WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
28 May 2003
(03-2852)
Second LDC Trade Ministers' Meeting
Dhaka, Bangladesh31 May to 2 June 2003
THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA AND THE PARTICIPATION OF
LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
Note by the Secretariat
I. INTRODUCTION
1. The Second Trade Ministers Meeting of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is scheduled
to take place in Dhaka on 2 June 2003.  The Ministerial meeting is to be preceded by a Senior
Officials meeting from 31 May to 1 June 2003.  This Ministerial Meeting will enable the LDCs toidentify and review issues of common interest within the context of the Doha Development Agenda,
and to develop a common position for the 5
th WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Cancún in
September 2003.
2. This note provides an overview of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations and work
programme, as well as an update on LDC specific developments since the 4th WTO Ministerial
Conference held in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001.
II. OVERVIEW OF THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA NEGOTIATIONS AND
WORK PROGRAMME
3. The Least Developed Countries' participation in the work of the WTO and in the negotiations
has increased significantly since the establishment of the WTO Least Developed CountriesConsultative Group (LDC Consultative Group).   The LDC Consultative Group provides the forum
within which LDCs consult, coordinate and formulate common positions with regard to the
negotiations.
4. This section provides an overview of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations and
Work Programme, as mandated by the Doha Minister ial Declaration, in Agriculture; Services; Non-
Agricultural Market Access; Rules; Special and Differential Treatment; Trade-Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS); Trade and Environment; Dispute Settlement Understanding(DSU); Implementation Issues; and, Singapore Issues.
A. AGRICULTURE
5. Members have not been able to establish modalities for the further commitments, including
provisions on special and differential treatment, by 31 March 2003 as mandated by Ministers at Doha.
The discussions in the run-up to 31 March 2003 which took place on the basis of the revision of theFirst Draft Modalities for Further Commitments (TN/AG/W/1/Rev.1) confirmed the differences
amongst members on key issues.
6. While some progress was made on some issues (mainly rules-related elements), it was not
possible to advance discussions on core issues such as modalities for tariff reduction, tariff quota
expansion, and the phasing out of export subsidies and reductions in trade-distorting domesticsupport.  However, at the conclusion of the end-March 2003 Special Session participants committed
to continue working towards establishing modalities as soon as possible.  The next Special Sessions
are scheduled for end-June and mid-July 2003.  In the meantime, work on various elements willWT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 2
continue through a series of technical consultations as agreed by Members at the Special Session on
31 March and the Trade Negotiation Committee (TNC) on 4 April 2003.
7. Although the LDCs as a group have not made proposals to the Special Session of the
Committee on Agriculture, a number of issues are of particular interest to LDCs.  These include
increased market access for LDCs' agricultural pr oducts; enhanced flexibility in the Agreement on
Agriculture to ensure food security; the phasing out of export subsidies and substantial reduction of
domestic support in developed countries; and, a more effective implementation of the Marrakesh
Decision on Measures Concerning Possible Negative  Effect of the Reform Programme on LDCs and
Net Food Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs).
B. SERVICES
8. The services negotiations are continuing in a satisfactory manner.  The negotiating guidelines
which had been adopted in March 2001 and the agreement by Ministers in Doha on benchmarks forrequests and offers (30 June 2002 and 31 March 2003 respectively) provide a solid basis for the
negotiating process.  The adoption of the Modalities for the Treatment of Autonomous Liberalisation
has been a very welcome development and should facilitate the next phase of the services
negotiations.  Work on finalising the Modalities for the Special Treatment for LDCs is also ongoing.
9. So far 25 Members have submitted their initial offers.  Several other Members have indicated
that their offers are under preparation and will be submitted shortly.  Some have indicated that they
might need more time to finalise consultations at the national level with different constituencies and
stakeholders.  It is expected that these offers, as well as others which may be submitted in the interim,
will provide a basis for an active start of the next phase in the bilateral negotiations in which
improvements will be sought.
10. There has been limited progress in the rule making items of the services negotiations namely
Domestic Regulation, Safeguards, Subsidies and Government Procurement.  Of these, negotiations on
Safeguards are to be completed by 15 March 2004 and it is foreseen that the Fifth Ministerial in
Cancún will be used as an opportunity to report on progress made.
11. Proposals on Modalities for the Special Treatment for LDCs were submitted by the LDC
Group in December 2002 (JOB(02)/205) and subsequently revised in May 2003 and contained in
TN/S/W/13.  The main elements of the proposal include, inter alia :  the need for members to present
requests which are compatible with the developmental, economic and financial needs of the LDCs;
the need for LDCs to retain maximum flexibility in undertaking commitments in a manner consistent
with their development needs; the need for Members to provide full market access and national
treatment to LDCs in the sectors and modes of supply of export interest to them; the need for
Members to promote and strengthen their investme nt and export/import promotion programmes for
LDCs with the view to building domestic services capacity and its efficiency and export
competitiveness;  the need for Members to assi st LDCs in obtaining training and transfer of
technology, the need for Members to facilitate and ensure the improvement of access to services and
service suppliers of LDC; the need for Members to undertake commitments to provide access to all
categories of natural persons from LDCs; the need to take into account, the interests and difficulties ofLDCs in developing multilateral rules and discipline s; and the need for targeted technical assistance
and capacity building.
