WT/GC/W/834  
 
10 Novem ber 2021  
(21-8523) Page: 1/18 
General Council  
22-23 November 2021    
 
GENERAL COUNCIL  
DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT (202 1)1 
The present report has been prepared in pursuance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview of 
WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105).  
 
Since its previous annual report2, the General Council ha s held four regular meetings on 1-2 and 
4 March, 5-6 May, 27-28 July, and 7-8 October  and a special meeting on 15 February to appoint 
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala as WTO Director -General . The minutes of these  meetings, which remain in 
the record of the General Council's work, are co ntained in documents WT/GC/M/18 9, WT/GC/M/1 90, 
WT/GC/M/191, WT/GC/M/192 and WT/GC/M/1933. 
 
The following subjects are included in the report:  
 
1   REPORTS BY THE CHAIR OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND REPORTS 
BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  ................................ ................................ ............................  3 
2   IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ................................ ................  4 
3   COVID -19 TRADE -RELATED MATTERS ................................ ................................ ..........  5 
3.1   Multilateral Process on WTO Response to the Pandemic – Report by the Facilitator  ..............  5 
3.2   Call to Prevent Export Restrictions on COVID -19 Vaccines and Trade Restrictions that 
block equal access to COVID -19 Vaccines – Communication from and Statement by Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay  ................................ ................................ ...........  6 
3.3   Trade and Health: COVID -19 and Beyond – Updates and Communic ation  ..........................  6 
3.4   Urgent Trade Policy Responses to the COVID -19 Crisis – Communication from the  
European  Union to the WTO General Counci l ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
3.5   Ministerial Declaration on Combating, Mitigating and Recovering from the Impacts of 
COVID -19 and Beyond – Communication from the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu,  Kinmen and Matsu   ................................ ................................ ................................ . 7 
4   TRIPS COUNCIL MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ...........................  7 
4.1   Status Report on the Considerations by the TRIPS Council on the "Proposal for a Waiver  
from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and 
Treatment  of COVID -19" – Statement by the Chair of the Council for TRIPS   ..............................  7 
5   WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ .......................  8 
5.1   Report by the Chair  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 8 
5.2   Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs 
Duties  on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India and South Africa   ................................  8 
 
1 The final version of the report will also reflect any further meeting of the General Council to be held in 
2021 and items will be renumbered as necessary.  
2 The annual report  of the General Council for 2020 was circulated in WT/GC/227 . 
3 To be issued.  WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  6   WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORTS   ................................ ............  9 
7   ACCESSION MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 9 
7.1   2020 A nnual Report by the Director -General   ................................ ................................ .. 9 
8   REVIEW OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE GATT 1994   . 10 
9   WAIVERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  10 
9.1   European Union – Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to the Western 
Balkans  – Extension of Waiver – Draft Decision  ................................ ................................ .....10 
9.2   Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  ................................ ...10 
10   TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ................................ ..........  10 
10.1   Date and Venue   ................................ ................................ ................................ .......10 
10.2   Statement by the Chair   ................................ ................................ ............................ 11 
10.3   MC12 Outcome Document – Report by the Chair   ................................ ......................... 11 
11   SUPPORTING THE CONCLUSION OF FISHERIES SUBSIDIES NEGOTIATIONS 
FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE OCEAN AND FISHING COMMUNITIES - DRAFT 
MINISTERIAL DECISION – COMMUNICATION FROM BRAZIL   ................................ .........  11 
12   INTRODUCTION OF A PAPER ON "LEGAL STATUS OF JOINT STATEMENT  
INITIATI VES AND THEIR NEGOTIATED OUTCOMES" – REQUEST FROM INDIA; 
SOUTH  AFRICA AND NAMIBIA   ................................ ................................ .......................  12 
13   TRADE RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST DEV ELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD: A DRAFT FOR MC DECISION – COMMUNICATIONS FROM CHAD ON 
BEHALF  OF THE LDC GROUP   ................................ ................................ ..........................  12 
14   PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES FOR WTO COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES ADDRESSING 
TRADE CONCERNS – COMMUNICATION FROM AND STATEMENT BY CO -SPONSORS   ....... 13 
15   PROPOSED GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION ON PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE 
TRANSPARENCY AND IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
UNDER WTO AGREEMENTS – ARGENTINA; AUSTRALIA; CANADA; CHILE; COSTA RICA; 
THE EUROPEAN UNIO N; ISRAEL; JAPAN; REPUBLIC OF KOREA; MEXICO; NEW ZEALAND; 
NORWAY; THE PHILIPPINES; SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS 
TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU;  UNITED KINGDOM AND 
THE UNITED STATES   ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 13 
16   G90 DECLARATION ON SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT – 
COMMUNICATION FROM SOUTH AFRICA ON BEHALF OF THE G90   ................................ . 14 
17   JOINT COMMUNICATION ON SYSTEMIC ISSUES – STATEMENT BY SWITZERLAND  .. 14 
18   STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL CHARACTER OF THE WORLD TRADE 
ORGANIZATION – REQUEST FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP   ................................ ..............  14 
19   SAUDI ARABIA'S RESTRICTIVE POLICIES ON POULTRY IMPORTS – REQUEST 
FROM  BRAZIL  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  14 
20   USE OF INTERPREFY PLATFORM – STATEMENT BY MOROCCO   ................................  14 
21   COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  ................................ .... 15 
21.1   Reports and Recommendations ................................ ................................ ................... 15 
22   WTO PENSION PLAN  ................................ ................................ ...............................  15 
22.1   Reports   ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 15 
23   ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS  ................................ ..... 15 
24   INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE UNCTAD/WTO – REPORT OF THE JOINT 
ADVISORY  GROUP ON ITS 54TH SESSION  ................................ ................................ ..... 15 
25   REVIEW OF WTO ACTIVITIES  ................................ ................................ ..................  16 WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  26   CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE  ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT – 
AUSTRALIA; CANADA; THE EUROPEAN UNION; ISRAEL; JAPAN; MONTENEGRO; NEW 
ZEALAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND 
MATSU; UNITED KINGDOM; AND THE UNITED STATES  ................................ ...................  16 
27   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL FOR 
TRADE IN GOODS - REPORT BY THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  ..... 16 
28   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES   ................................ .......................  16 
29   APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT DIRECTOR -GENERAL  ................................ ..................  18 
30   ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ................................ ...................  18 
 
