00-4621  MORE PRESS RELEASE 
 
TRADE AND ENVIRO NMENT BULLETIN 
 
PRESS/TE/034 
31 October 2000 
 
CTE HOLDS MEA INFORMATION SESSION AND DISCUSSES WTO –MEA 
RELATIONSHIPS, SERVICES AND THE ENVIRONMENT, RELATIONS 
WITH IGOs AND NGOs, FISHERIES SUBSIDIES AND LIBERALIZING 
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 
 
CTE ADOPTS 2000 REPORT AND SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS FOR 2001  
 
 At the WTO Committee on Trade and Enviro nment's (CTE) meeting on 24–25 October, 
Members adopted the attached Report on the wo rk of the CTE in 2000.  The Chairperson, 
Ambassador Yolande Biké (Gabon) will present this Report to the Ge neral Council at its meeting on 
7–8 December 2000.  Members also adopted the att ached work programme and schedule of meetings 
for 2001.   This meeting of the CTE included an In formation Session on multilateral environmental 
agreements (MEAs), with opening statements from the Director-General of the WTO and the 
Executive Director of UNEP, followed by presentations from several MEAs.  Members also addressed services and the environment,  relations w ith intergovernmental organizations and NGOs,   
the relationship between the WTO and MEAs and the environmental benefits of removing trade 
restrictions and distortions in the fisher ies and environmental services sectors.   
 
 Given the wide participation and detailed discussion of the above items, the CTE was unable 
to address the following items on its agenda: domesti cally prohibited goods;  the relevant provisions 
of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS);  national 
assessments of the effects of trade liberalization ag reements on the environment;  and eco-labelling.  
These items as well as those related to market acces s will be addressed at the next meeting of the CTE 
on 13–14 February 2001. 
  This Bulletin has been prepared by the WTO Secretariat, under its own responsibility.   
  Papers referred to in this Bulletin can be accessed through the WTO website and are available 
from the Trade and Environment Division of th e WTO Secretariat.  An updated list of CTE 
documents is contained in WT/CTE/INF/3. 
 PRESS/TE/034 
Page 2/3 
  MORE  
SUMMARY OF MAIN POINTS 
 
 The 24–25 October 2000 meeting of the CTE addr essed the following topics: services and the 
environment;  relations with IGOs and NGOs;  the relationship between the WTO and MEAs;  
fisheries subsidies and liberalization of envi ronmental services.  Discussion was postponed until 
the next meeting of the following items: domestica lly prohibited goods;  the relevant provisions of 
the TRIPS Agreement;  and environmental assessmen ts of trade liberalization agreements at the 
national level. 
 
 The CTE adopted the report  of its work this year for submission to the General Council at its 
meeting on 7–8 December, and the CTE's work programme and schedule of meetings for 2001 . 
 
 An Information Session on multilatera l environmental agreements (MEAs)  was held on 
24 October with opening statements by the Di rector General of the WTO and the Executive 
Director of UNEP.  Presentations were made by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flor a;  the Basel Convention on the Control of 
Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal;  UNEP Chemicals on the 
Rotterdam Prior Informed Consent Convention and the draft Persistent Organic Pollutants 
Convention;  the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests;  and the UN Framework Convention on 
Climate Change.  The International Tropical Ti mber Organization contributed a paper.  The 
Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biol ogical Diversity also attended this session. 
 
 Members commented on the meeting convened by UNEP in cooperation with MEAs and the 
WTO Secretariat on enhancing synergies and mutual s upportiveness of MEAs and the WTO in 
Geneva on 23 October 2000.  This meeting wa s intended to provide an open and informal 
dialogue between trade and environment official s, focusing on concrete examples to enhance 
synergies and avoid potential tensions between  MEAs and the WTO.  The importance of 
constructive engagement on trade and environment issues was emphasized by Dr. Klaus Töpfer, 
the Executive Director of UNEP, Mr. Mike Moor e, the Director-General of the WTO, and 
Mr. Rubens Ricupero, the Secretary General of UNCTAD. 
 
 Concerning the work programme envisaged in the Decision on Trade in Services and the 
Environment , Japan, the US and Norway suggested th e CTE undertake further work on services 
trade and the environment.  Norway said the CTE should clarify whether Article XIV of the 
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) , which is the environmental exceptions 
provision modelled on Article XX of the GATT, is sufficient.  Several Members noted that it was premature for the CTE to undertake further work on GATS Article XIV.  Reference was made to 
the ongoing work in the GATS Council to classify and liberalize environmental services. 
 