C. M
ARKET ACCESS FOR NON AGRICULTURAL  PRODUCTS
12. The negotiations undertaken in the Negotiating Group on Market Access for Non Agricultural
Products (NGMA) are currently focused on developing modalities for tariff and non-tariffnegotiations.  A meeting of the NGMA took place from 14 to 16 April and continued to examine the
individual elements for tariff negotiation modalities and made a first substantial examination of
possible modalities for Non Tariff Barriers.  The NGMA is currently meeting (26 to 28 May 2003) toWT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 3
consider, inter alia , the Chairman's paper on Draft Elements of Modalities for Negotiations on Non-
agricultural Products (TN/MA/W/35) circulated on 15 May 2003.  The target date for modalities is
31 May 2003.
13. The LDCs as a group have submitted a proposal on the modalities that could be adopted for
the participation of LDCs in the ongoing negotiations for the improvement of market access for the
non-agricultural products (TN/MA/W/22).  The main objectives of the LDCs in participating in the
negotiations are;  to secure such improvements in the existing preferential access to the markets of
developed countries as would ensure preferential duty free and quota free access for all of their
products;  that developing countries which have adopted preferential systems for imports from LDCs
broaden their product coverage and those who have not adopted such preferential systems to do so;
and, to ensure that LDCs are not required to reduce tariffs and that they are permitted to maintain the
existing levels of protection.
D. RULES
14. The mandate calls for negotiations on rules aimed at clarifying and improving the
Anti-Dumping and Subsidies Agreement and, clarifying and improving WTO disciplines regarding
fisheries subsidies.  In its work on Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), the Negotiating Group on
Rules has focused on discussing ways of addressing identified issues of a primarily procedural nature,
under the generic label of "RTAs transparency".  The Rules Negotiating Group has been meetingregularly for more than a year and considering issues  identified in written submissions by participants.
The Group is approaching a critical mass in terms of issues identified by numerous participants and
reflecting a broad range of perspectives with respect to anti-dumping and subsidies.
15. The LDC proposals on Anti-dumping Practices and Subsidies and Countervailing Measures in
JOB(01)/152/Rev.1 (sections 6 and 8) are being addressed in the Negotiating Group on Rules inaccordance with paragraph 12 (a) of the Doha Ministerial Declaration.
E. SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT
16. In paragraph 44 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, Ministers agreed that "all special and
differential treatment provisions shall be reviewed with a view to strengthening them and making
them more precise, effective and operational".  Since Doha, developing countries and LDCs madenearly 90 Agreement-specific proposals.  These were considered in detail over the period March 2002
to February 2003 but no agreement was reached.  At its meeting of 10 February 2003, the General
Council took note of the report of the Special Session of the Committee on Trade and Development
(CTD) and of the statements made, and invited its Chairman, in coordination with the Chairman of the
CTD in Special Session, to undertake consultations on how to move the process forward.
17. In the consultations held between mid-March and the beginning of April 2003, the Chairman
of the General Council explored the possibility of a fresh approach to the work on the Agreement-specific proposals.  On the basis of the consultations the Chairman circulated an approach paper on
8 April 2003 (JOB(03)/68).  The approach is based on two fundamental premises, namely (i) a prior
understanding that all the Agreement-specific proposals remain on the table and will be addressed;
and (ii) that an informal categorization of the proposals is essential in order to address them in an
efficient manner.  He is at present carrying out further work on the basis of an informal division of allthe Agreement-specific proposals into the following three broad categories:
Category I
This category is comprised of the 12 propos als contained in Anne x III of TN/CTD/7, on
which Members have agreed in principle, and 26 other proposals on which there appears to bea greater likelihood of making recommendations , or which have a greater developmental
value.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 4
Category II
This category is comprised of 27 proposals which have been made in areas on which
mandated negotiations are ongoing, and 11 proposals the operative part of which are being
considered in the respective WTO bodies.  These 38 proposals are to be referred to otherbodies, to be dealt with as soon as possible and with a requirement to report to the last
meeting of the General Council before the Cancún Ministerial Conference, on their status and
the progress made in this regard.
Category III
Category III contains 12 proposals on which currently there appears to be a wide divergence
of views, and on which the Chairman feels that  progress may not be possible without a certain
degree of redrafting of the original text presented.
18. The LDCs have submitted proposals and participated actively in the review of special and
differential treatment provisions with a view to strengthening them and making them more precise,effective and operational (TN/CTD/W/4 & Add. 1 and a non paper dated 30 January 2003).  The
LDCs have, in their submissions, made a number of Agreement-specific proposals as well as
proposals on cross-cutting and institutional issues.