 
1  REPORTS BY THE CHAIR OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND REPORTS BY 
THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  (WT/GC/M/1 90; WT/GC/M/1 91; WT/GC/M/1 92 AND 
WT/GC/M/1 93) 
1.1.  Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the 
General Council to supervise the overall conduct of the negotiations (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1). In 
accordance with the Principles and Practices endorsed by the Trade Negotiati ons Committee at its 
first meeting in 2002 (TN/C/M/1), the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the General Council.  
1.2.  At the March  meeting, the Chair recalled the Informal TNC and Informal HODs meeting 
convened by  Deputy Director -General  Alan Wolff, repre senting all DDGs, on 25 February . This was  
continued in line with the understanding that had been reached at the July  2020 meeting of the 
General Council – that reflecting the existing and appropriate boundaries of governance, the Deputy 
Directors -General would undertake their responsibilities in close consultation with Members, where 
relevant, as represented by the General Council Chair. The Chair  recalled that Deputy Director -
General Wolff, representing all DDGs, had chaired the meeting and had provided a  report on recent 
activities. As per past practice, the report of Deputy Director -General Wolff, representing all DDGs, 
the reports of the Chairs of negotiating bodies, and the statements delivered by delegations during 
the Informal TNC and Informal HODs m eeting were included in the minutes of the March  General 
Council meeting.  The representatives of Burkina Faso; Barbados; Tunisia; the Plurinational  State of 
Bolivia; Argentina and Mauritius (African Group)  spoke. The General Council took note  of the report4 
of Deputy Director -General Wolff, representing all DDGs, on 25 February , and of the statements that 
day as well as those delivered at the 25 February  Informal TNC and Informal HODs meeting5.  
1.3.  At the May meeting, the Director -General , Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, as TNC Chair,  reported 
that the TNC had held its 40th Formal Session6 on 3 May in conjunction with an Informal Heads of 
Delegation meeting.  Her opening statement and summing up of that meeting had been circulated 
as JOB/TNC/91.  The General Council took note of the report of the Director -General.  
 
4 Deputy Director -General Wolff's report, representing all Deputy Directors -General, (also circulated in 
JOB/TNC/90 ) and the reports of the Chairs of Negotiating Bodies at the 25 February Informal TNC and Informal 
HODs Meeting are in the minutes of the March General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/190 . 
5 The statements at the 25 February Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meeti ng by the following delegations 
are incorporated in the minutes of the March General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/190 : Switzerland; 
Montenegro; Brazil; European Union; Nigeria; Mexico; Morocco; Malaysia; Panama (Article XII Members); China; 
Norway; Hong Kong , China; Chile (Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation for Development); Republic 
of Korea; Chinese Taipei; Iceland (Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender); Argentina; Australia (Joint 
Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce); Jamaica ( ACP); Egypt; United Kingdom; Japan; Singapore; 
Bangladesh; Philippines; Paraguay; Canada (Ottawa Group); Nepal; New Zealand; Turkey; Pakistan; Russian 
Federation; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Ecuador; Chad (LDCs); Indonesia; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Republic of 
Moldova; Angola; Uruguay (Informal Working Group on MSMEs); Costa Rica (Joint Initiative on Services Domestic 
Regulation); Sri Lanka; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Thailand; India; South Africa; Mauritius (African 
Group); Afghanistan; Fiji (Pacific Gro up); Colombia; Uganda; Cambodia; Cameroon; Kazakhstan; Senegal and 
Peru. 
6 The minutes of the 40th Formal Session of the Trade Negotiations Committee was circulated in 
TN/C/M/40.  WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  1.4.  At the July meeting, the Director -General , as TNC Chair, updated Members on developments 
in this a rea and reported  on the three meetings held on 25 June, 15 July7 and 23 July. Her statements 
in those meetings were circulated in documents JOB/TNC/93, JOB/TNC/94, JOB/TNC/95 and 
JOB/TNC/96.  As per past practice, the report of the  Director -General,  the reports of the Chairs of 
negotiating bodies, and the statements delivered by delegations during the 23 July Informal TNC 
and Informal HODs meeting were included in the minutes of the July Gener al Council meeting8. The 
General Council took note of the report of the Director -General .9 
1.5.  At the October  meeting,  the Director -General, as TNC Chair, updated Members on 
developments in this area and reported on the Informal TNC  and Informal HODs meeting on 
30 September . Her statement in that meeting was circulated in document JOB/TNC/98. As per past 
practice, the report of the  Director -General,  the reports of the Chairs of negotiating bodies, and the 
statements delivered by dele gations during the 30 September Informal TNC and Informal HODs 
meeting were included in the minutes of the October  General Council meeting10. The representatives 
of Chile; Canada; South Africa; India; Norway  and Australia  spoke.  The General Council took no te 
of the report of the Director -General  and of the statements that day as well as those delivered at 
the 30 September  Informal TNC and Informal HODs meeting .11 
2  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/1 90; WT/GC/M/1 91; WT/GC/M/1 92 
AND WT/GC/M/193 ) 
2.1.  Since July 2014, the item on implementation of the Bali outcomes has been included on the 
General Council's agenda at the request of the Chair, to provide an update on the work taking place 
in the reg ular bodies which were directly working on the various Bali Decisions. After the Tenth and 
Eleventh Sessions of the Ministerial Conference, reports on the implementation of the Nairobi and 
Buenos Aires outcomes were also provided under this item.  
 
