RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
3July1997
ORGANIZATION(97-2783)
Sub-Committee onLeast-Developed Countries
Preparatory Meeting oftheHigh-Level Meeting
NOTE ONTHE MEETING OF26JUNE 1997
Chairperson: Ambassador Evelien L.Herfkens (TheNetherlands)
1. TheChairperson explained thatthemeeting wasnotthejointmeeting ofWTO andUNCTAD
thathadbeenannounced inWTO/AIR/620, butrather ameeting oftheWTO Sub-Committee onLeast-
Developed Countries. Theagenda nevertheless remained thesame: toprepare fortheHigh-Level
Meeting onLeast-Developed Countries scheduled for27-28 October 1997.
2. Shesaidithadnotbeenpossibletoproceedwiththejointmeetingbecauseproblemshademerged
during theprevious week inrelation totheinvitations which hadbeensentoutseparately bytheWTO
andUNCTAD. UNCTAD 'sinvitation hadbeensenttoNGOs withobserver status inUNCTAD,
which hadnotbeenacceptable forsome WTO Members. TheWTO 'sinvitation hadbeensentto
governments withWTO observer status, including specifically Chinese Taipei, which hadcaused
problems forsome ofUNCTAD 'smembers. Nosolution tothese problems hadbeenfound inthe
short timeavailable. Theonlywayinwhich ithadbeenpossible toproceed wastoconvene aWTO
Sub-Committee meeting sothatdecisions could betaken togiveguidance tothesecretariats ofthe
sixcoreintergovernmental organizations involved most closely inpreparations fortheHigh-Level
Meeting. Shesaidthatanydecision bytheSub-Committee ontheHigh-Level Meeting would have
tobeconfirmed byadecision intheappropriate intergovernmental body ofUNCTAD.
3. TheChairperson saidthatinview ofthese organizational problems, some delegations had
suggested thattheWTO beattributed theroleofleader oftheprocess while some others hadpreferred
tokeeptotheideaoftheHigh-Level Meeting asaco-organized event.
4. Turning toarrangements fortheHigh-Level Meeting inOctober, shedrewattention toadraft
paper distributed inthemeeting dated 25Junecontaining "Proposed Procedures andFormat" forthe
High-Level Meeting (attached). Shefeltthere wasconsensus toavoid plenary speeches andtofocus
instead onstructured formal sessions androundtables. Thefirstformal session would provide an
opportunity fordelegations toannounce improved market access forleast-developed countries onan
autonomousbasis.Themeetingwouldthenproceedontwotracks;onewouldconsistofcountry-specific
roundtables, theother thematic roundtables. Sheemphasized thatonlyonecountry-specific roundtable
andonethematic roundtable would takeplace atthesametime, inorder toenable delegations tofollow
allevents oftheHigh-Level Meeting; therewould never bemorethantwoactivities going oninparallel.
5. Thecountry-specific roundtables would address theneeds fortrade-related technical assistance
identified byanumber ofindividual least-developed countries, andtheresponse ofthesixcore
intergovernmental organizations involved tomeeting those needs under anintegrated framework. In
selecting which least-developed countries would bethesubject ofacountry-specific roundtable atthe
High-LevelMeeting,sheproposedtheintergovernmentalorganizationsinvolvedinpreparingtheMeeting
should follow thefollowing criteria:WT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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(i) Evidence ofaleast-developed country 'scommitment totheobjective oftheexercise,
toenhance itstradeopportunities andincrease itsparticipation inthemultilateral trading
system.
(ii) Evidence ofaleast-developed country 'scommitment to"ownership" oftheexercise.
Each least-developed country would beexpected tocommit theresources necessary
tocompleteacomprehensiveassessmentofitsneedsfortrade-relatedtechnicalassistance
(with helpwhere necessary fromtheintergovernmental organizations involved), and
tocommit theresources necessary toensure thatitderives maximum benefit fromthe
technical assistance provided within theintegrated framework.
(iii) Arepresentative selection ofleast-developed countries would bemade.
6. Withrespect tothose least-developed countries which werenotthesubject ofacountry-specific
roundtable attheHigh-Level Meeting inOctober, shewentontounderline thecommitment ofthe
intergovernmental organizations involved toaddress induecourse theindividual needs ofallleast-
developed countries through theapplication oftheintegrated framework. Theorganizations would
schedule individual roundtables forallofthose least-developed countries thatwished tobenefit from
theintegrated approach.
7. Thethematic roundtables would provide ameans foramore comprehensive debate onthe
problems least-developed countries faceintheirstruggle tobecome viable trading nations, apartfrom
themarket access andtechnical assistance issues treated elsewhere during theMeeting. They would
alsobeanopportunity forthemore active participation ofleast-developed country Ministers whose
countries werenotthesubject ofacountry-specific roundtable. Thematic roundtables would enhance
theinvolvement ofalltheintergovernmental organizations involved, including theBretton Woods
Institutions. While there wasnoconsensus yetonthethemes tobetaken up,ithadbecome clearthat
delegations wished themtobetrade-related, action-oriented andrelevant toallleast-developed countries.
Thediscussions should translate intorecommendations tothegoverning bodyoftheintergovernmental
organization concerned bythetopicdiscussed, andtheseshould beadopted attheendoftheHigh-Level
Meeting. Onetheme which hadbroad support was"supply-response", butthisneeded tobemore
narrowlyfocusedthroughfurtherconsultationsamongdelegationsandtheintergovernmentalorganizations
concerned.
8. With regard totheinvolvement oftheprivate sector intheHigh-Level Meeting, shenoted
thewidespread viewofdelegations thattheparticipation ofthebusiness community should bestrongly
encouraged. Inthatregard, shedrew attention toanITCproposal thatanumber ofeminent business
personsbeinvitedasresourcepersons,toparticipateintheirpersonalcapacityintheHigh-LevelMeeting
andtoarticulate theviews oftheprivate sector. Theywould bewellknown totheinternational business
community, withexcellent communication skills andavision thatwentbeyond theirownindustry and
home country. They would beinvited tointervene inthevarious proposed elements oftheHigh-Level
Meeting other thantheformal sessions.
9. Shesaidthatgiven thecircumstances ofthecurrent meeting, itwascleartherewasnoconsensus
ontheparticipation ofgovernments attheHigh-Level Meeting. Shebelieved there wasagreement
ontheparticipation ofallmembers ofanyofthesixintergovernmental organizations most closely
involved inthepreparations oftheHigh-Level Meeting. Beyond that,shefeltitshould bepossible
toagree thatanyobserver government toanyofthose organizations would bewelcome asanobserver
attheHigh-Level Meeting.
10. Sheproposed thatNGOs beinvited toattend formal sessions oftheHigh-Level Meeting in
anon-speaking capacity, andthatthesameprocess ofselection ashadbeenusedattheWTO SingaporeWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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Ministerial Conference andwhich wastheformat usedbytheBretton Woods Institutions could also
beusedfortheHigh-Level Meeting. Itwasproposed alsothatanNGO-symposium would beorganized
inSeptember inorder toallow NGOs toprovide aninput totheHigh-Level Meeting. Itwasimportant
toinvolve NGOs from least-developed countries inthese respects.
11. Withregard totheprojected budget fortheHigh-Level Meeting (document LDC/HL/PM/2),
sheunderlined thatthemoney would notcome fromtheWTO regular budget butfromaTrust Fund
setupspecifically forthepurpose offinancing theHigh-Level Meeting. Delegations were invited
tomake contributions tothisTrust Fund. Itwasnoted thatSweden hadalready made acontribution,
andthatNorway andtheNetherlands hadoffered tohelpfinance technical assistance related tothe
preparation oftheHigh-Level Meeting from theirexisting WTO Trust Funds.
12. Shenoted thatdrafts ofseveral secretariat background documents hadbeen distributed.
Delegations were encouraged toprovide comments onthese documents directly tothesecretariats
concerned. Inherview, themostimportant document wasthedraftoftheIntegrated Framework for
TechnicalAssistance(draftdocumentLDC/HL/2)sinceitwasthecentrepieceoftheHigh-LevelMeeting.
Consultations would beheldonthisdocument overthecoming months.
13. Shesaidthatanissue needing further consultation wastheselection ofachairperson andof
rapporteurs fortheHigh-Level Meeting. These needed tobeselected carefully, sincetheywould have
thetaskoftranslating discussion attheHigh-Level Meeting intorecommendations forconcrete action.
