INF/IFD/R/6  
 
11 October 2019  
(19-6628) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
 
 
WTO STRUCTURED DISCU SSIONS ON INVESTMENT  FACILITATION FOR DE VELOPMENT  
MEETING OF 23 SEPTEMBER 2019 
ORGANISATIONAL MEETI NG 
Summary of discussions by the Coordinator1 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  An open -ended organizational meeting on the next phase of the Structured Discussions on 
Investment Facilitation for Development was held on 23 September 2019, coordinated by H.E. Mr.  
Eduardo Gálvez (C hile). As indicated in the annotated agenda circulated by the Coordinator to all 
Members on 16 September 2019 ,2 the main objective of the meeting was two -fold:  
• To discuss  and agree  on the organization of work , and exchange views on  the objectives  for the 
second part of 2019 with a view to launch ing the next phase of the Structured D iscussions in a 
transparent  and efficient manner ; and   
• For the Coordinator to  introduce , and participating Members to share initial/ preliminary views 
on the working document  circulated by the Coordinator to all Members on 24 July 2019 .3  
1.2.  The meeting was well attended  with many Members represented at ambassadorial level  and/or 
by capital -based representatives. At the onset of the meeting, the representatives of the Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia and Turkey announced the ir decision to formally join the Joint Statement Initiative 
on Investment Facilitation for Development  and their readiness to work to achieve a meaningful 
outcome for MC12 . Many participating Members expressed their appreciation  and welcomed them  
to the pr ocess .  
2  ORGANIZATION OF WORK  AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE PERIOD SEPTEMBER  – DECEMBER 
2019  
2.1.  The Coordinator shared his views with Members regarding  the proposed organization of work 
(methodology and schedule of meetings) and objectives for the remainder of the year – as outlined 
in the Annotated Agenda and its Annex , as well as in the schedule of meetings  proposed by the 
Coordinator .4  
2.2.  Based on the statements made by Members at the July  'stock -taking and next steps ' meeting 
as well as the  extensive bilateral consultations held in September , the Coordinator perceived that 
the initiative was ready to shift up  another  gear and  enter a more result -oriented phase  in pursu ing 
the development of the elements of a multilateral framework on investm ent facilitation for 
development. B uilding  on his consultations , the Coordinator  proposed that  work bec ome more 
concrete and focused  – using the July 2019 working document as a starting point .  The Coordinator 
also reported that  he had gather ed that there was an expectation among participa ting Members  that 
the initiative should lead to a meaningful outcome for MC12 . The Coordinator underlined that any 
such meaningful outcome  would require  intensified engagement on the substance by a broad range 
                                                
1 This summary, prepared and circulated under the Coordinator's responsibility, is being shared with a 
view to providing delegations with a record of the discussions and assisting them in reporting back to their 
capitals. It provides a non -exhaustive, illust rative review of the issues addressed by Members at the me eting. 
2 Document INF/IFD/W/7 dated 16 September.  
3 Document INF/IFD/RD/39 . 
4 Document INF/IFD/W/ 7 including its Annex on a "P roposed working methodology  September – 
December 2019" , and document INF/IFD/ W/8 respectively.   INF/IFD/R/ 6 
 
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  of Members , as well as  continuous outreach  – notably to developing and least-developed country 
Members .  
2.3.  All participating Members supported  moving to the next phase of work, which would be 
organized in a series of thematic  discussions based on the working  document. They endorsed both 
the schedule of meetings  with the main themes/issues for discussion at each meeting, and the 
working methodology proposed by the Coordinator . Participating Members viewed the working 
document  as a sound basis and good starting  point for more focused, in -depth discussions on the 
substance  in the coming months .  
2.4.  A key group of proponents stated their satisfaction with the significant progress made by the 
Structured Discussion s so far, and strongly support ed the 'work plan ' proposed  by the Coordinator  
– which encompass ed the working methodology , the use of the working document as a basis for 
more in -depth and focused discussions , as well as the  schedule of meetings . The group of proponents 
expressed its support for the workin g document, which they viewed  as reflecting the areas of interest 
and potential convergence amongst participating Members and as a sound basis for th e new stage  
of the discussion s. The group  stood ready to provide concrete  positions on the different issues, either 
individually or as a group , as well as  additional text  contributions when needed, with a view to 
achieving a concrete  outcome at MC12 . In this context, they  reaffirmed the importance of keeping 
the discussions open, transpar ent and inclusive , with development at their centre . The group of 
proponents  stated their determination to continu e their outreach efforts, in particular to wards  
developing and least -developed Members.  
2.5.  A member of the group of proponents informed delegati ons about the Informal WTO Mini-
Ministerial Meeting to be held on November  5th in Shanghai , which will provide an opportunity  to 
provide an important political push for the initiative  and put investment facilitation  for development 
on the agenda of participating ministers .  
2.6.  Another member of the  proponents'  group emphasized the value of a common set of 
multilateral principles and approaches to investment facilitation in order to ensure more consistent 
standards  worldwide . Anchoring i nvestment facilitation reforms in a shared multilateral framework 
would not only highlight countries' commitment to facilitating investment, but also help prevent 
possible future policy setbacks, sending a powerful signal to investors . 
2.7.  Several delegations stressed the importan ce of participating Members actively using the 
discussions in the months ahead to exchange more detailed  substanti ve views , and to assess the 
implications  of the elements  contained in the working document . The importance of the upcoming 
meetings in allowing to shift the focus of the discussions from taking inspiration from existing 
agreements , through the examples , towards reflecting on what should be part of a future framework 
on investment facilitation  – and what should not be  – was stressed . Some delegations emphasized 
the importance for the discussions to follow their n atural pace. This new p hase was seen by several 
delegations  as an important step to lay the ground for producing a more streamlined document , 
which  could pave the way for proposal -based discussions /negotiations  thereafter .  
2.8.   Participating Members supported that a short non -attribut able informal summar y and 
assessment  by the Coordinator be prepared and circulated to all Members after each meeting .5  Both 
documents would be without prejudice to Members' positions and views. A Member suggested that 
the assessment by the Coordinator pointed out key issues for Members as well as the linkages  
between  the different issues under discussion .  
2.9.  Participating Members welcomed and supported t he continued participation of experts from 
international organisations as observers in th e new phase  of the discussions . As had been the case 
in the past, it was deemed useful that t hese experts  could contribute their expertise and views to 
the discussions  upon request of Members . 
2.10.   The Coordinator  concluded by  welcom ing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkey as active 
new members of the joint initiative. He noted that a ll participating Members supported the proposed 
working methodology and schedule of meetings .6 He noted a broad support for the landmark 
                                                