 Canada, Japan and the US referred to the process underway in the WTO on external 
transparency , highlighting opportunities for public outreach on trade and environment issues.  In 
order to enhance public understanding of the WT O, Japan and Canada suggested that Members 
consider an NGO symposium or a series of smaller-scale dialogues on specific trade and environment issues.  Hong Kong, China noted that  relations with NGOs should be coordinated in 
the General Council.  Canada welcomed the recent statement on trade and sustainable 
development by the International Institute for Sustainable Development. 
 
 Discussion focused on the new papers by Swit zerland, the European Community and New 
Zealand on the 
relationship between the WTO and MEAs .  The Secretariat was requested to 
prepare a paper on the dispute settlement provisi ons in the WTO and MEAs, in cooperation with 
UNEP and MEAs. 
 PRESS/TE/034 
Page 4  
MORE  Japan and Korea submitted new discussion papers on the fisheries sector.  Japan's paper set out 
its basic position on the fishery subsidy issue, hi ghlighting that many factors are likely to cause 
depletion of fishery resources.  Korea contributed its national experience with the use of subsidies 
and their positive role in the fisheries sector.   
 
 Comments were also made on the Secretariat's new paper on the environmental benefits of 
removing trade restrictions and distortions in the fi sheries sector, which surveyed the state of play 
of international discussions and recent work on su stainable fisheries management, particularly 
with respect to subsidies.  The OECD presen ted its recently completed study on government 
financial transfers and resource sustainability in  the fisheries sector.  The FAO updated the CTE 
on its ongoing work on fisheries.   
 
 For discussion of the environmental services sector , the OECD presented its recently released 
study assessing the environmental, economic and deve lopment benefits of further global trade 
liberalization in environmental goods and servi ces.  The EC and Japan were among the 
delegations that pointed out that liberali zation of environmental services would yield 
environmental benefits by reducing barrier s to trade, enhancing competition among 
environmental service providers and stimulating innovation. 
 
 Burkina Faso submitted a statement on behalf of the participants at the WTO regional seminar 
on trade and environment  for French-speaking developing and least-developed countries in 
Sub-Saharan Africa, held in Li breville, Gabon from 11–13 July 2000. 
 
 India submitted a new paper on the effects of environmental measures on market access.  Peru 
contributed a new paper on its national experience with the protection of traditional knowledge 
and access to genetic resources .  The Secretariat prepared papers on domestically prohibited 
goods ,  national assessments of the effects of trade liberalization agreements on the environment  
and the market access effects of eco-labelling .  It was agreed to postpone discussion of these 
papers to the next meeting. 
 
 The CTE decided to take up the requests for inter-governmental observer status from OPEC, 
the League of Arab States and the Gulf Organizati on for Industrial Consulting at the next meeting. 
  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUES ADDRESSED 
 
MEA Information Session 
 
 An Information Session on multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs)  was held on 
24 October with opening statements by the Directo r-General of the WTO, Mr. Mike Moore, and the 
Executive Director of UNEP, Dr. Klaus Töpfer.  Their statements were followed by presentations 
from representatives of several MEAs.  Recalling that  the real threat to the environment was poverty 
and that it was important to remain vigilant to eco-protectionism, Mr. Moore emphasized the need for 
a proactive approach to the relationship between  the WTO and MEAs and enhanced coordination 
amongst the WTO, UNEP and MEA Secretariats to f acilitate the smooth evolution of the trade and 
environment regimes.  Noting that trade and envir onment cannot be addressed in isolation and that 
sustainable development required the integration of trade, environment and development, Dr. Töpfer 
called for a mechanism to maximize synergies and minimize areas of potentia l tension between MEAs 
and the WTO. 
 
 Members welcomed the regular CTE Informati on Sessions with MEA Secretariats and UNEP 
as a means to facilitate a mutual understanding of the linkages between the multilateral environment 
and trade agendas and to build awar eness of the use of trade-related measures in MEAs.  Each of the PRESS/TE/034 
 Page 5 
 
MORE following Secretariats presented pa pers and responded to questions from CTE Members on the trade-
related developments in th eir respective agreements. 
 - the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(WT/CTE/W/165);   
- the Basel Convention on the Control of Tran sboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and 
their Disposal (WT/CTE/W/163 and Corr.1);   
- UNEP Chemicals on the Rotterdam Prior In formed Consent Convention and the draft 
Persistent Organic Pollutants Convention (WT/CTE/W/166);  
- the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (WT/CTE/W/164);  and - the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (WT/CTE/W/174). 
 