14. TheChairperson opened thefloor forcomments ontheproposals shehadmade.
15. Therepresentative oftheEuropean Communities expressed regret thatithadnotbeenpossible
toconvene thismeeting asajointWTO/UNCTAD meeting. Given thissituation, taking decisions
during themeeting could make matters worse. Totheextent thatWTO Members werealsomembers
ofUNCTAD some clearorientation could begiven, butitwould beamistake totellmembers ofanother
organization andcountries notpresent thatmatters hadbeendecided intheirabsence.
16. Hisdelegation wished tomake three points. First, there wasaneedtokeepeyesfixed on
theobjective oftheHigh-Level Meeting andtodosomething newtoimprove thesituation fortheleast-
developed countries. Hedidnotwishtobelittle theissueofimproved market access forleast-developed
countries, buttheprimary objective inhisdelegation 'smind wasimproved coordination oftechnical
assistance provided bytheintergovernmental organizations involved, primarily UNCTAD, WTO and
theWorld Bank. Allthose concerned should beurged towork together toachieve thisobjective of
theHigh-Level Meeting. Thismeant thathopefully jointmeetings would beheldinthefuture and
thatproblems would beavoided. Hisdelegation wasnotoftheview thatbecause theprocess was
launched inSingapore itwassolely aWTO affair; itwasclearthatWTO Ministers wished theHigh-
Level Meeting tobeacoordinated effort.
17. Second, hisdelegation hadnodifficulty withtheideathatinaddition toallleast-developed
countries, thegovernments ofallmember states ofanyoftheorganizations involved should beinvited
toparticipate intheHigh levelMeeting. Thequestion ofwhether anobserver government inonly
oneoftheorganizations should beinvited should beexamined inthecontext ofwhether thiswasrelevant
totheobjective ofhelping least-developed countries; inhisview, itwasnotrelevant tothatobjective.
18. Third, hisdelegation hadnoproblem withthecriteria suggested onthebasis ofwhich the
intergovernmental organizations involved should approach theselection ofleast-developed countries
forcountry-specific roundtables. Thecriteria would notruleoutthepossibility ofselecting anon-WTO
Member. Hisdelegation wasnotoftheviewthattheHigh-Level Meeting wasentirely aWTO exercise.
Ithadabroader reach. Themostimportant thingwastoensure theparticipation ofcountries committedWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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totheexercise, whohadcompleted theneeds-assessment andwhowould reflect arepresentative cross-
section ofleast-developed countries. These countries would begoodexamples toother least-developed
countries further behind intheexercise. Heurged other delegations which might think thatthiswas
aproblem toreflect onit.Theobjective wastoproduce aresult which wasgoodfortheleast-developed
countries; procedural problems should beavoided.
19. Therepresentative ofBangladesh, saidthatthepreparatory meeting waswell-timed, andhe
wishedtoplaceonrecordhisdelegation'sappreciationtotheorganizersfortheirefforts,notwithstanding
thetechnical problems towhich theChairperson hadreferred andwhich hisdelegation hoped would
soonberesolved. Much ofwhathewasgoing tosaywastheproduct ofinternal consultations among
least-developed countries, andalsobetween them andothers.
20. Hebegan withafewgeneral remarks. Ithadtobeabsolutely clear thatthepurpose ofthe
High-Level Meeting wastoassist theleast-developed countries tobecome viable trading entities. The
least-developed countries wanted theMeeting toleadtosubstantive, tangible, andgoal-oriented results.
TheReport oftheHigh-Level Meeting hadtocontain targets thatwere achievable. Also, towards
theattainment ofthese, there hadtobeaconsensual political commitment ofallparties. Anything
short ofthatwould render theMeeting yetanother academic seminar ortrade jamboree, which was
notneeded orwanted.
21. There wasacurrent resurgence ofinterest inAfrica andintheleast-developed countries which
itshould bepossible totakeadvantage of.Theleast-developed countries didnotregard theHigh-Level
Meeting asa"one-off event", norsimply anoccasion forlaunching apackage ofintegrated measures
toassist thebuild-up oftrade capacity intheir countries. Rather, andhequoted from arecent
Organization ofAfrican Unity document, theyviewed theHigh-Level Meeting aspartofa"new pro-
active international effort toaccelerate theintegration oftheLDCs intotheglobal trading system through
closely coordinated inter-agency activities addressing thekeyconstraints related tosupply response
andmarket-access."
22. Theleast-developedcountriesbelievedparticipationattheHigh-LevelMeeting,tobeco-organized
toahighdegree bythecoreorganizations, should beasbroad aspossible andatahighlevel, and
inthistheyagreed withwhathadbeensaidbytherepresentative oftheEuropean Communities. The
least-developed countries wereheartened bythespirit ofsolidarity shown bytheG-77 andChina, the
Group ofwhich theleast-developed countries were apart. They wereencouraged bythereports of
positive response fromtheBretton Woods institutions. ItwastheirhopethatalloftheBretton Woods
institutions would come onboard enthusiastically. Their wherewithal could immensely benefit the
preparatory process, sincetheyhadvastly larger personnel andresources devoted toeachleast-developed
countrythanthecoreorganizations.Theleast-developedcountrieshadbeentheirpartners-in-development
foralongtime, andtheyneeded, andrequested, theirsupport inthiscrucial venture.
23. Other specialised agencies withrelevant experience suchasUNIDO could alsobeinvolved.
NGOs andprivate sector representatives fromboththedeveloped andthedeveloping countries should
bewelcome, including those from theleast-developed countries themselves. NGOs didnotinvest,
buttheycould, andindeed did,haveaconstructive roletoplayintheachievement oftheleast-developed
countries 'aims. Itwastheprospects ofprofits thatspurred theprivate sector, buttheNGOs could
bepersuaded tohelpprogress intheleast-developed countries today inanticipation ofbenefits tomorrow.
There wasindeed nothing toprevent amoral factor being added tothemotive power thatmoved the
invisible handofthemarket. Themosteffective format fortheparticipation ofNGOs stillhadtobe
worked out,though aonedayNGO meeting preceding themain event seemed areasonable and
acceptable suggestion. Nevertheless, itwastotheirpartner States andnottheNGOs thattheleast-
developed countries would lookfortheresolution ofmany oftheirproblems.WT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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24. Theformat comprising plenary inaugural andconcluding sessions, anddual-track informal
country-specific andthematic roundtables, wasacceptable. TheHigh-Level Meeting should issue a
document which should bebriefandbusiness-like, andcontain notonlythesummary ofconclusions
butclearly enumerate thefuture stepsorthepackage ofintegrated measures forthebenefit oftheleast-
developed countries. Itwasimportant todetermine howthedeliberations inthecountry-specific and
thematic roundtables would relate toeachother, andmore important howtheywould belinked tothe
result oftheHigh-Level Meeting. Itwasexpected thatthose chairing therespective sessions would
beabletotranslate thediscussions intoformulations orconclusions which theHigh-Level Meeting
would endorse asrecommendations. With regard towhoshould chair theroundtables, thedecision
wasperhaps bestlefttotheindividual countries concerned. Itshould beborne inmind, too,thatmost
least-developed country delegations would besmall andtherefore hardpressed tocover more thantwo
simultaneous meetings.
25. Theshow-casing of"best practices" models wasaninnovative idea. Theneeds-assessment
exercise, though conducted withtheassistance ofexternal consultants, should becountry-driven, with
the"ownership" ofthecountry concerned. Theleast-developed countries thatwished tobeincluded
intheroundtables should beallowed andassisted todoso,provided ofcourse thatsome appropriate
standards could bemet. Granted thatwhatwasgood forthegoose wasnotnecessarily good forthe
gander, interms ofthepackage ofmeasures tobeapplied careshould betaken thatallleast-developed
countries, whether represented atcountry-specific roundtables ornot,gained substantively inoneway
oranother from thedeliberations. Where possible, extrapolations orresults should begenerally
applicable. Simply put,theparticipation ofevery least-developed country should beworth itswhile.
26. Regarding theagenda, theleast-developed countries were prepared totrimtheirsailstothe
windinsupport ofpragmatism. They allwished forafocused meeting, thatwasnotamererepetition
ofprevious conferences concerned withtheleast-developed countries. Atthesame time, thepurpose
should notbesonarrow astomisstheopportunities thathighlevelattendance could provide. The
least-developed countries agreed broadly astothetrade-development orientation, acknowledging at
thesame timeamodicum ofinterdependence, asinthetitleoftheMeeting itself, between trade and
development. Inother words, there should beatheoretical acceptance oftheaxiom thatfortrading
interactions tobemeaningful andprofitable, acertain levelofdevelopment isasinequanon.
