WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/GC/70
14 February 2003
(03-0954)
GENERAL COUNCIL
Annual Report (2002)
The present report has been prepared in pursuance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview
of WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105), and sets out the actions taken by
the General Council in the period since its previous annual report.1
In carrying out its tasks, the General Council has held 6 meetings and since the period
covered by the previous report.  The minutes of these meetings, which remain the record of theGeneral Council's work, are contained in documents WT/GC/M/72 - 77.
The following subjects are included in the report:
1. Matters resulting from the Fourth Session of the Ministerial Conference..........................5
(a) Follow-up to the Fourth Session of the Ministeria l Conference ................................................5
(b) Trade Negotiations Committee – Re ports ..................................................................................6
(c) Council for Trade in Goods - Recomme ndations for appropriate action regarding
proposals contained in paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on
Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns relating to the Agreement on Textiles
and Clothing .................................................................................................................. .............6
(d) Committee on Trade and Development - Report by the Chairman of the Committee
on Trade and Development in Special Session on special and differential treatment in
pursuance of paragraph 12.1 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-
Related Issues and Concerns ................................................................................................... ...7
(e) Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures .............................................................8
(i) Report on review of provisions regarding countervailing duty investigations in
pursuance of paragraph 10.3 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-
Related Issues and Concerns ................................................................................................... ..8
(ii) Statement by the Chairman of the Co mmittee on the work undertaken pursuant to
paragraph 10.6 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues
and Concerns .................................................................................................................. ...........9
(f) Committee on Agriculture - Report on the follow-up to the recommendations of the
Committee on Agriculture concerning implementation-related issues approved by the
Doha Ministerial Conference ................................................................................................... ..9
(g) Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices – Report on matters referred to the Committee
by the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns ................9
                                                     
1 The annual report of the General Council for 2001 was circulated in WT/GC/53.WT/GC/70
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(h) Committee on Market Access – Recommendations regarding the meaning to be given
to the phrase "substantial interest" in Article XIII:2(d) of GATT 1994 pursuant to
paragraph 1.2 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues
and Concerns .................................................................................................................. ..........10
(i) Committee on Customs Valuation – Report on the identification and assessment of
practical means to address Members' concerns regarding accuracy of declared values
pursuant to paragraph 8.3 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-
Related Issues and Concerns ................................................................................................... .10
(j) Marrakesh Ministerial Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative
Effects of the Reform Programme on Least-Developed and Net Food-Importing
Developing Countries – Inter-Agency Panel on Short-Term Difficulties in Financing
Normal Levels of Commercial Imports of Basic Foodstuffs....................................................11
(i) Detailed terms of reference for the Inter-Ag ency Panel ..........................................................11
(ii) Report of the In ter-Agency Panel ........................................................................................... ..11
(k) Work programme on harmonizi ng rules of origin ...................................................................12
(l) Work programme on el ectronic commerce ..............................................................................14
(m) Work Programme on Small Economies....................................................................................15
(i) Framework and procedures for the conduct of the Work Programme ....................................15
(ii) Reports ................................................................................................................... ..................16
(n) WTO Work Programme for L east-Developed Countries ........................................................16
(o) Council for TRIPS – Report on the implementation of paragraph 6 of the Doha
Declaration on the TRIPS Agreem ent and Public Health ........................................................17
(p) Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries - Recommendations for facilitating
and accelerating the accession of LDCs to the WTO Agreement ............................................18
(q) Issues affecting least-developed countries – Interim report by the Director-General
pursuant to paragraph 43 of the D oha Ministerial Declaration ................................................18
(r) Implementation and adequacy of technical cooperation and capacity-building
commitments in the Doha Ministerial Declaration – Interim report by the Director-
General pursuant to paragraph 41 of the Doha Ministeria l Declaration ..................................18
(s) Date and Venue of the Fifth Sessi on of the Minister ial Conference ........................................19
2. China – Transitional review under Section 18.2 of the Protocol on Accession to
the WTO Ag reement ............................................................................................................. 20
3. Reports of the Special Sessions of the Committee on Agriculture and of the
Council for Trade in  Services ...............................................................................................20
4. Technical assistance and capacity building – Second meeting of Heads of Agency
of the Integrated Framework ................................................................................................20
5. Report on the evaluation of the Joint Integrated Technical Assistance
Programme ..................................................................................................................... ........21
6. Agreement on Textiles and Clothing.....................................................................................21
(a) Major review of the implementation of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing
(ATC) during the second stage of the integration process pursuant to Article 8.11 of
the ATC ....................................................................................................................... .............21WT/GC/70
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(b) Composition of the Textil es Monitoring Body ........................................................................21
7. Review of procedures for the circulation and derestriction of WTO documents ............21
8. Internal transparency and effective participation of Members – Preparatory
process in Geneva and negotiating procedure at Ministerial Conferences ......................22
9. Appointment of the next Director-Genera l - Follow-up to the Decision of 22 July
1999 .......................................................................................................................... ...............23
10. Procedures for the appointment of future Direct ors-General ...........................................24
11. Appointment of office rs to WTO bodies...............................................................................24
(a) Appointment of office rs to WTO bodies .................................................................................24
(b) Guidelines for the appointment of officers to WTO Bodies ....................................................26
12. Review of the exemption provided under paragraph 3 of GATT 1994 ............................26
13. Proposal to remove and avoid inconsistencies in the texts of WTO agreements ..............2714. Accession matters........................................................................................................... .........28
(a) Armen ia .................................................................................................................... ...............28
(b) Former Yugoslav Republ ic of Macedonia ...............................................................................28
(c) Iran ....................................................................................................................... ....................29
(d) Nepal ...................................................................................................................... ..................30
(e) Saudi Arabia ............................................................................................................... .............30
15. Committee on Balance-of -Payments Restrictions................................................................30
(a) Consultations - Bangladesh ................................................................................................. .....30
(b) Notes on meetings .......................................................................................................... ..........31
16. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration ...........................................................31
(a) Reports .................................................................................................................... .................31
(b) Statement by the Committee Chairman in relation to pledges announced and
payments received to finance the implementation of the WTO Secretariat Annual
Technical Assistance Plan ..................................................................................................... ...32
(c) Statement by the Committee Chairman regarding the Director-General's conditions of
service ....................................................................................................................... ...............32
17. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement..............................................................33
(a) Transposition of Schedules into the Harmonized System.........................................................33
(i) Nicaragua and Sri Lanka .................................................................................................... .....33
(ii) Sri Lanka ................................................................................................................. .................33
(b) Introduction of the Harmonized System 1996 changes into WTO schedules of tariff
concessions .................................................................................................................... ...........33
(i) Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, Israel, Malaysia, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan,
Panama, Paraguay, Switzerland, Thailand and Venezuela .....................................................33
(ii) Argentina, El Salvador, Israel, Mo rocco, Norway, Thailand and Venezuela .........................34WT/GC/70
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(c) Introduction of the Harmonized System 2002 changes into WTO schedules of tariff
concessions .................................................................................................................... ...........34
(i) Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Ch ina, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic,
Estonia, European Communities, Hungary, Iceland, India, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania,
Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic,Slovenia, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United States, Uruguay and Hong Kong,
China ......................................................................................................................... ...............34
(ii) Romania ................................................................................................................... ................35
(iii) Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia,
European Communities, Hungary, Iceland, India, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico,
Nicaragua, Norway, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland,
Thailand, United States, Uruguay and Hong Kong, China and Macao, China ......................35
(d) Renegotiation of Schedule ................................................................................................... .....35
(i) Zambia ..................................................................................................................... ................35
(e) Colombia – Article 5.2 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures ................36
(f) Cuba – Article XV:6 of GATT 1994 .......................................................................................36
(g) Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 (Customs Valuation
Agreement) ..................................................................................................................... ..........36
(i) Côte d'Ivoire .............................................................................................................. ..............36
(ii) Dominican Republic – Minimum values under the Agreement on Implementation of
Article VII of GATT 1994 ...................................................................................................... ...37
(iii) El Sal vador .............................................................................................................. ................37
(iv) Haiti ..................................................................................................................... ...................37
(h) Least-Developed Countries – Obligations under Article 70.9 of the TRIPS Agreement
with respect to pharm aceutical pro ducts ..................................................................................38
(i) New EC special tariff arrangements to combat drug production and trafficking ....................38
(j) Review of waivers pursuant to Ar ticle IX:4 of the WTO Agreement .....................................38
18. Retreat for WTO Perman ent Represen tative s ....................................................................40
19. Scheduling of WTO meetings ...............................................................................................40
20. Better management of  WTO meetings .................................................................................40
21. International Trade Centre UNCT AD/WTO ......................................................................40
22. WTO Pension Plan............................................................................................................ ......41
(a) Annual Reports of the Management Board .............................................................................41
(b) Agreement on the transfer of pension rights of participants in the WTO Pension Plan
and in the Pension Scheme of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development ................................................................................................................... .........41
(c) Agreements on the transfer of pension rights between the Pension Plan of the WTO
and the Pension Schemes of othe r Coordinated Organizations ...............................................42
(d) Election of the Chairman, Members and Alternates of the Management Board of the
WTO Pension Plan............................................................................................................... .....42
23. Observer status ............................................................................................................. ..........42WT/GC/70
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(a) Equatorial  Guinea .......................................................................................................... ..........42
(b) Ethio pia ................................................................................................................... .................42
24. Farewell to the Di rector-Gen eral .........................................................................................43
25. Election of Chairperson .................................................................................................... .....43
26. Review of WTO Activities ................................................................................................... ..43
1. Matters resulting from the Fourth Session of the Ministerial Conference
(a) Follow-up to the Fourth Session of the Ministerial Conference (WT/GC/M/72, 73)
At the General Council meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the Chairman recalled, inter alia ,
that Ministers at Doha, in agreeing to a broad and balanced work programme for the WTO for the
coming years, had tasked the General Council with specific actions to implement elements of the
work programme and to oversee their operation and progress.  Ministers had also taken otherdecisions which the General Council would need to ta ke into consideration in organizing its work in
2002.  Ministers had also agreed that the overall conduct and progress of the elements of the work
programme involving negotiations should be supervised by a Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC)
under the authority of the General Council.  They had also instructed that, in addition to the
negotiating elements, high priority should be accord ed to the elements of the work programme which
did not involve negotiation.  These were to be pursued under the overall supervision of the General
Council, with a progress report to the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference.
He then drew attention to specific elements of the General Council's agenda for 2002
resulting from the decisions taken at Doha, and assu red delegations that this work would in no way
detract from the General Council's pending and ongoing work.  He also assured delegations,
particularly those with small or limited resources, that in pursing the General Council's work over the
coming year and beyond, the Chairpersons of the other WTO bodies and the Chairman of the General
Council would continue to do their utmost to keep to the established guidelines for the scheduling of
meetings, in order to reduce the burden on small delegations as far as possible.
2
The representatives of the European Communities, Pakistan, Cuba, Barbados, Costa Rica,
Tanzania (on behalf of the LDCs), Australia, Ur uguay, Canada, Brunei Darussalam (on behalf the
ASEAN Members), Zambia, United States, Turkey, Botswana, Honduras, Saint Lucia, India and
Korea, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.At the General Council meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the Director-
General reported on his recent activities relating to the Doha Development Agenda.3
The representatives of Tunisia, Belize and Burundi, and the Director-General spoke.The General Council took note of the statements.