 The International Tropical Timber Organiza tion contributed a paper on the International 
Tropical Timber Agreement (WT/CTE/W/169).  The Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity also attended this session.  
 Members welcomed the meeting convened by UNEP in cooperation with MEAs and the 
WTO Secretariat on enhancing synergies and mutual supportiveness of MEAs and the WTO in 
Geneva on 23 October 2000.  The intention of this  informal dialogue between trade and environment 
representatives was to initiate a process to identify concrete ways to increase synergies and decrease 
potential tensions between MEAs and the WTO.  Th e importance of constructive engagement on trade 
and environment issues was emphasized by Dr. Klau s Töpfer, the Executive Director of UNEP;  Mr. 
Mike Moore, the Director General of the WTO;  and Mr. Rubens Ricupero, the Secretary General of 
UNCTAD.  Members also welcomed the UNEP–UNCTAD Capacity Building Task Force on Trade, Environment and Development, for which 30 propos als had been submitted to date from 26 countries 
(see WT/CTE/W/138). 
 
Item 9 – Services and the Environment 
 
 The work programme envisaged in the Marrakesh Ministerial Decision on Trade in Services 
and the Environment  calls on the CTE to examine the relationship between trade in services and the 
environment, including the issue of sustainable de velopment.  Japan, Norway and the US suggested 
that the CTE undertake further work on the relations hip between services trade and the environment.  
Japan suggested that the CTE review the assessment  of the environmental impact of liberalizing 
service sectors and that the Secretariat prepare add itional papers in collabora tion with other fora.   
Such work would also be useful in ongoing ne gotiations under the General Agreement on Trade in 
Services (GATS).  Norway said that integrating sustainable development into the services negotiations was crucial and that the CTE should clarify the adequacy of GATS Article XIV (the 
environmental exceptions provision modelled on GATT Ar ticle XX).  Several de legations felt that it 
was premature for the CTE to discuss the sufficiency of GATS Article XIV.   Reference was made to the ongoing work in the GATS Council to liberalize and classify 
environmental services ( see discussion under item 6 below).  Japan, Norway, the EC and Venezuela 
supported work by the Secretariat on environmental services.   
 
Item 10 – Relations with IGOs and NGOs 
  Canada, the US and Japan referred to the process underway in the WTO on external 
transparency , highlighting opportunities fo r public outreach, particularly on trade and environment 
issues.  In this regard, the US referred to  its submission on external transparency in 
WT/GC/W/413/Rev.1.   Canada noted its contributio n in WT/GC/W/415.  In order to enhance public 
understanding of the WTO, Canada and Japan said Members should consider an NGO symposium or 
a series of smaller-scale dialogues on specific trade and environment issues.  Hong Kong, China noted 
the need to coordinate the approach to NGOs in the General Council. PRESS/TE/034 
Page 6  
MORE  
 Canada noted the efforts to enhance cooperation between the WTO and UNEP Secretariats 
and said strengthening this cooperation at the in ternational level would serve to effectively 
complement efforts at the national level to im prove coordination among tr ade and environmental 
policymakers.  Canada also welcomed the recent statement on trade and sustainable development by 
the International Institute for Sustainable De velopment and said it represented a constructive 
contribution to the debate.   
  Japan, the US and Canada noted the importance of the WTO regional seminars on trade 
and environment for developing countries and the need to continue to update the WTO website .  
Burkina Faso submitted a statement on behalf of the participants at the WTO regional seminar on 
trade and environment for French-speaking developi ng and least-developed countries in Sub-Saharan 
Africa, held in Libreville, Gabon from 11–13 July 2000 (WT/CTE/W/159).  Peru noted the regional 
dialogue on trade and environment in South America and informed the CTE of its national seminar on 
this subject on 2–3 November 2000.    
Items 1&5 – MEAs 
 