7 The Minutes of the 41st Formal Session of Trade Negotiations Committee – the Virtual TNC Meeting at 
the Ministerial Level on Fisheries Subsidies – was circulated in TN/C/M/41.  
8 The Director -General's report and the reports of the Chairs of Negotiating Bodies at the 23 July Informal 
TNC and Informal HODs Meeting were circulated i n JOB/TNC/96. At his request, the report of the Chair of the 
CTE SS was subsequently circulated in TN/TE/25. They are reproduced in Annex I of document WT/GC/M/192.  
The statements at the 2 3 July Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meeting by the following deleg ations are 
incorporated in the minutes of the Ma y General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/1 92: Uruguay (Informal Working 
Group on MSMEs); Australia (Cairns Group and Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce ); Switzerland; 
Singapore; Ecuador; Pakistan; Japan; Nigeria; Mexico; Barbados (CARICOM); Argentina; Iceland (Informal 
Working Group on Trade and Gender); European Union; Indonesia; Brazil; Republic of Korea; Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia (Arab Group); Norway; Panama (Article XII Members); China; New Zealan d; Mauritius (African Group); 
Honduras; Costa Rica ( Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation ); Russian Federation; Republic of 
Moldova; Chile (Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation for Development); Nepal; United States; Sierra 
Leone; India; Canada (Ottawa Group and the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions); 
Chinese Taipei; South Africa; Paraguay; Colombia; United Kingdom; Malaysia; Jamaica (ACP); Turkey; 
Bangladesh; Egypt; Chad (LDCs); Viet Nam; Peru; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Thailand; Uganda and Cameroon.  
9 The Director -General's report was circulated in JOB/ GC/265.  
10 The Director -General's report and the reports of the Chairs of Negotiating Bodies at the 30 September 
Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meeting were circulated in JOB/TNC/9 8. They are reproduced as an annex  of 
document WT/GC/M/193.  The statements at  the 30 September  Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meeting by the 
following delegations are incorporated in the minutes of the October  General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/1 93: 
Brazil ; Switzerland ; Mexico ; Japan ; Turkey ; Mauritius (African Group) ; Chile (Struc tured Discussions on 
Investment Facilitation for Development ); Bangladesh ; Australia ( Joint Statement Initiative on E -Commerce ); 
Norway ; European Union ; Singapore ; South Africa ; Tunisia ; Jamaica (ACP) ; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab 
Group) ; New Zealand ; China; Philippines ; Indonesia ; United Kingdom ; Costa Rica (Services Domestic 
Regulation) ; Russian Federation ; Chad (LDCs) ; India; Uruguay ( Informal Working Group on MSMEs ); Argentina ; 
Mongolia ; Iceland (Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender) ; Egypt ; Nigeria ; Panama (Article XII 
Members) ; Republic of Korea ; Pakistan ; Hong Kong, China;  Chinese Taipei ; Nepal ; Canada ( Trade and 
Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions  and Ottawa Group) ; Uganda ; Viet Nam ; Colombia ; 
Bolivarian Republic of Venezu ela; Sri Lanka ; Republic of Moldova ; Honduras and Cameroon . 
11 The Director -General's report was circulated in JOB/GC/ 276. WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  2.2.  At the Ge neral Council meetings in March , May, July and October , the Chair reported on the 
work taking place in WTO regular bodies to fulfil the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Ministerial 
mandates.12  
2.3.  At the March  meeting, the representative s of South Africa; the E uropean Union; Chad (LDCs); 
Indonesia; the Philippines; India; Ukraine and Cambodia spoke. The General Council took note of 
the Chair's report and of the statement.  
2.4.  At the May meeting, the Chair of the CTD and the representatives of Chad (LDCs); the Europe an 
Union; Indonesia and India  spoke.  The General Council took note of the Chair's report and of the 
statements.  
2.5.  At the July meeting, the representatives of Chad (LDCs) ; Indonesia ; Tanzania ; European 
Union ; India and United Kingdom  spoke . South Africa  subsequently provided its statement . The 
General Council took note of the Chair 's report and of the statements.  
2.6.  At the October  meeting, the representatives of Chad (LDCs); Pakistan; South Africa; India; 
Tunisia; the European Union; Nigeria; Mauritius (African Group); Sri Lanka; Indonesia; the Central 
African Republic; Cameroon and Egypt  spoke. The General Council took note of the Chair's report 
and of the statements.  
3  COVID -19 TRADE -RELATED MATTERS  
3.1  Facilitator -led Multilateral Process , under the auspices of the General Council,  on the 
WTO Response to the Pandemic – Report s by the Facilitator  (WT/GC/M/192 and 
WT/GC/M/193)  
3.1.  As a response to calls by Members , the Chair established  on 22 June a Facilitator -led horizontal 
and multilateral process  on the WTO Response to the Pandemic , under the auspices of the General 
Council . The Chair appointed Ambassador David Walker (New Zealand ), former Chair of the General 
Council,  to facilitate this process.13  
3.2.  At the General Council meet ings in July and October , the Facilitator reported on the discussions  
and work in the multilateral process  on the WTO Response to the Pandemic.14   
3.3.  At the July meeting, the Facilitator informed Members of the consultations and the range of 
meetings that have taken place since his appointment as Facilitator on 22 June  and mapped out his 
intentions for work in this process after the Summer break.  The representatives of Brazil ; Uruguay ; 
Viet Nam ; Norway ; Jamaica (ACP) ; the Republic of Korea ; the United Kingdom ; China ; Turkey ; 
Malaysia ; Chad (LDCs) ; Côte d'Ivoire ; Mauritius (African Group) ; Chile; Colombia ; Australia ; Brunei 
Darussalam ; Saint Lucia (CARICOM) ; India; the United States ; Fiji (P acific Group) ; the European 
Union ; Japan ; Argentina ; Paraguay ; Costa Rica ; the Russian Federation ; Ecuador ; South Africa ; 
Switzerland ; Singapore ; Honduras ; Indonesia ; the Philippines ; Kazakhstan ; Mongolia and the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia  spoke.  Pakistan; Fiji; Nigeria and Bangladesh subsequently provided their 
statements.  The General Council took note of the Facilitator's report and of the statements.   
3.4.  At the October  meeting , the Facilitator  briefed Members on the thematic series that he had 
convened in the month of September, comprising five sessions on 1, 8, 13, 15 and 21 September . 
The representatives of Liberia;  the Philippines; Nepal; Brunei Darussalam; Nigeria; Mexico; Mauritius 
(African Group); Chad (LDCs); Paraguay; Argentina; the Russian  Federation; Pakistan; Tunisia; 
Malaysia; Honduras; Jamaica (ACP); Brazil; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Turkey; China; Singapore; Sri 
Lanka; the Dominican Republic; Chinese Taipei; Norway; Switzerland; Ecuador; Chile; South Africa; 
Canada; Thailand; the Europe an Union; Indonesia; the United Kingdom; the Republic of Korea; 
Australia; Colombia; India and Kazakhstan  spoke . Hong Kong, China and Morocco subsequently 
 