F. TRADE - RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (TRIPS)
19. With regard to the mandate of paragraph 6 of the Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health,
work is being carried out in the regular session of the TRIPS Council.  In December 2002, Members
were close to agreement on the Chairman's text of 16 December 2002.  Consultations are ongoing in
an effort to finding a solution before the next meeting of the TRIPS Council scheduled for 4 to
6 June 2003.
20. In the negotiations in the Special Session of the TRIPS Council on a multilateral system of
notification and registration of geographical indications for wines and spirits, a great deal of work has
been done over the last year to clarify the issues and the proposals on the table.  While there is some
measure of common ground on the notification phase of the procedure, there are differences on issues
of the legal effect of a registration system, of whether there is need for a multilateral opposition or
challenge procedure and of whether the notification and registration system should have effects on
non-participating Members.
21. Given that the negotiations in this area are to be completed by the Cancún Ministerial
Conference, as an "early harvest" element of the single undertaking, there is an urgent need to make
more progress.  On 16 April, the Chairman of the Special Session circulated a note containing a Draft
Text of Multilateral System of Notification and Registration of Geographical Indications for Wines
and Spirits (JOB(03)/75).  The draft text aims to facilitate the final phase of the negotiations.  The
Chairman will hold informal consultations before the next meeting which is scheduled for 2 to3 July 2003.
22. In the TRIPS area, it is important to note that there has been an "early harvest" of
decisions/measures of particular importance to LDCs.  These are;
(a) The Decision on the "Extension of the Transition Period under Article 66.1 of the
TRIPS Agreement for LDC Members for Certain Obligations with Respect toPharmaceutical Products"
1 giving effect to paragraph 7 of the Doha Declaration on
the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/2);
                                                     
1 IP/C/25 adopted by the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (Council
for TRIPS) on 27 June 2002.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 5
(b) The adoption by the General Council of a waiver2 in respect of the obligations of
LDC Members under Article 70.9 of the TRIPS Agreement until 1 January 2016.
This is a waiver concerning the obligation to provide exclusive marketing rights in
the area of pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical products;  and,
(c) The Decision on the "Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement",3
giving effect to the instructions of the Doha Ministerial Conference in paragraph 11.2
of the Decision on Implementation - Relate d Issues and Concerns (WT/MIN(01)/17)
regarding incentives to be provided by developed members to enterprises and
institutions in their territories for the purpose of promoting and encouraging
technology transfer to LDCs.
G. TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT
23. The Committee on Trade and Environment in Special Session (CTESS) has made progress in
all aspects of its mandate.  The main focus in the negotiations so far has been the relationship between
existing WTO rules and specific trade obligations set out in Multilateral Environmental Agreements
(MEAs)4.  The CTESS has now engaged in an analysis of specific trade obligations contained in
relevant MEAs, based on concrete examples from relevant MEAs.  This exercise is important in order
to assess whether such specific trade obligations have in fact raised – or may raise – difficulties in
terms of their compatibility with WTO rules.
24. On information exchange between WTO committees and MEA secretariats,5 useful
suggestions were made in the context of the MEA Information Session held in November 2002.
However, Members still need to address whether the negotiations should be limited to formalising
existing forms of cooperation, or whether new forms of collaboration should be envisaged.  On
criteria for the granting of observer status to MEAs, few proposals have been put forward so far andMembers need to continue to discuss how to fulfil this part of the mandate.
25. With respect to the negotiations on environmental goods and services,
6 which are conducted
mainly in the Negotiating Group on Market Access and in the Special Session of the Council for
Trade in Services, some discussions have taken place in the CTESS on the identification of
environmental goods, but more work remains to be done.
26. At Doha, Ministers instructed the CTE  in Regular Session to give particular attention to three
aspects of its work programme namely market access, TRIPS and labelling for environmental
purposes.7  The CTE in Regular Session is in the process of preparing its Report to Cancún on work
conducted since Doha on particular issues of its work program (paragraphs 32 and 33), as requested
by Ministers.  This Report may contain recommendations for future action, including on the
desirability of negotiations on some issues.  No proposals for such recommendations have been made
so far.
H. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT UNDERSTANDING
27.  At Doha, Ministers agreed to negotiations on improvements and clarifications of the Dispute
Settlement Understanding (DSU).8 The negotiations on dispute settlement have reached a critical
phase considering that the deadline for concluding the negotiations is 31 May 2003.  A great deal of
work has been done since the beginning of 2003.  It started with a consideration of the proposalssubmitted by participants and continued with a consideration of the draft legal texts put forward by
                                                     
2 WT/L/478 adopted by the General Council  on 8 July 2002.
3 IP/C/28 adopted by the Council for TRIPS on 19 February 2003.
4 Paragraph 31 (i) of the Doha Ministerial Declaration.
5 Paragraph 31 (ii) of the Doha Ministerial Declaration.
6 Paragraph 31 (iii) of the Doha Ministerial Declaration.
7 Paragraph 32 of the Doha Ministerial Conference.
8 Paragraph 30.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 6
participants on the basis of the proposals submitted by them.  The discussions have revealed
significant differences in the positions of participants on some of the negotiating issues reflecting their
priorities and levels of ambition.