                                                     
2 See also under point 19 - "Scheduling of meetings".
3 Carried in General Council minutes as "Follow-up to the Fourth Session of the Ministerial
Conference – Statement by the Director-General on his recent activities relating to the Doha Development
Agenda."  The Director-General's statement was circulated as document Job 1072.WT/GC/70
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(b) Trade Negotiations Committee – Reports (WT/GC/M/73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the
General Council to supervise the overall conduct of the negotiations (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1).  In
accordance with the Principles and Practices endorsed by the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) at
its first meeting on 28 January and 1 February, the TNC reports to each regular meeting of theGeneral Council (TN/C/M/1).
At the General Council meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the Chairman of
the Trade Negotiations Committee reported on the TNC's first meeting on 28 January and 1 February.
The representative of Cuba and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the report by the TNC Chairman.
At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations
Committee reported on the TNC's second meeting on 24 April.
The General Council took note of the report by the TNC Chairman.
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the Chairman of the Trade
Negotiations Committee reported on the TNC's third meeting on 18-19 July.
The General Council took note of the report by the TNC Chairman.
At the General Council meeting on 15 October 2002, the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations
Committee reported on the TNC's fourth meeting on 3-4 October.
The representative of Kenya (on behalf the African Group) spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the report by the TNC Chairman.At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman of the Trade
Negotiations Committee reported on the TNC's activities since the last report to the General Council
in October.
The representatives of Norway, Bulgaria, India, Kenya (on behalf of the African Group) and
China, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the report by the TNC Chairman and of the statements.
(c) Council for Trade in Goods - Recommendations for appropriate action regarding proposals
contained in paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-
Related Issues and Concerns relating to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing
(WT/GC/M/75)
Ministers at Doha requested the Council for Tr ade in Goods (CTG) to examine two proposals
relating to the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, and to make recommendations to the General
Council by 31 July 2002 for appropriate acti on (WT/MIN(01)/17, paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5).
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the Chairman of the CTG, reporting
on the results of the CTG's examination of these proposals, said, inter alia , that as a result of
fundamental differences between the views and unders tandings of the restraining Members and thoseWT/GC/70
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of the developing country exporting Members on both the contents of the report and the
recommendations, the required consensus on the report and on the recommendations had not been
reached.  In view of this, there had been no alternative but to conclude the exercise without results.
Consequently, he was not in a position to present a report with recommendations to the General
Council.
The representatives of Pakistan, China, Brazil, Bangladesh, European Communities, Thailand
(speaking also on behalf of Indonesia), Panama, India, United States, Canada, Bolivia, Colombia, and
Hong Kong, China, and the Chairman spoke.
The Chairman proposed, in view of the situation and having examined various possible
options, that the General Council take note of the statement by the Chairman of the CTG and of thoseby delegations, on the understanding that this would not prejudice the various positions held by
Members, which would be duly reflected in the minutes of the present meeting.  For his part, he
would inform the Chairman of the General Counci l in detail, who would no doubt wish to examine
the situation more in depth with regard to this matter.  He was convinced that all Members would use
the summer break to continue to reflect on the various views that had been expressed.
The General Council so agreed.
(d) Committee on Trade and Development - Report by the Chairman of the Committee on Trade
and Development in Special Session on special and differential treatment in pursuance ofparagraph 12.1 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and
Concerns (WT/GC/M/75, 77)
Ministers at Doha agreed that "[a]ll special and differential treatment provisions shall be
reviewed with a view to strengthening them and making them more precise, effective and operational"
(WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 44).  Ministers also endorsed the programme of work on S&Dtreatment set out in paragraph 12.1 of the Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns
(WT/MIN(01)/17), which mandated the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) to report to the
General Council with clear recommendations for a decision by July 2002.  In pursuance of this
mandate, the Trade Negotiations Committee, at its meeting of 28 January and 1 February 2002,
agreed that the review of all S&D treatment provisions with a view to strengthening them and making
them more precise, effective and operational provided for in Paragraph 44 of the Ministerial
Declaration should be carried out by the CTD in Special Sessions (TN/C/M/1).
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a report from the CTD
in Special Session (TN/CTD/3).
The Chairman of the Special Session of the CTD introduced the report.The representatives of Kenya (on behalf of the African Group), Zambia, Uganda, Korea,
Thailand, Brazil, China, Cuba, Indonesia, Paraguay, Malaysia, India, United States, European
Communities and Nigeria spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the report of the Chairman of the
Special Session of the CTD (TN/CTD/3), and approved the recommendations contained in paragraphs
14 to 19 of the report.
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman recalled that
at its July meeting the General Council had agreed, inter alia,  to extend the time-period for
completion of work to be elaborated by the Special Session of the Committee on Trade and
Development to December 2002.  The General Council had also agreed to establish a monitoringWT/GC/70
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mechanism for S&D treatment, and instructed th e Special Session of the CTD to elaborate the
functions, structure and terms of reference of this mechanism for approval by the General Council.
On 10 December, the Chairman of the Special Session of the CTD reported on the work under
the mandate of the Committee.
The General Council took note of the report by the Chairman of the Special Session of the
CTD and suspended its consideration of this item.
On 11 December, the Chairman of the Special Session of the CTD made an interim progress
report to the General Council in an informal se ssion.  The Chairman spoke.  The General Council
agreed to suspend consideration of this item and revert to it subsequently in light of the advice fromthe Chairman of the CTD in Special Session, but in any event not later than 20 December.
At the resumed meeting on 20 December, the Chairman of the CTD in Special Session said,
inter alia , that although no agreement had been possible on a report to the General Council, this was
far too important an area of work to be left without exerting further efforts towards fulfilment of themandate.  He therefore proposed that the General Council agree to provide additional time to allow
the CTD in Special Session to finalize its report.
The Chairman proposed that the General Council take note of the statements and authorize
the CTD in Special Session to continue its work towards finalizing its report on S&D treatment inpursuance to paragraph 12.1 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and
Concerns, and to report back to the General Council at its first meeting in 2003.
The General Council so agreed.
(e) Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
(i) Report on review of provisions regarding countervailing duty investigations in pursuance of
paragraph 10.3 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and
Concerns (WT/GC/M/75)
Ministers at Doha agreed that the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
should continue its review of the provisions of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing
Measures regarding countervailing duty investigations and report to the General Council by31 July 2002 (WT/MIN(01)/17, paragraph 10.3).
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a report by the
Chairman of the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (G/SCM/45).
The Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, speaking
on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee, introduced the report.
The representatives of Brazil, India and the United States spoke.
The General Council took note of the report of the Chairman of the Committee on Subsidies
and Countervailing Measures and of the statements by delegations.WT/GC/70
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(ii) Statement by the Chairman of the Comm ittee on the work undertaken pursuant to
paragraph 10.6 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and
Concerns (WT/GC/M/77)
Ministers at Doha instructed the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures to
take certain actions with regard to the extension of the transition period, under the rubric ofArticle 27.4 of the Subsidies Agreement, for certain export subsidies provided by certain developing-
country Members (WT/MIN(01)/17, paragraph 10.6).
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman of the
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures reported on the work undertaken in the
Committee pursuant to this mandate.
The representatives the United States, Colombia, Japan, Barbados, and the European
Communities spoke.
The General Council took note of the report by the Chairman of the Committee on Subsidies
and Countervailing Measures and of the statements.
(f) Committee on Agriculture - Report on the follow-up to the recommendations of the
Committee on Agriculture concerning implementation-related issues approved by the Doha
Ministerial Conference (WT/GC/M/76)
Ministers at Doha approved a recommendation that the Committee on Agriculture, following
its regular meeting in September 2002, should report to the General Council on its examination of
possible means to improve the effectiveness of the implementation of the Marrakesh Decision
regarding net food-importing developing countries and on the implementation of Article 10.2 of the
Agreement on Agriculture.  Ministers also endorsed a decision by the Committee on Agriculture to
keep under review the administration of tariff-rate quotas and the submission by Members of addendato their notifications (WT/MIN(01)/17, paragraph 2).
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council considered a report by the
Committee on Agriculture (G/AG/14).
The Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture introduced the report.
The representatives of Brazil and Argentina spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the report by the Committee on
Agriculture in G/AG/14.
(g) Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices – Report on matters referred to the Committee by the
Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation- Related Issues and Concerns (WT/GC/M/77)
Ministers at Doha instructed the Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices to draw up guidelines
for the improvement of the annual reviews provid ed for under Article 18.6 of the Agreement on the
Implementation of Article VI of GATT 1994, and to report its views and recommendations to theGeneral Council for subsequent decision within 12 months (WT/MIN(01)/17, paragraph 7.4).
Ministers also instructed the Committee to examine matters relating to Articles 15 and 5.8 of the
Agreement respectively, and to draw up appropriate recommendations within 12 months
(WT/MIN(01)/17, paragraphs 7.2 and 7.3).WT/GC/70
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At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman of the
Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices introduced the Committee's recommendations with regard to
Articles 18.6 and 5.8 of the Agreement on Implem entation of Article VI of GATT 1994, and reported
on the Committee's consideration of the issue relating to Article 15 of the Agreement.
The representatives of Korea, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, United States, Japan, Malaysia,
Canada and Indonesia, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the report and of the statements, and approved the
recommendation contained in document G/ADP/9.  The General Council then took note of the
recommendation contained in G/ADP/10, as well as the report by the Chairman of the Committee
relating to Article 15 of the Anti-Dumping Agreement.
(h) Committee on Market Access – Recommendations regarding the meaning to be given to the
phrase "substantial interest" in Article XIII:2(d) of GATT 1994 pursuant to paragraph 1.2 of
the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns
(WT/GC/M/77)
Ministers at Doha noted the issues raised in the report of the Chairperson of the Committee on
Market Access concerning the meaning to be given to the phrase "substantial interest" in
paragraph 2(d) of Article XIII of GATT 1994 (WT/GC/50), and directed the Market Access
Committee to give further consideration to the is sue and to make recommendations to the General
Council as expeditiously as possible, but in any event not later than the end of 2002 (WT/MIN(01)/17,paragraph 1.2).
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered a report by
the Committee on Market Access (G/MA/119).
The Chairman of the Committee on Market Access introduced the report.
The representatives of Honduras, Jamaica and Mauritius spoke.  The Chairman proposed that
Members might wish to reflect further over the end-of-year break on the various views that had been
expressed on this matter, particularly with regard to  the future course of action, and said that as all
delegations were aware, this issue might be raised again by any Member in any WTO forum it
deemed appropriate, including in the negotiations under the Doha agenda.
The General Council took note of the report and of the statements.
(i) Committee on Customs Valuation – Report on the identification and assessment of practical
means to address Members' concerns regarding accuracy of declared values pursuant toparagraph 8.3 of the Doha Ministerial Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and
Concerns (WT/GC/M/77)
Ministers at Doha recognized the legitimate concerns expressed by the customs
administrations of several importing Members on the accuracy of declared values, and directed the
Committee on Customs Valuation to identify and assess practical means to address such concerns andto report to the General Council by the end of 2002 at the latest (WT/MIN(01)/17, paragraph 8.3).
