Resumen de la reunión del Consejo General, 8 de octubre de 2015

1. Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee

The Director-General said that Members had identified a road to success in Nairobi. But given the limited time, Members needed to present textual proposals in the negotiating groups and intensify the pace of work. Negotiations on substantive deliverables for MC10 and discussions on post-Nairobi should move in parallel. His full statement can be found in JOB/GC/83. Forty-two delegations intervened.

2. Implementation of the Bali Outcomes – Statement by the Chairman

The Chairman reported on the work taking place in WTO regular bodies to fulfil the Bali Ministerial mandates. His full statement can be found in JOB/GC/84. Three delegations intervened.

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

Under this standing item, the Chair of the CTD reported that the Secretariat prepared a background analysis on the challenges and opportunities experienced by small economies when linking into global value chains in document WT/COMTD/SE/W/31. Guatemala (SVEs) and Dominica (OECS) intervened.

4. Tenth Session of the Ministerial Conference

The Chairman reported on his consultations on the issue of attendance of observers from International Intergovernmental Organizations. He also drew attention to the request of Palestine for Observer status at MC10, circulated in document WT/L/960. He said he would undertake consultations on those matters and revert to them during the next General Council meeting. Saudi Arabia (Arab Group) intervened.

5. Fostering Participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Regional and Global Markets — Communication from the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Lao PDR

The Philippines drew attention to its proposal on MSMEs, co-sponsored by Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Lao PDR, in documents WT/GC/W/702 and Add.1 calling for the inclusion in the outcome documents of MC10 in Nairobi of a statement on Fostering the Participation of MSMEs in Regional and Global Markets. Sixteen delegations intervened.

6. 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/150.

7. WTO Pension Plan

The General Council elected Ms Eunice Huang (Singapore) as a new Alternate of the WTO Pension Plan Management Board.

Under Other Business, the Chairman announced that there was consensus to appoint Ambassador Syed Tauqir Shah (Pakistan) as the new CTE-SS Chairperson, and made a statement regarding Members and Observers in arrears.