12 The Chair's statements were subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/252, JOB/GC/258, JOB/GC/2 66 and 
JOB/GC/272.  
13 See the Chair's statemen t in JOB/GC/262.  
14 The Facilitator's reports were subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/269 and JOB/GC/273.  WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  provided their statements. The General Council took note of the Facilitator's report and of the 
statements.  
3.2  Call to Prevent Export Restrictions on COVID -19 Vaccines and Trade Restrictions that 
block equal access to COVID -19 Vaccines  – Communication from and Statement by 
Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay (WT/GC/M/190  and 
WT/GC/M/191 ) 
3.5.  At the March  meeting, the representative of Colombia, on behalf of co -sponsors, presented 
their communication circulated in document WT/GC/W/818  and made a statement on this matter. 
The representatives of the European Union; Ukraine; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); the Republic of Korea; 
Indonesia; Turkey; Chinese Taipei; Australia; the United Kingdom; Jamaica (ACP); South Africa; 
Peru and India  spoke. Col ombia again took the floor. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
3.6.  At the May meeting, the representatives of Paraguay and Colombia, on behalf of co -sponsors, 
presented their statement on the matter. The representatives of the Dominican Republic; Ecuador; 
Panama; Australia; Argentina; Peru; Jamaica (ACP); Uruguay; Chad (LDCs); Sout h Africa; the 
European Union;  the United Kingdom; the Republic of Korea; Canada; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Sri 
Lanka; India; Mexico; Chinese Taipei; the Plurinational State of Bolivia and Costa Rica  spoke . The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
3.3  Trade and Health: COVID -19 and Beyond – Update s and Communication 
(WT/GC/M/190 ; WT/GC/M/191  and WT/GC/M/192 ) 
3.7.  At the March  meeting, the representative of Canada, on behalf of co -sponsors,  referred to a 
proposed draft General Council Declaration in document JOB/ GC/251 and  made a statement on this 
matter. The representatives of the Central African Republic; Bangladesh; South Africa; Hong Kong, 
China; India; Chinese Taipei; the United States; Colombia; Peru; the Philippines; the United 
Kingdom; Norway and Singapore  spoke. Canada again took the floor. The General Council took note 
of the statements.  
3.8.  At the May meeting, the representative of Canada, on behalf of co -sponsors, referred to the 
revision of a proposed draft General Council Declaration in document JOB/GC/25 1/Rev.1 and made 
a statement on this matter. The representatives of Colombia; Iceland; New Zealand; Hong Kong, 
China; the Russian Federation; India; Chinese Taipei; the Republic of Korea; Mexico; the United 
States; Uruguay; Chile; Turkey; Norway;  the Repub lic of Moldova; Indonesia; the United Kingdom; 
Chad (LDCs); Nigeria; China; Fiji; Bangladesh; Barbados; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); South Africa; 
Japan; Pakistan; Kazakhstan; Singapore and the European Union  spoke. Canada again took the 
floor. The General Cou ncil took note of the statements.  
3.9.  At the July meeting, the representative of Canada, on behalf of co -sponsors, referred to the  
revised and updated version of the draft General Council Declaration in document WT/GC/W/823 
which contain ed a number of improvements and additions to the proposal.  The General Council took 
note of the statement.15   
3.4  Urgent Trade Policy Responses to the COVID -19 Crisis – Communication from the 
European Union to the WTO General Council  (WT/GC/M/192)  
3.10.   At the July meeting, the representative of the European Union introduced its communication 
in document WT/GC/231  which provided its views on how the WTO Membership would deliver  a 
collective and solid contribution as part of the international efforts to respond to the COVID -19 
pandemic . The General Council took note of the statement.16 
 