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered a report by
the Committee on Customs Valuation (G/VAL/50).
The Chairman of the Committee on Customs Valuation introduced the report.WT/GC/70
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The General Council took note of the report and of the progress to date and authorized the
Committee to continue its work under the existing mandate and to report back to the General Council
once its work had been completed.
(j) Marrakesh Ministerial Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the
Reform Programme on Least-Developed and Ne t Food-Importing Developing Countries –
Inter-Agency Panel on Short-Term Difficulties in Financing Normal Levels of Commercial
Imports of Basic Foodstuffs
Ministers at Doha approved the establishment of an Inter-Agency Panel following a
recommendation by the Committee on Agriculture in September 2001 (G/AG/11) in the context of the
implementation of the Marrakesh Ministerial Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative
Effects of the Reform Programme on Least- Developed and Net Food -Importing Developing
Countries.  The recommendation called on the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture to
submit detailed terms of reference, following cons ultations with Members, to the General Council for
approval not later than 31 December 2001, and for the Inter-Agency Panel to submit its
recommendations to the General Council not later than 30 June 2002.
(i) Detailed terms of reference for the Inter-Agency Panel (WT/GC/M/72)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered the detailed terms of
reference for the Inter-Agency Panel as adopted by the Committee on Agriculture on 6 December
(G/AG/12).
The representative of Japan, introducing the Panel's terms of reference on behalf of the Vice-
Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, inform ed the General Council that the Committee had
agreed that its Vice-Chairman would serve as Chairman of the Panel.
The General Council took note of the statement, approved the terms of reference in G/AG/12
and took note that the Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture would chair the Inter-Agency
Panel.
(ii) Report of the Inter-Agency Panel (WT/GC/M/75, 76, 77)
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered the report of the Inter-
Agency Panel (W T/GC/62-G/AG/13).
The representative of Japan, on behalf of the Chairman of the Inter-Agency Panel, introduced
the Panel report.
The representatives of Sri Lanka, Egypt, Jordan, Cuba, Pakistan, Japan, Mauritius and
Tunisia, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the report and of the statements, and agreed to revert to this
matter at its reconvened meeting on 31 July.
At the reconvened meeting of the General Council on 31 July, the representatives of Canada,
Mauritius, Japan, Egypt, Zambia (on behalf of the LDCs), European Communities, Chile, Sri Lanka,
United States, Switzerland, Djibouti, Cuba, H ungary and Senegal, and the Chairman spoke.
The Chairman proposed that at this stage the General Council take note of the statements and
agree to return to this matter at its next meeting, and that, in order not to lose time, it invite the
Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture to cons ult with interested Members on the way forwardWT/GC/70
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with regard to following up on the Panel's recommendations, especially with regard to
paragraph 168(b), and to report on the results of his consultations to the General Council at its next
meeting.
The General Council so agreed.At the General Council meeting on 15 October 2002, the Chairman of the Committee on
Agriculture reported on the results of his consultations.
The representatives of Kenya (on behalf of the African Group) and Senegal, and the
Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the report of the Inter-Agency Panel
in WT/GC/62-G/AG/13 and Corr.1, and approved th e recommendations contained in paragraph 168
of the report.  With regard to the recommendations in paragraphs 168 (a), (c) and (d), the General
Council authorized its Chairman to write to th e IMF, World Bank and the Integrated Framework
Agencies requesting them to review the Panel re port as it related to the issues within their
competence.  Finally, with regard to the recommendation in paragraph 168(b), the General Council
approved the recommendation of the Committee on Agriculture that the question of feasibility of an
ex-ante financing mechanism aimed at food importers be pursued by the Committee, on the
understanding that a proposal regarding the establis hment of an ex-ante financing mechanism would
be submitted by the WTO net food-importing developing countries, and that a follow-up reportconcerning the discussion of the proposal would be submitted to the General Council following the
regular meeting of the Committee in November.
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman of the
Committee on Agriculture reported on his consultations on the follow-up to the recommendation in
paragraph 168(b) of the Inter-Agency Panel report.
The representatives of Jordan, Cuba, Nigeria and Tunisia, and the Chairman spoke.The General Council took note of the report and of the statements and authorized the
Agriculture Committee Chair to continue his consulta tions with a view to preparing a decision by the
Committee on the proposed ex-ante financing mechanism at its regular meeting in March 2003, and toreport back to the General Council on the outcome as soon as possible thereafter.
(k) Work programme on harmonizing rules of origin (WT/GC/M/72, 75, 77)
Ministers at Doha took note of the progress  on the harmonization work programme and urged
the Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO) to complete its work by the end of 2001 (WT/MIN(01)/17,paragraph 9.1).
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered a report by the
Chairman of the CRO covering a review of progress made, identification of the scope of remaining
issues and the future course of work for the conclusion of the harmonization work programme(G/RO/49).
The Chairman of the CRO, in introducing his report, outlined the results of his consultations
since the circulation of his report regarding the future course of work on this matter.
The representatives of Korea, Philippines, India, Norway, Thailand, Singapore, Brazil, New
Zealand, Australia, European Communities, Hungary, United States, Mexico and Canada spoke.WT/GC/70
Page 13
The Chairman proposed that the CRO hold two additional sessions in the first half of 2002 to
resolve remaining issues.  In that process, it might identify a limited number of core policy-level
issues which in its view needed to be reported to the General Council for discussion and decision at
that level.  The outcome of the CRO's further work would be reported by the Chairman of the
Committee, on his own responsibility, to the General Council at its first regular meeting after the end
of June 2002, at which point the matter would be in the hands of the General Council.  The deadline
for completion of the harmonization work programme would be extended to the end of 2002.
The General Council took note of the statements and so agreed.At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a report by the
Chairman of the Committee (G/RO/52).
The Vice-Chairman of the Committee introduced the report on behalf of the Chairman of the
Committee.
The representatives of Japan, India, Chile, New Zealand, Switzerland, Brazil, Philippines,
Norway, China, Thailand, Australia, Singapore, United States, Colombia, Pakistan and the European
Communities, and the Chairman spoke.
The Chairman proposed that the General Council take note of the report by the Chairman of
the CRO in G/RO/52 and of the recommendations contained therein, as well as of the statements byMembers, and that it agree to hold a first meeting on the 12 core policy-level issues identified in
paragraph 5.1 of that report.  That meeting would be preceded by informal consultations after the
summer recess for the purpose of preparing and organizing the meeting.  It was understood that these
General Council-level meetings would deal with all of the issues identified by the CRO in G/RO/52.
The General Council so agreed.
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman recalled that
since July, the General Council had held two informal meetings to discuss the 12 crucial issues
mentioned by the Chairman of the Committee on Rules of Origin in his report in G/RO/52.  He
recalled further that, at his request, both the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Committee had
recently been holding informal consultations on the outstanding core policy issues with a view tofurthering this work as much as possible before the present meeting.
The Vice-Chairman the Committee on Rules of Origin, on behalf of its Chairman, reported on
progress in the harmonization work programme since July.
The representatives of India, Brazil, United States, Japan, Norway and Hong Kong, China
spoke.
The Chairman said that in light of the Committee Chairman's report, Members had to face the
fact that despite their best efforts to date, the deadline of end-December 2002 for completing theharmonization work programme could not be met.  He proposed that the General Council extend, to
July 2003, the deadline for completion of negotiations on the core policy issues identified in the CRO
Chair's report to the General Council of 15 July 2002 (G/RO/52).  He also proposed that following
resolution of these core policy issues, the Committee on Rules of Origin complete its remaining
technical work, including the work referred to in Article 9.3(b) of the Agreement on Rules of Origin,by 31 December 2003.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to the Chairman's proposal.WT/GC/70
Page 14
(l) Work programme on electronic commerce (WT/GC/M/72, 74, 75, 76, 77)
Ministers at Doha agreed to continue the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, and
instructed the General Council to consider the mo st appropriate institutional arrangements for
handling the Work Programme, and to report on further progress to the Fifth Session of the
Ministerial Conference (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 34).
At the General Council meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the Chairman proposed three
elements with regard to future work on electronic commerce.
The General Council took note of the statement and agreed to the Chairman's proposal.At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council heard a progress report by the
Chairman.
Deputy Director-General Mr. Stoler reported  on the second dedicated discussion on cross-
cutting issues under the auspices of the General Council, held on 6 May 2002.
The representatives of Japan, Uruguay, Brazil, Panama, United States, India, European
Communities, Australia, Singapore, Pakistan and Hong Kong, China, and the Chairman spoke.
The Chairman said he would consult with Members on future work under the Work
Programme, and report at the next General Council meeting.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council heard a progress report by the
Chairman on the results of consultations by Deputy Director-General Mr. Stoler on the most
appropriate way to continue the work on cross-cutting issues.  Regarding the separate issue of the
most appropriate institutional arrangements for handling the Work Programme as a whole, the
Chairman invited delegations to reflect on this with a view to taking a decision at the October General
Council meeting, before which informal consultations would be held.
The representatives of Chinese Taipei and the United States spoke.The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to the question of
appropriate institutional arrangements for the conduct of the Work Programme as a whole at its next
meeting.
At the General Council meeting on 15 October 2002, the Chairman proposed, on the basis of
consultations held by Deputy Director-General Mr. Stoler, that the General Council agree to maintain,
for the duration of the work until the Fifth Ministerial Conference, the current arrangements for
handling the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce as outlined by him.
The General Council so agreed.
The Chairman informed the General Council that at the consultations held by Deputy
Director-General Mr. Stoler, delegations had been in agreement with a notional schedule of future
dedicated discussions on cross-cutting issues under the auspices of the General Council, which heread out.
The General Council took note of this information.WT/GC/70
Page 15
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, Deputy Director-General
Mr.Yerxa reported on the third dedicated discussion on cross-cutting issues held under the auspices of
the General Council on 25 October.
The Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the report by Deputy Director-Gen eral Mr. Yerxa and of
the statement.
(m) Work Programme on Small Economies
Ministers at Doha agreed to a work programme, under the auspices of the General Council, to
examine issues relating to trade of small economies , with a mandate to frame responses to the trade-
related issues identified for the fuller integration of small, vulnerable economies into the multilateral
trading system and not to create a sub-category of  WTO Members.  Ministers also agreed that the
General Council should review the work progra mme and make recommendations for action to the
Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conf erence (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 35).
(i) Framework and procedures for the conduc t of the Work Programme (WT/GC/M/73)
At its meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the General Council heard a report
by its Chairman on consultations under way with regard to a possible framework for the conduct of
this Work Programme, in which he indicated that more time would be needed for delegations toconsider proposals only just circulated (WT/GC/W/468), and for the initial consultations to be
widened.
The General Council agreed to the Chairman's proposal that it suspend its discussion on this
item following his statement, that Deputy Director-General Mr. Ouedraogo pursue consultations onthis matter in order to reach agreement on the fr amework for the conduct of the Work Programme,
and that Mr. Ouedraogo report at the end of the following week to the incoming Chair of the General
Council, who would set a time to resume the General Council's discussion on this item.
