answer Members' questions on the matter.

6. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement

a. Jordan — Request for a Waiver relating to the Transitional Period for the Elimination of the Export Subsidy Program for Jordan (G/C/W/705) — Statement by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods

The Chairman of the Goods Council, in accordance with Article IX:3 of the WTO Agreement, reported that the Council for Trade in Goods had not completed the consideration of Jordan's request for a waiver relating to the Transitional Period for the Elimination of the Export Subsidy Program for Jordan. The General Council agreed to allow the Goods Council to continue to consider Jordan's request.

7. WTO Young Professionals Programme — Statement by the Director-General

The Director-General introduced the proposal for a WTO Young Professionals Programme in the WTO. The objective of the Programme was to enhance the knowledge and skills of young professionals from eligible participating Members on WTO issues.

8. Improving the Guidelines for Granting Intergovernmental Organizations Permanent Observer Status in the WTO — Statement by the Chairman

The Chairman urged continued engagement from all sides to address this issue in a constructive manner and with a solution-finding spirit — particularly looking ahead at MC10. He said he would brief his successor so that he could consider how to address the matter. Saudi Arabia (Arab Group) and the Russian Federation spoke.

9. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration — Report on Meetings of February 2015 (WT/BFA/147)

The General Council adopted the Report of the Budget Committee in WT/BFA/147 and approved the specific recommendations contained therein.

10. Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies

In line with the Guidelines for Appointment of Officers WT/L/510), the General Council took note of the consensus on the slate of names for chairpersons to WTO bodies, as per Annex I. In relation to the Preparatory Committee on Trade Facilitation, the General Council agreed on having its current Chairperson, Ambassador Esteban Conejos (Philippines), continue to Chair the PCTF. Two delegations intervened.

11. Election of Chairperson

The Council elected by acclamation Amb. Fernando de Mateo (Mexico) as Chair for 2015. Tanzania spoke.

Under “Other Business”, the Director-General made a statement on plans for an Open Day titled “Merci Genève” and the Chairman made an announcement regarding Members and Observers in arrears.