JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
12 February 2024  
(24-1221) Page: 1/15 
General Council Meeting  
14 February 2024    
 
 
WTO REFORM  
"REFORM BY DOING"1 
STATE OF PLAY IN WTO COUNCILS, COMMITTEES, AND NEGOTIATING BODIES  
Revision  
1  BACKGROUND  
1.1.  Following Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the MC12 Outcome Document, the WTO Reform process was 
launched by the then Chairperson of the General Council (GC), H.E. Mr. Didier Chambovey 
(Switzerland) through a series of consultations – with more than 100 delegations p articipating in the 
discussions. One of the messages that came out of this was the need to improve the daily functioning 
of WTO Councils, Committees and Negotiating Groups (WTO Bodies). In particular, this work would 
involve looking at how Members did thin gs in the WTO and finding ways to do better.  Several 
Members noted that such  reforms should be organic and undertaken whenever and wherever 
possible  – "reform by doing".  
1.2.  Given that other WTO  Bodies are also responsible for conducting reform, many Members 
suggested that the General Council should coordinate with them in this regard. The General Council 
should likewise provide a forum for Members to be updated to have an overview of the entire 
process. At the same time, several Members suggested that the role  of the General Council should 
not only be limited to keeping an overview of the different reform discussions. It should also engage 
in horizontal/cross -cutting issues – whether in informal or formal mode. In referring to the relevant 
discussions at the Ge neral Council, some  Members cautioned that Members should implement 
Paragraph 3 in a n effective manner . 
1.3.  Taking into account Members' perspectives and in parallel with the formal and informal 
conversations on this matter at the General Council, the then GC Chairperson noted that each 
WTO Body should be tasked to see what had been done and explore ways to improve their daily 
functioning to better deliver on respective mandates. He likewise encouraged WTO Bodies that had 
already started such discussions to con tinue doing so. To keep all Members abreast of the 
discussions, WTO Bodies were requested to report to the General Council, as appropriate. To 
facilitate the work, the General Council Chairperson would coordinate with the Director -General and 
the WTO Body Chairpersons. Since then, work continued both in the General Council and its 
Subsidiary Bodies. During this period, Members also circulated numerous papers and proposals and 
put across ideas on "reform by doing".  
1.4.  In this regard, the current General Council  Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme 
(Botswana)  convened an Informal Meeting on WTO Reform focused on the deliberative function and 
institutional matters on 16 June 2023. During these discussions, the General Council Chairperson 
 