27. Thedraftagenda contained threemainelements: market-access, technical assistance forhuman
andinstitutional capacity-building, andother specific measures including efforts toenhance least-
developed countries 'supply response. Theleast-developed countries agreed withthisagenda. There
was,however, nospecific mention ofsupport forinfrastructural development, which wassoclosely
related totradeandmostcertainly related toanyexpanded FDIflows intotheleast-developed countries.
Thethematic discussion should betaken advantage oftoaccommodate thisandanumber ofother topics
thattheleast-developedcountrieswishedtodiscuss.Thesecouldincludehumanandinstitutionalcapacity
building, roads, rails, shipping, telecommunications, information systems, industrial zones, ports,
warehouses, health, education, sanitation, investments, agricultural andmanufacturing product
diversification, commodities, andthelike. Lestthislistappeared daunting, headded thatthose sub-
themes could beeasily regrouped under amuch smaller number ofthematic headings, andtheleast-
developed countries looked forward tofurther consultations onthat.
28. Theleast-developed countries hadnoproblems withregard totheproposed budget. Theywere
pleased thattheleast-developed countries would beassisted bothinthepreparatory andparticipatory
process. They thanked Sweden, Norway andtheNetherlands fortheirgenerosity -which wasindeed
nothing new-andhoped thatallothers inaposition todosowould follow suit.
29. Theprojected documentation waswell-designed, though there could besome justifiable
apprehension ofinundation. Itmight beworthwhile toconsider thecombining ofsome topics andWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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documents, forinstance HL/4 andHL/5, which might havetheadditional benefit ofsome cost-saving.
Thedocumentation should beenriched bydrawing onthedeliberations andconclusions oftherecently
heldPilotSeminar onFDIflows intotheleast-developed countries. Toomany inventories ofexisting
projects orprogrammes were bestavoided, foritwasthefuture andnotthepastthatshould bethe
focus ofattention.
30. Mostimportantly,theHigh-LevelMeetingwasanopportunityforintellectualrethinking.Simply
toprovide financial aidandatthesame timeblock chances ofexport ofcommodities inwhich the
least-developed countries possessed comparative advantage wastogivewithonehandandtakeaway
withanother. Toexpect theprivate sector toinvest intheleast-developed countries without developing
theirbasic physical andsocial infrastructures wastobecynical beyond measure. Tohopeforaspurt
intheirgrowth, andatthesame timecutbackontheirODA, wastostand theargument itshead.
31. Ifnotthis,thenother forahadtoaddress thedebilitating debt-issue. Nottodosowould be
toignore therootcauses oftheleast-developed countries 'problems, andconsequently tobeledinto
alogical fallacy ofGargantuan proportions. Theleast-developed countries didnotaskthatdebts be
written offattheHigh-Level Meeting; theyasked thatitbeunderstood thatinthecontext oftheir
trading capacity, debtremained apreponderant constraining element. Ordinarily, todiscuss problems
oftheleast-developed countries andnottoinclude debtwould belikestaging Hamlet without thePrince
ofDenmark.
32. Finally, hepaidpersonal tributes totheChairperson, toDirector-General, Renato Ruggiero,
Secretary-General, Rubens Ricupero, andExecutive-Director, Denis Bélilse, fortheirinitiatives in
thisundertaking which hehoped would beawatershed intheannals oftheleast-developed countries
aswellasinthehistory ofdevelopment. Impulses toprogress could oftencome fromsimple individual
human endeavours, iftheycould elicit wider resonance.
33. Therepresentative ofTanzania endorsed thestatement oftheAmbassador ofBangladesh, which
hesaidwastheresult ofjointconsultations among theleast-developed countries. Hethanked the
chairperson forconvening themeeting andfortheclarification ofwhyithadnotbeenpossible tohold
theexpected meeting. Hisdelegation hoped thattheunderlying problems could beresolved in
forthcoming consultations. Itagreed withthetwoprevious speakers ontheneedtobeclear about
theobjective oftheHigh-Level Meeting which wastoenable theleast-developed countries tobecome
viable trading nations. Thatincluded theintegrated approach oftheagencies. Theinterpretation of
"trade-related", aword which appeared inalldocuments, including theintegrated approach, was
interpreted inawidesense bysome least-developed countries toenable themtobecome viable trading
nations. Itwashisdelegation 'shope thattherange oforganizations involved would enable least-
developed countries toraiseissues beyond theWTO framework anditsAgreements. When discussing
developments which could enable least-developed countries totrade, itwasoften saidthattheright
forawastheWorld Bank. Itwaswiththewider interpretation inmind thattherepresentative of
Bangladesh hadtouched oncommunications, infrastructure andsoon.Itwasnotpossible tospeak
about enhancing theexport capacity ofleast-developed countries unless theconstraints facing them
weredealtwith. Asregards thesub-themes, theleast-developed countries hadalready agreed onsub-
themes theywished totreat, butastheremight bedifferent opinions hewished toknow howsuchthemes
would beagreed upon. Small group consultations involving theleast-developed countries 'coordinator
andsome secretariats might beheldtoresolve theissue.
34. Therepresentative ofPakistan agreed fullywiththegeneral points raised bythetwoprevious
speakers andwould notrepeat whattheyhadsaid. Hedidhowever wishtoexpress deepregret over
thenature ofthemeeting. Itwasmostunfortunate thatthemeeting wasnotajointpreparatory meeting
oftheWTO andUNCTAD ashadbeenenvisaged. UNCTAD 'sparticipation hadbeenmandated by
Ministers inSingapore fortwogood reasons. First, UNCTAD haditsownon-going programme forWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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least-developed countries. Second, andmore important, UNCTAD hadinvaluable expertise inthe
areaoftrade anddevelopment. UNCTAD 'sinvolvement inorganizing theMeeting wastherefore
essential andhedidnotbelieve thatnews ofUNCTAD 'sabsence from theMeeting would bewell
received byMinisters. Italsohadanimpact ontheability ofachieving theobjectives oftheHigh-Level
Meeting,whichremainedanintegratedapproachtoassistingtheleast-developedcountries.Hisdelegation
strongly encouraged thechairperson toensure UNCTAD 'sinvolvement inallphases oftheorganization
oftheHigh-Level Meeting.
35. Therepresentative ofZambia said,following therepresentative oftheEuropean Communities,
thathisdelegation would alsohavepreferred thepresence ofUNCTAD anditsabsence might make
itdifficult fordecisions tobetaken during thecurrent meeting. Hewasdelighted tonotetheprogress
made inpreparing fortheHigh-Level Meeting. However, afterhaving listened toprevious speakers,
hehadnodoubt thatmany outstanding issues would come upforfurther discussion andclarification.
Thereason fortheconsultative process wasprimarily thecomplex nature oftheissues tobehandled
duringtheHigh-LevelMeeting,includingthesubjectsofmarketaccessandenhancingthesupplycapacity
oftheleast-developed countries. Inparagraph 5oftheSingapore Ministerial Declaration theMinisters
hadexpressed concern thatcertain least-developed countries risked marginalisation intheprocess of
liberalizationandglobalisation,andcalledforgreatercoherenceininternationaleconomicpolicy-making
andforimproved co-ordination between theWTO andother agencies inproviding technical assistance.
TheHigh-Level Meeting should therefore beseeninthecontext ofthePlanofAction forleast-developed
countries, designed toattenuate theeconomic decline ofleast-developed countries through measures
suchasdutyfreeaccess onanautonomous basis soastoimprove theiroverall capacity torespond
totheopportunities offered bythetrading system. TheHigh-Level Meeting should therefore seek
among other things, toactualise theideals ofthePlanofAction forleast-developed countries, and
thatwastoassist these countries toexpand anddiversify theirexports, including thecreation ofan
enabling environment forinvestment. Therecognition oftheprocess ofglobalisation, andtheneed
fortheleast-developed countries toadapt tothatprocess andnottoresist it,should becentral tothe
results oftheHigh-Level Meeting. Hence, thepackaging oftechnical assistance andautonomous market
access initiatives should essentially leadtotheadaptation andintegration ofthese countries intothe
world trading system. During theearly stages ofthepreparations ithadbeendeemed efficient that
thebeneficiary countries tooktheinitiative toprepare theirneeds fortrade-related technical assistance.
However, ithadquickly beenrealised thatsome ofthecountries didnothavetheinstitutional capacity
tocarry outsuchassessments. Itwasgoodnews, forthatreason thatthevarious cooperating institutions
would assist inthepreparations ofindividual assessments before October. Theresults ofthese
preparations would determine thequality oftheroundtables.