 Building on the constructive discussions at the July meeting of the CTE ( see PRESS/TE/033), 
Switzerland, the European Community a nd New Zealand presented papers on the relationship 
between the WTO and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) .  Switzerland's 
submission (WT/CTE/W/168) highlighted that ther e was no hierarchy between the WTO and MEAs, 
and that the two regimes were mutually supportiv e and should be implemented in a manner that did 
not create unnecessary conflicts.  Switzerland noted the agreement on these elements in the CTE.  Nevertheless, there seemed to be some disagreemen t on the need to clarify the relationship between 
the WTO and MEAs.  In response, the Swiss submissi on highlighted the need for a clarification of the 
WTO–MEA relationship to:  (i) prevent potentia l conflicts;  (ii) increase the attractiveness of 
multilateralism as opposed to unilateralism;  (iii ) create a clearer policymaking environment, 
especially for MEA negotiators;  and (iv) provide gr eater legal certainty for both MEAs and the WTO.  
Clarification of the WTO–MEA relationship should be  determined by Members and should not be left 
to WTO dispute settlement panels.     In order to stimulate a constructive discussi on, the EC's paper (WT/CTE/W/170) put forward 
several ideas that could provide foundations for agreement on the aims of clarifying the WTO–MEA 
relationship, including that WTO Members:  (i) agree on basic principles regarding the WTO–MEA relationship, incorporating elements of WTO dispute settlement practice;  (ii) confirm that WTO rules 
and MEAs are separate but equal bodies of interna tional law;  (iii) consider the possibility of 
reversing the burden of proof to accommodate sp ecifically mandated trade measures in MEAs;  
(iv) strengthen the informal dialogue with MEAs in the CTE to exchange information and help 
prevent conflicts from arising;  and (v) develop jo intly with UNEP and the MEA Secretariats a “code 
of conduct” for the use of trade measures in MEAs, as proposed by some WTO Members, to further a 
mutually supportive WTO–MEA relationship.    New Zealand's submission (WT/CTE/W/162) suggested focusing the discussion on:  
(i) encouraging the clear drafting of future trade-re lated provisions in MEAs, as well as robust dispute 
settlement systems;  (ii) considering the contribu tion that consultative mechanisms guided by first-
best principles developed within an MEA can make, including through on-going exchange of 
experience with MEA Secretariats;  and (iii) est ablishing an informal mechanism for a broader 
dialogue on the issues raised regarding the relati onship between MEAs and WTO rules, which could 
include participation by the WTO, UNEP, MEA Secretariats and Members, as well as NGOs and 
industry.  New Zealand said it would further clarify these suggestions.  PRESS/TE/034 
 Page 7 
 
MORE  The Secretariat, in cooperation with the ME A Secretariats, prepared a matrix on trade 
measures pursuant to selected MEAs (WT/CTE/W/160);  and a note on developments in the Convention on Biological Diversity (WT/CTE/W/158).   There was a constructive exchange of views on the above papers and proposals.  Several 
delegations, including India, Japan , and Malaysia, noted that a definition of what constituted an MEA 
would contribute to the debate.  Members emphasi zed the importance of drafting clear and precise 
provisions in MEAs, and welcomed the robust dis pute settlement provisions being developed in 
MEAs.  It was also pointed out that trade cannot be isolated from a packag e of measures, including 
financial and technology transfer, as well as cap acity building, which are negotiated in MEAs. 
 
 Members noted that the MEA Information Sessi ons had usefully contributed to information 
exchange on the use of trade measures in MEAs.  Me mbers also stated that these sessions should be 
strengthened to ensure that synergies between the WTO and MEAs were enhanced and potential 
conflicts avoided.  The EC, Switzerland, Norw ay, Canada, Iceland, Japan and Korea supported 
clarifying the WTO–MEA relationship.  Norway set out several principles upon which to base such a 
clarification. 
  Brazil, Hong Kong China, Venezuela, India, Malaysia, Egypt, New Zealand, Australia, the 
US and others considered that there was sufficien t flexibility in the WTO to accommodate a mutually 
supportive MEA–WTO interface.  There was, therefore, no need to cha nge WTO rules to clarify this 
relationship.  From this perspective, concern w as expressed about the concept of reversing the burden 
of proof for trade measures mandated in MEAs.  Japan and Norway said it would be necessary to 
further study the implications of this suggestion.  Further clarification was also requested concerning 
the concept of "first-best principles" set out in Ne w Zealand's proposal for a consultative mechanism.  
Hong Kong, China and others said that Members s hould reflect on how proposals to clarify the WTO–
MEA relationship would be applied to other WT O Agreements, such as the GATS and the TRIPS 
Agreement.  Cuba noted that political will was necessary to ensure a harmonious WTO–MEA 
relationship.   It was agreed that the Secretariat, in c ooperation with UNEP and MEA Secretariats, would 
prepare a background paper on the dispute settlement provisions in the WTO and MEAs.  
Item 6 – Effects of environmental measures on ma rket access and environmental benefits of trade 
liberalization 
 