1 Following Members' request, the General Council Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme 
(Botswana), noted that the General Council would continue to monitor progress and coordinate with WTO 
Bodies as "reform by doing" work advanced. In this regard , in addition to the reports by respective 
Chairpersons of WTO Bodies, the Secretariat would continue updating the report in JOB/GC/359  at every 
regular session of the General Council at least until MC13. In light of the 14 February Special General Council 
Meeting, this update contains inputs from WTO Councils, Committees and Negotiating Bodies where updates 
are available since the circul ation of JOB/GC/345  and JOB/GC/345/Add.1  and builds on the report circulated in 
JOB/GC/359/Rev.2 . This update is for information  only and is without prejudice to any Member's position.  JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  noted that, wit hin the "reform by doing" work, the aim of facilitating the participation of Members in 
WTO Bodies had been raised in a number of WTO Councils, Committees and Negotiating Groups, 
and in reform proposals. Effective participation of all Members in WTO Bodies  had been highlighted 
as important to advance work in an inclusive manner and to meet Members' objectives. In this 
regard, a number of participatory challenges and concerns had been raised in Members' proposals 
or contributions which included:  
a. scheduling conflicts from overlapping meetings;  
b. insufficient information on agenda items including expected actions; the availability 
sufficiently in advance, of documents and presentations in the three official WTO 
languages; and timely written records. These have been said to have consequential 
challenges in effectively preparing and actively participating in meetings;  
c. inadequate support for follow -up work from meetings;  
d. disparity in the use of digital tools;  
e. dispersed databases;  
f. the need to improve the ability to discuss relevant issues in an orderly and direct manner;  
g. the need to improve efficiency, planning, time management; and,  
h. support to delegates, among many others.  
1.5.  Several ideas to address these challenges and concerns had  also been put forward. In this 
regard, Members referred to the ongoing "reform by doing" efforts that were fuelled by Members' 
inputs. While in some WTO Bodies, steps were already taken to make improvements prior to MC12, 
a number of WTO Bodies had since then introduced improvements to their workflows or were in the 
process of considering them.   
1.6.  Building on these efforts and in response to the request from several delegations for a mapping 
out of "reform by doing" work in WTO Bodies, the General Council Ch airperson requested the 
Secretariat to prepare an indicative summary table containing information on practices and 
measures to facilitate the participation of Members in WTO Councils, Committees and Negotiating 
Groups.  The "R eform by Doing" table is in doc ument JOB/GC/345 . 
1.7.  The GC Chairperson noted that the table mapped out how Members' requests or suggestions 
as reflected in proposals and/or during reform discussions were being undertaken in WTO Bodies. It 
classified Members' suggestions into four categories of practices and measures:  
a. those related to planning and organization of meetings;  
b. work procedures including facilitating meeting preparations and follow up;  
c. digital tools, and,  
d. support to delegates.  
1.8.  From this table, which was based  on Members' requests, the General Council Chairperson 
further noted that some common trends seemed to emerge.  
a. First, Members valued effective time management, avoiding scheduling conflicts and ways 
to efficiently deal with issues through clustering meetin gs and joint sessions on 
crosscutting topics where appropriate.  
b. Second, sufficient information prior to and after meetings in all three WTO languages, 
efficient agenda setting and effective ways of addressing trade concerns seemed to also 
be of high import ance to Members.  JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  c. Third, there was a growing acceptance of digital tools as a means to facilitate Members' 
participation in WTO Bodies and the Secretariat continued to respond to this need.  
d. Fourth, was the demand from the Membership for Secretariat support to delegates and 
capital -based officials – to better acquaint them about the workings of each WTO Body 
both on substance and the day -to-day work.  
1.9.  The GC Chairperson detected that, from Members' proposals, the reports that some 
Chairpersons had circulated a nd the "reform by doing" table, Members were not only raising and 
discussing their participation challenges, but importantly, practical suggestions on measures to 
address these challenges were being made. She was also encouraged that work was not only 
underway in WTO Bodies as instructed by Ministers – but that a number of practical improvements 
had already been implemented or would be implemented in the near future. In addition, Members 
agreed to advance and implement the "reform by doing" work as appropri ate in WTO Bodies . 
1.10.   Since the 16 June Informal Meeting, WTO Bodies have continued with their "reform by doing" 
work. An u pdate of this work was  subsequently provided in JOB/GC/345/Add.1 . Following a request 
by Members to the General Council Chairpe rson to distil a list of measures from Members' proposals 
that could apply horizontally in all WTO Bodies , she requested the Secretaries of WTO Bodies to 
identify a few non -controversial crosscutting procedural improvements that all WTO Bodies could 
consid er implementing as appropriate or if feasible.  
1.11.   In this regard, at the General Council meeting on 24 -25 July 2023, the General Council 
Chairperson put forward ten procedural measures  that she invited all WTO Bodies to consider 
applying as appropriate or as  feasible aimed at facilitating the participation of Members in 
WTO Bodies and to enhance better preparation for meetings and follow -up work:  
a. Further enhancing support to delegates, including new ones, by the Secretariat.  
b. Further enhancing support to new C hairpersons by the respective Secretaries of 
WTO Bodies.  
c. Modernizing the appearance and format of airgrams, as appropriate and feasible, 
supplementing it with useful information to help with the preparation of 
meetings.  
d. Systematically hyperlinking documents cited in airgrams, reports and any other 
documents cir culated to Members.  
e. As applicable or if feasible, using annotated agendas ahead of formal meetings 
describing each agenda item and providing relevant background.  
f. Consideration of introduction of e -agendas, as appropriate.  
g. Circulating oral reports by the Chairpersons or the Secretariat, as appropriate.  
h. Aiming at circulating minutes as quickly as possible after the meetings.  
i. Improving e -registration of delegates through e -delegate – including indicating 
the subject areas that a delegate is responsible for.  In this regard, the role of 
delegation coordinators will be critical.  
j. Continuing to engage in experience and information sharing sessions, as 
appropriate.  
1.12.   Members took note of these measures and the  work undertaken  at the July General  Council 
meeting . "Reform by doing" efforts continues in the respective WTO Bodies.  
1.13.   At the Senior Officials Meeting, on 23 -24 October 2023, Senior Officials took note of th e 
"reform by doing"  work, commend ed the hard-working Ambassadors, Permanent Representatives JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  and delegates for their efforts towards this end and encourag ed them to continue to "reform by 
doing" together for the benefit of the Membership.  
1.14.   During the General Council meeting on 13 -15 December 2023, the GC Chairperson reported 
to Members that the Refo rm by Doing work had progressed in 2023. In particular, she recognized 
that the Goods Council had adopted a report in G/L/1523  capturing 127 reforms that had been 
implemented to improve the functioning of the Goods Council and its 14 subsidiary bodies. These 
included significant changes to assist delegates, measures to improve the planning and organization 
of meetings, the procedures for the conduct of formal and informal meetings and, the introduction 
of digital tools to improve productivity and exchange of infor mation. She also noted that important 
efforts had been undertaken in other WTO Councils and Committees.  
2  UPDATES ON THE "REFORM BY DOING" TABLE ( JOB/GC/345 ) FROM WTO COUNCILS, 
COMMITTEES AND NEGOTIATING GROUPS2 
2.1  Councils and Committees  
2.1.1   General Council  
2.1.  Since July 2023 , annotated draft agenda are circulated to assist  delegations prepare for General 
Council meeting s. Additionally, documents  that have been referenced in General Council documents, 
minutes, and agendas  are now hyperlinked . An internal pilot version for a General Council e -agenda 
is being tested by the Secretariat.  The General Council ePortal (GCeP) is being updated annually  - 
WTO | General Council ePortal ( GCeP) . With a view to bringing in efficiencies in the conduct of 
business, the G eneral Council  Chairperson implements  time limits for interventions in the General  
Council . 
2.1.1   Trade Policy Review Body  
2.2.  On 26 July 2023, Member s successfully concluded the Seventh Appraisal of the Trade Policy 
Review Mechanism (TPRM) ( WT/TPR/500 ). One of the outcomes refers to the improvement and 
uniform adoption by all Members of the IT system "at the earliest possible date"  to facilitate the TPR 
question and answer process.  Significant progress has been made since then in developing the IT 
Q&A platform. The design phase of the platform was completed in January 2024 based on 
consultations with WTO Members. The coding work is now being done to make t he site operational 
and hence ready for further testing. The outcomes of the 7th Appraisal are included in document 
WT/MIN(24)/5 . Also, the Secretariat started to hyperlink WTO documents referenced in 
TPR Secretariat and Government reports, and will do so in airgrams from February 2024.  
2.1.2   Council for Trade in Goods  
2.3.  Under the umbrella of WTO  reform, discussions at the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG) have 
largely focused on how to improve the deliberative function of the WTO  regular bodies. This work is 
significant because the CTG oversees the functioning of 14  subsidiary bodies, which collectively 
implement all the agreements for trade in goods in Annex  1A of the WTO  Agreement,  and represent 
the majority of the WTO's regular bodies . Moreover, the effective functioning of these regular bodies 
is a necessary condition for a successful future implementation of some of the substantive changes 
being considered in the broader WTO  reform discussions.  
2.4.  The CTG began its discussions on WTO  Reform in July  2022 based on  the mandate set out in 
the MC12  Outcome Document. At these discussions, the CTG  Chairperson observed that there were 
three  elements that could have an impact on the CTG's work, and held consultations with Members 
to inform the way ahead, including improvi ng the deliberative function of the WTO through improved 
working procedures in the CTG and its subsidiary bodies. Since then, the CTG has held six  informal 
meetings to consider specific proposals by Members to improve the functioning of this body.3 The 
 