15 See Paragraph 3.3 for the list of Members that intervened on Item 7 of the July G eneral Council  agenda 
related to the "Preparations for the Twelfth Se ssion of the Ministerial Conference – Statement by the Chair", 
Item 7.1 of the July G eneral Council  agenda related to the "WTO Response to the Pandemic – Report by the 
Facilitator and Item 8 of the July G eneral Council  agenda related to the "Contributions to the Multilateral Process 
on the WTO Response to the Pandemic".   
16 See Paragraph 3.3 for the list of Members that intervened on Item 7 of the July G eneral Council  agenda 
related to the "Preparations for the Twelfth Session of the Ministerial Conference – Statement by the Chair", WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  3.5  Ministerial Declaration on Combating, Mitigating and Recovering from the Impacts of 
COVID -19 and Beyond – Communication from the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and M atsu (WT/GC/M/192)  
3.11.   At the July meeting, the representative of Chinese Taipei introduced its communication in 
document WT/GC/W/822 , which include d some points additional to the elements included in the 
Trade and Health proposal.  The General Council took not e of the statement.17 
4  TRIPS COUNCIL MATTERS  
4.1  Status Report on the Considerations by the T RIPS  Council on the "Proposal for a 
Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS  Agreement for the Prevention, Containment 
and Treatment of COVID -19" – Statement by the Chair of the Council for T RIPS  
(WT/GC/M/190; WT/GC/M/191; WT/GC/M/192 and WT/GC/M/193)  
4.1.  At the General Council meetings in March , May, July and October , the TRIPS Council  Chair 
provided status report s on the "Proposal for a Waiver fr om Certain Provisions of the TRIPS 
Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of COVID -19" in document IP/C/W/669 
and its addenda  and revision .18  
4.2.  At the March  meeting, the representatives of Vanuatu; Republic of Korea; Morocco; Pakistan; 
Bangladesh; Nigeria; Mozambique; Jamaica (ACP); South Africa; Egypt; Indonesia; Mauritius 
(African Group); the Philippines; China; Zimbabwe; Cameroon; Australia; Chile; Turkey; 
Switzerland; New Zealand; Japan; the Central African Republic; India; Tanzania; Nor way; 
Singapore; Namibia; Cuba; Chad (LDCs); Gabon; Malaysia; Cambodia and Canada  spoke. The 
General Council took note of the TRIPS Council Chair's report and of the statements . 
4.3.  At the May meeting, the representatives of Mauritius (African Group); South Afr ica; Indonesia; 
Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Barbados; Paraguay; Tunisia; Malaysia; Nigeria; 
Cameroon; Nepal; Afghanistan; the United Kingdom; Jamaica (ACP); Bangladesh; Pakistan; the 
Maldives; Tanzania; Norway; Chad (LDCs); Uruguay; Chi le; China; Zimbabwe; El Salvador; 
Namibia; Sri Lanka; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Brazil; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Ecuador; 
Fiji; Turkey;  the United States; the European Union; Egypt; Japan;  the Philippines; Switzerland; 
Singapore and India  spoke . During its intervention, the representative of Zimbabwe  referred to 
items  2, 4, 7  and 8 of the May General Council  agenda.19 The Director -General also took the floor. 
The General Council took note of th e TRIPS Council Chair's report and of the statements.20 
4.4.  At the July meeting, the representatives of South Africa ; Nigeria ; Argentina ; Barbados 
(CARICOM) ; the  Central African Republic ; Colombia ; China ; Chad (LDCs) ; Bangladesh ; Nepal ; 
Malaysia ; Tanzania ; Fiji (Pacific Group) ; Morocco ; Kenya ; Mauritius (African Group) ; Sierra Leone ; 
Jamaica (ACP) ; the Maldives ; Zimbabwe ; Turkey ; Botswana ; Pakistan ; the European Union ; Brazil ; 
Norway ; Afghanistan ; Cabo Verde ; Switzerland ; the Plurinational  State of Bolivia ; Eswatini ; the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ; Cameroon ; Japan ; the Republic of Korea ; Singapore  and India spoke.  
 