36. TheHigh-Level Meeting derived fromtheWTO Action PlanforLeast-Developed Countries,
which implied thattheresults orthepackage fromthemeeting should beapplicable toasmany least-
developedcountriesaspossible,especiallythosethathaddemonstratedtheircapacitytotaketheinitiative.
Therefore, thenon-participation ofanyindividual least-developed country should belimited tothe
country 'sinability toabsorb trade-related technical assistance ortheanticipated autonomous market
access provisions andnotthrough apredetermined exclusion process. Thelogic ofthatperception
wasthatthemarginalisation ofleast-developed countries intheglobal economy wasintrinsically linked
totheireconomic condition astheyattempted torespond tothedynamic imperative ofglobalisation,
andthepackaging oftheanticipated results should therefore betoarrest thedecline ofthese countries
inglobal terms; ifatwotrack approach wasadopted, theleast-developed countries thatwereleftout
would continue todecline. Agoodexample wasthatintheexisting ITC/WTO/UNCTAD integrated
technical assistance programme forAfrica, which wasalready initssecond year, there wasnosign
ofthesecond stage oftheprogramme, thatwastoinclude newcountries. Itwastherefore important
tonotethatfourAfrican least-developed countries already were inthatprogramme, andwerelikely
toberoundtabled inOctober. Hesupposed thatthenotion ofbalance should beconsidered forthe
countries whowere notincluded inthatprogramme.WT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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37. Therepresentative ofSwitzerland thanked thechairperson forhaving organized themeeting.
Hisdelegation believed itextremely useful, afewofmonths before theHigh-Level Meeting, toestablish
thestatus ofitsorganization, particularly onmatters ofprinciple. Itwashisdelegation 'sbelief that
thepreparatory meeting wasnotameeting where substance would bediscussed. Thebackground
documents werecurrently being reviewed incapitals andhisdelegation preferred towaitforthatanalysis
tobeconcluded before expressing anopinion onthem. However, thepreparatory work would have
tobeundertaken soonasOctober wasapproaching fast. Inhisdelegation 'sview, thecurrent meeting
wasonlyanorganizational meeting.
38. Astotheprinciple ofco-organization, regrets hadbeenexpressed byseveral previous speakers,
thatthemeeting wasunder theexclusive aegisoftheWTO andnolonger under theaegisofUNCTAD.
Even though itwasregrettable, thesituation should notbeover-dramatized. What theorganizational
meeting didwasnotdecisive andfinalandUNCTAD wasnotbeing leftout.Thesituation needed
tobeclarified because ofsome unexpected problems which hadarisen; thismeeting should serve to
indicate thepathtobefollowed inorder toavoid encountering similar problems inOctober.
39. TheHigh-Level Meeting wasbased ontheSingapore Ministerial Declaration, which stated
thatMinisters remained concerned bytheproblems oftheleast-developed countries andhadagreed
to"organize ameeting withUNCTAD andtheInternational Trade Centre". Thisdecision only
committed theWTO, asitwastheonlyorganization overwhich theMinisters inSingapore had
jurisdiction. Ministers alsomade itquite clear thatthemeeting should beorganized together with
UNCTAD andITCandhebelieved thattheparticipation ofITCwasofthegreatest importance. As
therepresentative ofTanzania hadsaid,theconstraints thatmade itdifficult forleast-developed countries
totrade werenotmerely legalquestions, andthatwaswhytheparticipation ofITCwascritical. It
washisdelegation 'sopinion thatITCshould beestablished asoneofthemain players andthatthe
roleofITCshould bestressed. Ifhelayresponsibility atthefeetoftheWTO itwasnottoshutothers
out;thatwasnotwhattheMinisters hadsaid. However, iftheHigh-Level Meeting failed itwould
beWTO 'sfailure tofollow through anundertaking made byMinisters inSingapore.
40. Delegations should notletthemselves bedistracted byphrases suchas"co-responsibility, co-
organization" etc.asthere weremany ways ofinterpreting suchterms. Itwasnothisinterpretation
thattheSingapore Decision meant toputallthreeorganizations inthefrontseatofacarandhandling
thesteering-wheel atthesame time. Thatwasthebestwaytorunintoawall. What waswanted was
thefullparticipation ofthethreeorganizations tofollow thesame pathsoastoarrive atthesame goal.
Ajointventure withaleadpartner wasanother wayofdescribing it.TheWTO should feelresponsible
fortheundertaking assomebody hadtobeintheleadposition, butwiththefullparticipation ofthe
other organizations. Theorganizations didnothavethesame legalset-up, and,itwashisbelief that
selecting asingle legalframework, thatoftheWTO, would resolve theproblems which currently were
ofonlymoderate concern butwhich could become critical byOctober. Ajointventure hadtobe
established withtheWTO astheleadorganization, andtheHigh-Level Meeting would therefore be
organized based ontheframework inwhich theWTO operated. TheWTO hadapolitical wind in
itssailsandthatwind should betaken advantage oftosailforward, ensuring fullparticipation from
UNCTAD. ThefactthattheWTO wasthelead-organization didnotinanywaymean thattheresults
oftheHigh-Level Meeting would beprejudged. TheWTO 'splace intheintegrated framework would
bewhatever theHigh-Level Meeting determined ittobe.Itwould nothaveanything todowiththe
political responsibility oftheHigh-Level Meeting.
41. Heagreed entirely withthegoalsfortheHigh-Level Meeting which hadbeensetoutbyprevious
speakers andintheSingapore Ministerial Decision. There could notbeanypossible disagreement
onthedesire fortheleast-developed countries tobecome viable trading nations. Theprinciple agenda
itemforhisdelegation wastheIntegrated Framework forTechnical Assistance. Itshould bepossible
toagree ontheagenda, butitmight beappropriate toholdconsultations inorder torefine thedetailsWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
Page9
ofthethematic roundtables. TheBretton Woods institutions could certainly assist inmore carefully
defining thethemes. Theissueofprimordial importance attheHigh-Level Meeting wasthecountry-
specific roundtables. Nevertheless, thematic roundtables could make auseful contribution. Regarding
theselection ofparticipating governments intheroundtables orinplenary meetings, allleast-developed
countries, betheyWTO Members ornot,should beadmitted toparticipate. Thatwasclearfromthe
Singapore Ministerial mandate. AstheITCandUNCTAD wereinvolved, itwasnotpossible toexclude
anyoftheirmember governments from participating. Hisdelegation supported theparticipation of
theprivate sector intheHigh-Level Meeting.
42. HesaidthattheHigh-Level Meeting should result insomething quite different from the
multiplicity ofprevious conferences heldonmatters concerning least-developed countries. Although
many ofthese hadbeenveryuseful, suchastheParis meeting, itwashisbelief thataction nowmust
betaken. Ensuring anoperational outcome wasthemajor concern ofWTO participants. Hisdelegation
believed thatdecisions andclearrecommendations mustbereached. Animplementation-phase must
beagreed upon which should beobligatory bothfortheorganizations andfortheleast-developed
countries involved. There wasalsoaneedforsome kindofprovisions which would allow delegations
tomonitor theimplementation ofthedecisions made andwhich contained precise deadlines. TheHigh-
Level Meeting should notbeonemorepurely academic meeting whose recommendations would remain
adead-letter; itmust produce apractical result.
43. Aseries ofconsultations onthethemes oftheroundtables hadtobeheld. Before October,
theprogramme clearly hadtobedefined andmaybe enriched, buthedidnotbelieve thatthethematic
roundtables would bethemostenriching partoftheHigh-Level Meeting. Theprocess ofconsultations
hadtobeinitiated immediately asthere wasnotimetoloose before October. Astofinancing, his
delegation congratulated those whohadalready made commitments. There wasnodoubt thatonce
delegations began togetaclearer picture oftheformtheHigh-Level Meeting would takemany would
bewilling tocontribute toitsfinancing. Hebelieved thatthebudget tobeapproved wasagood one.
However, hewasnotconvinced thatitwould notbepossible tofinance alarge partoftheHigh-Level
Meeting through theWTO budget, astheMeeting wasbased onaMinisterial Decision.
