Summary of General Council meeting of 27 July 2015

1. Accession of the Republic of Kazakhstan — Report of the Working Party

The General Council approved the Protocol of Accession of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and adopted the draft Decision on the Accession of Kazakhstan and the report of the Working Party contained in WT/ACC/KAZ/93 and Addenda 1 and 2. H.E. President Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, highlighted the positive changes in the configuration of its economy during its accession process. More than forty delegations welcomed the accession of Kazakhstan and commended its dedication and efforts in its accession process.

2. Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee

The Director-General noted that progress had remained limited. He encouraged Members to come forward with new ideas and proposals to help build consensus. He would convene a Formal TNC meeting on 31 July where he would provide a more detailed assessment of the current situation. His full statement can be found in JOB/GC/81. Minister Mohamed (Kenya), Chairperson of the Tenth Ministerial Conference, said that the first WTO Ministerial Conference in Africa should not be allowed to fail and that outcomes had to be not only realistic but meaningful as well. Six delegations took the floor.

3. Aid for Trade — Report by the Director-General on the Fifth Global Review

In his report on the Fifth Global Review on Aid for Trade, the Director-General noted that the Review was a success. He pointed out that the Aid for Trade initiative was already having a tangible effect on trade costs and connectivity and that the implementation of the Bali Package promised further substantive and measurable impacts in this area. In the discussion that followed, delegations stressed the importance of reducing trade costs and pledged their continued support to the Aid for Trade initiative.

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

The Chairman reported that MC10 recommendations on TRIPS non-violation and situation complaints were being prepared. The second dedicated discussion on Export Competition was held on 9 June. Members had begun reporting fill rate information in their notifications. A dedicated discussion had been proposed on DFQF market access for LDCs. The CTS received nine notifications of preferences in relation to the LDC Services Waiver. An informal dedicated session was convened on Preferential Rules of Origin on 23-24 July. Eight Members ratified the TFA. Seven delegations took the floor. His full statement can be found in JOB/GC/82. 

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

The CTD Chairperson reported that the Secretariat prepared a background analysis on the challenges and opportunities experienced by small economies when linking into global value chains in trade in goods and services in document WT/COMTD/SE/W/31. This report and its findings had been taken up by Members on a dedicated discussion on 5 June. The SVEs began the process of identifying the topics from the report they would like to explore in further detail. Guatemala (SVEs Group) intervened.

6. Work Programme on Electronic Commerce — Review of Progress (S/C/47, G/C/56)

Amb. Suescum (Panama), as the Friend of the Chair, provided an overview of the work taking place on the work programme on e-commerce. His report can be found in document WT/GC/W/701. The Chairman also drew attention to the reports on the work programme on e-commerce submitted by the Chairs of the Council for Trade in Services (S/C/47) and the Goods Council (G/C/56). Five delegations spoke.

7. Tenth Session of the Ministerial Conference

a. Election of officers — The General Council elected H.E. Heraldo Muñoz, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Chile); H.E. Gregory L. Domingo, Secretary of Trade and Industry (Philippines); and, H.E. Carlo Calenda, Member of Italian Cabinet of Ministers, in charge of Trade and Investment (Italy), to be the Vice Chairs for MC10.

b. Attendance of observers from international intergovernmental organizations — The Chairman said he would continue his consultations in various configurations on this matter after the summer break. He called on delegations to work together with a constructive spirit to address this matter. Saudi Arabia (Arab Group) intervened.

8. Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions — Consultations with Ukraine

Following the report by the Chairman of the BOP Committee on its Consultations with Ukraine, the General Council adopted the report in WT/BOP/R/110.

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

The Chairman said he intended to continue consultations with Members on this matter and report back to the General Council as appropriate. Saudi Arabia (Arab Group) intervened.

10. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement

The General Council adopted the draft Decision on Canada — Extension of the Waiver for the Caribbean Initiative contained in document G/C/W/710. Canada, Jamaica and Grenada (OECS) intervened. The General Council also conducted the review of  five multi-year waivers. The United States spoke.

11. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration — Report on meetings of June 2015

The General Council adopted the Report of the Budget Committee in WT/BFA/149 and approved the specific recommendations in paragraphs 1.2 and 8.8 of the report.

12.  WTO Pension Plan

The General Council took note of the report of the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan for 2014 (WT/L/952) and the Report of the Independent External Auditor on the Audit of the Financial Statements of the WTOPP (WT/L/953 and WT/L/953/Corr.1). The Council also elected Ms Junko Ueno (Japan) and Mr Andrew Staines (United Kingdom) as new alternates on the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan until the remainder of the terms of their respective predecessors, as per Chairman's proposal in WT/GC/W/699.

Under “Other Business”, the Philippines made a statement on Fostering Participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Global Markets circulated in document JOB/GC/80. Singapore (ASEAN) and Grenada (OECS) supported the initiative. The European Union announced the successful conclusion of the negotiations on ITA Expansion. The Director-General also expressed his satisfaction. Barbados raised the issue of Statements damaging to the reputation of several International Financial Centres in Small Developing Countries contrary to the assessment of the responsible authorities. Jamaica, Panama, Vanuatu and the European Union spoke. The Chairman made a statement on the Chairmanship of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session and on Administrative Measures for Members in arrears.