5 See paragraph 5 of the Annex of the Annotated Agenda (document INF/IFD/W/7) entitled "Proposed 
Working Methodology September – December 2019".  
6 As laid out  in documents INF/IFD/W/7 an d W/8 respectively . INF/IFD/R/ 6 
 
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  objective of achieving a meaningful outcome for MC12 , as well as  a high level of commitment and 
engagement towards that end. He took note that, in order t o make sound progress, the discussions 
should be allowed to advance at their natural pace. He expressed his hope  that the  discussions on 
the basis of the working document  could  lead to a more streamlined text , which  could be a good 
basis for negotiations in 2020 . He encouraged Members to actively participate in the forthcoming 
structured discussions and provide their clear and concrete views , positions  and text contributions.   
He also underscored the need for continue d outreach to other Members. The Ministerial meeting in 
Shanghai in early November, as well as the Davos meeting in January next year, appear ed as 
important landmarks , on which the initiative could capitalize  in the lead-up to MC12.  
3  PRESENTATION/INTRODU CTION OF THE WORKING DO CUMENT  
3.1.  The Coordinator provided an overview of  the working document , including  the basic guidelines  
and criteria  used to prepare it , which are explained in the cover note  of the document . The 
Coordinator  underlined that, at the upcoming  three substantive meetings, Members would have 
ample  opportunities to  provide their general  and detailed  views on the document  as well as  to raise 
any questions  they wished .  
3.2.  The Coordinator explained that the working document  aimed at assisting Members  in further 
develop ing the elements of a multilateral framework on investment facilitation for development . It 
was a tool intended to facilitate more focused  and substantive  – while at the same time transparent 
and inclusive  – discussio ns among Members . As clearly stated in its cover note , its structure, content 
and wording d o not in any way prejudge the position or views of any Member on any of the element 
or issues under discussion . Following the guidance provided by Members at the Jul y 'stocktaking and 
next steps' meeting, th e working document focuse d on the areas of common interest  emerging from 
the example -based discussions held over the period from January  to June 2019. The document 
aimed at helping Members to identify the areas of convergence a s well as  those where further 
discussions/work  were needed . 
3.3.  All participating Members welcomed and supported the working document , including the clear 
description of the criteria on which it was based,  and accepted it as a basis for the new phase of the 
Structured Discussions .  
3.4.  Some delegations indicated that their capital w as still studying the working document . A 
delegation pointed out the importan ce of keeping all the ideas and suggestions of Members contained 
in the 'Compendium of  text-based examples '7 in the upcoming phase.  Another  Member announced 
that it would submit additional text  contributions complementing the working document  – as well as 
amendment  and editorial suggestions  to its existing language. Participating Members looked forward 
to having constructive and in -depth discussions in th e forthcoming  substantive meetings in this 
important phase . 
4  OTHER BUSINESS  
4.1.  No issue was raised under this agenda item.  
5  NEXT MEETING  
5.1.  The Coordinator informed all part icipating Members that the next, substantive meeting would 
be held on 17 and 18 October 2019.  It would focus on the transparency and predictability of 
investment measures  (section II of the working document) , as well as on c ontact/focal 
point/Ombudsperson -types of mechanisms, arrangements to enhance domestic coordination and 
cross-border cooperation  on investment facilitation  (section IV) . 
5.2.  The Coordinator invited all Members to provide their clear and concrete views, positions and 
text contributions on the working document – kindly remin ding them to send their text contributions 
if possible 10 calendar days in advance of each meeting .  
_________ __ 
                                                
7 The latest version of the Compendium is contained in document INF/IFD/RD/5/Rev.3.