44. Therepresentative ofNorway saidthatcomments onthedraftdocumentation received would
begiven later. Ontheissue ofparticipating governments, itwashisdelegation 'sviewthatitshould
beasbroad aspossible. Apossible solution totheproblem ofgovernment participation might beto
grant observer status tosome countries inorder forthem tobepresent. Regarding theparticipation
ofNGOs, itwasagoodideatohaveanNGO symposium afewweeks inadvance oftheHigh-Level
Meeting. Itshould beensured thattheparticipating NGOs werebothdevelopment-related andbusiness-
related; thecriteria forselecting themshould bethattheyworked intheinterests oftheleast-developed
countries. Heasked whowould organize theNGO symposium. Would theinvitations besentfrom
theWTO, andhowwasresponsibility divided? Hisdelegation wascontent withthecurrent proposals
ontheagenda andtheformat oftheHigh-Level Meeting. Hewaspleased tohearthatthere would
benomore thantwomeetings going onatthesametime. Ithadtobekeptinmind thattheHigh-Level
Meeting wasscheduled tolastforonlytwodays. Hisdelegation hoped thatanopportunity toindicate
market access problems, suchasrules oforigin andcumulation, would begiven atthesame timeas
theopportunity tocome upwithimproved market access commitments onanautonomous basis. His
delegation wasinfavour ofthecountry-specific roundtables andhadearlier called forarepresentative
selection ofcountries, sohewaspleased tohearthataselection asrepresentative aspossible ofthe
problems faced byleast-developed countries would bemade. Hisdelegation hadnever aimed fora
geographical representation, itwastheissues which wereofimportance. Hisdelegation confirmed
itsintention toparticipate inco-financing theHigh-Level Meeting.
45. Therepresentative ofBrazil supported thetireless efforts made bytheChairperson infulfilling
themandate given byMinisters inSingapore. Hestressed thatthemandate stated thattheHigh-LevelWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
Page10
Meeting should beorganized withUNCTAD andITCandalsowiththeparticipation ofaid-agencies
andBretton Woods Institutions andleast-developed countries. Itwashisdelegation 'sviewthatthe
preparations should beajointeffort withUNCTAD andITCanditwasitssincere hopethatconsensus
could bebuiltsothatallinvolved, inparticular UNCTAD, could takeafullpartinallstages ofthe
preparations, notmerely asobservers. Hetrusted thattheChairperson 'sconsultations would leadto
therequired coreorganizations participation, having inmindtheaimoffostering anintegrated approach
toassist least-developed countries inenhancing theirtrade opportunities.
46. Therepresentative ofCanada thanked theChairperson forallthework thathadbeenputinto
thepreparatory work fortheHigh-Level Meeting. Hergovernment attached great importance tothe
success oftheHigh-Level Meeting; itssupport fortheinitiative waswellknown. Sheregretted that
there hadbeenaproblem intheorganization ofthepreparatory meeting, butliketherepresentative
ofSwitzerland shewasnotoftheopinion thatitshould bedramatized. Thiswasonlyapreparatory
meeting. Intheconsultations thattheChairperson planned tohold, itshould bepossible tosortout
theorganizational issues.
47. Itwasimportant thattheHigh-Level Meeting leadtospecific results, especially inthearea
oftheIntegrated Framework forTechnical Assistance. Thishadalways beentheareainwhich her
delegation hadseentheexpertise thattheWTO could bring tobearunder themandate thatwasgiven
byMinisters inSingapore. Through thecountry-specific roundtables, delegations could getabetter
ideaofhowtoshape theIntegrated Framework, andshesuggested therefore thattheresults ofthe
country-specific roundtables beputahead oftheintegrated framework inthedraftagenda forOctober.
Herdelegation agreed withothers which hadsaidthatfollow-up wasimportant, andshefeltthisalso
should betaken intoaccount inthedraftagenda. Withregard tothebudget, shefeltitcould beimportant
forsome delegations toknow which countries would beselected forthecountry-specific roundtables
attheHigh-Level Meeting before theywould beinaposition todetermine whether funding could be
provided ornot.InthecaseofCanada, thequestion would bedealtwiththrough theDevelopment
Agency. Shenoted thatthebudget hadbeenbased onstandard UNratesforconsultants aswellas
fortravel andper-diem expenses, andsaidmuch lower rateswere usedinCanada.
48. TherepresentativeoftheUnitedStatesexpressedregretthatspecificcircumstanceshadprevented
thismeeting proceeding asplanned, butagreed withothers thatthisshould notbecause forparticular
concern. Hisdelegation shared theviewthattheHigh-Level Meeting should produce specific results.
TheSingapore Ministerial Declaration andthework thathadbeenadopted bytheUNCTAD Trade
andDevelopment Board lastyeargavecleardirection fortheHigh-Level Meeting. Hewelcomed the
factthatitincluded amarket access component, butsaidtheemphasis should beplaced ontheIntegrated
Framework fortechnical cooperation which wastheitemonwhich themostcould beaccomplished.
Hisdelegationhadbeenreluctanttosupportthematicroundtablesalongwithcountry-specificroundtables,
asithadfeltthatitwould bemore interesting toexplore allthematic issues inthecontext ofcountry
examinations. However, inconsultations withleast-developed countries hehadlearned thatmany least-
developed countries hadtheperception ofbeing leftoutoftheprocess. Hisdelegation wastherefore
willing togoalong withtheprocess ofhaving thematic roundtables ontheunderstanding there would
notbemore thantwoactivities taking place atonce. More work wasneeded inorder toagree on
interesting themes thatcould contribute toaresult attheendoftheHigh-Level Meeting, taking into
account thecountry-specific roundtables.
49. Interms oftheselection ofcountries forroundtables, hisdelegation hadexpressed apreference
thattheyshould beWTO Members. Itstillheldthatview, butitwaswilling toawait theassessment
bythevarious participants whowould beincharge ofmanaging thisitemandconsider thebasisupon
which theirsuggestions weremade before taking aspecific viewastowhether anyparticular country
should beselected ornot.Asconcerned NGOs, hisdelegation fullysupported theprocess forselection
outlined bytheChairperson. Itnotonlymade sense butitalsohadapractical value asevery MemberWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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hadNGOs, andifthere wasnotaprocess ofselection NGOs thatsome Members would notwishto
seepresent might come. Hisdelegation felttheChairperson ofthismeeting should holdconsultations
withtheobjective ofhaving selected theChair fortheHigh-Level Meeting bytheendofJuly.
50. Therepresentative ofMorocco saidhisdelegation wassadnottoseeUNCTAD occupy its
place itthejointeffort. Themandate thathadbeengiven inSingapore hadsaidthattheHigh-Level
Meeting should bejointly organized withUNCTAD inorder tounderline theimportant aspect ofco-
operation ontheIntegrated Framework. Theintegrated approach wassomething newandsomething
which characterized theHigh-Level Meeting, compared toother events organized infavour ofleast-
developed countries. Itcould notbeachieved without anactive contribution byUNCTAD. Itwas
hisdelegation 'sbelief thattheintegrated approach should leadtothegranting ofanappropriate role
forUNCTAD andITCandhisdelegation hoped thattheconsultations thattheChairperson would be
holding could resolve thetechnical problems.
51. Hisdelegation believed thatthespecific problems oftheleast-developed countries, suchas
theirexternal debt, should beoneoftheparameters fordiscussion attheHigh-Level Meeting. Itwas
impossible toexamine problems ofleast-developed countries without recalling themainproblems they
faced, evenifasolution totheseproblems could notbefound attheHigh-Level Meeting. Thecontent
ofthethematic roundtables should bemade more precise inorder toallow theHigh-Level Meeting
toreach practical, concrete results thatcould beimplemented. Thethemes contained inthedraftpaper
distributed atthismeeting hadtobemade much more specific inorder forresults tobereached. A
great dealofwork remained tobedone tocomplete thedraftoftheIntegrated Framework intime
fortheHigh-Level Meeting. Inconcluding, hethanked WTO Members thathadalready announced
contributions tohelpfinance theHigh-Level Meeting, andagreed withtherepresentative ofSwitzerland
thatitwasnecessary fortheWTO regular budget tobeusedastheHigh-Level Meeting wasbased
onaMinisterial Decision.
52. Therepresentative ofAustralia thanked theChairperson forherefforts inseeking tomake
theHigh-Level Meeting asuccess. Hisdelegation supported strongly theprovision ofeffective technical
assistance toleast-developed countries tohelpthem reapthebenefits forsustainable development of
greater participation inthemultilateral trading system. TheHigh-Level Meeting would beimportant
incoordinating technical assistance toimprove thecapacity ofleast-developed countries toplayan
active roleintheliberalization process, including future multilateral trade liberalization negotiations.
Itwould provide anopportunity fortheinternational community towork withtheleast-developed
countries todevelop astrategy forthemosteffective ways ofensuring theirintegration intotheglobal
trading system andtoavoid theirmarginalization bybuilding theirtrade-related technical capacity.