2 This Section only contains inputs from WTO Councils,  Committees and Negotiating Bodies where updates 
are available since the circulation of the table in JOB/GC/345  on 2 June 2023.  
3 The CTG has held informal meetings on 14  October  2022 ( ICN/CTG/5 , ICN/CTG/5/Add.1 , and 
JOB/CTG/17 ); 31 January  2023 ( ICN/CTG/7 , ICN/C TG/7/Add.1 , and JOB/CTG/20 ); 27  February  2023 
(ICN/CTG/8 , ICN/CTG/8/Suppl.1 , and JOB/CTG/23 ); 31  March  2023 (ICN/CTG/9 , ICN/CTG/9/Add.1 , JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  CTG Chairpersons have consistently ensured transparency in these discussions via reports, which 
have been circulated under their own responsibility after each of the meetings. At their request, the 
Secretariat has also prepared tables indicating the status o f each of the proposals.4 At the four  formal 
meetings held during this period, the current and previous Chairpersons of the CTG reported on the 
work undertaken in this area .5 
2.5.  At its formal meeting of 3 -4 April 2023, the CTG adopted decisions to improve f our of its 
working procedures6, and took note of additional changes introduced by the Secretariat after 
receiving feedback from Members. On 2  October  2023, the Council adopted five  additional 
improvements through written procedures.7 At its formal meetin g of 30  November  2023,  the CTG 
adopted , on a trial basis , four additional measures to improve its functioning .8 Also at this meeting, 
the Council recalled the importance of complying with paragraphs  4 and 7 of the "Guidelines on the 
Arrangements for Sched uling of Meetings of WTO  Bodies"9 (document  WT/L/106 ) concerning the 
desirability of fixing the dates of formal meetings in advance of the following calendar year, and 
submitting a written notice explaining to delegations the reasons behind cancellations or 
postponements of meetings.  Overall, the CTG agreed to a total of 27  improvements, including 
13 changes that were agreed through formal decisions, and 14  changes where either the 
Chairperson or the Secretariat had taken action following discussions with Member s. 
2.6.  With a view to capturing all of the progress made in the Goods area, at its formal meeting of 
30 November  2023, the CTG adopted a report describing 127  reforms introduced in the functioning 
of the CTG and its 14  subsidiary bodies (document  G/L/1523 ), including 67  changes that had been 
formally adopted by those bodies, and 60  changes where either the Chairperson or the Secretariat 
had taken action following discussions with Members. As agreed by Members, the report was 
submitted to the General Counci l for its consideration.  
2.1.3   Dispute Settlement Body  
2.7.  The DSB is now hyperlinking documents on the airgrams, proposed agendas and annual 
reports. Any further improvements will be communicated accordingly.  
2.1.3.1   Committee on Anti -dumping Practices  
2.8.  The Committee met i nformally on 3 May, 20 June, and on 2 October 2023. Members agreed 
via two written processes on four issues  described in document G/ADP/32  and on one additional 
issue described in document G/ADP/33 , respectively to improve the functioning of the Committee 
on Anti -Dumpin g Practices.  
2.1.3.2   Committee  on Agriculture  
2.9.  The Committee on Agriculture at its meeting on 27 -28 June  2023 approved the use of an 
annotated agenda for its meetings along the draft prepared by the Secretariat in document 
RD/AG/112 . 
 
