Summary of General Council meeting of 24 February 2016

Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee

The Director-General referred to the MC10 process and said that, as he had also noted at the 10 February HoDs meeting, Members needed to improve the way they worked in Geneva by having closer contacts with capitals and engaging Ministers more throughout the process. Follow-up actions on the Nairobi Declaration and Decisions also demanded Members’ attention. Absence of a common view on how to deal with DDA and non-DDA issues remained. Different views had been expressed on the way forward. He thus encouraged Members to talk to each other and share their views about their next steps in light of the Nairobi outcomes. Twenty-two delegations intervened.

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

The GC Chairman provided an overview of the mandates of the relevant Bali and Nairobi Decisions. His full statement can be found in JOB/GC/90. Sierra Leone intervened regarding EIF Phase II.

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

The CTD Chairperson referred to the Nairobi Decision on the Work Programme on Small Economies and its mandate and said that the CTD-DS would focus on the challenges small economies faced in the textiles and apparel sector, and in reducing trade costs, particularly in the area of trade facilitation, and on small economies’ participation in services value chains. Guatemala (SVEs) and the United States intervened.

4. Aid for Trade Work Programme 2016-2017 — Statement by the Chairman on Trade and Development

The CTD Chairperson introduced the Aid-for-Trade Work Programme for 2016-2017 in document WT/COMTD/AFT/W/60 with the organizing theme of “Promoting Connectivity”. The work programme would further deepen analysis of the supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastructure constraints faced by developing countries. The United States spoke.

5. Trade Restrictions by the Russian Federation — Communication from Ukraine

Ukraine made a statement on the Trade Restrictions by the Russian Federation following its communication to the Goods Council in document G/C/W/720. The Russian Federation and four other delegations intervened.

6. Fostering Participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Regional and Global Markets — Statement by the Philippines

The Philippines presented its road map for 2016 to address the matter of Fostering Participation of MSMEs in regional and global markets. Twenty delegations intervened.

7. 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. Six delegations intervened.

8. Election of Chairperson

The Council elected by acclamation Ambassador Harald Neple (Norway) as Chair for 2016. Tanzania, Lesotho and Kenya intervened.

Under “Other Business”, the Russian Federation made a statement on Ukraine’s prohibition of transportation of transit goods by Russian road transport. Ukraine intervened. The Chairman also made an announcement regarding Members and Observers in arrears.

 

ANNEX I — APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES

Regular Bodies

Negotiating Group