 For discussion of the environmental benefits of liberalization in the fisheries sector , Japan, 
Korea and the Secretariat submitted new papers.   Japan's paper set out its basic position on the fishery 
subsidy issue, highlighting that many factors were likely to cause depletion of fishery resources 
(WT/CTE/W/173).  Japan’s submissions noted that CTE discussions were expected to consider the 
relationship between fishery resources and trade,  and to examine in a comprehensive manner its 
contribution to the sustainable use of fishery resour ces.  The paper identified the many factors that 
caused depletion of fishery resources, such as inadequate fisheries management and illegal, 
unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities, including those by flags of convenience vessels.  
The paper noted that singling out the issue of fi sheries subsidies would not represent a sufficient 
solution.  Japan suggested that the FAO be reque sted to undertake technical work which the CTE 
could use on a case by case basis to examine unde r which circumstances certain subsidies had 
negative impacts on fishery resources.  
 Korea's submission addressed the use of subsid ies and their positive role in the fisheries 
sector based on its national experience (WT/CTE/W/175).  Subsides in Korea played a critical role in 
reshaping and revitalizing the fisheries industry as well as coastal communities, rather than prompting 
the depletion of resources and creating supply distor tions in the market.  Korea emphasized that the 
starting point of the discussion should be to form a c onsensus on the definition of fisheries subsidies.  PRESS/TE/034 
Page 8  
MORE Korea noted that the lack of a definition had confu sed the understanding of fisheries subsidies and that 
only a comprehensive approach that took into account the socio-economic needs of the fishing 
industry and coastal communities, the unique domes tic environment, and development needs of 
countries would lead to constructive discussion of this subject in the CTE.   A new Secretariat paper on the environmental be nefits of removing trade restrictions and 
distortions in the fisheries sector surveyed the st ate of play of international discussions and recent 
work on sustainable fisheries management, particul arly with respect to subsidies (WT/CTE/W/167).  
The OECD presented its recently completed study on government financial transfers and resource 
sustainability in the fisheries sector.  The FAO updated the CTE on its ongoing fisheries work.  
 
 Delegations exchanged views on issues raised by the papers tabled by Japan, Korea and the 
Secretariat, as well as those tabled earlier by Iceland, New Zealand, the US and Australia
1 (see 
PRESS/TE/033).  Members welcomed the national expe rience paper of Korea a nd agreed with Japan 
and Korea that sustainable fisheries management covered many aspects, with subsidies representing 
one element.  It was recognized that the main dr iving force for the current fishery subsidy argument 
was the concern that certain fishery subsidies seem ed to have negative effects on sustainable use of 
resources.  The Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Ne w Zealand and others also noted the important 
development dimension to fisheries subsidies.     Australia and Iceland were among the delegations which said countries will have to work 
together to eliminate environmentally-harmful and trade-distorting fisheries subsidies in close 
cooperation with relevant interna tional organizations.  Tunisia, the EC, Canada and Norway were 
among the delegations supporting Japan's  paper in considering that the central issue for sustainable 
fisheries was sound management of fish stocks, wh ich was the competence of the FAO, and that the 
CTE should request the FAO to pursue this work as a basis for its further work on fisheries subsidies.  
The EC pointed out that it remained unclear how the line of demarcation should be drawn between 
potentially environmentally-harmful and enviro nmentally-enhancing forms of subsidization. 
  Iceland called on the WTO to address the aspect  of sustainable fisheries management under 
its mandate, i.e. fisheries subsidies.  Australia , Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, the 
Philippines, Thailand, the US and others supported Iceland's suggestion that the Secretariat develop 
further its paper and provide a deta iled overview of the various attempts to categorize subsidies that 
affect the fisheries sector, as well as encourage the FAO to assess the impact of different subsidies on 
sustainable fisheries management.  Korea, Canada a nd others said that a useful starting-point for the 
discussion would be to develop a definition of fi sheries subsidies.  Commenting on the US paper 
(WT/CTE/W/154), Japan asked for clarification as to which types of subsidies could not be addressed 
by the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Counterva iling Measures (SCM).  Korea and the US said 
they would provide case studies of fisheries subsidies.   
  The Secretariat was requested to keep Members informed of work in other organizations, as it 
was completed, to assess and categorize fisheries subsidies and their trade and environment effects;  work in the FAO, OECD and APEC would contribu te to CTE discussions.  The Secretariat was also 
requested to update previous papers concerning notif ications related to fisheries under Article 25 of 
the SCM Agreement ( see WT/CTE/W/80 and Add.1). 
  The OECD presented its recently released study assessing the environmental, economic and 
development benefits of furthe r global trade liberalization in environmental goods and services 
(WT/CTE/W/172).  Japan and the EC were among the de legations that pointed out that liberalization 
of environmental services would yield environmental be nefits by reducing barriers to trade, enhancing 
competition among environmental service providers a nd stimulating innovation.   India noted that it 
                                                      
