. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/INF/9
19 September 2001
(01-4431)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth SessionDoha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL
The following communication is addressed by the Chairman of the General Council to
Members and Observers.
_______________
I am circulating for the information of Members the text of a letter I have received from
Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Tha ni, Chairman of the Qatar Organizing Committee for the Fourth
WTO Ministerial Conference to take place in Doha from 9 to 13 November 2001.
You will note the concern of the Qatar authorities regarding the potential size of delegations
to the Conference.  Based on available information, it appears likely the demand for rooms will
exceed the maximum hosting capacity of Doha of 4,400 rooms.  You will recall too Qatar's offer tohost the Conference was based on a commitment of 4,400 rooms and this offer was accepted by
Members.  Sheikh Al-Thani has raised a number of ideas for managing the pressure on rooms.
I have written to Sheikh Al-Thani to advise that the matter of accommodation in Doha will be
reviewed at the end of September when there is a full picture of the requirements of Members and
other Conference participants such as observer governments, intergovernmental organizations, non-
governmental organizations and media.  At this st age, we cannot prejudge the extent of any shortfall
in accommodation requirements, nor the possible method of resolving problems in this regard.
However, the Director-General and I continue to encourage Members to exercise every restraint in
confirming the size of your delegations and, to the extent possible, to make reductions.WT/MIN(01)/INF/9
Page 2
11 September 2001
H.E. Mr Stuart Harbinson
Chairman of the General CouncilThe World Trade Organization
Geneva – Switzerland
Excellency,
Let me first of all congratulate you and the Director General on your praiseworthy efforts to
have a successful meeting in Doha and launch a round of multilateral trade negotiations.  I would like
to reassure you of our support for your efforts.
1 am writing to you additionally on a matter of utmost urgency, a matter that will have serious
implications on the success of the meeting from the lo gistics point of view.  We have noticed recently
that the applications from delegates far exceed ou r commitment in terms of rooms.  As you would
recall, our commitment contained in our offer to host the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference is for
up to 4,400 rooms, and our restrictions in this regard are real.  This said, the total number of delegates
currently exceeds the available rooms by at least 500.
As time is short for processing visa and other forms, we will assign a hotel along with a room
quota for each delegation.  Each delegation could reduce its size to make it fit its assigned room
quota.  Alternatively, they can decide on a room-sha ring scheme and they would then inform us which
members of their delegation would be staying in double rooms.
We would be glad to hear your views on this matter at your earliest convenience.
Please accept in the meantime the assurances of my highest appreciation.
Hamad Bin Faisal Al-Thani
Chairman of the Organizing Committee
__________