At the resumed meeting on 1 March 2002, the Chairman drew attention to a text that had
resulted from the consultations held by Deput y Director-General Mr. Ouedraogo (WT/GC/W/469),
and proposed that the General Council take note of the proposed framework and procedures for theconduct of the Work Programme on Small Economies contained in that document, following which
action the substantive work on the work programme would begin in dedicated sessions of the
Committee on Trade and Development as soon as possible.
The General Council so agreed.
4
The representatives of Mauritius, Barbados, United States, Malaysia, Guatemala, El Salvador,
Egypt, Hungary, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Georgia, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Lithuania,
India, European Communities, Saint Lucia (also on behalf of Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines), Bangladesh, Gabon, Bolivia and Macao, China, and DeputyDirector-General Mr. Ouedraogo spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
                                                     
4 The framework and procedures as taken note of by the General Council were circulated as WT/L/447.WT/GC/70
Page 16
(ii) Reports (WT/GC/M/74, 75, 76, 77)
At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, Deputy Director-General
Mr. Ouedraogo, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Dedicated Sessions of the Committee on
Trade and Development, reported on the first Dedicated Session of the CTD on the Work Programme
on Small Economies.
The representative of Mauritius (on behalf of the co-sponsors of the Work Programme on
Small Economies) spoke.
The General Council took note of the statement and of the report by Deputy Director-General
Mr. Ouedraogo on behalf of the Chairman of the Dedicated Sessions of the CTD.
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the Chairman of the Dedicated
Sessions of the CTD reported on the Committee's activities on this matter.
The representatives of Mauritius (on behalf of the small-economy Members) and the United
States spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the report by the Chairman of the
Dedicated Sessions of the CTD.
At the General Council meeting on 15 October 2002, Deputy Director-General Mr. Rana,
speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Dedicated Sessions of the CTD, reported on the
Committee's activities on this matter, and indicated that the next dedicated session would be held in
early November back to back with the "Geneva Week" for non-resident Members and observers, as
requested by the proponents of the Work Programme.
The General Council took note of the report by  Deputy Director-General Mr. Rana on behalf
of the Chairman of the Dedicated Sessions of the CTD.
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council heard a progress report
by Deputy Director-General Mr. Abbott on behalf of  the Chairman of the Dedicated Sessions of the
CTD.
The representatives of Japan and the United States, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the report  by Deputy Director-G eneral Mr. Abbott on
behalf of the Chairman of the Dedicated Sessions of the CTD and of the statements.
(n) WTO Work Programme for Least-Developed Countries (WT/GC/M/73)
Ministers at Dona instructed the Sub-Comm ittee on Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) to
design a work programme for the LDCs, and to report on the agreed work programme to the General
Council at its first meeting in 2002 (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 42).
At the General Council meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the Chairman of
the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries reported on the results of the Sub-Committee's
deliberations on this matter, and introduced the Work Programme for Least-Developed Countries as
agreed by the Sub-Committee (WT/COMTD/LDC/11).
The representatives of Uganda (on behalf of the LDCs) and Brazil, and the Director-General
spoke.WT/GC/70
Page 17
The General Council took note of the statements and of the Work Programme for Least-
Developed Countries agreed by the Sub- Committee on LDCs (WT/COMTD/LDC/11), and
encouraged the Sub-Committee to follow up on the Work Programme, taking into account the
statements by delegations at the present meeting.
(o) Council for TRIPS – Report on the implementation of paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on
the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health (WT/GC/M/77)
Ministers at Doha recognized that Members with insufficient or no manufacturing capacities
in the pharmaceutical sector could face difficulties in making effective use of compulsory licensing
under the TRIPS Agreement, and instructed the Council for TRIPS to find an expeditious solution to
this problem and to report to the General Counc il before the end of 2002 (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/2,
paragraph 6).
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council
considered this matter.
On 10 December, the Chairman of the Council for TRIPS reported on that Council's work to
date, and proposed that the General Council suspend its discussion on this item and revert to it at the
end of its meeting.
The General Council took note of the report by the Chairman of the Council for TRIPS and so
agreed.
On 11 December, the Chairman of the Council for TRIPS provided an interim report on the
basis of his assessment of developments.  The Chairman spoke.  The General Council took note of the
statement, and agreed to suspend consideration of this item and revert to it subsequently in light of theadvice from the Chairman of the TRIPS Council, but in any event not later than 20 December.
At the resumed meeting on 20 December, the Chairman of the TRIPS Council said, inter alia ,
that the consultations had not led to a resolution of the coverage problem in paragraph 1(a) of the
Chair's text of 16 December in regard to the so-called "scope of diseases" question.  He proposed that
the TRIPS Council be asked to resume work on this matter promptly at the beginning of 2003 to
resolve the outstanding issues in the Chair's 16 December text and to report to the General Council sothat a decision implementing a solution to the problem identified in paragraph 6 of the Doha
Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health would be taken at the first General Council meeting in 2003.
The representatives of the United States, Kenya (on behalf of the African Group), Brazil,
India, China, Malaysia, Canada, Argentina, Philippines, Botswana, Indonesia, Chile, Thailand, Cuba,Pakistan, Peru, Hungary, Chinese Taipei, European Communities, Japan, Switzerland, Czech
Republic, Norway and Hong Kong, China, and the Holy See (as an observer) requested that their
statements at the meeting of the TRIPS Council held just prior to the meeting of the General Council
be reflected also in the records of the latter.
The representatives of Kenya (on behalf of the African Group) and South Africa spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements, including those made at the meeting of the
TRIPS Council on 20 December, and invited the TRIPS Council to resume work on this matter
promptly at the beginning of 2003 to resolve the outstanding issues in the Chairman's text of16 December and to report to the General Council, so that a decision implementing a solution to the
problem identified in paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health was taken at
the first General Council meeting in 2003.WT/GC/70
Page 18
(p) Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries - Recommendations for facilitating and
accelerating the accession of LDCs to the WTO Agreement (WT/GC/M/77)
Ministers at Doha recognized that the accession of LDCs remained a priority for the
membership and agreed to work to facilitate and accelerate negotiations with acceding LDCs andinstructed the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries to design a work programme on LDCs
(WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 42).  That work programme, which was adopted by the General
Council at its meeting in February and March 2002, included, as one of its seven broad elements,
measures to facilitate and accelerate LDCs' accession to the WTO Agreement.
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered a draft
decision on guidelines to facilitate and accelerate negotiations with acceding LDCs, which had been
agreed by the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries at its meeting on 2 December
(WT/COMTD/LDC/12).
The Chairman of the Sub-Committee on LDCs introduced the draft decision.
The General Council adopted the Decision (WT/L/508).
The representatives of the United States, Zambia (on behalf of the LDCs), Japan, European
Communities, India, Norway, Kenya (on behalf of the African Group), Canada, Hungary, China and
Cuba, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
(q) Issues affecting least-developed countries – Interim report by the Director-General pursuant
to paragraph 43 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration (WT/GC/M/77)
Ministers at Doha requested the Director-General to provide an interim report to the General
Council in December 2002, following coordination with heads of the other agencies, on all issues
affecting LDCs, and a full report to the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference
(WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 43).
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered an interim
report by the Director-General pursuant to paragraph 43 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration
(WT/GC/W/485).
The Director-General introduced the report.The representatives of Djibouti, Japan, European Communities, Zambia (on behalf of the
LDCs), Haiti, United States, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Kenya, Benin and Guinea spoke.
The General Council took note of the interim report by the Director-General and of the
statements.
(r) Implementation and adequacy of technical cooperation and capacity-building commitments in
the Doha Ministerial Declaration – Interim report by the Director-General pursuant to
paragraph 41 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration (WT/GC/M/77)
Ministers at Doha instructed the Director-General to report to the Fifth Session of the
Ministerial Conference on the implementation and adequacy of the technical cooperation andWT/GC/70
Page 19
capacity-building commitments in the Doha Minister ial Declaration, with an interim report to the
General Council in December 2002 (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 41).
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered an interim
report by the Director-General pursuant to paragraph 41 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration
(WT/GC/W/484).
The Director-General introduced the report.The representatives of Japan, European Communities, Egypt, Norway, India, Kenya, Djibouti,
United States, Thailand, Zambia, Pakistan, Jamaic a, Canada, Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria,
Mauritius, Cuba and Burkina Faso, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the Director-General's interim report and of the statements.
(s) Date and Venue of the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference (WT/GC/M/72
5, 746)
Under Item 3 of the Doha Ministerial Conference agenda ("Date and Venue of the Fifth
Ministerial Conference") Ministers requested the General Council to determine the venue and dates of
the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference.
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered a communication
from Mexico containing an offer by that Government to host the Fifth Session of the Ministerial
Conference (WT/GC/55).
The representatives of Mexico, Honduras (on behalf of GRULAC), Egypt, Qatar, United
States, Kenya, Botswana, Brazil, Israel, Kuwait, European Communities, Canada, Lesotho,
Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Morocco, China, Indi a, New Zealand, Australia and Côte d'Ivoire, and
the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed that Mexico would be the venue
for the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference.
At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the Chairman reported on consultations
he had been holding regarding the dates of the Fifth Session.
The representative of Mexico informed the General Council that, having considered a number
of sites which could provide the services and infrastructure required to carry out such a meeting, his
Government had suggested that the Ministerial Conference be held in Cancún.  Regarding possible
dates for the meeting, and taking into account the views expressed in the consultations held by theChairman, as well as logistics and other issues, his delegation proposed 10-14 September 2003.
The General Council took note of the statements and of Mexico's choice of Cancún as the site
for the Fifth Session, and agreed that the Fifth Session would be held on 10-14 September 2003.
                                                     
5 Carried in General Council minutes as "Venue of the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference –
Communication from Mexico".
6 Carried in General Council minutes as "Date of the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference".WT/GC/70
Page 20
2. China – Transitional review under Section 18.2 of the Protocol on Accession to the WTO
Agreement (WT/GC/M/77)
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council conducted its first
review of China's implementation of the WTO Agreement and the provisions of the Protocol of
Accession.  In so doing, the General Council considered a communication from China (WT/GC/68)which provided information required under Sections I and III of Annex 1A of the Protocol of
Accession, as well as reports from subsidiary bodies on their respective reviews (G/L/596, S/C/15,
IP/C/26, WT/BOP/R/68).
The representatives of China, United States, European Communities, Japan, Chinese Taipei,
Switzerland, Chile, Canada, India, Cuba, Uruguay,  Korea, Pakistan, Thailand, Zambia, Hungary and
Côte d'Ivoire, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the reports submitted by the
subsidiary bodies on their respective reviews, a nd agreed that the first review of China's
implementation of the WTO Agreement and the prov isions of its Protocol of Accession by the
General Council, pursuant to Section 18 of the Protocol, had been concluded.
3. Reports of the Special Sessions of the Committee on Agriculture and of the Council for
Trade in Services (WT/GC/M/72, 73)
In May 2000, the General Council agreed that for the duration of the mandated negotiations
on Agriculture and Services, reports on them from the Special Sessions of the Committee onAgriculture and the Council for Trade in Services respectively would be a standing item on its agenda.
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered and took note of
reports of the Special Sessions of the Committee on Agriculture and the Council for Trade in Services
(G/AG/NG/9 and S/C SS/10 respectively).
At its meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the General Council considered a
report of the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture (G/AG/NG/10).