28. The Chairman issued a Framework Document in April (JOB(03)/69; JOB(03)/69/Rev.1 and
JOB(03)/69/Rev.2) as a working document to guide discussions towards a Chairman's text.  TheFramework Document is intended to provide a basis for further discussion of proposed clarifications
or improvements to the DSU and carry the negotiating process forward.  At the meeting of
5 May 2003, the Chairman reported on his ongoing consultations with members and announced his
intention to present a Chairman's text shortly.  The Chairman's text was circulated on 16 May 2003 as
Job(03)/91.
29. The LDCs have submitted proposals in the context of the DSU negotiations (TN/DS/W/17;
TN/DS/W/37 and JOB(03)/70).  These include submissions for enhanced special and differentialtreatment as well as more general proposals under consideration in the DSB.  In addition, the
Chairman of the General Council informed the Chairman  of the DSB Special Session, in a letter dated
20 May 2003, that a number of proposals on special and differential treatment initially submitted in
the context of the Special Session of the CTD were being referred to the DSB Special Session.  These
proposals were discussed in an informal meeting of the DSB Special Session on 23 May 2003.
I. I
MPLEMENTATION -RELATED  ISSUES AND CONCERNS
30. Since before the Third WTO Ministerial Conference in Seattle, a total of 119 implementation
proposals have been made by Members.  Work in 2000 and 2001 in the General Council and a
number of its subsidiary bodies went some way to addressing the proposals, but the majority of them
remained unresolved in the lead up to Doha.  At Doha, the proposals were addressed in the MinisterialDeclaration and the separate Ministerial Decisi on on Implementation (WT/MIN(01)/17).  Decisions
were taken on some 55 proposals, some of which involved further work in subsidiary bodies.  Reports
on these issues were presented at various times in 2002 to the General Council.  The remaining
proposals ("outstanding issues") were split between the negotiations (35 issues) and the relevant
subsidiary bodies (24 issues).
31. Reports on these issues were presented to the TNC for appropriate action at its meeting in
December 2002.  Following agreement on one issue (an issue in the Sanitary and Phytosanitary
Committee), 23 outstanding issues have remained unresolved before the TNC.  These issues are in the
areas of Balance of Payments, Customs Valuation, Market Access, Safeguards, Technical Barriers to
Trade, Trade Related Investment Measures and TRIPS.  In the period leading up to the 4 to
5 February 2003 TNC, the Chairman consulted inform ally, including with the Chairpersons of the
eight Councils and Committees which had been handling implementation issues, on possible stepsforward.  The objective of these discussions had been to seek a way in which the framework of five
options
9, which he had outlined at the December 2002 TNC, could assist in the pursuit of mutually
agreeable solutions.  At the February 2003 TNC, the Chairman informed Members that he had asked
the eight Chairpersons to assist him in carrying out further consultations.
32. Despite the efforts made by all of those involved in these consultations the Chairman reported
to the March 2003 TNC that very little progress had been possible.  The Chairman of the TNC held
informal consultations at the level of Heads of Delegation on 14 May 2003 to discuss possible steps to
take on implementation related issues and concerns covered by paragraph 12 (b) of the Doha
Ministerial Declaration.  At the meeting, the Chairman suggested taking up the issue of Extension of
Geographical Indications to products other than wines and spirits, in further consultations withMembers that he would hold in his capacity as Director-General.
                                                     
9 (1) Resolving the issue;  (2) agreeing that no furt her action is needed on the issue;  (3) referring the
issue to a negotiating body;  (4) continuing work in the relevant subsidiary body under enhanced supervision by
the TNC and with a clear deadline, perhaps June 2003; and,  (5) undertaking further work at the level of theTNC.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 7
J. SINGAPORE ISSUES
33. At Doha, Ministers agreed that negotiations on Singapore issues (Trade and Competition
Policy; Trade and Investment; Transparency in Government Procurement; and Trade Facilitation),
will commence after the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference on the basis of a decision to be
taken, by explicit consensus, at that Session on modalities for the negotiations.10  Ministers also
recognised the need for enhanced support for tech nical assistance and capacity building in this area.
(a) Trade and Competition Policy
34. At Doha, Ministers agreed that negotiations on a multilateral framework on competition
policy will take place after the Ministerial Conference in Cancún, on the basis of a further decision to
be taken, by explicit consensus, on the modalities of negotiations.  The key elements that have been
proposed for inclusion in the framework include:  (i)  core principles, including transparency, non-
discrimination and procedural fairness;  (ii)  provisions on hard-core cartels;  (iii)  modalities for
voluntary cooperation;  and (iv)  support for the progressive reinforcement of competition agencies indeveloping countries.  These elements have been extensively discussed and clarified in the WTO
Working Group on the Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy in 2002.  In 2003, issues
related to the possibility of negotiations continue to be discussed in the Working Group.  An extensive
programme of technical assistance and capacity building is being carried out to assist developing
countries and LDCs assess their interests in possible negotiations.