ICN/CTG/9/Suppl.1 , and JOB/CTG/27 ); 31 May 2023 ( ICN/CTG/10 , ICN/CTG/10/Suppl.1  and JOB/CTG/28 ); and 
19 September  2023 ( ICN/CTG/12 , ICN/CTG/12/Suppl.1  and JOB/CTG/37 ). 
4 As contained in JOB/CTG/27 , JOB/CTG/28 , JOB/CTG/32 , JOB/CTG/33  and JOB/CTG/37 . 
5 See CTG  Minutes of meetings as contained in G/C/M/143  subsection  49.2, G/C/M/144  subsection  53.2, 
G/C/M/145  section  7, and G/C/M/146  section  4. 
6 The adopted reforms include: (i)  an extension to 15  calendar days for requesting the inclusion of an 
agenda item ; (ii) separating the trade concerns in the agenda as new and previously raised ; and (iii) including 
CTG trade concerns in the Trade Concerns Database.  See G/C/M/145  section  7, JOB/CTG/27 , and JOB/CTG/28 . 
7 The adopted reforms include: (i)  the introduction of an annotated agenda on a trial basis; (ii)  changing 
the default options for statements in the eAgenda; (iii)  the online availability of all documents in all 
three  WTO languages for consideration during a meeting; (iv)  the online availability of presentations in all 
three  WTO languages for consideration during a meeting; and (v)  an agreement to hold a WTO  Digital Tools 
Session  annually. See G/L/1490 . 
8 The adopted reforms include: (i) the circulation of informa tion regarding informal meetings; (ii)  the 
Chairperson's follow -up note on actions following formal meetings; (iii)  the CTG  information hub; and (iv)  the 
format and content of the convening notice (Airgram) . See G/L/1522 . 
9 WT/L/106 . JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  2.10.   At its meeting on 27 -29 November 2023 approved to advance the timelines for the release of 
the reminder airgram and the closure of agenda respectively to 35 and 15 calendar days prior to the 
date of the meeting, allowing additional preparatory time for delegations.10 As part of the ongoing 
discussions  in the Committee  to enhance its deliberative functions , the Secretariat  has agreed to 
organize annually an information session targeting new agriculture delegates. The first such 
information session11 on the work and functions of the Committee  was delivered in the margin of 
the November 2023 Committee meeting. The session also alluded to the distinction and differing 
roles of the regular session of the Committee (CoA) and the Committee on Agriculture i n Special 
Session (CoA SS).  
2.1.3.3   Committee on Import Licensing  
2.11.   The Committee met informally on 14 March and on 29 September 2023 and held informal 
discussions within its formal meeting of 23 May 2023 on its functioning. Views expressed by Members 
are contained  in documents ICN/LIC/1/Add. 1 and ICN/LIC/2/Add.1 . In addition, Members presented 
written submissions. The a table summarizing  discussions on the improvement of the functioning of 
the Committee is contained in document JOB/LIC/4 . At its meeting on 31 October  2023, the 
Committee adopted  a report  on improvements in the functioning of the Committee  for consideration 
by the CTG, which is contained in document G/L/1511  of 7 November 2023 . The CTG incorporated 
the report by the Committee in its report on impr ovements in the functioning of the Council for Trade 
in Goods and its subsidiary bodies, contained in document G/L/1523  of 1 December 2023.  
2.1.3.4   Committee on Information Technology Agreement  
2.12.   In response to a request from the CTG Chairperson to the Chairpersons of the  CTG's subsidiary 
bodies concerning their respective Committee's current and future functioning, ITA Participants held 
dedicated discussions at the ITA Committee's formal meeting held on 29 March. To facilitate further 
discussions on possible follow up, th e Secretariat prepared a consolidated table containing a list of 
possible improvements to the Committee's future functioning, contained in document JOB/IT/33 , 
which was circulated on 3 July. Based on dedicated discussions at the Committee's informal meeting 
of 14 July, a communication from the Chairperson summarizing the current status of the 
Committee's work in this area was circulated in document JOB/IT/35 , dated  9 August. In his follow 
up communication, circulated in document JOB/IT/36 , dated 31 August, two measures for action 
were proposed by the Chairperson for the Committee's adoption through written procedures, which 
were approved on this basis on 12 September.12 In this connection, the Chairperson circulated a 
report, in document G/IT/W/57 , which was subsequently approved and adopted by the Committee 
as its report to the CTG at the Committee's formal meeting of 19 October.13 
2.1.3.5   Committee on Market Access  
2.13.   The Committee o n Market Access (CMA) has been discussing Members' proposals on how to 
improve its functioning at its two formal meetings of 26 -27 April and 16 -17 October 2023 and three 
informal meetings of 21 February, 3 July and 18 September 2023. Three main documents w ere 
prepared under the Chairperson's responsibility to compile Members' submissions and inform the 
Committee's discussions: (i) the preliminary list of issues for discussions ( JOB/MA/162) ; (ii) the 
table with the current status of work by the Committee aft er its informal meeting of 3  July 2023 
(JOB/MA/165) ; and (iii) the proposals adopted by the Committee following written procedures 
(JOB/MA/166 , JOB/MA/166/Corr.1 , and G/MA/411) . The list of issues for discussions by the CMA 
contained around 30 items, based on inputs received by Members. As a result of this consultative 
process, the CMA will implement 12 changes with a view to improving its functioning, including three 
where form al decisions were taken by the Committee and nine where the Secretariat was requested 
to introduce changes to the way in which it supports the work of the Committee and its delegates. 
More details are provided in the CMA report to the CTG circulated in doc ument G/L/1494 . 
 