1 See papers by Australia (WT/CTE/W/105);  Iceland (WT/CTE/W/103 and WT/CTE/W/111);  New 
Zealand (WT/CTE/W/121);  and th e United States (WT/CTE/W/154). PRESS/TE/034 
 Page 9 
 
MORE might be necessary to put in place an appropriate re gulatory framework prior to  liberalizing trade in 
services.  Members referred to the ongoing work in the General Agreement on Trade in Services 
(GATS).  The GATS Committee on Specific Commitm ents was considering a revision of the 
classification of environmental services as c ontained in the current GATS classification 
(MTN.GNS/W/120).   
 For discussion at the next meeting, India submitted a new paper on the effects of 
environmental measures on market access  (WT/CTE/W/177). The paper emphasized that developing 
countries could do more to protect the environmen t through increased financial resources generated 
by enhanced trade and secure market access.  Th e way forward could be to identify sector specific 
examples of environmental requirements that im pact on export performance, some of which may 
generate new trading opportunities. These “win-win ” opportunities should be enhanced.  Given that 
other requirements may adversely affect exports, if  not addressed properly, India’s paper raised 
several issues to ensure that environmental measu res would not unnecessarily hamper market access, 
including the need to:  (i) improve the availability of information about environmental requirements;  
(ii) strengthen positive measures such as capacity building, technology transfer and technical 
assistance;  (iii) focus infrastructural invest ment required to mitigate pressing environmental 
problems;  and (iv) ensure that environmental standard setting took into account the impact of standards on trade and development.  Item 7 – Domestically prohibited goods 
 
 The Secretariat prepared an update of previous papers on domestically prohibited goods , 
focusing on the UN Consolidated List of Products  Whose Consumption and/or Sale have been 
Banned, Withdrawn, Severely Restricted or Not Approved by Governments (WT/CTE/W/161).  
Discussion of this paper will take place at the next CTE meeting. 
 
Item 8 – Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 
 
 Peru contributed a paper on its  national experience with the protection of traditional 
knowledge and access to genetic resources (WT/CTE/W/176).  WIPO circulated a statement on its 
work related to biodiversity and traditional know ledge and its newly established Intergovernmental 
Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic R esources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore.  
UNCTAD circulated a note on its Expert Meeti ng on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge, 
Innovations and Practices on 30 Octo ber – 1 November 2000.  Peru's submission and the work of 
other organizations in this area will be discussed at the next CTE meeting.  Item 2 – Environmental and trade principles 
  The Secretariat issued a new paper on national assessments of the effects of trade liberalization agreements on environmental sustainability (WT/CTE/W/171).  Discussion of this 
item was postponed to the next CTE meeting.  Item 3(b) – Eco-labelling 
  The Secretariat's paper updating work on the market access effects of eco-labelling 
(WT/CTE/W/150) will be addressed at the next meeting of the CTE.   PRESS/TE/034 
Page 10  
MORE General 
 
 Members adopted the attached report  of the CTE's work this year for submission to the 
General Council at its meeting on 7–8 December 2000 (WT/CTE/5), and the CTE's work programme 
and schedule of meetings for 2001 (attached).   
 