The Chairman said that in the light of the Doha Ministerial Declaration and the establishment
of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) under the authority of the General Council to supervise
the overall conduct of the negotiations in all areas specified in the Declaration, and following theagreement reached on the structure for the negotiations at the TNC's first meeting on 28 January and
1 February (TN/C/M/1), it seemed that the reports from these bodies operating in special session for
the purposes of the agreed negotiations should fort hwith be submitted to the TNC.  In saying this, of
course, it was clear that the General Council was in charge of the WTO's work programme as a whole,
including that set out in the Doha Ministerial Declaration, and that the TNC would, in turn, report toeach regular meeting of the General Council.
The General Council took note of the stat ement and of the report in G/AG/NG/10.
4. Technical assistance and capacity building – Second meeting of Heads of Agency of the
Integrated Framework (WT/GC/M/74)
At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the Director-General reported on the
Second Meeting of the Heads of Agency of th e Integrated Framework since July 2000, held on
26 February 2002, as well as on the first policy dialogue that he had held with the Heads and
Representatives of the regional development banks, the World Bank and the New Partnership forAfrican Development (NEPAD) Secretariat.WT/GC/70
Page 21
The representatives of Haiti, Guinea, Canada and the United States, and the Director-General
spoke.
The General Council took note of the Director-General's report and of the statements.
5. Report on the evaluation of the Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme
(WT/GC/M/75)
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, Deputy Director-General
Mr. Ouedraogo reported on a meeting of the JITAP Common Trust Fund Steering Group held on
25 June to discuss the evaluation report of two international consultants relating to the effectiveness of
the JITAP in building the human and institutional cap acities of beneficiary countries and on its future
direction.
The representatives of Canada, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania and Djibouti spoke.The General Council took note of the statements.
6. Agreement on Textiles and Clothing
(a) Major review of the implementation of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing (ATC) during
the second stage of the integration process pursuant to Article 8.11 of the ATC
(WT/GC/M/72)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the Interim Chairman of the Council for Trade in
Goods (CTG) informed the General Council on the situ ation with regard to the major review of the
implementation of the ATC during the second stage of the integration process, and reaffirmed the
commitment of the CTG Chairman to continue and intensify the consultation process in 2002 with a
view to submitting a report for consideration by the CTG at an early date.
The representatives of India, China, Pakistan and Bangladesh spoke.The General Council took note of the statements.
(b) Composition of the Textiles Monitoring Body (WT/GC/M/72)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered a draft decision on
the composition of the Textiles Monitoring Body for the final three years of the Agreement on
Textiles and Clothing, i.e. from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2004 (WT/GC/W/465).
The Interim Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods spoke.
The General Council took note of the statem ent and adopted the Decision (WT/L/443).
7. Review of procedures for the circulation and derestriction of WTO documents
(WT/GC/M/72, 73, 74)
At the General Council meeting on 19-20 December 2001, Deputy Director-General
Mr. Rodríguez-Mendoza reported on consultations he had been holding on this matter.
The representatives of the European Communities, Bulgaria, India, Canada, United States,
Panama, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile and Peru, and the Chairman spoke.WT/GC/70
Page 22
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting, and that in the meantime further informal consultations would be held in order to bring this
matter to a conclusion.
At its meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the General Council again
considered this matter.
The Chairman spoke.The General Council took note of the statement and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting, and that in the meantime Deputy Director-General Mr. Rodríguez-Mendoza be requested topursue his consultations in order to bring this matter to a conclusion.
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered a draft decision on this
matter that had resulted from the informal consultations (WT/GC/W/464/Rev.1).
The Chairman indicated that since the circulation of the text in WT/GC/W/464/Rev.1, he had
held further discussions with several delegations in light of some concerns expressed by them,
following which he wished to propose two modificatio ns to that text concerning paragraphs 2(a) and
2(b), both of which were intended to clarify the rele vant provisions of the draft decision and were not
substantive.  He sought Members' understanding in  incorporating the proposed changes into the text
of the draft decision.  He then went on to read out three points of clarification for the record, which
related to disclaimers on documents prepared by the Secretariat, the "date of circulation" of a
document, and the distribution of "Job No." documents.
The representatives of Malaysia, European Communities, Bulgaria, United States, Panama,
Honduras, Canada and Colombia (also on behalf of Ch ile), and the Director of the Language Services
and Documentation Division and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council adopted the draft decision with the two amendments read out by the
Chairman (WT/L/452), and took note of the statements, including the points of clarification by the
Chairman.
8. Internal transparency and effective participation of Members – Preparatory process in
Geneva and negotiating procedure at Ministerial Conferences (WT/GC/M/73, 74, 75, 77)
At its meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the representative of India informed
the General Council that his delegation would shor tly be circulating a paper outlining suggestions
with respect to the issue of internal transparency and effective participation of Members as it related
to the preparation and organization of Ministerial Conferences, and requested that this matter be
placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the General Council.
The General Council took note of the statement.
At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, t he General Council considered a joint
communication on this subject from Cuba, Domini can Republic, Egypt, Honduras, India, Indonesia,
Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe
(WT/GC/W/471).
The representatives of India, United States, Norway, Zimbabwe, China, European
Communities, Guatemala, Brazil, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Cuba, Philippines, Korea, New Zealand,WT/GC/70
Page 23
Turkey, Bulgaria, Singapore, Malaysia, Colombia, Indonesia, Chile, Japan, Pakistan, Egypt and Hong
Kong, China, and the Director-General and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a further joint
communication on this subject from Australia, Canada, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore,
Switzerland and Hong Kong, China7 (WT/GC/W/477), as well as an earlier communication from
Bulgaria submitted in November 2000 (WT/GC/W/422).
The representatives of Australia, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Morocco, Norway,
Zimbabwe, Japan, South Africa, Egypt, Czech Republic, Indonesia, Thailand, Hungary, Korea,
European Communities, India, United States, Jamaica, Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, Pakistan,
Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Ch ina, Tanzania, Philippines, Cuba, New Zealand,
Nigeria and Hong Kong China, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this item at a future
meeting, and that the Chairman would hold consultations on this matter in the meantime.
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman introduced
the text of a draft Chairman's Statement on th is matter (Job(02)/197/Rev.1), drawn up on his own
responsibility and proposed that the General Council agree to endorse the statement as it stood.
The representatives of Bulgaria, India, Canada, Cuba, Kenya (on behalf of the African
Group), European Communities, Norway, Indonesia, Japan, China, Panama, Nigeria, New Zealand,
Honduras, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, Hungary, Chile, Egypt, Australia, Argentina,
Pakistan, Switzerland, Haiti, China, and Hong Kong, China, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
9. Appointment of the next Director-General - Follow-up to the Decision of 22 July 1999
(WT/GC/M/73)
In its Decision of July 1999 on the appointment of the next Director-General (WT/L/308), the
General Council agreed that it would reconfirm, in March 2002, the availability for office of the next
Director-General-designate of the WTO, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi (Thailand).
At the General Council meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the Chairman
drew attention to a communicati on from Dr. Supachai circulated by the delegation of Thailand
(WT/L/438), in which Dr. Supachai formally inform ed the General Council of his availability for
office for the period 1 September 2002 to 31 August 2005, and proposed, for the purposes of the
reconfirmation, that the General Council take note of the communication.
The General Council so agreed.The Chairman then recalled that in its Decision of July 1999 the General Council had also
resolved to elaborate and adopt, by the end of September 2000, a comprehensive set of rules and
procedures for future appointments of Directors-General.  Regrettably, it had not been possible to
                                                     
7 At this meeting, the representative of Chile indicated that Chile wished to be added to the list of
sponsors of the communication in WT/GC/W/477.WT/GC/70
Page 24
pursue this matter further over the past year, due to the heavy workload in preparation for the Doha
Ministerial Conference.  He was hopeful that Members would be able to address this matter
substantively in the coming months.
The General Council took note of the statement.
10. Procedures for the appointment of future Directors-General (WT/GC/M/758, 77)
In its Decision of July 1999 on the appointment of the next Director-General, the General
Council resolved to elaborate and adopt, by the end of September 2000, a comprehensive set of rules
and procedures for future appointments of Direct ors-General (WT/L/308).  At the General Council
meeting on 13-14 May 2002, prior to adoption of the agenda, the Chairman indicated that he would be
holding consultations on this matter.
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the Chairman, recalling that work
under this mandate had been undertaken by his predecessors, reported on consultations he had held
recently on this matter, and outlined the main issues that needed further focused consultations, as well
as other issues on which there seemed to be broad convergence.  He indicated his intention to holdfurther focused consultations in the early autumn on issues Members had identified as the most
important, with a view to moving this work towards a successful conclusion by the end of the year.
The representatives of Brazil and India spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered a draft text
on procedures for the appointment of Directors-General (WT/GC/W/482/Rev.1).
The Chairman proposed that the General Council agree to adopt the procedures as contained
in WT/GC/W/482/Rev.1.
The General Council so agreed (WT/L/509).The representatives of Bulgaria, Botswana, Brazil, Kenya (on behalf of the African Group),
Nigeria, Norway, Cuba, Jamaica, Chile, Australia, Switzerland, Barbados, Philippines, ChineseTaipei, Hungary, Mexico, United States and Japan, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
11. Appointment of officers to WTO bodies
(a) Appointment of officers to WTO bodies (WT/GC/M/73, 77)
At the General Council meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the Chairman said
that in accordance with the guidelines for appointme nt of officers to WTO bodies approved by the
General Council in January 1995 (WT/L/31), he had conducted consultations on this matter, on the
basis of which he considered that there was a consensus on the following slate of names:
General Council Mr. Sergio Marchi (Canada)
                                                     
8 See also under point 9 – " Appointment of the next Director-General - Follow-up to the Decision of
22 July 1999."WT/GC/70
Page 25
Dispute Settlement Body Mr. Carlos Pérez del Castillo (Uruguay)
Trade Policy Review Body Ms. Amina Chawahir Mohamed (Kenya)Council for Trade in Goods Mr.  M. Supperamaniam (Malaysia)
Council for Trade in Services Mrs. Mary Whelan (Ireland)
Council for TRIPS Mr. Eduardo Pérez Motta (Mexico)Committee on Trade and Environment Mr. O ğuz Demiralp (Turkey)
Committee on Trade and Development Mr. Toufiq Ali (Bangladesh)
Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions Mrs. Anda Cristina Filip (Romania)Committee on Regional Trade Agreements Mr. Boniface Guwa Chidyausiku (Zimbabwe)Committee on Budget, Finance and
  AdministrationMr. Neil McMillan (United Kingdom)
Working Group on the Relationship between
  Trade and InvestmentMr. Luiz Felipe de Seixas Corrêa (Brazil)
Working Group on the Interaction between Trade
  and Competition PolicyMr. Frédéric Jenny (France)
Working Group on Transparency in Government
  ProcurementMr. Ronald Saborío Soto (Costa Rica)
Working Group on Trade and Transfer
  of TechnologyMr. Stefán Haukur Jóhannesson (Iceland)
Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance Mr. Hernando José Gómez (Colombia)Negotiating Group on Market Access Mr. Pierre-Louis Girard (Switzerland)Negotiating Group on WTO Rules Mr. Timothy John Groser (New Zealand)Special Session of the Council for Trade in
  ServicesMr. Alejandro Jara (Chile)
Special Session of the Council for TRIPS Mr. Eui Yong Chung (Korea)
Special Session of the Dispute Settlement Body Mr. Péter Balás (Hungary)Special Session of the Committee on Agricultur e Mr. Stuart Harbinson (Hong Kong, China)
Special Session of the Committee on Trade and
  EnvironmentMrs. Yolande Biké (Gabon)
Special Session of the Committee on Trade and
  DevelopmentMr. Ransford Smith (Jamaica)
As part of the understandings that had been reached in his consultations on the appointment of
chairpersons to WTO bodies for 2002, and which had contributed to the consensus on the above slate
of names, it had been agreed that Mr. Farahat (Egypt) would be appointed as Chairperson of theWT/GC/70
Page 26
Committee on Agriculture.  Appointments for the regular WTO bodies would be for one year, as
usual.  The chairpersons appointed to the other WTO bodies under the structure agreed by the Trade
Negotiations Committee at its first meeting on 28 Janu ary and 1 February would, as had been agreed,
serve until the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Co nference (TN/C/M/1).  All chairpersons would be
formally appointed by the respective Councils and Committees at their first meeting following thepresent meeting.
