RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/LDC/8
7 March 2000
(00-0854)
Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries
INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK FOR TRADE-RELATED ASSISTANCE
TO LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
Report of the 19th Meeting of the Inter Agency Working Group,
Geneva, 26 January 2000
Chair:  Mr. Chiedu Osakwe (WTO)
1. The 19th Meeting of the Inter Agency Working Group (IAWG) met on 26 January 2000, at the
WTO, Geneva.  The provisional agenda circulated was adopted with a proposed revision for theinclusion of a briefing by the WTO on the post Seattle situation, and clarification of the WTO internal
Secretariat structure for dealing with the Integrated Framework (IF).
I. REPORT AND ASSESSMENT OF THE ROUND TABLES OF  THE GAMBIA (23
NOVEMBER 1999 AND BANGLADESH (22 JANUARY 2000)
A. THE GAMBIA ROUND TABLE (23 N OVEMBER 1999)
2. A report on the Gambia Round Table (RT) was presented and considered.  Following the
report, representatives of the IAWG expressed their views.  Several common views were expressed by
the core participating Agencies as follows:
(a) the preparatory activity for the RT was exhaustive and satisfactory, and the quality of
documentation was high;
(b) internal coordination amongst the national authorities and the external coordination
amongst participating agencies was also satisfactory. Coordination and coherence, atdifferent levels, were also satisfactory;
(c) the level of private sector and different stakeholder involvement in the preparatory
process was high; and,
(d) ownership of the RT, including in the preparatory process was realized by The
Gambia.  This ownership was complemented by strong inter-agency support.
3. The Inter-agency Working Group took note of the Final Communiqué collectively adopted at
the end of the meeting by all the participants at The Gambia RT, in particular paragraphs 18 and 19 of
the Communiqué as follows:
- paragraph 18: "The Conference also noted the need for the mobilization of resources
as part of the IF to assess itself and the post RT Conference";WT/COMTD/LDC/8
Page 2
- paragraph 19: "Amongst the follow-up ac tivities of the Conference, the Government
is organizing a special meeting in Banjul to review progress made in particular in the
context of the post – WTO Seattle meeting".
4. The IAWG also noted paragraph 3 of the statement autonomously made by the Government
of the Gambia as follows: "The Government of The Gambia has expressed concern  over the outcome
of the consultations arising essentially from the level of participation by the donor community.  Most
specifically, no firm pledges were made".
B. THE ROUND TABLE OF BANGLADESH (22 J ANUARY 2000)
5. The IAWG also considered a report from the RT on Bangladesh.  Several Agencies were
represented at the Bangladesh RT.  A variety of views were expressed.  Against this background, the
Agencies:
(a) considered  that the preparatory exercise was intensive, comprehensive and
satisfactory, including the fact that the quality of documentation was high;
(b) noted  that the private sector was involved as well as different stakeholders.  It was
felt, nevertheless, that there was scope for expanding the spectrum of stakeholders;
(c) took account  of the fact that several donors were represented, although
representation was only by the local representatives of the donor community.  It was
felt that the actual involvement of the decision-making centres of the donor partners
could be helpful as an additional signal of commitment;
(d) also took account  of the fact that no actual pledges were made , although donors
expressed a favourable disposition to commit new and additional resources.  Somerepresentatives of the Agencies considered that the favourable disposition of the
donor partners had generated a positive atmosphere and optimism, at the RT, hence
increasing the likelihood, eventually, for new resources;
(e) considered  that there was scope for improvement in the level of domestic
coordination in order to build upon current levels of coordination and significantefforts that were being made;
(f) welcomed  the fact that the principle of ownership had been realized in the
Bangladesh RT with a clear determination and commitment by the national
authorities to execute the RT and secure clear dividends with the complementary
efforts and support of the core participating Agencies;
(g) noted  the decision of the Bangladesh authorities to establish an effective follow-up
mechanism; and,
(h) noted  that, at the closure of the RT on 22 January 2000, there had been no written
statement by the national authorities of Bangladesh on their RT.
SYSTEMIC ISSUES ARISING FROM THE GAMBIA
AND BANLADESH ROUND TABLES
6. Collectively, the IAWG identified several issues that had arisen from the consideration of the
reports of the two country RTs.  Although it was felt that a fuller discussion would be necessary,
including within the context of the on-going mandated review of the IF, representatives of the GroupWT/COMTD/LDC/8
Page 3
felt that note should be taken of these issues of a cross-cutting nature which had resulted from the two
reports and the exchange of views.
7. The issues were as follows:
(a) improved management of expectations from the IF : It was recognized that while
there were weaknesses in the IF, the strengths of the IF process could not be ignored.There had been a singular focus on the factor of new and additional resources
(pledges), considered as a factor of crucial importance by LDCs.  While this factor
was unquestionably important, it was one of several factors.  It was also likely that
new and additional resources were linked to domestic economic performance of the
countries scheduling RTs.  In this regard, pledges or aid, could be uncertain, less
linked to proposals, and be more directly related to adjustments and appropriate
policies;
(b) interactive management in establishing priorities between LDCs and Agencies :
The Agencies felt that a degree of interaction with LDCs in the distillation of
priorities for programmes and projects with LDCs would be useful; and would be
consistent with adherence to the ownership principle in this LDCs'-driven process;
(c) refinement of the objectives of the IF : Although clear to some of the Agencies,
some others felt that the on-going mandated review should consider a further
refinement of the objectives of the IF in order to ensure increased clarity, the
exclusion of ambiguity, particularly with regard to the multiple objectives of the IF
that had arisen which included for some technical assistance , for others trade-related
capacity-building , and for others support for national industrial strategies ;
(d) trade-Related RTs and the generation of resources : The Agencies recognized that
there may be no automaticity or immediacy of pledges at RTs.  Agencies took the
position that RTS were more a first step in generating new and additional resources.