10 G/AG/1/Add.1 . 
11 RD/AG/125 . 
12 The formal Committee decision was circulated in document  G/IT/34 . 
13 G/L/1498 -G/IT/35 . JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  2.1.3.6   Committee on Rules of Origin  
2.14.   The Committee has engaged in a written process to assess a number of possible 
improvements for concerning its functioning. The CRO also met on 6 June 2023 and will continue 
considering other areas for improvement in th e next few months. The latest report of the CRO to 
the Council for Trade in Goods containing the list of items validated for implementation can be found 
in document G/RO/98  and G/L/1493 . 
2.1.3.7   Committee on Safeguards  
2.15.   The Committee met informally on 1 May, 20 June, and on 2 October 2023. Members agreed 
via two written processes on four issues  described in document G/SG/284  and on one additional 
issue described in document G/SG/285 , respectively to improve the functioning of the Comm ittee 
on Safeguards. The Committee could not come to an agreement at its 25 October 2023 meeting on 
the proposal contained in document RD/SG/66/Rev.2 .  
2.1.3.8   Committee on Sanitary  and Phytosanitary Measures  
2.16.   Since June 2022, the SPS Committee has discussed MC12 implementation matters at nine 
meetings held in November 2022 (formal and informal, G/SPS/R/108  and its Annex B), March 2023 
(formal, G/SPS/R/109 ), May 2023 (informal, G/SPS/R/110  in its Annex C, and RD/SPS/227 ), July 
2023 (formal and informal, G/SPS/R/110  and its Annex B), September 2023 ( G/SPS/R/111  in its 
Annex D) and November 2023 (formal and informal, G/SPS/R/111  and its Annex C).  
2.17.   Since March 2023, the ICN document symbol has been used for communicati ons from the 
Chairperson to convene informal meetings. Since the July 2023 Committee meeting, the Chairperson 
has been encouraging a more effective use of time in specific trade concerns (STCs) in formal 
meetings. As a result, some Members have reduced the  length of their oral statements and uploaded 
further details in eAgenda or circulated GEN documents containing the full interventions. During the 
November 2023 meeting, several opportunities for informal exchanges were provided to promote 
bilateral discus sions between Members. The Committee has also proactively contacted organizations 
with outstanding requests for observer status as part of the discussions on contributions from 
observer organizations.  
2.18.    As requested by Members, a new practical guide is now available in SPS eAgenda, explaining 
the main functions of the platform. Additionally, further improvements have been made to the 
platform, harmonizing with other Committees while preserving the uniqueness of the functioning of 
each Committee. These includ e the possibility to choose between three options when uploading 
statements, where Members can choose whether and when these will be made available to other 
delegations in addition to the Secretariat and interpreters. A new eAgenda feature allows the 
Secre tariat to immediately add any decision taken by the Committee under any agenda item, 
facilitating Members' reporting to capital. The linking of related trade concerns across committees 
currently using the Trade Concerns Database (including the SPS Committe e) is ongoing. The 
Committee continues to implement and hone several longstanding practices, such as: the 
organization of thematic sessions; the use of thematic/working groups to advance work; the 
preparation of Chair summaries of informal meetings; and th e use of eAgenda, ePing and the Trade 
Concerns database, to name a few.  
2.19.   Training sessions for new delegates were held on 13 March (in person) and 18 September 
2023 (in hybrid format); and such sessions will periodically be repeated in the future. The dedic ated 
SPS Committee page  has been revamped to ensure uniformity with other bodies. This webpage 
contains an introductory presentation on the SPS Committee  (with audio), a new leaflet containing 
relevant information for new delegates , as well  as a FAQ section which provides practical information 
for new SPS delegates. Additionally, building on the successful experience during the MC12 SPS 
Declaration Work Programme, a dedicated page was created to facilitate tracking of the documents 
of the Sixth Review of the Operation and Implementation of the SPS Agreement . The Report to the 
CTG by the Chairperson of the SPS Committee on th e improvements in the functioning of the 
SPS Committee is contained in document G/L/1508; G/SPS/69 . JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  2.1.3.9   Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
2.20.   The Committee met informally on 2 May, 20 June, and on 2 October 2023. Members agreed 
via two written process on four issues described in document G/SCM/165  and on one additional issue 
described in document G/SCM/166 , respectively to improve the functioning of the Committee on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. The Committee could not come to an a greement at its 
27 October 2023 meeting on the proposal contained in document RD/SCM/63/Rev.2 .  
2.1.3.10   Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  
2.21.   During its regular meeting held on 21 -23 June 2023, the TBT Committee agreed on three 
specific actions to improve its functioning, based on a background note prepared by the Sec retariat 
to facilitate discussions on this topic ( JOB/TBT/510 ). Implementation of these actions is underway 
and includes (i) the organization of regular briefings for delegates; (ii) the use of eAgenda for all 
agenda items (not only STCs); and (iii) the us e of annotated agendas for informal meetings. The 
TBT Committee will continue its consideration of possible improvements in the context of the 
upcoming 10th Triennial Review, to be completed in 2024.  
2.1.3.11   Committee on Trade Facilitation  
2.22.   The Committee met formal ly on 15 -16 June 2023 and had an exchange of views. The 
Committee met informally on 26 July to advance the discussion and as a result of these discussions, 
the Committee  agreed to implement eight changes with a view to improving its functioning. The 
discus sions are reflected in the Chair person 's Summary Report of the meeting in document 
JOB/TF/235 . Two of the changes 1) circulation of an annotated agenda ahead of formal meetings of 
the Committee, ten days in advance of the meeting and 2) implementation of an eAgenda on a trial 
basis, subject to budgetary and resource considerations were adopted through formal written 
procedures in documents JOB/TF/237  and G/TFA/7 . The remaining six changes would be introduced 
by the Secretariat to the way in which it supports the work of the Committee. Following the process 
outlined, the Chair person  circulated a draft report in JOB/TF/239/Rev.1  for the Committee's 
consideration . The report was adopted at the Committee's formal meeting of 3 -5 October 2023 
(G/L/1515  and G/TFA/8 ). 
2.1.3.12   Committe e on Trade -Related Investment Measure s 
2.23.   The Committee met formally on 23 February 2023. Views expressed by Members are 
contained in document G/TRIMS/M/53 . Members met informally on 19 July and agreed via a written 
process on three steps described in docume nt G/TRIMS/15  to improve the functioning of the TRIMs 
Committee.  
2.1.3.13   Committee on Customs Valuation  
2.24.   The Committee on Customs Valuation (CCV) has held discussions on the functioning of the 
Committee following a request from the Chairperson of the CTG.   Followin g this request, the former 
Chairperson of the CCV circulated a communication containing an indicative list of issues to guide 
Members' discussions on the improvements they would like to see in the functioning of the CCV. The 
CCV has subsequently held an ex change with Members at its formal meeting on 24 May 2023, and 
at informal meetings held on 30 January and 20 September 2023. In addition, the former CCV 
Chairperson prepared a report on the functioning of the Committee prior to these discussions 
(G/L/1472 G/VAL/W/385 ). The current Chairperson prepared a table to list possible improvements 
(JOB/VAL/1 )  and then an updated table reflecting the state of discussions ( ICN/VAL/2/Suppl.1 ). 
2.25.   As a result of these discussions, the Committee agreed at its meeting of 15 November to 
adopt its Report on Improvements in the Functioning of the Committee on Customs Valuation 
(G/L/1513 G/VAL/W/389 ) implementing six changes with a view to improving its functioning: regu lar 
introductory sessions for delegates; information on the website describing the main aspects of the 
Committee's work; the circulation of a draft agenda one month before formal Committee meetings; 
the closing of the final agenda 15 days before such meeti ngs; the circulation of an annotated agenda 
ahead of formal Committee meetings; the adoption of the eAgenda platform on a permanent basis; 
and, in principle, and subject to the wishes of Members, thematic sessions in an informal setting to 
share experience s. JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  2.1.3.14   Working Party on State Trading Enterprises  
2.26.   The Working Party met twice informally, on 28 April and on 9 June 2023, to discuss 
improvements to its functioning. Members agreed via a written process on five steps described in 
document G/STR/33  to improve the fun ctioning of the Working Party. Three more steps  remain 
under consideration as reflected in document RD/STR/52 . 
2.1.4   Council for Trade in Services  
2.27.   WTO reform was discussed at every regular meeting the CTS has held since MC12. At the 
December 2022 meeting, the Counci l addressed the ideas Members had put forward on this issue.14 
Moreover, in response to specific appeals put forward by some delegations, the Chairperson said 
that the Secretariat would do its outmost to schedule the meetings of the CTS and its subsidiary 
bodies back -to-back, in order to facilitate capital -based participation, and that, starting from 2023 
the Chairperson would be issuing annotated agendas in advance of the meetings of the CTS.  
2.28.   Following consultations organised by the Chairperson in February15, in March 2023, the 
Council agreed to task the Secretariat with mapping the practices of the CTS and its most active 
subsidiary body (i.e. the Committee on Specific Commitments). The mapping in S/C/W/433  was 
considered at the June meeting, when deleg ations also put forward a number of suggestions to 
improve the functioning of the Council. It was agreed that the Secretariat would compile and circulate 
a list of these suggestions and outline implementation options, for Members' further consideration. 
Delegations also appreciated the announcement that the Secretariat would resume its practice of 
organising training sessions for new delegates.  
2.29.   At the October meeting, Members addressed the Secretariat compilation16 and considered a 
communication from the Un ited Kingdom17 outlining proposals to improve the functioning of the CTS 
and its subsidiary bodies. Delegations also shared additional suggestions for possible improvements. 
It was agreed that the Chairperson would prepare, under her own responsibility, a report 
summarising the reactions to the various proposals Members had put forward.  
2.30.   The Chairperson's report18 was considered at an informal CTS meeting on 17 November, when 
the Secretariat also delivered a presentation on the use of eAgenda in the TBT Com mittee. While a 
handful of reform elements saw general convergence among delegations, there was 
acknowledgement that further discussion was needed concerning other reform proposals. Members 
supported the proposal that the CTS produce a report to the Genera l Council on its reform efforts.  
2.31.   Accordingly, the draft CTS report to the General Council19 was considered at the formal CTS 
meeting on 7 December. The final report adopted by the Council for Trade in Services is contained 
in document S/C/65 . The report provides information on the ongoing efforts to improve the 
functioning of the CTS by highlighting the im provements realised since the conclusion of MC12.  
2.1.5   Council for Trade -related Intellectual Property Rights  
2.32.   There have been no formal requests by Members to discuss "Reform by Doing" in the Council 
for TRIPS. At an informal meeting of the Council in October 2023, the Chair highlighted that many 
of the items considered in this context were already part of standard operating practise of the 
Council. For instance, the Council Secretariat regularly organizes TRIPS Council Briefings (since 
2019) for new delegates and issues annotated agendas ahead of formal Council meetings20 (since 
February 2020), routinely hyperlinking document references. Workshops, such as the annual 
Workshop on the implementation of Article 66.2 and the 2023 Article 67 Workshop, are routinely 
organized back -to-back with formal Council meetings to reduce scheduling conflicts. In an effort to 
 