Item 7.1 of the July G eneral Council  agenda related to the "WTO Response to the Pandemic – Report by the 
Facilitator and Item 8 of the July G eneral Council  agenda related to the "Contributions to the Multilateral Process 
on the WT O Response to the Pandemic".  
17 See Paragraph 3.3 for the list of Members that intervened on Item 7 of the July G eneral Council  agenda 
related to the "Preparations for the Twelfth Session of the Ministerial Conference – Statement by the Chair", 
Item 7.1 of the July G eneral Council  agenda related to the "WTO Response to the Pandemic – Report by the 
Facilitator and Item 8 of the Jul y General Council  agenda related to the "Contributions to the Multilateral Process 
on the WTO Response to the Pandemic".  
18 See JOB/IP/42, JOB/IP/44, JOB/IP/47/Rev.1 and JOB/IP/50/Rev.1.  
19 Item 2 of the May General Council  agenda related to the " Implementa tion of The Bali, Nairobi and 
Buenos Aires Outcomes – Statement by the Chair ", Item 4 of the May General Council  agenda related to the 
"TRIPS Council Matters - Status Report on the Considerations by the TRIPS Council on the "Proposal for a Waiver  
from Cert ain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of COVID -19" 
– Statement by the Chair of the Council for TRIPS ", Item 7 of the May General Council agenda related to the 
"Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratori um on Imposing Customs Duties on Electronic 
Transmissions – Request  from India " and Item 8 of the May General Council  agenda related to  the "Paper Titled 
"The Legal Status of 'Joint Statement Initiatives' and their Negotiated Outcomes" – Request from Indi a and South 
Africa ". 
20 At its request, the statement of the delegation of Colombia is incorporated in the Minutes of th e May  
General Council meeting and can be found in Annex 1 of document WT/GC/M/191 . WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  Saint Lucia (CARICOM) and Niger subsequently provided their statement s. The General Council took 
note of the TRIPS Council Chair's report and of the statements.  
4.5.  At the October  meeting, the representatives of South Africa; China; Angola; Nigeria; Pakistan; 
Chile; Colombia; Mauritius (African Group);  the United Kingdom; India; Malaysia; Vanuatu (Pacific 
Group); Australia; Jamaica (ACP);  the United States; Tunisia; Norway; the Central African Republic; 
Bangladesh; the Republic of Korea; Nepal; Turkey; Zimbabwe; Brazil; Egypt; the Maldives; Sri 
Lanka; the European Union; Namibia; Indonesia; Chad (LDCs); Thailand; Switzerland; the 
Plurinati onal State of Bolivia; Singapore; the Philippines; Japan; Peru; El Salvador and the Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia  spoke . The General Council took note of the TRIPS Council Chair's report and of the 
statements.  
5  WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE21 
5.1  Report s by the Chair (WT/GC/M/192  and WT/GC/M/193 ) 
5.1.  At the General Council meeting in December 2019, Members had adopted a Decision on the 
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, in which they had agreed to reinvigorate this work, 
including by holding structured discussions based on all trade -related topics of interest brought 
forward by Members. Members had also agreed to extend the moratorium and to report to Ministers 
at MC12.  
5.2.  At the July meeting, the Chair provided a report on this matter which was subsequently 
circulated in document JOB/GC/267. The General Council took note of the Chair's report.22 
5.3.  At the October  meeting, the Chair provided a report on this matter which was subsequently 
circulated in document JOB/GC/275. The General Council took not e of the Chair's report.23 
5.2  Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs 
Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India  and South Africa  
(WT/GC/M/1 90; WT/GC/M/191; WT/GC/M/192 and WT/GC/M/193 ) 
5.4.  At the March  meeting, the representative of India made a statement on this matter. The 
representatives of the Philippines; Zimbabwe; Indonesia; Mauritius (African Group); Ukraine; 
Nigeria; Jamaica (ACP); Thailand; Chile; the United States; Chad (LDCs); Sri Lanka; Chinese Taipei; 
the European Union; Pakistan; China; Turkey; South Africa; the United Kingdom; the Republic of 
Moldova; Peru; Norway; Namibia; Japan; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Australia; Switzerland; 
Bangladesh; Singapore and Israel spoke. India again took the floor. The Chair then spoke. The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
5.5.  At the May meeting, the representative of India made a statement on this matter. The 
representatives of the Philippines; the Republic of Korea; Nigeria; Indonesia; Pakistan; Australia; 
Vanuatu (P acific Group); Chinese Taipei; Nepal; Norway; Uganda; the United Kingdom; Mauritius 
(African Group); Chad (LDCs); Bangladesh; South Africa; Chile; Singapore; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); 
the Republic of Moldova; Hong Kong, China; Japan and Switzerland  spoke. India again took the floor. 
The General Council took note of the statements.24 
5.6.  At the July meeting, the representatives of India and South Africa made their respective  
statement s on this matter. The representatives of the  Philippines ; Nigeria ; Australia; Thailand ; 
Mexico ; Costa Rica ; Mauritius (African Group) ; Jamaica (ACP) ; Chad (LDCs) ; Saint Lucia (CARICOM) ; 
Zimbabwe ; Uganda ; Morocco ; Nepal ; Tanzania ; Bangladesh ; the European Union ; Chile; Chinese 
Taipei ; the United Kingdom ; Norway ; the United Sta tes; Japan ; Fiji (Pacific Group) ; Switzerland ; 
the Republic of Korea ; South Africa ; Indonesia ; Sri Lanka ; Brazil and Singapore  spoke . Pakistan; 
 
21 See also Paragraph 2.2 and Footnote 12.  
22 See Paragraph 5. 6 for the list of Members that intervened on the items related to the Work Programme 
on Electronic Commerce.  
23 See Paragraph 3.4 for the list of Members that intervened under all sub -items under Item 5 of the 
October General Council  agenda related to the " Preparations for the Twelfth Session of the Ministerial 
Conference ". 
24 At its request, the statement of the de legation of Colombia is incorporated in the Minutes of th e May  
General Council meeting and can be found in Annex 1 of document  WT/GC/M/191 . WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  Colombia and Fiji  subsequently provided their statement s. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
5.7.  At the October  meeting, the representatives of India and South Africa made their respective  
statement s on this matter. The representatives of Nigeria; Sri Lanka; Nepal; Vanuatu (Pacific 
Group); Mauritius (African Group); Switzerland; Ukraine; the United Kingdom; Jamaica (ACP); 
Thailand; Canada; Colombia; Tunisia; Japan; China; the Republic of Korea; Pakistan; Zimbabwe; 
the European Union; the United States; Indonesia; Hong Kong, China; Singapore; Bangladesh; 
Mongolia; Israel  and Australia  spoke . Chinese Taipei subsequently provided its statement.  The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
6  WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORT S (WT/GC/M/1 90; 
WT/GC/M/1 91; WT/GC/M/1 92 AND WT/GC/M/1 93) 
6.1.  At the March  meeting,  the representative of Guatemala (SVEs)  noted their engagement with 
Members on preparing the report on the work undertaken since MC11 which would also contain the 
elements of an agreed text for a Ministerial Decision, including on future work. The representatives 
of Sri Lanka ; Saint Lucia  (CARICOM); Barbados; Vanuatu (Pacific Group) and Fiji then spoke.  The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
6.2.  At the May meeting, the CTD Chair reported that the SVE Group had been consulting Members 
on the possibility of holding a meeting of the Ded icated Session to discuss the impact of natural 
disasters on the trade of small economies and on preparing the report on the work undertaken since 
MC11 which would also contain the elements of an agreed text for a Ministerial Decision, including 
on future work.  The representatives of Guatemala (SVEs); Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Barbados; 
Vanuatu (Pacific Group) and Fiji  spoke. The General Council took note of the report of the Chair of 
the CTD and of the statements . 
6.3.  At the July meeting, the CTD Chair reported on the dedicated session to discuss the economic 
and trade impact of natural disasters on small economies and on work towards an MC12 Decision 
noting that the SVE Group Coordinator would be consulting with Members on the matter with the 
aim of tab ling a draft Ministerial Decision for Members' approval. The representatives of Guatemala 
(SVEs), Barbados (CARICOM), Mauritius  and Fiji spoke. The General Council took note of the report 
of the Chair of the CTD and of the statements.  
6.4.  At the October  meeti ng, the CTD Chair reported that the proposal  by the SVE Group for a 
Ministerial Decision at MC12 on the Work Programme on Small Economies would be considered at 
its meeting on 19 October. The proposed Ministerial Decision would take note of work carried ou t 
since the last Ministerial Conference and would propose that the Dedicated Session focus on 
integrating small economies into the post COVID -19 economy, among others.  The representatives 
of Guatemala (SVEs); Mauritius (African Group); Vanuatu (Pacific Gro up) and Fiji  spoke. The General 
Council took note of the report of the Chair of the CTD and of the statements.  
7  ACCESSION MATTERS  
7.1  2020 Annual Report by the Director -General  (WT/GC/M/190)  
7.1.  At the March  meeting, Deputy Director -General Alan Wolff, representing  all DDGs, presented 
the 20 20 Annual Report on WTO Accessions (WT/ACC/3 8 – WT/GC/2 28)25, reported the sustained 
level of accession activities in 2020 and noted that acceding countries had considered WTO 
membership even more urgently due to the effects of C OVID -19. The representatives of Mauritius 
(African Group); Oman; Afghanistan; China; Kazakhstan; Turkey; the Russian Federation; the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group) and the United States  spoke. The General Council took note 
of the Annual Report on Acc essions and of the statements.  
 