The representatives of Japan, Korea, Kenya (on behalf of the African Group), Nicaragua (on
behalf of GRULAC), Zimbabwe, Mexico, Philippi nes, Morocco, United States, Cuba, European
Communities, Uganda (on behalf of the LDCs), Slovak Republic (also on behalf of Bulgaria, Croatia,
Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovenia), Pakistan,
China, Norway, Bangladesh and the Russian Federation (as an observer), and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the consensus on the slate of names.At its  meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman informed the General Council,
in accordance the revised Guidelines for Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies adopted at that
meeting (WT/L/510)9, that he would be starting the selection process for the appointment of
chairpersons to the WTO bodies outlined in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Annex to the Guidelines and
provided details of how this process woul d be conducted under the agreed Guidelines.
The General Council took note of this information.
(b) Guidelines for the appointment of officers to WTO Bodies (WT/GC/M/77)
At the General Council meeting in February 200210, several Members indicated their
dissatisfaction with the current process for appointment of officers, and expressed the hope that a
better approach to this process could be developed, and in May, the Chairman indicated that he would
be holding consultations on this matter.
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered a draft text
on guidelines for the appointment of officers to WTO bodies (Job(02)/198/Rev.1).
The Chairman proposed that the draft guidelin es for the appointment of officers to WTO
bodies in document Job(02)/198/Rev.1 be adopted.
The General Council so agreed (WT/L/510).
12. Review of the exemption provided under paragraph 3 of GATT 1994 (WT/GC/M/72, 74,
75, 77)
At the General Council meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the Chairman, recalling that a
review of the exemption provided under paragraph 3 of GATT 1994 was due to have been conducted
in 2001, said that as the General Council had been overloaded with a number of other priority issues,
in particular those relating to preparations for the Fourth Ministerial Conference, it had not been able
to conduct this review and would thus  have revert to this matter in 2002.
The General Council took note of the statement.
                                                     
9 See under Point 11(b) "Guidelines for the appointment of officers to WTO bodies."
10 See under Point 11(a) "Appointment of officers to WTO bodies".WT/GC/70
Page 27
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered the exemption provided
under paragraph 3 of GATT 1994 for review.  In this connection, the General Council had before it a
communication from the United States containing recent information relating to the operation of the
exemption (WT/L/444).
The representatives of the United States, Japan, Panama, European Communities, Australia
and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the Chairman suggested it might be
helpful if he were to consult info rmally with the delegations who had spoken on this item thus far, at
least in the first instance, with the aim of trying to get a sense of the way forward and to bring some
closure to this issue at a future meeting.  If this were agreeable, he would propose to begin
consultations on this matter early in the autumn and also propose that the General Council to revert to
this item at a future meeting before the end of the year.
The representatives of the European Communities, Norway, United States, Australia, Panama,
Japan, Korea and Chile spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at a future
meeting before the end of the year, and that the Ch airman would hold consultations on it early in the
autumn.
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman reported on
the consultations that at his request Deputy Dire ctor-General Mr. Thompson-Flôres had held on his
behalf on this matter and proposed a procedure to be  followed for the conduct of the review under the
next cycle starting in 2003.
The representatives of Panama, Chile, European Communities, Japan, Australia, Norway,
New Zealand, United States and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to the procedure for the conduct
of the review under the next cycle starting in 2003 as outlined by the Chairman.
13. Proposal to remove and avoid inconsistencies in the texts of WTO agreements
(WT/GC/M/74, 75)
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered a proposal from Chile
aimed at removing and avoiding inconsistencies in the texts of WTO agreements (WT/GC/W/473).
The representatives of Chile, Colombia, Cuba, United States, Canada, European
Communities, Venezuela, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Argentina and Switzerland spoke.
The Chairman invited Members and the relevant divisions of the Secretariat to further reflect
on this issue, and proposed that the General Council take note of the statements and revert to this
matter at a future meeting.
The General Council so agreed.WT/GC/70
Page 28
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the representative of Chile informed the General
Council about consultations his delegation had held with various Members on this matter, and
requested that this matter be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the General Council.
The General Council took note of the statement and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
14. Accession matters
(a) Armenia (WT/GC/M/77)
In December 1993, the GATT 1947 Council established a Working Party to examine
Armenia's request for accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT 1947).
Having regard to the Decision adopted by the General Council on 31 January 1995 (WT/L/25), theGATT 1947 Accession Working Party was transformed into a WTO Accession Working Party.
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered the Report of
the Working Party on the Accession of Ar menia (WT/ACC/ARM/23 and Add.1 and 2).
The representative of Armenia (as an observer) and the representative of Australia on behalf
of the Chairman of the Working Party spoke.
The General Council approved the text of the Protocol of Accessi on of Armenia (WT/L/506)
and, in accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTOAgreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), a dopted the Decision on the Accession of Armenia
(WT/L/506).  The General Council then adopte d the report of the Working Party as a whole
(WT/ACC/ARM/23 and Add.1 and 2).  In this context, the Chairman drew attention to the
communication to the Director-General received from Armenia and circulated in WT/ACC/ARM/22
and, on behalf of the General Council and all Members, welcomed the accession of Armenia.
The representatives of Armenia (as an obs erver), Indonesia (on behalf of the ASEAN
Members), Georgia, Slovak Republic (also on behalf of Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia,
Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovenia), European Communities, United States,
Paraguay (on behalf of GRULAC), Kyrgyz Republic , Lesotho, Japan, India, Cyprus and Australia,
and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the expressions of welcome and
support.
(b) Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (WT/GC/M/76)
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council considered the Report of the
Working Party established in December 1994 to examine the request of the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia for accession to the WTO Agreement (WT/ACC/807/27 and Add.1 and 2).
The representative of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (as an observer) and the
Chairman of the Working Party spoke.
The General Council approved the text of the Protocol of Accession of the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia (WT/L/494) and, in accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under
Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement ag reed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the
Decision on the Accession of the Former Yugoslav  Republic of Macedonia (WT/L/494).  The General
Council then adopted the report of the Working Party as a whole (WT/ACC/807/27 and Add.1 and 2).WT/GC/70
Page 29
The representatives of Argentina, Turkey, Paraguay (on behalf of GRULAC), China, Slovak
Republic (also on behalf of Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech  Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, Romania and Slovenia), Croatia, European Communities, Indonesia (on behalf of the ASEAN
Members), India, Slovenia, Albania, Bulgaria, Kenya (on behalf of the African Group) and the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (as an observer), and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the expressions of welcome and
support.
(c) Iran (WT/GC/M/72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
A communication from Iran requesting accession to the WTO Agreement (WT/ACC/IRN/1)
was considered by the General Council in May 2001 at the request of Egypt on behalf of the Informal
Group of Developing Countries, and further at its meetings in July and October 2001.
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council again considered this matter.
The representatives of the United States and Malaysia (on behalf of the Informal Group of
Developing Countries) spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the General Council again
considered this matter.
The representatives of the United States and Malaysia (on behalf of the Informal Group of
Developing Countries) spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council again considered this matter.
The representatives of the United States and Malaysia (on behalf of the Informal Group of
Developing Countries) spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council again considered this matter.
The representatives of the United States, Malaysia (on behalf of the Informal Group of
Developing Countries) and the European Communities spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council again considered this matter.
The representatives of the United States and Malaysia (on behalf of the Informal Group of
Developing Countries) spoke.WT/GC/70
Page 30
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council again considered this
matter.
The representatives of the United States and Malaysia (on behalf of the Informal Group of
Developing Countries) spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
(d) Nepal (WT/GC/M/76)
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the Chairman informed the General Council that
Mr. Girard (Switzerland) had agreed to Chair the Working Party on Accession of Nepal following the
departure of the former Chairman, Mr. Farrell (New Zealand).
The General Council took note of this information.
(e) Saudi Arabia (WT/GC/M/73)
At its meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the Chairman said, inter alia , that as
a result of his recent consultations, he believed that consensus could be reached shortly on the
appointment of Mr. Akram (Pakistan) who had offered to make himself available to chair the
Working Party on Accession of Saudi Arabia following an indication by its present Chairman,
Mr. Weekes (Canada), that he would no longer be able to serve in this post.  He or the new General
Council Chairman would complete these consultations and, if there were no objections, designate theChairman of the Working Party and so inform the General Council in writing.
11
The General Council took note of the statement.
15. Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions
(a) Consultations - Bangladesh (WT/GC/M/74, 77)
At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the representative of Romania, speaking
on behalf of the Chairperson of the Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions, introduced the
Committee's report on its resumed consultations with Bangladesh (WT/BOP/R/60).
The General Council took note of the statement and adopted the report in WT/BOP/R/60.
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the representative of
Romania on behalf of the Chairperson of th e Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions
introduced the Committee's report on its consultations with Bangladesh (WT/BOP/R/64).
The representatives of Bangladesh and the United States spoke.
                                                     
11 In the light of further consultations, the Chairman informed Members in a communication dated
13 March 2002 (WT/GC/59) that Mr. Akram (Pakistan) would serve as the new Chairman of this Working
Party .WT/GC/70
Page 31
The General Council took note of the statements and adopted the report in WT/BOP/R/64.
(b) Notes on meetings (WT/GC/M/74, 77)
At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the representative of Romania, speaking
on behalf of the Chairperson of the Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions, introduced the
Committee's report on its meeting of 27 February (WT/BOP/R/61).
The General Council took note of the statemen t and of the information in WT/BOP/R/61.
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman drew
attention to the Note on the Committee's meeting of 18 November (WT/BOP/R/69).
The General Council took note of the information in WT/BOP/R/69.
16. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration
(a) Reports (WT/GC/M/72, 74, 75, 76, 77)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered a report by the
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (WT/BFA/56).
The Chairman of the Committee introduced the report.  The representatives of Pakistan,
Japan, Canada, Brazil, European Communities, United States, India, China, Norway, Switzerland,
Philippines, Tanzania and United Kingdom (also on behalf of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden)
spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements, approved the Budget Committee's specific
recommendations in paragraphs 9, 10, 19, 22, 39, 48, 56, 59 and 65 of its report in WT/BFA/56, andadopted the report.