14 As reflected in JOB/SERV/CTS/6  and Addendum 1 . These documents provide  an account of Members' 
views on all MC12 mandates of relevance to the CTS.  
15 An account of the consultations is reflected in JOB/SERV/CTS/9 . 
16 JOB/SERV/CTS/14/R ev.1. 
17 S/C/W/452 . 
18 JOB/SERV/CTS/19 . 
19 JOB/SERV/CTS/22 . 
20 See document JOB/IP/71  for the most recent annotated agenda for the formal Council meeting on 30 -
31 October 2023.  JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  avoid scheduling conflicts, the annual calendar of formal meetings of the Council for TRIPS is 
regularly communicated to WIPO before its adoption at the end  of each year.  
2.33.   Already since 2019, Members can submit all notifications and reports required under the 
TRIPS Agreement electronically through the e -TRIPS Submission System21, an easy -to-use online 
platform that allows Members to draft and submit documents online, both in capital and in Geneva.  
2.34.   Against that background, at the informal meeting in October, Members agreed that there was 
no need to add "reform by doing" as an agenda item to the formal meeting of the Council. The Chair 
emphasized that Members sho uld nevertheless feel free to raise any requests or issues in this context 
at their convenience.  
2.35.   At the formal Council meeting on 30 -31 October 2023, the TRIPS Council Secretariat 
encouraged delegates to use the new e -delegate system to indicate their comm unication 
preferences, since the Council's informal communication through email will soon rely entirely on the 
preferences indicated through that new platform.  
2.1.6   Committee on Trade and Development  
2.36.   At the formal CTD meeting on 11 July 2023, the Chair person  made a statement on the 
informal discussions held on the developmental aspects of WTO reform. As part of these discussions, 
Members addressed the question of what measures could be taken to improve the functioning of the 
CTD. The Chair person 's statement was circulated in document JOB/COMTD/2 . The Committee also 
considered a submission by the United Kingdom on improving the functioning of the CTD 
(WT/COMTD/W/276 ).  
2.37.   At the formal CTD meeting on 17 November 2023, the Committee took note of a number of 
measu res that have been put in place to improve the functioning of the CTD. These measures were 
described by the CTD Chairman in the statement he delivered on the developmental aspects of WTO 
reform ( JOB/COMTD/7 ). They include, inter alia, the use of annotated d raft agendas, hyperlinking 
to the WTO's Documents Online, and the preparation of a calendar of CTD meetings for 2024. An e -
agenda will be introduced on a trial basis for the CTD's Regular Session, starting from the first 
meeting of the Regular Session in 2 024. In addition, the CTD webpage on the WTO website has been 
updated and now contains more information on the work of the Committee, as well as training 
material . 
2.1.7   Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
2.38.   Following a communication by the United States raisin g questions about the functioning of 
the Committee ( WT/REG/W/174 ) and responses from some members ( JOB/REG/6/Rev.1 ), the 
Chair person  held informal one -to-one consultations on 2 and 4 June 2023, followed by an informal 
meeting of the Committee on 22 June 2023. Her report on the informal consultations is in document 
JOB/REG/7 . China also circulated a com munication on the subject ( WT/REG/ W/180 ). Further 
discussions were held in the formal meeting of the CRTA on 5 July . A summary of the discussions is 
in JOB/REG/8 . Discussions continued at the last meeting of the year  on 20 and 2 1 November 2023 . 
The Chair's s ummary of these discussions is in JOB/RE G/9.  
2.39.   The Secretariat has also made a number of procedural changes including hyperlinking all 
documentation in the airgram , and making a calendar as well as an interactive work programme of 
the CRTA available online to M embers through the RTA Webpage. A survey on the RTA Database to 
help to improve it has also been conducted.  A draft summary of a factual presentation, requested 
by Members, was also circulated for comment; artificial intelligence tools were used to prepar e a 
first draft, which was then checked and amended by the Secretariat. The Secretariat also made 
presentations on 20 and 21 September to Members introducing them to the transparency process 
under the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs, with the intention of providing such briefings on a 
regular basis.  The presentation is also available for consultation on the RTA Webpage.  
 