(b) Trade and Investment
35. At Doha, Ministers agreed that further work in the Working Group on the Relationship
between Trade and Investment will focus on the clarification of: (i)  scope and definition;
(ii)  transparency;  (ii)  non discrimination;  (iii)  modalities for pre-establishment commitments based
on a GATS-type, positive approach; (iv)  development provisions; (v)  exceptions and balance-of-payments safeguards; and, (vi)  consultations and the settlement of disputes between Members.  Work
on the clarification has been undertaken in the Working Group.  In addition, since Doha and in
collaboration with UNCTAD, enhanced technical assistance has been provided.  The LDCs are of the
view that work being undertaken in the Working Group should continue and that studies should be
undertaken to assess the effect of any multilateral investment framework on LDCs.
(c) Transparency in Government Procurement
36. Negotiations on government procurement will be limited to the transparency aspects.  The
discussions in the Working Group are focusing on issues of scope and coverage; domestic challenge
mechanisms; and, the applicability of the Dispute Settlement Understanding.  An extensive
programme of technical assistance and capacity building is being carried out to assist developing
countries and LDCs assess their interests in possible negotiations.
(d) Trade Facilitation
37. At Doha, Ministers recognised the need for further expediting the movement, release and
clearance of goods, including goods in transit, and the need for enhanced technical assistance and
capacity building in this area.  The Doha mandate sets out a specific work programme, mandating the
Council for Trade in Goods to (i)  review and, as appropriate, clarify and improve relevant aspects of
Articles V, VIII and X of the GATT 1994, and (ii)  identify the trade facilitation needs and prioritiesof members, in particular developing and least developed countries.  Work on trade facilitation has
proceeded well due to the fact that delegations agree on the importance of advancing the work in this
area.  The OECD, UNCTAD and the World Customs Organisation have provided valuable input to
Members' discussions on this issue.
                                                     
10 Paragraphs 20, 23, 26, and 27 of the Doha Ministerial Conference.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
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III. LDC-SPECIFIC DEVELOPMENTS SINCE DOHA
38. As mentioned in the above section, LDCs as a group have made submissions on a wide range
of issues of interest to them.  Areas in which they have made submissions include special and
differential treatment; market access, services, dispute settlement and TRIPS.  The LDCs as a group
account for more than a fifth of the WTO Membership and have an important stake in the outcome theDoha Development Agenda negotiations and work programme.  At the Doha Ministerial Conference
in November 2001, Ministers recognised the particular vulnerability of the LDCs and committed
themselves to “addressing the marginalisation of th e least-developed countries in international trade
and to improving their effective participation in the multilateral trading system.”  Paragraphs 42 and
43 specifically address the concerns of LDCs. Paragraph 43 requested the Director-General to report
to the Fifth WTO Ministerial with an interim report to the General Council in December 2002, "on all
issues affecting the Least-Developed countries." The Director-General submitted his interim report tothe General Council in December 2002.  The Report is contained in document WT/GC/W/485/Rev.1.
39. In accordance with the priority accorded to the LDCs by Ministers, concrete steps have been
taken since Doha, by the WTO Membership and the Secretariat, to advance the interests of LDCs.
These include: adoption (and implementation) of the WTO Work Programme for Least Developed
Countries; Decision on the Accession of LDCs; technical assistance and capacity building (IntegratedFramework and JITAP); and the establishment of the LDC Unit in the WTO Secretariat.
A. ADOPTION 
AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LDC WORK PROGRAMME
40. The WTO Work Programme for the LDCs11 was adopted by the Sub-Committee on Least-
Developed Countries (hereafter the Sub-Committee) on 12 February 2002.  Pursuant to the mandate
contained in paragraph 42 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, the Sub-Committee, reported on theagreed Work Programme to the General Council on 13 February 2002.
12
41. The adoption of the work programme was an important step in responding to the LDC
specific issues and concerns during the post-Doha process.  The Work Programme focuses on the
following:  market access for LDCs; trade-related technical assistance and capacity building
initiatives for LDCs;  providing, as appropriate, s upport to agencies assisting with the diversification
of LDCs’ production and export base;  mainstreaming, as appropriate, into the WTO’s work, the
trade-related elements of the LDC III Programme of Action;  participation of LDCs in the multilateral
trading system;  accession of LDCs to the WTO;  and, Follow-up to WTO Ministerial
Decisions/Declarations.
42. The effective implementation of the Work Prog ramme will assist LDCs' integration into the
multilateral trading system and the global economy.  Effective implementation of the Work
Programme has been a priority for Members of the Sub-Committee on LDCs and also for theSecretariat and significant progress has been made on various elements of the Work Programme.  A
significant progress was the adoption of the Guidelines on LDCs Accession as mentioned in the
section below.  Progress has also been made in the delivery of technical assistance and capacity
building to LDCs.  In addition, since Doha, memb ers continue to notify improvements in market
access for LDC products.
13  The Secretariat is committed to periodic monitoring of improvements in
market access for LDCs.