At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the Chairman of the Committee on
Budget, Finance and Administration reported on the Committee's meetings of 15 April and 8 May
2002.
The General Council took note of the statement.At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered reports by the
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (WT/BFA/58 and 59).
The Chairman of the Committee introduced the reports, and reported on the Committee's
meeting of 5 July 2002.
The General Council took note of the statement, approved the Budget Committee's specific
recommendation in paragraph 9 of its report in WT /BFA/58, and adopted the reports in WT/BFA/58
and 59.
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council considered a report by the
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (WT/BFA/60).
The Chairman of the Committee introduced the report.WT/GC/70
Page 32
The General Council took note of the statem ent and adopted the report in WT/BFA/60.
At the General Council meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the Chairman drew
attention to the recommendations of the Committ ee on Budget, Finance and Administration which
had resulted from the Committee's extensive meetings held between October and December(WT/BFA/62).
The Chairman of the Committee introduced the Committee's recommendations in
WT/BFA/62.
The Chairman of the General Council made a statement with regard to the Committee's work
concerning the review of methodologies for future pay adjustments.
The General Council took note of the statements by the Chairman of the Committee and by
the Chairman of the General Council, approved the Committee's recommendations contained in
WT/BFA/62, and took note that the Committee would make a progress report in February 2003 on its
work concerning the review of methodologies for future pay adjustments.
The representatives of China, Chile, Djibouti, Haiti, Kenya (on behalf of the African Group),
Chinese Taipei, Uruguay, Barbados, Zambia and the United States, and the Director-General and the
Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
(b) Statement by the Committee Chairman in relation to pledges announced and payments
received to finance the implementation of th e WTO Secretariat Annual Technical Assistance
Plan (WT/GC/M/75)
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the Chairman of the Committee on
Budget, Finance and Administration reported on pledges announced and payments received towards
the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund , and urged all donors who had not yet done so to
transfer their promised contributions as quickly as possible.
The representative of Japan spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
(c) Statement by the Committee Chairman regarding the Director-General's conditions of service
(WT/GC/M/76)
At the General Council meeting on 15 October 2002, the Chairman of the Committee on
Budget, Finance and Administration drew attention to  his 3 October letter to all delegations drawing
their attention to a report he had made to the Budget Committee on 2 October regarding a proposed
adjustment to the Director-General's salary package, which he outlined.
The Chairman proposed that the General Council agree ad referendum to the terms of the
Director-General's contract as outlined by the Chairman of the Committee on Budget, Finance and
Administration.  If no Member indicated any reserva tions to him by close-of-business on 28 October,
the Director-General's conditions of service would be considered agreed and a notice to this effect
sent to Members.WT/GC/70
Page 33
The General Council took note of the statement and so agreed.12
17. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement
(a) Transposition of Schedules into the Harmonized System
(i) Nicaragua and Sri Lanka (WT/GC/M/74)
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered requests by Nicaragua
(G/L/515) and Sri Lanka (G/L/516) for extensions of waivers previously granted in connection with
their implementation of the Harmonized System, and draft decisions to this effect (Nicaragua –
G/C/W/351;  Sri Lanka – G/C/W/352).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of these
requests by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decisions (Nicaragua – WT/L/467;  Sri Lanka – WT/L/468).
(ii) Sri Lanka (WT/GC/M/76)
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council considered a request by Sri Lanka
(G/L/565) for an extension of its waiver previously granted in connection with its implementation of
the Harmonized System, and a draft decision to this effect (G/C/W/415/Rev.1).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/492).
(b) Introduction of the Harmonized System 1996 changes into WTO schedules of tariff
concessions
(i) Argentina, Brazil, El Salvador, Israel, Malaysia, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Panama,
Paraguay, Switzerland, Thailand and Venezuela (WT/GC/M/74)
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered requests from Argentina
(G/L/528), Brazil (G/L/511), El Salv ador (G/L/514), Israel (G/L/513 ), Malaysia (G/L/535), Morocco
(G/L/512/Rev.1), Norway (G /L/519), Pakistan (G/L/526), Pana ma (G/L/518), Paraguay (G/L/525),
Switzerland (G/L/523), Thailand (G/L/524) and Vene zuela (G/L/517) for extensions of waivers for
the introduction of Harmonized System 1996 changes into schedules of tariff concessions, and related
draft decisions (Argentina – G/C/W/362;  Brazil – G/ C/W/348;  El Salvador – G/C/W/350;  Israel –
G/C/W/349 and Corr.1;  Malaysia – G/C/W/364;  Mo rocco – G/C/W/358;  Norway – G/C/W/355 and
Corr.1;  Pakistan – G/C/W/365 and Corr.1;  Panama – G/C/W/354 and Corr.1;  Paraguay –
G/C/W/357;  Switzerland – G/C/W/356;  Thai land – G/C/W/359 and Venezuela – G/C/W/353).
                                                     
12 No reservations having been received by the Chai rman, the Director-General's conditions of service
were thereby considered agreed.  A notice to this effect was circulated to Members in WT/GC/67.WT/GC/70
Page 34
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of these
requests by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decisions (WT/L/464 – Argentina;  WT/L/454 – Brazil;  WT/L/456 – El Salvador;
WT/L/455 – Israel;  WT/L/465 – Malaysia;  WT/L/4 62 – Morocco;  WT/L/459 – Norway;  WT/L/466
– Pakistan;  WT/L/458 – Panama;  WT/L/461 – Paraguay;  WT/L/460 – Switzerland;  WT/L/463 –
Thailand and WT/L/457 – Venezuela).
(ii) Argentina, El Salvador, Israel, Morocco, Norway, Thailand and Ve nezuela (WT/GC/M/76)
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council considered requests from Argentina
(G/L/559), El Salvador (G/L/563 ), Israel (G/L/560), Morocco (G/L/568), Norway (G/L/562),
Thailand (G/L/564) and Venezuela (G/L/561) for extensions of waivers for the introduction of
Harmonized System 1996 changes into schedules of tariff concessions, and related draft decisions
(Argentina – G/C/W/409 and Corr.1;  El Salvador  – G/C/W/413 and Corr.1;  Israel – G/C/W/410 and
Corr.1;  Morocco – G/C/W/417;  Norway – G/ C/W/412 and Corr.1;  Thailand – G/C/W/414 and
Corr.1 and Venezuela – G/C/W/411 and Corr.1).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of these
requests by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decisions (WT/L/485 – Argentina;  WT/L/486 – El Salvador;  WT/L/487 – Israel;
WT/L/488 – Morocco;  WT/L/489 – Norway;  WT/L/490 – Thailand and WT/L/491 – Venezuela).
(c) Introduction of the Harmonized System 2002 changes into WTO schedules of tariff
concessions
(i) Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia,
European Communities, Hungary, Iceland, India, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia,
Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Singapor e, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland,
Thailand, Turkey, United States, Ur uguay and Hong Kong, China (WT/GC/M/74)
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered a draft decision
(G/C/W/367/Rev.1) to waive obligations under Ar ticle II of GATT 1994 for Members listed in the
Annex to the draft decision in relation to the introduction of the Harmonized System 2002 changes
into WTO schedules of tariff concessions.
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this draft
decision by that Council.
The representatives of Romania and Brazil spoke.The General Council took note of the report and of the statements, including the statement by
the Chairperson of the Market Access Committee at the Committee's meeting of 15 March 2002
referred to by Brazil, and in accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and
XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November  1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the Decision (WT/L/469).WT/GC/70
Page 35
(ii) Romania (WT/GC/M/75)
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a request by Romania
(G/L/553) for a waiver for the introduction of the Harmonized System 2002 changes into WTO
schedules of tariff concessions, and the related draft decision (G/C/W/383).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/477).
(iii) Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, European
Communities, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ko rea, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Nicaragua,
Norway, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Switzerland, Thailand, United
States, Uruguay and Hong Kong, Ch ina and Macao, China (WT/GC/M/77)
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered a draft
decision (G/C/W/436 and Corr.1) to waive obligations under Article II of GATT 1994 for Members
listed in the Annex to that decision in relation to the introduction of the Harmonized System 2002
changes into WTO schedules of tariff concessions.
The Chairman, on behalf of the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods, reported on the
consideration of the draft decision by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/511).
(d) Renegotiation of Schedule
(i) Zambia (WT/GC/M/74, 76)
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered a request by Zambia
(G/L/537) for an extension of a waiver previously granted in connection with the renegotiation of its
schedule, and a draft decision to this effect (G/C/W/370).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/470).
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council considered a request by Zambia
(G/L/567) for an extension of a waiver previously granted in connection with the renegotiation of its
schedule, and a draft decision to this effect (G/C/W/416).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by that Council.WT/GC/70
Page 36
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/493).
(e) Colombia – Article 5.2 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures
(WT/GC/M/72)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered a request by
Colombia (G/C/W/340) for a waiver from its obligations under Article 5.2 of the Agreement on
Trade-Related Investment Measures, and the related draft decision (G/C/W/343).
The Interim Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this
request by that Council.
The representative of the United States spoke.The General Council took note of the report and of the statement and, in accordance with the
Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the Decision (WT/L/441).
(f) Cuba – Article XV:6 of GATT 1994 (WT/GC/M/72)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered a request by Cuba
(G/C/W/303 and Corr.1) for an extension of a waiver previously granted in connection with its
obligations under paragraph 6 of Article XV of GATT 1994, and the related draft decision
(G/C/W/308).
The Interim Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this
request by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/440).
(g) Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of  GATT 1994 (Customs Valuation Agreement)
(i) Côte d'Ivoire (WT/GC/M/75)
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a request by Côte
d'Ivoire (G/C/W/301 and Add.1 and 2) for a waiver from its obligations under the Agreement on
Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994, and the related draft decision (G/C/W/385).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/475).WT/GC/70
Page 37
(ii) Dominican Republic – Minimum values under the Agreement on Implementation of
Article VII of GA TT 1994 (WT/GC/M/72)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered a request by the
Dominican Republic (G/C/W/286) for a waiver from its obligations under the Agreement on
Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994, and the related draft decision (G/C/W/310).
The Interim Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this
request by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/442).
(iii) El Salvador (WT/GC/M/74, 75)
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered a request by El Salvador
(G/C/W/300/Rev.2) for extension of a waiver from its obligations under the Agreement on
Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994, and the related draft decision(G/C/W/300/Rev.2/Add.1/Corr.1).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/453).
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a further request by
El Salvador (G/C/W/372) for a waiver from its obligations under the Agreement on Implementation
of Article VII of GATT 1994, and the related draft decision (G/C/W/388).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/476).
(iv) Haiti (WT/GC/M/72)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered a request by Haiti
(G/C/W/256/Rev.1) for a waiver from its obligations under the Agreement on Implementation of
Article VII of GATT 1994, and the related draft decision (G/C/W/326).
The Interim Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this
request by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93),
adopted the Decision (WT/L/439).WT/GC/70
Page 38
(h) Least-Developed Countries – Obligations under Article 70.9 of the TRIPS Agreement with
respect to pharmaceutical products (WT/GC/M/75)
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a draft decision
(IP/C/W/359) to waive from the obligations of least-developed country Members under Article 70.9
of the TRIPS Agreement with respect to pharmaceutical products until 1 January 2016.