53. Withtheseimportantobjectivesinmind,hisdelegationwishedtheHigh-LevelMeetingtoproceed
onthebasisofanagenda which allowed thepractical needs ofleast-developed countries tobeidentified
andwhich allowed aclearandcoordinated strategy tobedrawn up,including agreement onanIntegrated
Framework fortechnical assistance. Itbelieved thatthecountry-specific roundtables embodied the
keyobjective offocusing onpractical assistance toaddress theneeds thatleast-developed countries
themselves would identify. Afundamental purpose oftheHigh-Level Meeting should betocreate
alasting framework thatcould beapplied toallleast-developed countries. While some would bechosen
forcountry-specific roundtables attheHigh-Level Meeting, allofthem should havetheopportunity
togothrough thatprocess andtodevelop, incooperation withintergovernmental agencies, acoordinated
programme oftrade-related technical assistance toaddress theirspecific needs.
54. Thethematic roundtables wereuseful complements tocountry-specific roundtables, providing
anopportunity todiscuss broader issues relevant toallleast-developed countries. Theinsights gained
through these discussions might assist some least-developed countries infurther defining theirtrade-
related technical assistance needs andmight assist donors intargeting theirprogrammes. ThethemesWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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suggested seemed tocover some ofthekeyissues forthedevelopment ofleast-developed countries
andtheirfurther integration intotheglobal economy. Hisdelegation wasoftheopinion thatthetwo
thematic roundtables alsoshould encompass consideration ofprivate sector initiatives since thatwas
acrucialsteptowardsthedevelopmentofmoreopen,trade-orientedleast-developedcountries'economies.
There wasvalue intheproposed session onmarket access, inkeeping withtheSingapore PlanofAction
which included enhancing conditions forfavourable market access. Hisdelegation supported theidea
ofinvolving private sector representatives whocould provide apractical perspective, including the
private sector 'sviewofthefundamentals forfostering private sector development. Inlinewiththis,
therewasmerit inthesuggestion toinvite sixeminent business persons tocontribute totheroundtable
discussions.Itwashisunderstandingthatotherprivatesectorrepresentativeswouldbeinvitedtoobserve
theformal sessions asnon-speaking observers. Interms ofparticipation intheHigh-Level Meeting,
hisdelegation supported theproposed invitation totheHigh-Level Meeting ofall48least-developed
countries, together withmember governments ofthesixintergovernmental organizations involved in
thepreparations. Hisdelegation alsosupported theparticipation ofNGO representatives. Theproposal
foranNGO symposium seemed tobeanefficient wayofcoordinating NGO input. Ontheissue of
selection ofleast-developed countries forcountry-specific roundtables, thecriteria proposed were
acceptable. Finally, itshould benoted thatitwasimportant thatthere wasadequate preparation time
before theHigh-Level Meeting toensure thatacomprehensive analysis andthenecessary pre-meeting
coordination work could becarried outeffectively foreachofthose least-developed countries selected
toparticipate incountry-specific roundtables attheHigh-Level Meeting.
55. TherepresentativeofHongKongsaidhowmuchdelegationsappreciatedtheconsiderableenergy
theChairperson hadshown incarrying through withpreparations fortheHigh-Level Meeting. The
Singapore Ministerial Mandate emphasized theneedtofoster anintegrated approach toassisting least-
developed countries. While theintegration needed tobecountry-specific, hisdelegation washappy
thatsome room hadbeenmade formore horizontal, thematic discussions. These discussions could
alsohelptofosteranintegratedapproachbycreatinglinksandbyidentifyingcommonalitiesinindividual
situations which might otherwise remain unrelated. These discussions would bemore implicit innature
andprovide abasisforbroader participation inandbenefit fromtheHigh-Level Meeting. Astothemes,
hisdelegation supported thesuggestions thathadbeenmade informally. Hisdelegation might beable
tomake averymodest contribution drawing onitsownexperience inanydiscussion related toenhancing
human andinstitutional capacities intheprivate andpublic sectors andintheareaofdeveloping efficient
infrastructure infields suchastransports, telecommunications andenergy andtoinvestment generally.
Hisdelegation alsofeltthattheinvolvement ofprivate sector representatives would bebeneficial.
Hisdelegation supported theproposed format fortheOctober Meeting.
56. Turning tomarket access, henoted thattheSingapore Ministerial Declaration hadcalled upon
Members totakepositive measures toimprove market access forleast-developed countries. Thathad
usually beentaken tomean thegranting ofpreferential access, which wassurely whattheMinisterial
Mandate envisaged. While notobjecting tofurther preferential arrangements, which insome cases
might betheonlypractical waytoproceed, hisdelegation urged Members toconsider indetail the
effects ofsuchmeasures, including thepossibility oftrade-diversion. Itwould beironic ifthere were
anyadverse effects on,forexample, low-income developing countries. Hisdelegation advocated that
autonomoustrade-liberalizationmeasures,whiletargetedattheareasofgreatestinteresttoleast-developed
countries, should beextended onafullMFN basis. Thatwastheonlywayofcarrying theprogramme
forward inawaywhich wasfullyconsistent withthespirit oftheWTO andwhich assured thattrade
wasnotdiverted ordistorted. Theissue ofmarket access forleast-developed countries presented a
direct andsometimes rather uncomfortable challenge totheWTO. Could thisorganization which had
recently delivered trade liberalization soeffectively inareas ofinterest todeveloped countries dothe
same fortheleast-developed countries? Could Members feeltotally ateaseinaworld inwhich there
wasfreetradeininformation technology products forexample, butrestrictions inthesignificant sectors
which wereofinterest, orofpotential interest, tomany least-developed countries? IftheWTO wereWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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toliveuptoitsbilling itcould not,intheviewofhisdelegation, afford toshirk questions likethese.
Hisdelegation didtherefore notseethemarket access component oftheHigh-Level Meeting asatoken
exercise.
57. Therepresentative ofEgypt thanked theChairperson forhertireless efforts inthepreparatory
process fortheHigh-Level Meeting, andthesecretariats fortheircooperation. TheHigh-Level Meeting
would alsobeashow-case ofinter-agency cooperation andcoordination. Hisdelegation supported
those whohadsaidthattheproblems thathadarisen inarranging ajointpreparatory meeting should
notbeover-dramatized. Itwasgladthatthedifferences werenotdifferences between thesecretariats
butrather differences between member governments, which hehoped would soonbeovercome. He
wasconfident thattheChairperson would beabletoresolve these problems andpledged thesupport
ofhisdelegation. TheSwiss representative should beassured thatfailure wasnotanoption. His
delegationagreedontheneedforleadershipamongtheintergovernmentalorganizationsinvolveddirectly
inpreparing theHigh-Level Meeting, andsupported theWTO continuing toplaythatrole.
58. Benefitting from theexperience Egypt hadgained withthetripartite Integrated Programme
ofTechnical Assistance forAfrica, which wassomewhat similar totheintegrated programme forleast-
developed countries which would result from theHigh-Level Meeting, hisdelegation wished toadd
twopoints which were important forthesuccess ofanintegrated approach. Firstwasinter-agency
coordination; thedivision oflabour, exchange ofinformation onactivities, andcreation offocalpoints
bytheagencies involved fortheimplementation oftheprogramme werecrucial tothesuccess ofthe
integrated programme. Thesecond point ofimportance wastheissue ofmonitoring andfollow-up.
Hisdelegation believed thatitshould bepossible toassign responsibility andtosettargets. There
should beanassessment forallleast-developed countries before theyear2000, when thethirdWTO
Ministerial Conference andUNCTAD Xwould beheld. Thatwould beagoodopportunity toevaluate
allneeds assessments andhowsuccessful theprogramme hadbeeninintegrating theleast-developed
countries intotheinternational trading system. There wasalsoaneedforspecific dates anddeadlines
toassure least-developed countries ofacontinuing process inwhich theywould allbeconsidered.
Theissueofreporting togovernments alsoneeded tobediscussed inthecontext offollow-up. There
should notbeanyduplication. Oneadvantage ofUNCTAD overWTO wasthatallleast-developed
countries were UNCTAD Members, although hisdelegation hoped thatbytheyear2000 allleast-
developed countries would beWTO Members aswell.
59. Hisdelegation suggested adding twopapers tothelistofbackground documents fortheHigh-
Level Meeting. Oneshould bededicated totheissueofinter-agency coordination andanother tofollow-
up,setting deadlines andtargets andspecific ways inwhich allleast-developed countries could be
covered. Inthepaper oninter-agency coordination itmight alsobeuseful toinclude information on
technical assistance programs thatwere being provided byallthese agencies inadetailed manner.
