RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/LDC/M/31
24 January 2003
(03-0392)
Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries
Thirty-First Session
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 2 DECEMBER 2002
Chair:  Ambassador Johan Molander (Sweden)
A. ADOPTION OF  AGENDA
1. The Sub-Committee adopted the proposed agenda contained in document WTO/AIR/1986.
B. WTO  WORK PROGRAMME FOR LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: FACILITATING
AND ACCELERATING ACCESSIONS OF LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES – DRAFT
DECISION SUBMITTED BY THE CHAIRMAN
2. The Chairman recalled that at the informal consultations that had preceded this special
session, Members had considered the document that contained the draft Guidelines for the accession
of LDCs to the WTO.  This text was in the form of a draft Decision to be taken by the General
Council.1  He proposed that the document under consideration be orally amended as follows:  In the
first tiret under Market Access the second part of the sentence would read "…, taking into account the
levels of concessions and commitments undertaken by existing WTO LDC Members".  He proposed
that the Sub-Committee adopts the draft Decision as amended and that it be submitted to the General
Council at its meeting on 10 December 2002.
3. It was so agreed.1
4. The Ambassador of Zambia on behalf of the LDCs expressed appreciation to the Chairman
for his tireless efforts in drawing up a conclusive text on accession.  He also thanked LDCs' major
trading partners for their contribution in drawing up the text which was balanced though not perfect.
The LDC group had agreed to endorse the text as a demonstration of their commitment to oversee an
improvement in the accession of LDCs to the WTO.  The main challenge for the entire membershipwas to heighten political commitment to ensure that  this text was translated into concrete results.
LDCs that were not WTO Members needed to accede in a transparent, flexible and accelerated
manner.  The contents of the guidelines would be judged by the number of LDCs that acceded to the
WTO.  The ultimate objective was to facilitate the integration of all LDCs into the multilateral trading
system.  On behalf of the LDC Group he formally endorsed the text.
5. The representative of Canada welcomed the agreement reached.  Her delegation attached
great importance to the facilitation of the accession process for LDCs.  Canada formally endorsed the
text and she thanked the Chair and other members for the efforts made to conclude this work.
6. The representative of Bangladesh expressed appreciation for the initiative taken by the Sub-
Committee on the accession of LDCs to the WTO.  He thanked the Chairman and development
partners for their efforts to accelerate the accession process.  The guidelines would assist acceding
LDCs.
                                                     
1 Following the meeting, the draft text was circulated as document WT/COMTD/LDC/12 and
forwarded to the General Council. The General Council formally adopted the text on 10 December 2002(WT/GC/M/77).WT/COMTD/LDC/M/31
Page 2
7. The representative of Japan thanked the Chairman for his efforts in the positive outcome that
had been achieved.  He underlined the importance of full implementation of the agreed text.
8. The representative of United States welcomed the agreement reached on the text.  While more
than half of the LDCs were already Members of the WTO, clearly the job was not yet completed.
Recently, progress had been made with a number of accessions.  He said that the document wouldhelp in building on that progress.  The true measure of success would be the engagement of Members
in bringing about the full integration of LDCs into the multilateral trading system.
9. The representative of Ethiopia supported the statement made by Zambia on behalf of LDCs.
He thanked the Chairman for his leadership and the Secretariat for its efforts in the agreement reached
on the text.  While his delegation welcomed the outcome, it was aware of the complex task ahead in
accelerating and facilitating the accession of LDCs to the WTO.  He hoped that these guidelines with
the binding commitment of the membership and of acceding countries themselves would assist LDCsin navigating through the complex system of multilateral trade.  Realising universality of membership
to the WTO through the implementation of the elements  set out in the guidelines was in the interest of
both the acceding countries and the existing membership.  He urged all delegations to abide by the
letter and spirit of the guidelines.
10. The representative of China shared the views expressed by Zambia and Ethiopia. He
expressed appreciation for the efforts made to reach agreement on the draft Decision on LDCs
accession.  It was a step forward in the area of special and differential (S&D) treatment at the WTO.
11. The representative of the European Communities welcomed the draft Decision to be
forwarded to the General Council.  It was a major step forward on a subject to which the EC attached
importance.  His delegation was committed to applying these guidelines and supported efforts tofacilitate and accelerate the accession of the LDCs to the WTO.  He thanked all Members of the Sub-
Committee for the flexibility shown. It demonstrated that success in the S&D context was achievable.
12. The representative of Australia welcomed the agreement on forwarding the draft Decision to
the General Council.  He thanked the Chairman and all delegations involved for their efforts.  His
delegation supported the text and hoped for concrete progress in the accession of LDCs to the WTO.
13. The representative of India expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Chairman in reaching
agreement by consensus on the text.  This fulfilled the mandate given by Ministers in Doha.
14. The representative of Switzerland welcomed the agreement reached by the Sub-Committee.
He thanked the Chairman for his tireless efforts in producing a consensus text.  It was an important
step taken and it was hoped that the guidelines would facilitate the accession process for LDCs and
lead to concrete results in the near future.
15. The representative of Egypt thanked the Chairm an for his efforts in the agreement reached.
His delegation supported the document which was well balanced.
16. The representative of Chinese Taipei expressed appreciation to the Chairman and the
Secretariat for the efforts made.  His delegation endorsed the draft guidelines and looked forward to
positive and concrete results in the accession of LDCs.
17. The representative of Sudan thanked the Chairman for his efforts in the drafting of the agreed
text on LDCs' accession.  His delegation associated itself with the statement by Zambia on behalf of
LDCs. Members of the Sub-Committee had shown flexibility in reaching agreement on the text.  This
was to be welcomed though now implementation of the Guidelines and concluding LDCs' accession
negotiations was of importance.WT/COMTD/LDC/M/31
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18. The Chairman congratulated Members of the Sub-Committee for the consensus reached on an
important issue.  He thanked delegations for their flexibility and willingness to make progress.  The
Decision that the General Council would adopt at its meeting on 10–12 December 2002 while
important in itself was to be followed up with impl ementation in the future to really serve the interests
of LDCs in joining the WTO and the international trading system.
C. OTHER BUSINESS
19. In the absence of any other business, the meeting was adjourned.
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