21 WTO | Intellectual property (TRIPS) - e-Trips.  JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  2.1.8   Working Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology  
2.40.   The Secretariat has made procedural changes including circulating draft agenda two weeks 
prior to issuing airgrams, hyperlinking all documentation in the airgrams, proposed agendas and 
annual reports.  
2.2  Trade Negotiations Committee and Negotiating Groups  
2.2.1   Trade Negotiations Committee  
2.41.   Following Members' submissions, the convening notice for the Formal TNC and Informal HODs 
on 20  July 2023 provides more details on each of the matters to be taken up as well as guide 
questions to facilitate meaningful engagement during the meeting. To address Members' suggestion 
of having specific and separate agenda items to help facilitate more direct engagement among 
Members, and between Members and the Director -General  on Secretariat and institutional matters, 
the Informal HoDs on 20 July 2023 will be extended to have more detailed exc hanges on the WTO 
Budget, the Secretariat Transformation process and Strategic Vision and Focus Pillars exercises , and 
the Business and Civil Society Advisory Groups to the Secretariat.  
2.2.1.1   Committee on Agriculture in Special Session  
2.42.   The Committee on Agricultu re in Special Session has since been ensuring that all references 
to documents – document symbols – include a hyperlink to docs online and that the Secretariat 
would continue to provide introductory sessions for new delegates, upon request.  
2.3  Plurilateral Co mmittees  
2.3.1   Committee on Government Procurement  
2.43.   In October 2023, the Secretariat organized a virtual briefing for Geneva - and capital -based 
delegates concentrating mainly on the work of the CGP, recently developed e -tools, types of 
documents, current agenda i tems, etc. At the Committee's meetings held on 7  June 2023, the 
Committee agreed to test the e -Agenda at its November 2023 meetings on a non -committal trial 
basis.  The Secretariat organized a dedicated training to support the delegates. In November  2023, 
the Committee decided to continue using the e -Agenda for its March 2024 meetings on a non -
committal trial basis.  
2.44.    The Chair , under his own responsibility , held bilateral consultations in July and informal open -
ended consultations in October and November 20 23 on "reforming by doing". In November  2023, 
the Chair reported back to the Committee about his consultations. One of the main take -aways of 
the consultations was that delegations consider the Committee to be a well -functioning WTO body 
that has already o ptimized its functioning across a wide spectrum of aspects. Related actual or 
pending achievements by the Committee in the area of reforming by doing are summarized in the 
Appendix to the recently adopted Annual Report ( GPA/AR/6 ). 
2.3.2   Committee on Trade in Civil Airc raft 
2.45.   The Committee took up the issue of the functioning of the Committee at its regular meeting 
held on 17 November 2023. No Member had any proposals or comments on this issue.  JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
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  3  "REFORM BY DOING" PAPERS FROM MEMBERS22 
3.1  Post-MC11 and Pre -MC12 Papers  
Co-Sponsors  Title Document Symbols  Date  
Canada  Strengthening  the Deliberative  
Function  of the WTO JOB/GC/211  14.12.2018  
Hong Kong,  China  Better  Functioning  of CTG and 
Subsidiary  Committees  RD/CTG/9  27.06.2019  
Hong Kong,  China  Better  Functioning  of CTG and 
Subsidiary  Committees  RD/CTG/10  11.11.2019  
 
Albania;  Australia;  
Canada;  China;  
European  Union; Hong 
Kong, China; Iceland; 
Republic of Korea; 
Republic of Moldova; 
New Zealand; North 
Macedonia; Norway; 
Panama; Qatar; 
Singapore; Switzerland; 
Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu; Thailand; 
Türkiye and Ukraine  
 Procedural  Guidelines  for WTO 
Councils  and Committees 
addressing Trade Concerns  WT/GC/W/777  and Rev.1 , 
Rev.2 , Rev.3 , Rev.4 , Rev.5  
and Rev.6  05.07.2019  
for the first 
commu nication  
 
African  Group;  
Plurinational  State  of 
Bolivia;  Cuba; Ecuador; 
India and Oman  
 Strengthening  the WTO to 
Promote  Development  and 
Inclusivity  WT/GC/W/778  and Rev.1 , 
Rev.2 , Rev.3  and  Rev.4  11.07.2019  
for the first 
communication  
LDC Group  LDC Views  on WTO Reform  
Discussions  and Proposals  JOB/GC/223 , Corr.1  and 
Rev.1  06.12.2019   
for the first 
communication  
 
22 This is a non -exhaustive list of Members' "reform by doing" papers – and does not include Members' 
inputs provided during reform discussions  in the respective WTO Bodies. This is for illustrative purposes only. It 
does not intend to make any characterization, nor have any bearing on the debate among Members on WTO 
Reform  in WTO Bodies and other fora . JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Co-Sponsors  Title Document Symbols  Date  
 
Australia; Brazil; 
Canada; China; Israel; 
Japan; Mexico;  Republic 
of Moldova;  New 
Zealand;  Norway;  
Singapore; Switzerland; 
United Kingdom; United 
States;  Austria; 
Belgium;  Bulgaria;  
Croatia;  Cyprus; 
Czechia; Denmark; 
Estonia; Finland; 
France; Germany; 
Greece; Hungary; 
Ireland; Italy; Latvia; 
Lithuania; Luxembourg; 
Malta; The Netherlands; 
Poland; Portugal; 
Romania; Slovakia; 
Slovenia; Spain; 
Sweden; European  
Union  
 Procedural  Improvements  for 
the Committee  on Budget,  
Finance and Administration  WT/BFA/W/538 , Rev.1  and 
Rev.2  15.02.2021   
for the first 
communication  
Brazil  Twelfth WTO Ministerial 
Conference  JOB/GC/310  25.05.2022  
 
