Thank you Mr Chairman.

Good morning everyone.

As you know, we are here to take stock of the major developments in the international trading system since we last met, in December last year.

Speaking of major developments, in recent days we have had a major breakthrough with a potential agreement on the expansion of the ITA. We'll know more about this tomorrow. And we hope to have further good news in other areas of our negotiating work this year. Unfortunately, however, these more recent elements are not part of our conversation here today. And the news I have to give is rather more mixed.

You have seen my report on trade-related developments, which was circulated to members on 3 July this year.

This report covers the period from mid-October 2014 to mid-May 2015. It was issued under my responsibility and provides an assessment of the main trends in terms of trade measures implemented over this period.

As you know, this is only the half-time analysis. This is a mid-year precursor to my annual report on this subject. But I think this occasion is important for two reasons.

First, it allows us to look back at issues that have emerged, and take stock of their significance.

Second, in the run-up to our annual evaluation, it sheds light and offers food for thought on what next steps are available for members.

I will shortly outline the key findings of the report. But first, I would like to provide you with a brief background on the process of preparing this document.

I do this because, in my view, transparency is a cornerstone of our work. So exactly how we go about seeking that transparency is extremely important.

The information in this report has been collected from inputs submitted by members and observers, as well as from other official and public sources. 

And during this process, concerned members have had the chance to verify the country-specific information compiled.

I would like to thank the delegations that have participated in this exercise by providing relevant information on time and by ensuring the subsequent verification of reported measures. 

67 members replied to my initial request for information, which comprises 42% of the membership.

This represents an increase of almost 14% compared to the November 2014 annual report.

This upturn in participation, as well as the involvement of several newcomers to this monitoring exercise, is very welcome.

However, it is regrettable that the overall participation of members remains low. This is most accentuated in some regions, especially in Africa.

Transparency is vital – but it takes commitment.

The Secretariat will continue to build on its outreach programme with regional groups to try to increase members' understanding of this exercise, as well as their participation.

Now let me turn to the substance of the report – and the broader context.

Trends in world trade and output remain mixed.

As you know, our economists have revised their forecasts for world trade growth to 3.3% in 2015 and to 4.0% in 2016.

This is due to a mix of factors such as sluggish economic growth, plunging oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions.  

The forecasts point to a moderate but continued expansion of trade in the months ahead. Yet, downside risks continue to cast shadows over this outlook.

The report before you shows that 104 new trade-restrictive measures, excluding trade remedy measures, were put in place in the reporting period. This amounts to an average of around 15 new measures per month.

While this monthly rate has remained relatively stable since 2012, it is also true that out of the 2,416 measures recorded since October 2008 less than 25% have been removed.

This slow removal rate means that the stock of restrictive measures introduced since we started this exercise now totals 1,828. This represents an increase of 12% compared to the last report.

This calls for continued vigilance from us all.

More encouragingly, the report shows that members have adopted more trade-liberalizing measures than trade-restrictive measures since the end of 2013, excluding trade remedy actions.

During the period under review, 114 new trade-liberalizing measures have been implemented. Yet this should not detract us from the overall picture of a persistent and significant stock of trade-restrictive measures.

Looking at other findings of the report, it points to a slight deceleration in the number of anti-dumping investigations initiated. Similarly, it suggests a decline in the number of countervailing and safeguard investigations that have been initiated.

In the area of services, we have noted a number of important policy developments in the insurance and pension sectors, as well as on the rules regulating foreign investment in a broad range of services sectors. The audio-visual, information technology and financial services sectors saw a number of noteworthy reforms over the past six months as well.

The report also shows that members introduced a host of new general economic support measures. A variety of financial aid schemes identified appear to encourage or boost exports, while others identify conservation and the environment as their overall objectives. In addition, a significant number of programmes which seek to eliminate or reduce subsidy schemes for gasoline and other fuels have been identified.

From a systemic point of view, I think it is important to underline the developments that took place in the WTO's TBT and SPS committees.

The SPS Committee witnessed a significant growth in notifications from developing countries. In the reviewed period, 814 SPS notifications were submitted to the WTO. Notifications from developing-country members accounted for 79% of the total number. This is the highest number of notifications to date.

In the TBT Committee there has also been a significant increase in the number of new specific trade concerns raised.

I'm sure that members will want to monitor these developments very closely.

I think this highlights the unique role of the WTO in encouraging and maintaining transparency across the board – offering everybody the opportunity to voice their concerns, and to respond to the concerns of others.

The multilateral trading system continues to act as a bulwark against protectionism, supported by exercises like this. 

Therefore, the effort and commitment of members is vital.

So let me thank again those delegations which continue to actively participate in this endeavour. And at the same time urge others to assist us in continuing to make this a factual and credible exercise in transparency.

WTO members – individually and collectively – must show leadership and reinforced determination towards eliminating existing trade restrictions and refrain from implementing new ones.

As we prepare for the 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi, we should keep in mind the role of the multilateral trading system in providing a stable, predictable and transparent trading environment.

We should seek to make decisive progress in eliminating remaining trade-restrictive measures, while also delivering new negotiated outcomes.

I look forward to hearing your views and assessments and wish a productive meeting to all. 

Thank you.