 The CTE decided to take up at the next meeting the requests for inter-governmental 
observer status from OPEC (WT/CTE/COM/6 and Add.1);  the League of Arab States 
(WT/CTE/COM/5);  and the Gulf Organization fo r Industrial Consulting (WT/CTE/COM/7).  Egypt, 
Indonesia, Nigeria, and Venezuela supported these requests.   PRESS/TE/034 
 Page 11 
 
MORE  
WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/CTE/5 
30 October 2000 
 (00-4527) 
  
 
  
REPORT (2000) OF THE COMMIT TEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT 
 
 
1. The Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) conti nued its analysis of the items of the work 
programme in the Marrakesh Ministerial Decision on Trade and Environment, pursuing a cluster 
approach for the themes of market access and th e linkages between the multilateral environment and 
trade agendas.  Discussions took place under the Chai rship of Ambassador István Major (Hungary), 
followed by the Chairship of Am bassador Yolande Biké (Gabon). 
2. The CTE held three meetings in 2000 (see attach ed Annex).  The 29 February – 1 March meeting 
examined those items of the work programme releva nt to the theme of market access, items 2, 3, 4 
and 6.  Discussions broadened and deepened the sect oral analysis under item 6, with particular 
attention to the fisheries sector.   
3. The focus of the meeting held on 5–6 July was on those items related to the multilateral 
environment and trade agendas, including items 1, 5, 7 and 8.  On 5 July, the CTE held an 
Information Session with the Secretariats of Multila teral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) relevant 
to the work of the CTE in order to inform Me mbers on the trade-related developments in these 
agreements.  Presentations and papers were provided by the Convention on Biological Diversity;  the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete th e Ozone Layer;  the United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change;  and the Internatio nal Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic 
Tunas.  The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources also submitted a 
paper for this session.  This meeting enhanced the CTE's understanding of the linkages between the 
multilateral environment and trade agendas.   
4. The 24–25 October meeting addressed items 9 and 10, as well as both thematic clusters, and 
adopted this report of the CTE to the General Council.  A second MEA Information Session was held 
on 24 October with the participation of the Direct or-General of the WTO and the Executive Director 
of UNEP, thus illustrating the strong institutional commitment by the WTO and UNEP Secretariats, in 
cooperation with MEA Secretariats, to identify synergies and enhance mutual supportiveness.  
Presentations were made by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora;  the Basel Convention on the Co ntrol of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous 
Wastes and their Disposal;  UNEP Chemicals on th e Rotterdam Prior Informed Consent Convention 
and the draft Persistent Organic Pollutants Convention;   and the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests.  
The International Tropical Timber Organizati on also submitted a paper for this session.   
5. Members noted the important contribution of the MEA Information Sessions to increasing a 
mutual understanding of the relationship betwee n the WTO and MEAs, particularly through 
identifying synergies between the WTO, UNEP and MEAs.  These sessions also provide an excellent 
opportunity to forge practical institutional links  between the WTO, UNEP and MEA Secretariats. PRESS/TE/034 
Page 12  
MORE 6. The WTO Environmental Database (EDB) was upda ted for 2000 by the Secretariat in document 
WT/CTE/W/143.  The EDB was established in 1998 in fulfilment of the recommendation in the 1996 
Report of the CTE to the Singapore Ministerial Conference (WT/CTE/1) to compile and update 
annually all environment-related notif ications to the WTO.  The list of documents circulated in the 
CTE since 1995 has been circulated in WT/CTE/INF/2/Rev.1. 
7. The Secretariat organized a second series of regi onal seminars on trade and environment for 
government officials from developing and least-dev eloped countries in South Africa, Malta, Gabon 
and Argentina in 2000.  The objective of these semina rs is to raise awarene ss on the linkages between 
trade, environment and sustainable development and to enhance the dialogue between policymakers 
from Ministries of both trade and environment in developing and least-developed WTO Member Governments.  
8. The CTE agreed to hold three meetings in 2001 (13–14 February, 27–28 June, 30–31 October) 
and to continue to deepen the analysis of all items on the work programme based on the thematic 
clusters.  Consideration will also be given to an y other issues Members wish the Committee to address 
in order to fulfill its mandate. PRESS/TE/034 
 Page 13 
 
MORE ANNEX 
Work Programme and Schedule of Meetings for 2000 
 
1. The 1999 Report of the Committee on Trade and Environment (WT/CTE/4) sets out that the CTE will continue to analyse all the items on its work programme based on the "cluster approach" 
under the themes of market access and the linkages between the multilateral environment and trade 
agendas.  Pending the future work programme of the WTO and building on the contribution of 
Members, including where possible their national e xperience, on the items of the work programme, 
the following tentative schedule of meetings is prop osed.  At each meeting, time will be allotted for 
Members, if they so wish, to return to items discussed at the previous meeting. 
 