TheWTO hadalready donesoinapaper requested bytheCommittee onTrade andDevelopment.
Aguide hadbeenproduced thathadbeenuseful incapitals. Ifsuchdocumentation wasmade available
forallorganizations, inoneintegrated paper, itcould beuseful forleast-developed countries intheir
efforts toimplement theirneeds assessment inthefuture. Heasked withrespect tothefirstitemof
thebudget concerning theparticipation ofrepresentatives from least-developed countries whether it
would bepossible towaive the13percent overhead charge inthecaseoftheSwF.1.2 million budgeted
forthetravel andaccommodation expenses ofofficials from least-developed countries; isso,an
additional SwF.200,000 would beavailable touseaftertheHigh-Level Meeting foradditional needs
assessments.
60. Therepresentative ofNepal thanked theChairperson forherefforts inpreparing fortheHigh-
Level Meeting. Healsoexpressed hisdelegation 'sappreciation totheSecretariats ofthethreeGeneva-
based organizations fortheirprofessionalism inpreparing forthemeeting, especially inpreparing the
various draft background documents thathadbeen made available. Allcountries attached greatWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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importance totheforthcoming High-Level Meeting inOctober. Heespecially expressed hisdelegation 's
appreciation forthefactthatinput from theleast-developed countries hadbeensought insetting the
agenda, aswellasthegenerous financial contributions thatdifferent countries hadmade inorder to
make theholding oftheHigh-Level Meeting possible.
61. Hisgovernment hadreceived withmuch appreciation theletter ofinvitation toparticipate in
theHigh-Level Meeting aswellasthechecklist forconducting trade-related technical cooperation needs
assessment fromtheWTO Director-General. Ithadalready replied positively totheletter ofinvitation
andanin-house committee within theWTO Division intheMinistry ofCommerce hadalready began
thework ofcompleting theneeds assessment questionnaire. Hisdelegation hadcommunicated tothe
WTO Secretariat thatitwould seekassistance incompleting theneeds assessment ifthisproved to
benecessary. With regard toorganizational matters, hisdelegation would have liked toseethe
preparatory meeting asajointmeeting, ashadbeenplanned, buthewasconfident thattheChair's
consultations would leadtoajointmeeting ofallco-organizers inthenearfuture. Heagreed with
therepresentative ofSwitzerland ontheroleoftheITCasoneofthemajor players.
62. Concerning thespecific points onthethemes andtheagenda hewished toaddhisdelegation 's
voice tothose whohadspoken earlier, inparticular, therepresentative ofBangladesh onbehalf of
theleast-developed countries. Theproblems oftheleast-developed countries andtheconcerns expressed
intheSingaporeMinisterialDeclarationprovidedclearguidelinesforthedeliberationsattheforthcoming
High-Level Meeting. Improved market access, infrastructure, investment, andhuman andinstitutional
capacity-building astheprincipal elements ofcapacity-building forenhanced supply response, andan
integrated package oftechnical assistance constituted themain instruments forproviding operational
content totheWTO PlanofAction fortheleast-developed countries. Onthedraftpaper distributed
atthemeeting suggesting aformat fortheHigh-Level meeting, hisdelegation suggested reversing the
order ofthethemes shown since itbelieved thatmeasures toaddress thestructural problems which
limited theability oftheleast-developed countries tooperate asviable trading nations andhence benefit
more fullyfromtheopportunities created bytheUruguay Round constituted theunderlying theme of
theHigh-Level Meeting. Inthatsense, assistance toleast-developed countries intheprocess ofWTO
accession would beanimportant element ofimplementing thePlanofAction fortheleast-developed
countries.
63. Therelationshipbetweenthethematicissuesandthecountry-specificroundtableswasimportant.
Guided bytheSingapore Ministerial Declaration, thebasicobjective oftheHigh-Level Meeting should
bereversing thefurther marginalization oftheleast-developed countries inworld trade andallleast-
developed countries thatcame reasonably prepared should begiven theopportunity tohaveacountry-
specific roundtable. Atthesametime, thepackage ofassistance thatwould beagreed uponinOctober
should haveacomprehensive andinclusive nature, giving allinterested least-developed countries the
possibility todraw onitunless, forvarious reasons, theydidnotdemonstrate theabsorptive capacity.
Amechanism forfollow-up andmonitoring ofthevarious agreements reached inOctober andtheir
implementation wasanother important consideration, aswasatimetable forthose least-developed
countries that,forvarious reasons, could notparticipate incountry-specific roundtables inOctober.
64. Therepresentative ofHaiti thanked theChairperson andcongratulated heronherdynamism
andherwisdom inorganizing themeeting. Hehoped thattheproblems which hadoccurred would
beresolvedbyOctober.TheHigh-LevelMeetingshouldallowtheWTO,incooperationwithUNCTAD
andITC,tohelpleast-developed countries enhance theirtrading opportunities, buthesaidthatfrom
thediscussions itseemed thatthere wasinsistence ontheexport dimension while notmuch attention
hadbeengiven totheimport dimension. Inthiscontext hesupported thestatement bytheAmbassador
ofBangladesh onbehalf oftheleast-developed countries ontheimportance oftheHigh-Level Meeting
helping least-developed countries evaluate efforts undertaken byvarious organizations toconsolidate
notonlyhuman resources butalsoinfrastructure. Everything thatcould facilitate exchanges inbothWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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directions should betaken intoaccount. Countries which could notexport should notbemarginalized
inthediscussions.
65. Hisdelegation hadconcerns about theformat oftheproposed roundtables, andspecifically
thatiftheirnumber weretobestrictly limited andifparticipation ineachroundtable weretobelimited
also,itwasdifficult toenvisage howthelarge number ofpeople present attheHigh-Level Meeting
could allparticipate inaroundtable. Heasked forclarification onthispoint. Regarding private-sector
participation, theleast-developed countries could notafford theluxury ofaseparation between the
private andthepublic sector; preparations were being made sothathiscountry 'sdelegation would
beintegrated. There should berepresentatives oftheprivate sector frombothdeveloping anddeveloped
countries, sothatprivate sector representatives integrated intotheleast-developed countries 'delegations
would beabletomeetwiththose fromdeveloped countries. Concerning thethemes, hebelieved that
theinclusion ofthethemes inthecountry-specific roundtables could allow fordivision intosmaller
groups discussing thesame themes. Since thetwotypes ofroundtables werelinked, theresults would
begiven totheleast-developed countries. Hisdelegation wished tosupport thematic roundtables in
conjunction withcountry-specific roundtables.
66. Therepresentative ofJapan expressed hisappreciation fortheefforts made sofar.Asfaras
theagenda andtheformat fortheHigh-Level Meeting wereconcerned, hisdelegation could support
theproposals made. Regarding theordering ofthetopics tobetreated, hisdelegation wasflexible.
Hisdelegation sawtheutility ofhaving thematic roundtables apartfromthecountry-specific roundtables.
Emphasis should beputonhuman andinstitutional capacity building, which wasalsothedomain in
which hisgovernment could make thebestcontribution. Many delegations hademphasized the
importance ofobtaining concrete results attheHigh-Level Meeting. Hisdelegation fullyagreed with
thatandwished topointoutthataco-ordination mechanism between different international organizations
involved intechnical assistance should beoneoftheoutcomes oftheHigh-Level Meeting.
67. Therepresentative ofSouth Africa supported theSwiss representative inurging delegations
nottoover-dramatize theorganizational problems thathadbeenencountered inconvening thismeeting.
What ministers inSingapore envisaged incalling fortheHigh-Level Meeting initiative hadbeenthe
bestuseoftheresources andrespective competence ofthevarious organizations. Thatwasalsowhat
should beachieved. TheHigh-Level Meeting wasimportant forhisdelegation asitcamefromacountry
intheregion withthemostleast-developed countries. Hiscountry wasbusycrafting regional trading
arrangements intheSouthern African Development Community (SADC), sixofwhose members were
least-developed countries. Being thelargest economy andmarket intheregion, hiscountry wasaware
ofitsresponsibilities intheachievement oftheSADC 'sobjectives ofexpanded trade andbalanced
development intheregion. TheHigh-Level Meeting wasimportant inthesense thatitcould support
these efforts. Hisdelegation therefore, likeothers, wished toseeapractical outcome. There was
aneedforbalance intheselection ofleast-developed countries forthecountry-specific roundtables.
