Proposed Agenda

1. Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee

The Director-General will report, in his capacity as Chairman of the TNC, on activities in this area since his last report to the Council.

2. Aid for Trade — Report by the Director-General on the Fourth Global Review

The Director-General will report on the Fourth Global Review on Aid for Trade, which was held on 8-10 July at the WTO.

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

Under this standing Item, the Chairperson of the Dedicated Session of the CTD will report on the progress of work in the Work Programme on Small Economies.

4. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration

(a) Reports on meetings of May and July 2013

The Chairman of the Budget Committee will introduce the Committee's report on its meeting in May and July 2013 (WT/BFA/137 and 138), and seek the Council's approval of the specific recommendations contained therein.

(b) Management of the WTO Secretariat 2005-2013 — Statement by the Director-General

The Director-General will make a statement regarding the management of the WTO Secretariat in 2005-2013 (WT/BFA/W/305).

5. WTO Work Programme for the Least-developed countries — Report by the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on LDCs

The Chairman of the Sub-Committee on LDCs will report on the revised work programme for LDCs adopted by the Sub-Committee, contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/11/Rev.1.

6. Work programme on electronic commerce — review of progress

In line with the Decision on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (WT/L/843) adopted by Ministers at the Eighth Session of the Ministerial Conference, the General Council will hold a review of the progress on the work programme.

7. Ninth Session of the Ministerial Conference

Under this agenda item, the General Council will consider some administrative matters for MC9, namely:

(a) Election of Officers

(b) Attendance of Observers from International Intergovernmental Organizations

(i) Request from the League of Arab States

(c) Request for Observer Status by Palestine to the Ninth Session of the Ministerial Conference (WT/L/884)

(d)Statement by the Chairman

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

Under this Agenda Item, the Chairman will update the Council on his consultations on this matter.

9. Derestriction of some GATT 1947 Historical Bilateral Negotiating Documentation — Draft Decision

The Council is expected to adopt the draft Decision in G/MA/W/111/REV.1, which has been forwarded to it by the Committee on Market Access through the Council for Trade in Goods.

10. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement

In accordance with paragraph 4 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement, “any waiver granted for a period of more than one year shall be reviewed by the Ministerial Conference not later than one year after it is granted, and thereafter annually until the waiver terminates.” 

There are eight waivers before the General Council for review (for the full list, see WT/GC/W/671).

11. WTO Pension Plan Management Board

The General Council will consider the report of the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan contained in document WT/L/886. The Council will also be invited to elect a new Chairman to Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan until the end of its term, as per Chairman's proposal in WT/GC/W/670.