B. GUIDELINES ON THE ACCESSION OF LDCS
43. Since 1995, no LDC has acceded to the WTO.  Several LDCs are in the process of accession.
The importance of facilitating the accession of LDCs was recognised by Ministers in Doha and also in
                                                     
11 WT/COMTD/LDC/11.
12 WT/GC/M/73.
13 Since the Doha Ministerial Conference, notifications of market access initiatives for LDCs have been
received from Canada, Japan and Switzerland.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 9
the Brussels Programme of Action for LDCs in May 2001.  In paragraph 9 of the Doha Ministerial
Declaration, Ministers underscored the importance they attached to concluding accession proceedings,
particularly in LDCs, “as quickly as possible.”  In paragraph 42, Ministers agreed to work to facilitate
and accelerate accession negotiations with acceding LDCs and instructed the WTO Secretariat to
reflect the priority attached by Members to LD Cs’ accessions in the WTO Secretariat-wide Annual
Plans for Technical Assistance.
44. Pursuant to paragraphs 9 and 42 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration and paragraph 18 (iii) of
the WTO Work Programme for LDCs, the General Council adopted, on 13 December 2002, the
Guidelines on the Accessions of LDCs.  The adoption of these Guidelines is an important post-Doha
development.  The Guidelines focus on four areas, namely Market Access; WTO Rules; Process; and
Trade-related Technical Assistance and Capacity Building.
45. At the 33rd Session of the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries (21 May 2003), the
WTO Secretariat circulated a paper on the current state-of-play of LDC accessions (JOB(03)/87).Members (and acceding LDCs) had fruitful discussion with Chairpersons of LDC Accession Working
Parties.  Members expressed the need to concluding, by Cancún, the accession process of the LDCs
that are in an advanced stage.  There was also support to activate, as quickly as feasible, the LDC
accessions which are at their initial stages.  The importance of technical assistance and capacity
building at all stages of the accession process was also emphasised.
46. The Director-General is to make a report to the Fifth Ministerial Conference on the
"implementation of the commitment by Ministers to facilitate and accelerate the accessions of LDCs".
C. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR LEAST-DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES
47. In paragraph 2 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, Ministers highlighted the important role
of "... well targeted, sustainably financed tech nical assistance and capacity building programmes...".
Specific commitments on technical cooperation and capacity building are contained in 11 operative
paragraphs of the Ministerial Declaration.
14  In Paragraph 38, Ministers endorsed the New Strategy for
WTO Technical Cooperation for Capacity Building, Growth and Integration.  Both the Declaration
and the New Strategy accord priority to LDCs.
48. Since Doha, there have been a number of positive developments in the delivery of technical
assistance to LDCs. The WTO Secretariat Annual Technical Assistance Plans continue to accord
priority to the delivery of technical assistance to LDCs;  in the 2003 Plan, LDCs will benefit from 3
national activities each and priority is given to acceding LDCs.
49. In addition to the three national activities, LDCs also benefit from regional activities and
other LDC-specific seminars and workshops.  Between now and Cancún, the WTO Secretariat will
organise; a trade policy course for French speaking LDCs in the month of July in Geneva;  two Doha
Development Agenda courses for Senior Officials to be held from 16 to 27 June 2003 for English
speaking African countries and from 28 July to 8 Au gust 2003 for French speaking African countries;
a briefing session to be held in August in Geneva, for LDC Senior Officials as a follow-up to the
Dhaka Ministerial Meeting; and, regional seminars on Services, Market Access, Investment and
Environment where two participants from each LDC will be invited.
D. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK AND THE JOINT INTEGRATED
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
50. Paragraph 43 endorsed the Integrated Framework for Trade Related Technical Assistance as a
viable model for LDCs’ trade development.  Ministers also instructed the WTO Director-General, in
consultation with relevant agencies, bilateral donors and beneficiaries, to identify ways of enhancingand rationalising the IF and JITAP (Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme).
                                                     
14 Paragraphs 16, 21, 24, 26, 27, 33, 38, 39, 40, 42, and 43.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 10
51. The Integrated Framework has also seen a number of developments since Doha.  In 2002, of
the 14 LDCs to which the “revamped” IF had been extended, Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies
(DTIS) were completed for Cambodia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania and Yemen whilst
DTISs were initiated for Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea, Mali and Nepal.  Completion
workshops with LDCs’ development partners have been held in Cambodia, Lesotho, Mauritania andSenegal.  In addition, implementation of activities under the old IF countries, (Bangladesh, Haiti, the
Gambia, Tanzania and Uganda) are ongoing.
52. The main findings from the DTISs for Cambodia, Lesotho, Mauritania and Senegal indicate
that effective participation in the multilateral trading system requires action on several fronts
including:  sustained policy reform supported by targeted technical assistance and capacity building to
address physical supply-side constraints; legal reform; human and institutional capacity building;
trade negotiations capacity building; support to the private sector such as the enhancement ofproduction and export capacity in specific sectors; and market access with reduction of trade
restrictions in trading partners.  On 16 May, the IF Steering Committee (IFSC), the IF's oversight
body, adopted a clarification of the terms of reference for the use of Window II of the IF Trust Fund.