Astherepresentative ofZambia hadsaid,there wasanumber ofprogrammes currently inprogress
involving least-developed countries. Least-developed countries which hadnothadtheopportunity to
beselected forthose programmes might beconsidered forselection forcountry-specific roundtables.
There was,ashadbeenmentioned bytherepresentative ofEgypt, aneedforaproper follow-up
mechanism. TheHigh-Level Meeting should notbea"one-off event". Afollow-up mechanism was
therefore necessary toensure thattheinter-agency co-ordination involved inthepreparations forthe
High-Level Meeting would besustained.
68. Therepresentative ofITCwished toreassure alldelegations thattheITCwasverymuch on
board intheprocess ofpreparing fortheHigh-Level Meeting. However, ITCdidnotseeitself in
thedriving seat,thathadbeenmentioned bytheSwiss Ambassador, butrather asparticipating asa
"mechanic" ora"technician". Hehoped thattheproposal made byIFCandITCtoinvite sixeminent
business persons inaddition tothose private sector participants whomight participate innationalWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
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delegations could beendorsed bythemeeting. Theideawasthatthese sixeminent business persons
coming bothfrom least-developed countries andindustrialized countries withvisions going beyond
theirowncountries should participate inboththecountry-specific andthethematic roundtables.
69. TheChairperson underlined theimportant contribution thatwasbeing made byITC. She
proposed thattheSub-Committee takeanumber ofdecisions related tothepreparations fortheHigh-
Level Meeting, which shesaidwould needtobeconfirmed bytheappropriate body ofUNCTAD.
Herproposals were toagree:
- ontheagenda andformat fortheHigh-Level Meeting (seeattachment), withareversal
intheorder ofthematic issues AandBandwiththeresults ofthecountry-specific
roundtables being examined before theHigh-Level Meeting endorsed theIntegrated
Framework. Further consultations would takeplace ontheselection ofthemes for
thethematicroundtables,withinputfromtheintergovernmentalorganizationsinvolved.
- there would benosetplenary speeches.
- onthecriteria usedforchoosing which least-developed countries would befeatured
incountry-specific roundtables, withthecommitment ofalltheintergovernmental
organizations involved thatanyleast-developed country thatwished subsequently to
havearoundtable andwhich successfully completed theneeds-assessment would be
accommodated immediately.
- ontheIFC/ITC proposal tohaveeminent business persons participate intheHigh-Level
Meeting.
- ontheparticipation ofallmember governments ofalloftheintergovernmental
organizations involved, withonesmall issue regarding government participation to
beresolved through further consultations.
- onobserver status fortheintergovernmental organizations accredited toWTO and
UNCTAD.
- ontheuseoftheWTO 's"Singapore formula" forselecting andinviting NGOs toattend
theHigh-Level Meeting inanon-speaking capacity. Thestructure oftheNGO-
symposium needed tobefurther elaborated bytheintergovernmental organizations
involved. There wasagreement ontheimportance ofNGO-representatives fromleast-
developed countries attending thesymposium andtheHigh-Level Meeting.
70. TheSub-Committee soagreed.
71. TheChairperson wentontonotethewishexpressed bymany delegations thattheprocess of
preparing fortheHigh-Level Meeting becarried outjointly among theintergovernmental organizations
involved. Shesaidthatfurther consultations would beheldontheselection ofaChairperson andof
other officials fortheHigh-Level Meeting, onfine-tuning themes forthethematic roundtables, and
ontheissue ofwhether government participation should include observer governments from anyof
theintergovernmental organizations involved. Asubstantial debate wasneeded onthedrafting ofthe
document ontheIntegrated Framework. Inthiscontext, sherecalled thestatement ofthedelegation
ofEgypt. Sheinvited thesecretariats towork together tocome upwithideasfordelegations todiscuss,
forexample onamonitoring process under theIntegrated Framework andafollow-up mechanism.
With regard totheproposal bythedelegation ofEgypt onestablishing astrict time-frame, itwasher
viewthatiftheprocess wastrulydemand-driven withahighdegree ofownership suchatime-frameWT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
Page17
would notbeappropriate. Itwaspossible thatbecause ofthepolitical momentum oftheHigh-Level
MeetingseveralroundtablescouldbeheldinNovemberforthoseleast-developedcountrieswhichmissed
theOctober deadline. Theconclusion should bethatthemoment aleast-developed country wished
aroundtable tobeheldandwasabletocomplete afocused needs-assessment, oneshould beorganized.
Comments ontheother background documents could beconveyed directly totheWTO Secretariat.
72. TheChairperson invited theAmbassador ofTunisia, Chairman oftheWTO Budget Committee,
tocomment ontheissues raised bydelegations, particularly whether theHigh-Level Meeting would
needtobesolely financed fromextra-budgetary resources orwhether itwould bepossible toseesome
ownership oftheWTO interms ofafinancial contribution, andwhether itwould benecessary tolevy
acharge foroverhead costs ontheitem ofthebudget relating tocosts oftransportation and
accommodation forleast-developed country officials.
73. TheChairman oftheWTO Budget Committee saidthathehadtaken noteofalltheobservations
made. Thebudget fortheHigh-Level Meeting wasonlyanestimated proposal bytheWTO Secretariat.
Expenses fortheHigh-Level Meeting were notcurrently included intheregular WTO budget, nor
haditeverbeenconsidered bytheBudget Committee. Hewould dohisutmost toensure thatthere
wasaWTO contribution.WT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
Page18
ATTACHMENT
25.6.97
HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ONINTEGRATED INITIATIVES FOR
LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES 'TRADE DEVELOPMENT
PROPOSED PROCEDURES AND FORMAT
NB: INVIEW OFTHE RELATIVELY SHORT DURATION OFTHE MEETING, AND THE
IMPORTANCEATTACHEDTOSECURINGFROMITCONCRETERESULTSINSEVERAL
AREAS, NOTIME HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR PLENARY SPEECHES. WHEN
MAKINGTHEIRINTERVENTIONSONSPECIFICAGENDAITEMSORINROUNDTABLE
DISCUSSIONS, GOVERNMENT DELEGATIONS WILL BEINVITED TOKEEP THEIR
STATEMENTS SHORT AND TOTHE POINT INORDER TOALLOW BUSINESS TO
BECONCLUDED EXPEDITIOUSLY
MONDAY, 27OCTOBER
Session I(9a.m.-1p.m.)
Session II(3p.m.-6p.m.)
Agenda Items 1,2and3
Opening oftheMeeting; Election ofOfficers; Adoption oftheAgenda andOrganization of
Work
Agenda Item4(a)
Initiatives toimprove market access forleast-developed countries andtodiversify theirexport
production. Under thisagenda item, anopportunity would beprovided forWTO Members,
onanautonomous basis, toenhance theirmarket access forimports from least-developed
countries.
Parallel Sessions
Country-Specific Roundtables
Country A,
followed by
Country B,
followed by
Country CThematic Roundtable
Theme A
"Encouraging investment inleast-developed
countries"
Theaimofthediscussion would betoidentify
actions thattheleast-developed countries can
take, individually andattheregional orsub-
regional levels, andthattheagencies cantake
topromote private domestic investment and
foreign direct investment intradeable goods
andservices sectors oftheireconomies.WT/COMTD/LLDC/M/7
Page19
TUESDAY, 28OCTOBER
Session III(9a.m.-1p.m.)
Session IV(3p.m.-6p.m.)
Parallel Sessions
Country-Specific Roundtables
Country D,
followed by
Country E,
followed by
Country FThematic Roundtable
Theme B
"Building the'capacity totrade'inleast-
developed countries"
Theaimofthediscussion would betoidentify
actions thattheleast-developed countries can
take, individually andattheregional andsub-
regional levels, andthattheagencies cantake
toovercome supply-side constraints to
increased participation byleast-developed
countries inworld trade andinthemultilateral
trading system, particularly through trade and
trade-related policy reform, institutional
capacity-building, andimproved
infrastructural facilities.
Agenda Item4(b)
AnIntegrated Framework forTechnical Assistance, Including forHuman andInstitutional
Capacity-Building, toSupport Least-Developed Countries inTheir Trade andTrade-Related
Activities, forConducting Programmes withIndividual Least-Developed Countries within that
Framework, andfortheMonitoring andEvaluation ofthose Programmes
Results ofthecountry-specific roundtables
Action envisaged: Endorsement bytheMeeting oftheIntegrated Framework forTechnical
Assistance
Agenda Item6
Results ofthethematic roundtables
Action envisaged: Adoption oftheReport oftheMeeting
Agenda Item5
Other Business