Although pledges could be made at RTs, it was also possible and the likelihood was
high that with donor satisfaction and different national budgetary cycles, new andadditional resources could follow thereafter.  Nonetheless, Agency representatives
agreed that new and additional resources constituted a vital and indispensable
eventual outcome of RTs, and a significant factor in evaluating their outcome;
(e) cost of preparing RTs for LDCs : Agency representatives recognized that significant
costs were borne by LDCs in preparing for RTs.  They also took note that LDCs
expected to cover the costs arising from the preparatory process from potential
pledges.  Nonetheless, Agency representatives while bearing this cost factor in mind,and recognizing the need to further consider any burden it may impose on LDCs, felt
that such costs may be integral to the principle and practice of ownership;
(f) follow-up mechanism or process: The necessity of follow-up to RTs was recognized
and accepted; and,
(g) mainstreaming Trade-Related RTs in to overall development goals and
objectives : Agency representatives agreed on the value of mainstreaming as well as
to the value of stand-alone trade-related RTs.WT/COMTD/LDC/8
Page 4
II. TIME AND SEQUENCING OF 2000 IF-RELATED RTS
8. The IAWG exchanged views on a suggestion that RTs already scheduled or envisaged for the
first half of the year 2000 could be suspended until the completion of the on-going mandated review.
The suggestion was fully examined.  It was proposed that once the review was finalized and
appropriate lessons learned, these could be effectively applied to future donor meetings.  It wasemphasized that there are considerable costs incurr ed by the LDCs themselves in preparing for donor
meetings, and therefore insuring the overall effectiveness of these meetings was essential.  It was
stressed that the experience of the recent meetings  highlighted the importance of mainstreaming trade
into the overall development goals and objectives of the country, something that "stand alone" donor
meetings may not necessarily achieve.  Account, however, was also taken of several factors namely,
a) the importance of not undermining the principle of ownership and the domestic calendar of LDCs,
established in accordance with domestic priorities; b) avoidance of any decision that could affect themomentum of RTs; and, c) avoiding any decision that could prejudice the on-going mandated review.
In the light of views expressed and the positions taken by various Agencies, it was agreed  that that no
immediate decision was needed at this meeting.
III. STATUS REPORT BY THE WORLD BANK ON THE ON-GOING INITIAL DRAFT
EVALUATION OF THE IF
9. A brief report by the World Bank was presented.  The Bank informed the IAWG that an
Advisory Committee had been constituted, comprising experienced evaluators, independent of the
Bank, to manage the review.  In its report, the Bank revised the time-frame for submitting the initial
draft review to the IAWG for the end of May.
10. The IAWG noted the report from the Bank, and the slippage in the time-frame for conducting
the review.  However, the Group unanimous ly re-affirmed its attachment to the elements  for the
review, as contained in paragraph 13 of the Report of the 18
th Meeting of the IAWG.1  The Group also
emphasised its continued attachment to the agreed steps  for the review as contained in paragraph 14
of the last Report of the IAWG.  Several questions were raised on practical issues and request forclarifications were sought, which the Bank would respond to, at a later period.  The Group agreed to
retain the item on its agenda for 20
th Meeting in March, in New York.
IV. POST SEATTLE BRIEFING
11. The WTO provided a post Seattle briefing. The briefing referred to the wide-ranging
consultations by the Director-General with Members and with other international organizations to
identify options for determining how to proceed po st Seattle.  It was underlined that efforts were
focused on current mandated negotiations in agriculture and services and considerations regarding
areas of significance such as for measures for Action in Favour of LDCs, technical assistance and
implementation.
V. PROPOSALS FOR A REGIONAL ROUND TABLE FOR FIVE COUNTRIES IN THE
PACIFIC
12. The Administrative Unit for the Integrated Framework presented a proposal for a regional
Round Table for five Pacific Island Countries: Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and
Vanuatu.
                                                     
1 Report of the 18th Inter Agency Working Group Meeting (WT/COMTD/LDC/6).WT/COMTD/LDC/8
Page 5
13. The IAWG welcomed the draft proposal, and recognized the potential added value of regional
table tables in the IF process.  Furthermore, the Group noted that while RTs had been held in Africa
and Asia, none had been held in the Pacific.  In order to ensure that the a meaningful Round Table
was held in which the ownership principle would be realized, and hence sustainability of the post RT
process, the Group requested the Administrative Unit to establish contact with the Forum Secretariatand the five countries involved determine when an application for such a Pacific RT would be
forwarded to the Agencies, and hence determine the st ate of preparedness of the five countries for the
RT.  It was agreed to retain this item on the agenda of the 20
th Meeting of the IAWG.
VI. ANNUAL MONITORING OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
14. The Administrative Unit circulated a document on the, Status of Implementation of Technical
Assistance under the Integrated Framework.  In order to update this document, it was agreed thatinputs were to be submitted to the Administrative Unit by end of February 2000; and the item would
be retained on the agenda of the 20
th meeting of the IAWG.
VII. OTHER BUSINESS
15. The meeting agreed to hold its next meeting – 20th Meeting - at the UNDP offices in
New York, 21-22 March 2000.
__________