25 See also the revision of this document in WT/ACC/38/Rev.1 – WT/GC/228/Rev.1.  WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  8  REVIEW OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE GATT 1994 
(WT/GC/M/190)  
8.1.  At the March  meeting, the General Council conducted a review of the exemption granted to the 
US legislation – the Jones Act – which prohibits t he use, sale or lease of foreign -built or foreign -
reconstructed ships in US national waters – and takes place in the General Council every two years. 
In line with the procedure agreed by the Council in 2002, statements made at GC meetings in 20 21, 
question s posed to the United States and related replies would form the basis of th e 2021 review, 
together with the annual report provided by the U nited States  (WT/L/1 108). The  representatives of 
the United States; Norway; Panama; the European Union; the Republic of Korea; Hong Kong, China; 
Japan and China spoke. The United States again took the floor . The General Council took note of the 
statements and agreed to revert back to the matter at its last regular meeting in 2021.  
9  WAIVERS  
9.1  European Union – Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to the Western 
Balkans – Extension of Waiver – Draft Decision ( WT/GC/M/192 ) 
9.1.  At the July meeting, the General Council considered the draft waiver on "European Union – 
Request for a Waiver Extension – Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to the Western 
Balkans" contained in G/C/W/ 794. The Chair of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the 
consideration of this matter by that Council. The representative o f the European Union took the floor. 
The General Council took note of the report and of the statement, and, in accordance with the 
Decision -Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in 
November  1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the draf t decision , which w as subsequently circulated in 
WT/L/11 14. 
9.2  Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  (WT/GC/M/1 92) 
9.2.  Under Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement, "[a]ny waiver granted for a period of more than one 
year shall be reviewed by  the Ministerial Conference not later than one year after it is granted, and 
thereafter annually until the waiver terminates."  
9.3.  At the July meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review under 
Article IX:4:  
a. Least -Developed Country Members – Obligations under Article 70.8 and Article 70.9 of 
the TRIPS Agreement with respect to Pharmaceutical Products, granted on 
30 November  2015 until 1 January 2033 (WT/L/971)  
b. Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds, granted on 26 J uly 2018 
through 31 December 2024 (WT/L/1039)  
c. Canada – CARIBCAN, granted on 28 July 2015 until 31 December 2023 (WT/L/958, 
WT/L/1112)  
9.4.  In doing so, the General Council considered a report on implementation of the waiver in 
document WT/L/1 112. The representatives of  Canada ; Jamaica (ACP) ; Chad (LDC s); Saint Lucia 
(CARICOM)  and the  European Union spoke. The General Council took note of the report contained 
in document WT/L/ 1112, and of the statements.  
10  TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENC E 
10.1  Date and Venue  (WT/GC/M/1 90) 
10.1.   At the March  meeting, the General Council formally agree d that the Twelfth Session of the 
WTO Ministerial Conference would take place in Geneva at the beginning of December 2021, that 
was during the week of 29 November 202126. The representatives of Cameroon; Saint Lucia 
 
