WORLD TRADE WT/MIN(98)/6
18May1998
ORGANIZATION(98-2027)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Second Session
Geneva, 18and20May1998
INTRODUCTION OFTHE REPORT OFTHE GENERAL COUNCIL
Statement byH.E. Mr.JohnWeekes,
Chairman oftheGeneral Council
Ihavethehonour topresent toyoutoday theReport oftheGeneral Council onthework of
theWTO since theMinisterial Conference inSingapore. Much work hasbeen undertaken and
accomplished inthe36standing bodies oftheOrganization andthe31Working Parties created to
negotiate theaccession ofnewmembers. Much remains tobedone. Iamproud tohavehadthe
opportunity towork withsomany outstanding representatives ofallyourcountries inthisimportant
activity. Thework nowrequired ofdelegates totheWTO isverydemanding andimportant. Nearly
onequarter ofallthegoods andservices produced intheworld aresoldininternational markets -within
theframework ofrules anchored intheWTO.
Iwould liketopaytribute toourDirector-General, Renato Ruggiero. Heisatireless and
outstanding advocate oftheWTO. Hehascarried farandwide thebanner oftrade liberalization.
Asgovernments confront thechallenges ofanincreasingly interdependent international economy, he
hasstressed thevalue ofatrading system based onrules. Much oftheearlysuccess oftheOrganization
isduetohisleadership andenergy. Hehasplayed akeyroleinpreparing forthisMinisterial
Conference, including inparticular intheconsultations toprepare theDraftDeclaration forconsideration
byMinisters. Indeed, itisarareevent inthisOrganization tohavebeenabletoagree onatextof
aDraft Declaration toputforward forconsideration byMinisters. Thisshould allow allMembers
tomake fulluseoftheworking sessions ofthisMinisterial Conference toexchange viesontheimportant
issues ontheWTO agenda. Your deliberations willgiveusguidance aswecarry forward thework
programme which youwillestablish.
Iwould liketoemphasize theimportance ofmaintaining therightbalance intheWTO between
theroleofpermanent representatives anddelegations ontheonehand, andtheroleofthe
Director-General andtheSecretariat ontheother. TheWTO isamember-driven organization, housing
atradeagreement setting outrights andobligations governing thetraderelationships oftheMembers.
Active Members areessential fortheWTO 'ssuccess. ButtheWTO Members alsolooktothe
Director-General andtheSecretariat, toprovide leadership, assistance andadvice. Thepower ofthe
decision must always restwiththeMembers, buttheOrganization needs aSecretariat which offers
ideas onhowtocreate possible solutions tothemany challenges weface.
Thearrangements made toprepare forthisConference, involving close cooperation between
theDirector-General andme,astheChair oftheGeneral Council -inasense therepresentative of
theMembers forthisyear-havestruck agoodbalance. Ibelieve theycould serve asauseful model
forthefuture.
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Iamalsoverypleased tonotethattheGeneral Council hasfinally taken adecision intended
toestablish, on1January 1999, anindependent WTO Secretariat which willreplace theinterim
arrangements which havebeenineffect forover50years. IurgeallMembers tocooperate expeditiously
inthenecessary supportive technical work, toensure thedecision isfullyeffective.
Iwishyousuccess inyourimportant deliberations herethisweek.
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