This has opened the way for the IF to fund, thr ough its own Trust Fund, clearly identified concrete
technical assistance and capacity building project (excluding physical infrastructure).  For theseprojects to qualify for funding, they should be identified by the LDC as a priority in its
recommendations for policy reform and action plan resulting from its DTIS.
53. The Integrated Framework Working Group is undertaking several concrete actions to promote
awareness and to clarify the objectives of the IF amongst all stakeholders. One important development
in this regard is the creation of a new IF Website (www.integratedframework.org) which is managed
by the World Bank on behalf of the participating Agencies.
54. The second evaluation of the IF has also begun with the adoption of its Terms of Reference
by the IFSC and the selection of the Evaluation Team by the Selection Board15 in April 2003.   The
Evaluation of the IF will be an important factor in determining the future direction of the IF and in
providing guidance in its extension to other LDCs.  Paragraph  43 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration"urge(s) the core agencies, in coordination with development partners, to explore the enhancement of
the IF with a view to addressing the supply-side constraints of LDCs and the extension of the model
to all LDCs, following the review of the IF and the appraisal of the ongoing Pilot Scheme in selected
LDCs ".  The selection of the Evaluation Team is therefore an important step towards meeting the
mandate established by Ministers.
55. Since Doha, the Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme (JITAP) has been extended
to eight additional African countries, six of which are LDCs.  The six LDCs to benefit from Phase IIof JITAP are Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Senegal and Zambia.  In addition, Benin,
Burkina Faso, Tanzania and Uganda continue to benefit from Phase I of JITAP.  Although JITAP is
not an LDC specific program per se, it is nonetheless an important technical assistance programme for
African LDCs.  Out of the 49 LDCs, 34 are in Africa.
56. Paragraph 39 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration instructs the Director-General, agencies,
donors and beneficiaries "to identify ways of enhancing and rationalising the IF and JITAP".  Since
Doha, the relationship between the IF and JITAP has been a recurring item on the agendas of both the
IFWG and the IF Steering Committee meetings.  Consultations are ongoing in this regard.
E. TRADE POLICY REVIEWS OF LDC
S
57. The periodic examination and peer reviews of national trade policies remains an important
function of the WTO.  The trade policy reviews of LDCs continue to perform a technical assistance
role in LDCs.  The reviews are useful in increasi ng the understanding of the trade policy structure in
                                                     
15 The Chairman of the IFWG; the coordinator of the WTO LDC Group and a donor representative
make up the Selection Board.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 11
place and its relationship with the WTO Agreements.  The WTO continues to attach priority to the
completion of LDCs' trade policy reviews.
58. Since Doha, trade policy reviews were completed for Burundi, Lesotho (in the context of the
Southern African Customs Union review), Malawi, Mauritania and Zambia. This brings the total
number of completed trade policy reviews of LDCs to twenty-one.16   In addition, all preparations for
the review of Haiti have been completed.  The LD Cs scheduled to be reviewed in 2003 or shortly
thereafter are Haiti, Niger and Senegal.
F. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LDC UNIT
59. The post-Doha period has also seen structural changes within the WTO Secretariat in an
effort to address LDC issues and concerns.  In February 2003, the Director-General established an
“LDC Unit” within the re-created Development Divi sion.  The Unit is the main focal point for LDC
issues within the Secretariat.  It addresses policy issues of interest to LDCs and manages and services
the Integrated Framework and its bodies.
G. ROADMAP TO THE FIFTH WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE IN CANCÚN
60. On 8 May 2003, the Chairman of the General Council and the Director-General (as Chairman
of the TNC) held an informal meeting with Heads of Delegation, to outline the organisation of work
leading up to the Cancún Ministerial Conference in September.  They intend to have regular informal
consultations between now and Cancún.  The aim of such informal consultations is to ensure anoptimum combination of transparency and effectiveness and to contribute to close coordination
between the work of the General Council and that of the TNC.  It is hoped that the overall package
(work under the General Council and work under the TNC) will come together at the level of the
General Council meeting of 24 July 2003.
61. At the same meeting, the Chairman of the General Council and the Director General
mentioned the urgent issues to be considered in the run up to Cancún.
17  These include Agriculture;
S&D; TRIPS and Public Health; Non-Agricultural market access (modalities); implementation issues;
as well as modalities for negotiations on the Singapore issues.  The Chairman also recognised the
need to report on progress on other elements of the Doha Programme such as small economies and the
question of whether to extend the moratorium on e-commerce.  On Agriculture, Members arecurrently engaged in technical and other consultation s in order to facilitate progress.  In the TRIPS
area, a draft text of a Multilateral System of Notification and Registration of Geographical Indications
for Wines and Spirits has been circulated to Members.  The paper on Draft Elements of Modalities for
Negotiations on Non-agricultural Products has been circulated and will be discussed at the next
meeting of the Negotiating Group on Market Access scheduled for end of May.  With regard to
implementation, the Chairman of the TNC held consultations with Members on 14 May 2003, on how
to move the process forward.
62. On 27 May 2003 the Chairmen of the General Council and the TNC circulated a checklist of
issues contained in JOB(03)/98.