2. The CTE meeting of 29 February – 1 March w ill address those items relevant to the theme of 
market access, including:   Item 2:  the relationship between environmenta l policies relevant to trade and environmental 
measures with significant trade effects and the provisions of the multilateral trading 
system; 
Item 3:  the relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and:   (a) charges and taxes for environmental purposes;   (b) requirements for environmental purposes relating to products, including 
standards and technical regulations, packaging, labelling and recycling; 
Item 4:  the provisions of the multilateral tradin g system with respect to the transparency of 
trade measures used for environmental purposes and environmental measures and 
requirements which have significant trade effects;  and 
Item 6:  the effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to 
developing countries, in particular to  the least developed among them, and 
environmental benefits of removing trade restrictions and distortions. 
 
3. At a meeting on 5–6 July the CTE will discuss the items related to the linkages between the 
multilateral environment and trade agendas, including:   MEA Information Session; Item 1:  the relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and trade 
measures for environmental purposes, including those pursuant to multilateral 
environmental agreements; 
Item 5:  the relationship between the dispute settlement mechanisms in  the multilateral trading 
system and those found in multilate ral environmental agreements; 
Item 7:  the issue of exports of domestically prohibited goods;  and 
Item 8:  the relevant provisions of the Agre ement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights. 
 4. On 24–25 October, the CTE's discussions will include:   MEA Information Session; 
Item 9:  the work programme envisaged in  the Decision on Trade in Services and the 
Environment;   
Item 10: input to the relevant bodies in respect of appropriate arrangeme nts for relations with 
intergovernmental and non-govern mental organizations referred to in Article V of the 
WTO;   
Review of the two thematic clusters of market ac cess (items 2, 3, 4 and 6) and the linkages between 
the multilateral environment and trade agendas (items 1, 5, 7 and 8); and adoption of the 2000 Report 
of the CTE. PRESS/TE/034 
Page 14 
  END COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT 
 
Work Programme and Schedule of Meetings for 2001 
 
1. The 2000 Report of the Committee on Trade and Environment (WT/CTE/5) sets out that the CTE will continue to analyse all the items on its work programme based on the "cluster approach" 
under the themes of market access and the linkages between the multilateral environment and trade 
agendas.  Building on the contribution of Members, including where possible their national experience, on the items of the work programme, th e following tentative schedule of meetings is 
proposed.  At each meeting, time will be allotted for Members, if they so wish, to return to Items 
discussed at the previous meeting, and to raise ot her issues of relevance to the fulfilment of the 
Committee's mandate.  2. At a meeting to be held on 13–14 February, the Committee will address those Items relevant 
to the theme of market access, including:  
 Item 2:  the relationship between environmenta l policies relevant to trade and environmental 
measures with significant trade effects and the provisions of the multilateral trading system; 
Item 3:  the relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and: 
  (a) charges and taxes for environmental purposes;   (b) requirements for environmental purposes relating to products, including 
standards and technical regulations, packaging, labelling and recycling; 
Item 4:  the provisions of the multilateral tradin g system with respect to the transparency of 
trade measures used for environmental purposes and environmental measures and 
requirements which have significant trade effects;  and 
Item 6:  the effect of environmental measures on market access, especially in relation to 
developing countries, in particular to  the least developed among them, and 
environmental benefits of removing trade restrictions and distortions. 
 
3. On 27–28 June, the CTE will meet to discuss th e Items related to the linkages between the 
multilateral environment and trade agendas, including:   MEA Information Session; Item 1:  the relationship between the provisions of the multilateral trading system and trade 
measures for environmental purposes, including those pursuant to multilateral 
environmental agreements; 
Item 5:  the relationship between the dispute settlement mechanisms in  the multilateral trading 
system and those found in multilate ral environmental agreements; 
Item 7:  the issue of exports of domestically prohibited goods;  and Item 8:  the relevant provisions of the Agre ement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights. 
 4. Discussions at the CTE meeting on 30–31 October will include:   Item 9:  the work programme envisaged in  the Decision on Trade in Services and the 
Environment;   
Item 10: input to the relevant bodies in respect of appropriate arrangeme nts for relations with 
intergovernmental and non-govern mental organizations referred to in Article V of the 
WTO;   
Review of the two thematic clusters of market a ccess (Items 2, 3, 4 and 6) and the linkages between 
the multilateral environment and trade agendas (Items 1, 5, 7 and 8);  and a doption of the 2001 Report 
of the CTE.