3.2  Post MC12 Papers  
Co-Sponsors  Title Document Symbols  Date  
African Group; Cuba; 
India and Pakistan   
Strengthening the WTO to 
Promote Development and 
Inclusivity  
 WT/GC/W/778/Rev.5  18.07.2022  
United  States   
Consideration  of Improvements  
to the Functioning  of the CRTA  
to better serve Members  
 WT/REG/W/174  
JOB/REG/6  and Rev.1  18.01.2023  for the 
first communication  
Argentina;  Brazil;  
Colombia;  Ecuador;  
Paraguay; Peru  and 
Uruguay  Functioning  of the CTG and its 
Subsidiary  Bodies   
JOB/CTG/21 , JOB/TBT/498  
JOB/SPS/25 , JOB/MA/158  
JOB/AG/238 , JOB/TF/232  
and 
Rev. 1, Rev.2  and Rev.3  
  
22.02.2023  
for the first 
communication  
United  Kingdom   
Compilation  of Input  on the 
Functioning  of Goods  Bodies  
 JOB/CTG/26  and Rev.1   
30.03.2023  for the 
first communication  
 
 
Argentina   
List of Issues  where  there  
appears  to be a consensus  that 
they should be addressed in all 
CTG Subsidiary Bodies  
 RD/CTG/19  04.04.2023  
United  Kingdom   
UK Views  on the Functioning  of 
the CMA 
 JOB/MA/163  25.04.2023  JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
- 14 - 
 
  Co-Sponsors  Title Document Symbols  Date  
 
Colombia; Guatemala; 
Israel; New Zealand; 
Peru; Philippines; 
Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu; Thailand and 
United States  
  
Improving Inclusiveness by 
Reviewing and Evaluating 
External Engagement  
 WT/GC/W/871  and Rev.1 , 
Rev.2  and Rev.3  26.04.2023 for the 
first communication  
Thailand and United  
States   
Improving  the Operation  of the 
General  Council  and  
Heads  of Delegation/Trade 
Negotiations Committee  
 WT/GC/W/872  and Rev.1  26.04.2023 for the 
first communication  
 
Australia; Canada; 
China; Hong Kong, 
China; Japan; New 
Zealand; Norway; 
Thailand and Türkiye  
 Maximising  the Value  of WTO 
Ministerial  Conferences  WT/GC/W/873  and Rev.1 , 
Rev.2  and Rev.3  27.04.2023 for the 
first communication  
India  
WTO Reform:  Incremental  
Changes  to Improve  the 
Functioning  of the Various WTO 
Bodies  
  
WT/GC/W/874   
01.05.2023  
 
Australia; Brunei 
Darussalam; Canada; 
Chile; Costa Rica; 
European Union; 
Guatemala; Iceland; 
Israel; Japan; Republic 
of Korea; Republic of 
Moldova; Montenegro; 
New Zealand; North 
Macedonia; Norway; 
Peru; Philippines; 
Singapore; Switzerland; 
Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu; Thailand; 
Ukraine; and United 
Kingdom  
 Improving  the Operation  of WTO 
Bodies  to Revitalise  the WTO's 
Monitoring and Deliberative 
Function  WT/GC/W/877  and Rev.1  03.05.2023  for the 
first communication  
Australia; China and 
Thailand  Small  Steps  to Make a 
Difference  WT/GC/W/879  and Rev.1  
and Rev.2   
18.05.2023 for the 
first communication  
 
 
Argentina;  Brazil;  
Colombia;  Ecuador;  
Paraguay  and Uruguay  
 Functioning  of the General  
Council  and its Subsidiary  
Bodies  WT/GC/W/881  12.06.2023  
 
Brazil  
 WTO Ministerial Conferences  WT/GC/W/882  14.06.2023  
China   
Fulfilling the Mandate and 
Strengthening the Function of 
the CRTA  
 WT/REG/W/180  21.06.2023  JOB/GC/359/Rev.3  
 
- 15 - 
 
  Co-Sponsors  Title Document Symbols  Date  
 
African Group (Angola; 
Benin; Botswana; 
Burkina Faso; Burundi; 
Cabo Verde; Cameroon; 
Central African 
Republic; Chad; Congo; 
Côte D'Ivoire; 
Democratic Republic of 
Congo; Djibouti; Egypt; 
Eswatini; Gabon; The 
Gambia; Ghana; 
Guinea; Guinea -Bissau; 
Kenya; Lesotho; 
Liberia; Madagascar; 
Malawi; Mali; 
Mauritania; Mauritius; 
Morocco; Mozambique; 
Namibia; Niger; 
Nigeria; Rwanda; 
Senegal; Sey chelles; 
Sierra Leone; South 
Africa; Tanzania;  
Togo; Tunisia; Uganda; 
Zambia and Zimbabwe)  
 A Development Perspective on 
Institutional Reforms of the 
World Trade Organization  WT/GC/W/895  13.07.2023  
 
Australia; Brazil; 
Canada; Colombia; 
Costa Rica; European  
Union; New Zealand; 
Norway; Switzerland; 
Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and 
Matsu; United Kingdom 
and the United States  
 Proposed Revisions to WT/L/452  
"Procedures for the Circulation 
and Derestriction of WTO 
Documents"  WT/GC/W/897  and Rev.1  13.07.2023  for the 
first communication  
United Kingdom   
Improving the Functioning of 
the Council for Trade in Se rvices 
and its Subsidiary Bodies  
 S/C/W/452  21.07.2023  
 
Colombia ; Paraguay ; 
the United Kingdom and 
Uruguay  
 Functioning of the CTG:  
Enhancing Clarity and 
Accessibility of Information  JOB/CTG/43  and Rev.1  16.11.2023 for the 
first communication  
China   
Options to Acknowledge 
Progress and Provide Further 
Instruction s for the "Reform by 
Doing" Work at MC13  
 JOB/GC/372  20.11.2023  
 
 
__________