18  The consultations leading up to Cancún will therefore focus on this
checklist of issues.  The active involvement of the LDCs in the Doha Development Agenda
negotiations and work programme between now and Cancún is crucial since the DDA negotiations
and work programme present a unique opportunity to address development issues and the needs ofLDCs in particular.  The LDCs have grasped this  opportunity and put forward their positions and
proposals in several areas of interest to them and are coordinating their negotiating positions as
preparations for Cancún intensify.  Their increase d participation in the shaping of the global trade
                                                     
16 Bangladesh (twice); Benin; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Guinea; Lesotho (twice); Madagascar; Malawi;
Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mozambique; Senegal; Solomon Islands; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda (twice); andZambia (twice).
17 At the General Council meeting of 15 and 16 May 2003, the importance of advancing the work on
development-related issues of the Doha Work Programme was underscored by a number of delegations.
18 JOB(03)/98 is annexed to this Note.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 12
rules and architecture is a welcome development.  The Second LDCs Ministers meeting in Dhaka
(31 May to 2 June 2003) will further enhance LD Cs coordination and preparation for the Fifth WTO
Ministerial Conference.
* * * * * *WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 13
ANNEX
JOB(03)/98 27 May 2003
Preparations for the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference
Checklist of Issues
As foreshadowed at the informal consultation at the level of Heads of Delegation held on
8 May, the Chairmen of the General Council and the TNC are circulating a Checklist of Issues for
action before or at the Fifth Session, with the aim of setting out areas where further work is required.
It is their intention to use this checklist to help focus the process of consultations they will be
undertaking.  However, delegations are, as always, free to raise any issues of importance to them.
The checklist is intended to be neutral and is without prejudice to any participant's position on
the issues listed.  It is based on the mandates set out in the Doha Ministerial Declaration, taking also
into account the ongoing work in the various bodies which report to the General Council and the
TNC.  It should be recalled that, as set out in the Ministerial Declaration, the TNC is under theauthority of the General Council, which retains the overall responsibility for the preparations for
Ministerial Conferences.
_______________
A. Work in the TNC and bodies established by it
(Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture, Special Session of the Council for Trade in
Services, Negotiating Group on Market Access, Special Session of the Council for TRIPS,Negotiating Group on Rules, Special Session of the Dispute Settlement Body, Special Session of the
Committee on Trade and Environment, and Special Session of the Committee on Trade and
Development
*)
The Fifth Session will take stock of progress in the negotiations, provide any necessary
political guidance, and take decisions as necessary.  Specific issues which are the subject of on-going
work are:
- Agriculture; modalities for further commitm ents, including provisions for special and
differential treatment; and subsequent submission of comprehensive draft schedules
- Non-agricultural Market Access; modalities for the negotiations
- Services
-R u l e s- Dispute Settlement; agreement on improvements and clarifications not later than
May,  steps to be taken then to ensure that results enter into force as soon as possible
thereafter
- TRIPS (system of notification and registration of GIs for wines and spirits);
conclusion of negotiations
- Trade and Environment
It should also be noted that consultations are continuing in pursuit of the TNC's mandate to
take appropriate action on Implementation-related issues and concerns in accordance with paragraph
                                                     
* This listing is without prejudice to the position of any Member on the nature of the Special Session of
the Committee on Trade and Development.WT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 14
12(b) of the Ministerial Declaration, and at the level of the General Council on S&D Treatment issues
following the report by the Special Session of th e Committee on Trade and Development in February.
B. Work in the General Council and other bodies reporting to it
• Outstanding issues
- TRIPS & Public Health
- S&D Work Programme
- Implementation-related issues and concerns, in accordance with the Doha Ministerial
Decision on Implementation-related Issues and concerns
• Singapore issues
(Relationship between Trade and Investment, Inte raction between Trade and Competition Policy,
Transparency in Government Procurement, and Trade Facilitation)
- the Fifth Session will decide by explicit consensus on the modalities of negotiations
• Recommendations
- recommendations from General Council for action on issues relating to the trade of
small economies
- report from General Council on progress in the examination of the relationship
between trade, debt and finance, including any possible recommendations
- report from General Council on progress in the examination of the relationship
between trade and technology transfer, including any possible recommendations
- report from the Committee on Trade & Environment on issues in paragraph 32
making recommendations, where appropriate, with respect to future action, including
the desirability of negotiations
- recommendations from the TRIPS Council follo wing its examination of the scope and
modalities for non-violation and situation complaints under Article XX III of
GATT 1994
• Reports
- report from General Council on further progress in the continued Work Programme
on Electronic Commerce
- report on technical assistance and capacity building in the field of trade and
environmentWT/COMTD/LDC/INF/1
Page 15
C. Reports from the Director-General
- report on implementation and adequacy of technical cooperation and
capacity-building commitments
- report on all issues affecting LDCs, following coordination with other IF
agency heads
- status report on "Implementation of the Commitment by Ministers to
Facilitate and Accelerate the Accession of the LDCs"
__________