The Chairman of the Council for TRIPS reported on the consideration of this waiver by that
Council.
The representative of Zambia (on behalf of the LDCs) spoke.The General Council took note of the report and of the statement and, in accordance with the
Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November
1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the Decision (WT/L/478).
(i) New EC special tariff arrangements to combat drug production and trafficking
(WT/GC/M/75)
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the Chairman said that, as delegations
were aware, this waiver request was presently unde r consideration by the Council for Trade in Goods,
in accordance with the procedures laid down in Article IX(3)(b) of the WTO Agreement.  Although
that Council had not yet been able to submit a repo rt, he had been informed that its Chairman was
continuing to hold consultations with a view to fi nalizing the report.  He would therefore encourage
the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods and all delegations to persevere in their efforts to
reach agreement as soon as possible.  Taking into account the situation he had just described, he
proposed that Members not, on the present occasion, enter into a discussion of this topic, the positions
on which were well known to all the parties.  In this regard, he would therefore propose that the
General Council take note of his statement and revert to the matter once the Council for Trade inGoods had submitted its report pursuant to Article IX(3)(b).
The General Council took note of the statement and so agreed.
(j) Review of waivers pursuant to Article IX:4  of the WTO Agreement (WT/GC/M/72, 76, 77)
Under Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement, "Any waiver granted for a period of more than
one year shall be reviewed by the Ministerial Conference not later than one year after it is granted,and thereafter annually until the waiver terminates."
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered the following
waivers for review under Article IX.4:
(i) EC – Autonomous preferential treatment to  the countries of the Western Balkans
(WT/L/380 and Corr.1);  and
(ii) Turkey – Preferential treatment for Bosnia-Herzegovina (WT/L/381).
In so doing, the General Council considered reports on the implementation of the waivers
submitted by the European Communities and Turkey in documents WT/L/435 and WT/L/431
respectively.
The Chairman spoke.WT/GC/70
Page 39
The General Council took note of the statement and of the reports in WT/L/435 and 431.
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council considered the following waivers for
review under Article IX.4:
(i) Canada – CARIBCAN (WT/L/185);
(ii) Madagascar – Customs Valuation Agreement (WT/L/408);(iii) Switzerland – Preferences for Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina (WT/L/406);  and(iv) United States – Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (WT/L/183).In so doing, the General Council considered reports on the implementation of the waivers
submitted by Canada, Switzerland and the United States in documents WT/L/483, WT/L/482 and
WT/L/484 respectively.
The representative of Paraguay and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the reports in WT/L/482, 483 and
484.
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered the
following waivers for review pursuant to Article IX.4 of the WTO Agreement:
(i) Cuba – Article XV:6 of GATT 1994 (WT/L/440);
(ii) Colombia – Extension of the application of Article 5.2 of the Agreement on Trade-
Related Investment Measures (WT/L/441);
(iii) Dominican Republic – Minimum values under the Customs Valuation Agreement,
(WT/L/442);
(iv) EC – Autonomous preferential treatment to the countries of the Western Balkans
(WT/L/380);
(v) EC – Transitional regime for the EC autonomous tariff rate quotas on imports of
bananas (WT/L/437);
(vi) EC – The ACP-EC Partne rship Agreement (WT/L/436);
(vii) Turkey – Preferential treatment for Bosnia-Herzegovina (WT/L/381);(viii) United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (WT/L/104); and(ix) Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least-Developed Countries (WT/L/304).In so doing, the General Council considered reports on the implementation of the waivers
submitted by Cuba, Turkey, United States, and the European Communities in documents WT/L/496,503, 504, 499 and 498 respectively.
The representatives of Honduras and Ecuador, and the Chairman spoke.WT/GC/70
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The General Council took note of the statements and of the reports in WT/L/496, 498, 499,
503 and 504.
18. Retreat for WTO Permanent Representatives (WT/GC/M/75)
At the General Council meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the Chairman informed delegations of
his intention to organize a one-day retreat for all Permanent Representatives of WTO Members in
October, and provided background and organizational details regarding this event.
The General Council took note of the statement.
19. Scheduling of WTO meetings (WT/GC/M/73, 74)
At the General Council meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, Deputy Director-
General Mr. Rodríguez-Mendoza, recalling that he had been asked by the Director-General to
examine the issue of scheduling of meetings, reported his findings on the current situation, and made
several specific suggestions on how to address concerns expressed by delegations, including that the
Secretariat should continue to monitor the situation regularly.
The Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.At the General Council meeting on 13-14 May 2002, Deputy Director-General
Mr. Rodríguez-Mendoza reported on the situation regarding the scheduling of WTO meetings for
2002.
The representative of Bangladesh and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
20. Better management of WTO meetings (WT/GC/M/76)
At the General Council meeting on 15 October 2002, the Chairman, recalling that a prominent
topic at recent meetings had been the sheer volume of meetings that delegations and the Secretariat
had to deal with and the need to manage this in the most efficient way possible, said, inter alia , that
there was a wider need to think creatively and work cooperatively to lighten the burden on all.  Heindicated that for the December General Council meeting, where there was a very heavy agenda, he
was considering encouraging delegations to show discipline and cooperation in limiting the length of
their interventions, and suggested some ideas for Members to consider in this regard.
The General Council took note of the statement.
21. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (WT/GC/M/76)
At its meeting on 15 October 2002, the General Council considered the report of the Joint
Advisory Group of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO on its Thirty-fifth Session
(ITC/AG(XXXV)/191).
The Chairman recalled that in keeping with customary practice, this report had been
considered initially by the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) at its meeting on 1 July 2002
and was before the General Council for formal adoption.WT/GC/70
Page 41
Deputy Director-General Mr. Rana, speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on
Trade and Development, reported on the Committee's discussion of this report.
The representatives of  Egypt and China spoke.
The Chairman said he had been informed that the issue of translation of ITC documentation
into two additional languages would be taken up for consideration by the Committee on Budget,
Finance and Administration at its forthcoming meeting on 18 October in the context of considering
the 2003 draft budget.  He therefore proposed that the General Council await the Budget Committee's
consideration of this issue before reverting to it in the General Council.
The General Council took note of the report and of the statements, and agreed to the
Chairman's proposal.
22. WTO Pension Plan
(a) Annual Reports of the Management Board (WT/GC/M/72, 77)
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered the Annual Report
of the Management Board of the WTO Pens ion Plan for 2000 (WT/GC/W/463 and Corr.1).
The Chairman of the WTO Pension Plan Management Board introduced the report.The General Council took note of the statement and of the Annual Report of the Management
Board for 2000 in WT/GC/W/463 and Corr.1.
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered the Annual
Report of the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan for 2001 (WT/L/497).
The Chairman of the WTO Pension Plan Management Board introduced the report. The
Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the Annual Report of the
Management Board for 2001 in WT/L/497.
(b) Agreement on the transfer of pension rights of participants in the WTO Pension Plan and in
the Pension Scheme of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(WT/GC/M/72)
Article 10 of the Regulations of the WTO Pension Plan13 provides for the conclusion of
transfer agreements with Member governments and intergovernmental organizations in order to
secure the continuity of pension rights for participants in the Pension Plan.
At its meeting on 19-20 December 2001, the General Council considered an agreement on the
transfer of pension rights of participants in the WTO Pension Plan and in the Pension Scheme of the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (WT/GC/W/462).
The Chairman of the WTO Pension Plan Management Board introduced the transfer
agreement.  The representative of India and the Chairman of the WTO Pension Plan Management
Board spoke.
                                                     
13 WT/L/282.WT/GC/70
Page 42
The General Council took note of the statements and concurred with the transfer agreement
(WT/L/446).
(c) Agreements on the transfer of pension rights between the Pension Plan of the WTO and the
Pension Schemes of other Coordinated Organizations14  (WT/GC/M/77)
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered agreements
on the transfer of pension rights of participants in the WTO Pension Plan and in the Pension Schemes
of other Coordinated Organizations (WT/GC/W/483).
The Chairman of the WTO Pension Plan Management Board introduced the transfer
agreements.
The General Council took note of the statement and concurred with the transfer agreements
(WT/L/513).
(d) Election of the Chairman, Members and Alternates of the Management Board of the WTO
Pension Plan (WT/GC/M/75)
Article 4(a) of the Regulations of the WTO Pension Plan15 provides, inter alia , for the
election by the General Council of a Chairman, four members and four alternates of the Management
Board, each for a three-year term.
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council considered a proposal by its
Chairman regarding a slate of names for election to the Management Board (WT/GC/W/474).
The General Council agreed to the election of the proposed candidates to the Management
Board for a three-year term (WT/L/474).
23. Observer status
(a) Equatorial Guinea (WT/GC/M/74)
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered a request from Equatorial
Guinea for observer status in the General Council and its subsidiary bodies (WT/L/448).
The General Council agreed to grant the request from Equatorial Guinea.
(b) Ethiopia (WT/GC/M/74)
At its meeting on 13-14 May 2002, the General Council considered a request by Ethiopia for
extension of its observer status in the General Council and its subsidiary bodies (WT/L/445).
The General Council agreed to extend observer status to Ethiopia for a further period of five
years.
The representative of Ethiopia (as an observer) spoke.
                                                     
14 The Coordinated Organizations include Council of Europe, European Centre for Medium-Range
Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), European Space Agency (E SA), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Western European Union (WEU).
15 WT/L/282.WT/GC/70
Page 43
The General Council took note of the statement.
24. Farewell to the Director-General (WT/GC/M/75)
At its meeting on 8 and 31 July 2002, the General Council bid farewell to the outgoing
Director-General, Mr. Moore.
The Director of the Council and TNC Division, in the absence of the Chairman of the General
Council, read a farewell message on the latter's behalf.
The acting Chairman of the General Council, the Director-General, and the representatives of
Indonesia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Zambia  (on behalf of the LDCs), Panama (on behalf
of GRULAC) and New Zealand spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
25. Election of Chairperson (WT/GC/M/73)
At the General Council meeting on 13 and 15 February and 1 March 2002, the Chairman, as
the outgoing presiding officer of the General Council, made a brief statement.
The General Council then unanimously elected Mr. Marchi (Canada) to the Chair.
26. Review of WTO Activities (WT/GC/M/77)
At its meeting on 10-12 and 20 December 2002, the General Council considered the annual
reports of the Councils and Committees submitted for consideration under this agenda item.
The Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statement, adopted the report of the Committee on
Trade and Development (WT/COMTD/44), and took  note of the reports of the other WTO bodies,
including the reports of the bodies under the Plurilateral Trade Agreements, in documents
WT/DSB/29 and Add.1, WT/TPR/122, G/L/595, S/C/16, IP/C/27, WT/B OP/R/67, WT/BFA/61,
WT/REG/11, WT/CTE/7, WT/WGTI/6, WT/WGTCP/6, WT/WGTGP/6, WT/WGTDF/1,
WT/WGTTT/4, GPA/73 and WT/L/500.
The General Council then adopted the draft report of the General Council (WT/GC/W/481),
on the understanding that the Secretariat would make the necessary adjustments to it as to include
matters discussed at that meeting.
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