Summary of General Council meeting of 5 May 2015

1. Launch of the logo of the Tenth Session of the Ministerial Conference — Statement by the Director-General

The Director-General launched the official logo for the Tenth Ministerial Conference.

2. Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee

The Director-General highlighted the conclusions he had drawn from the TNC meeting the previous week, and his consultations with members. He stated that a lot of good work had been done, but there remained “gateway” issues that needed to be tackled. He stated that engagement remained high between members and highlighted criteria which in his view the work programme must fulfil. That is: (i) it must be substantive and meaningful, (ii) it must provide clear guidance on how to conclude the negotiations, and (iii) it must be a springboard to a successful MC10.

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

The Chairman reported on where things stood on the regular work concerning all five Bali Decisions and the Bali Package. Particularly, on Aid for Trade, he reported progress in the preparation for the Fifth Global Review of Aid for Trade to be held on 30 June to 2 July. In relation to the Bali Package, he updated the Council on the progress on tariff rate quota (TRQ) administration and export competition; on recent work on the Decision on duty free quota free (DFQF) market access for least developed countries (LDCs); on work in relation to Preferential Rules of Origin for LDCs; on recent activity regarding the LDC Services Waiver; and on the Monitoring Mechanism on Special and Differential Treatment. The Chairman also reported on the progress made in relation to the Category A notifications as well as ratifications of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.

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

The Chairman of the General Council read a report on behalf of the Chair of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD). The Chair reported on: (i) the Secretariat’s finished background paper on the “Challenges and Opportunities Experienced by Small Economies when Linking into Global Value Chains in Trade in Goods and Services” (WT/COMTD/SE/W/31) and (ii) the next dedicated session which is scheduled for June 2015.

5. Tenth Session of the Ministerial Conference

1. Election of officers — The General Council agreed that Ms Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, would be the Chair of the Ministerial Conference. The full slate of names of officers for MC10, including the three vice-chairs, will be agreed at the July General Council meeting.
   
   
2. Attendance of observers from governments and international intergovernmental organizations — The Council agreed to repeat past practice with respect to the attendance of observer governments. The Chairman will continue his consultations on the attendance of IGOs.
   
   
3. Attendance of non-governmental organizations — the Council agreed to repeat past practice with respect to the attendance of non-governmental organizations.
   
   
4. Progress report on logistical preparations — Statement by the Chairman of the MC10 Task Force — the Chairman of the MC10 task force reported on the progress on the logistical preparation for MC10. He also highlighted the need to contribute to the special Trust Fund for LDC participation at MC10, which was also echoed by the Director-General.

6. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement

The General Council adopted the draft decision on the United States — Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA as amended) contained in G/C/W/708.  The Decision has been circulated in WT/L/950. 

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

The General Council Chairman informed the Council he would continue seeking delegations’ views on this issue and report to the Council as appropriate.

8. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration — Report on Meeting of March 2015 (WT/BFA/148)

The General Council adopted the Report of the Budget Committee in WT/BFA/148.

9. WTO Pension Plan Management Board — Election of the Chairman — Proposal by the Chairman of the General Council (WT/GC/W697)

The General Council elected Mr Johannes Rühl (Switzerland) to serve as the new Chairman of the Board for the remainder of its three year term, i.e. until May 2017.

Under “Other Business” Morocco reported on the Marrakesh meeting in April on the WTO 20th Anniversary. The Chairman made two statements: firstly, in light of the departure of current CTD Chairman Amb. Bassirou SENE (Senegal) from Geneva, he informed members that he would undertake consultations on the appointment of a new Chair of the CTD, alongside consultations for the Chair of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) as agreed in February; secondly, in relation to administrative measures for members in arrears.