26 In a communication dated 15 April 2 021, the General Council Chair  confirmed that the Twelfth Ministerial 
Conference would take place on 30 November to 3 December 2021.  WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  (CARICOM); the Philippines; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group); Malaysia; Thailand; the 
United Kingdom; Chinese Taipei; Ecuador; the Russian Federation; Jamaica (ACP and GRULAC); the 
European Union; Nige ria; Kazakhstan; the Maldives; China; India; Hong Kong, China; Mauritius 
(African Group); Turkey; Barbados; the Republic of Korea; Namibia; Afghanistan; Chad (LDCs) and 
Qatar  spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
10.2  Statement by the Chair (W T/GC/M/192)  
10.2.   At the July meeting, the  Chair reported on the consultations  he had been undertaking  on 
MC12 preparations. These had been kicked off in  an Informal General Council meeting  on 30  March.  
The Chair's statement at that meeting was circulated in JOB/GC/254. Following this meeting , from 
16 April to 12 May, he had consulted Members  in various configurations  on the preparations for 
MC12, to hear Member's views on a range of issues , including the substantive issues under the 
General Coun cil, the format of the Conference and the outcome document.  At an Informal General 
Council meeting on 28 May, the Chair provided a report  on his consultations , which was circulated 
in JOB/GC/259. Thereafter , he continued consulting Members and group coordi nators and reported 
on those discussions at an Informal General Council meeting held on 22  June (JOB/GC/262) and at 
the July GC meeting (JOB/GC/268). The General Council took note of the Chair's statement.27  
10.3  MC12 Outcome Document – Report by the Chair  (WT/GC/M/193)  
10.3.   At the October  meeting, the Chair reported on his consultations on a possible MC12 outcome 
document . His report was circulated in document JOB/GC/274.  His report covered his consultations 
with individual delegations and group coordinators from 6  to 8 September and on 29 September; 
meetings in a smaller group format on 14, 21 and 23 September and 5 October; and, two Informal 
Meetings of the General Council on 16 September and 23 September. The General Council took note 
of the Chair's report.28 
11  SUPPORTING THE CONCLUSION OF FISHERIES SUBSIDIES NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE 
SUSTAINABILITY OF THE OCEAN AND FISHING COMMUNITIES - DRAFT MINISTERIAL 
DECISION – COMMUNICATION FROM BRAZIL  (WT/GC/M/190 ; WT/GC/M/191; 
WT/GC/M/192 AND WT/GC/M/193 ) 
11.1.   At the March  meeting, the representative of Brazil presented the communication in document 
WT/GC/W/815 which contains a proposed draft Ministerial Decision on this matter. The 
representatives of the Philippines; Costa Rica; Bangladesh; Barbados; Thailand; Norway; Chin ese 
Taipei; the Russian Federation; South Africa; Nigeria; The Gambia; Sri Lanka; Vanuatu (Pacific 
Group); Indonesia; Jamaica (ACP); Fiji; India; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Chad (LDCs); the United 
States; the European Union; Turkey; Namibia and Mauritius (Afri can Group)  spoke. The General 
Council took note of the statements.  
11.2.   At the May meeting, the representative of Brazil made a statement on this matter. The 
representatives of the Philippines; Chad (LDCs); Nigeria; Barbados; Cameroon; Jamaica (ACP); 
Kenya; Van uatu (Pacific Group); Saint Lucia (CARICOM);  the Russian Federation; Mauritius (African 
Group); the United States; South Africa; Bangladesh; Angola; India; Indonesia; the European Union; 
Morocco and Pakistan  spoke. The General Council took note of the stat ements.  
11.3.   At the July meeting, the representative of Brazil made a statement on this matter. The 
representatives of the United States ; Mauritius (African Group) ; South Africa ; India; Chad (LDCs) ; 
Jamaica (ACP); Malaysia ; Saint Lucia (CARICOM) ; Fiji (Pacific Group) ; Bangladesh; Pakistan; Sri 
Lanka;  Thailand ; the Central African Republic ; Nigeria ; Indonesia  and Cameroon . Brazil again took 
the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
 
27 See Paragraph 3.3 for the list of Members that intervened on Item 7 of the July G eneral Council  agenda 
related to the "Pr eparations for the Twelfth Session of the Ministerial Conference – Statement by the Chair", 
Item 7.1 of the July G eneral Council  agenda related to the "WTO Response to the Pandemic – Report by the 
Facilitator and Item 8 of the July G eneral Council  agenda r elated to the "Contributions to the Multilateral Process 
on the WTO Response to the Pandemic".   
28 See Paragraph 3.4 for the list of Members that intervened under all sub -items under Item 5 of the 
October General Council  agenda related to the " Preparations for the Twelfth Session of the Ministerial 
Conference ". WT/GC/W/834  
 
- 12 - 
 
  11.4.   At the October  meeting, the representative of Brazil made a stat ement on this matter. The 
representatives of the Philippines; Mauritius (African Group); Malaysia; Chad (LDCs); Jamaica 
(ACP); Ukraine; the Russian Federation; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); South Africa; Nigeria; Bangladesh; 
Ecuador;  the United States; India; Pakistan; Chile; Indonesia; Chinese Taipei and the European 
Union  spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
12  INTRODUCTION OF A PAPER ON "LEGAL STATUS OF JOINT STATEMENT INITIATIVES 
AND THEIR NEGOTIATED OUTCOMES" – REQUES T FROM INDIA ; SOUTH AFRICA  AND 
NAMIBIA  (WT/GC/ M/190 ; WT/GC/M/191; WT/GC/M/192 AND WT/GC/M/193 ) 
12.1.   At the March  meeting, the representatives of India and South Africa presented their 
communication in document WT/GC/W/819 and made their respective  statement s on this matter. 
The representatives of Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Zimbabwe; Nepal; Cuba; Australia; Costa Rica; 
Chinese Taipei; Colombia; Mexico; the Russian Federation; Japan; the Republic of Korea; the United 
States; Chile; the Philippines; Turkey; Banglades h; Uruguay; Pakistan; Brazil; Canada; the 
European Union; Sri Lanka; Tanzania; the United Kingdom; Hong Kong, China; Norway; Switzerland; 
Singapore; Israel; Peru; Indonesia; Oman; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Cameroon and Nigeria  
spoke. India and South Afr ica again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
12.2.   At the May meeting, the representatives of India and South Africa made their respective 
statement s on this matter and referred to the revision of the document in WT/GC/W/819/Rev.1 
adding Namibia as co -sponsor. The representatives of Nepal; Tanzania; Costa Rica; Chad (LDCs); 
Australia;  the European Union; the Russian Federation; the United Kingdom; Chinese Taipei; 
Norway; Indonesia; Nigeria; Chile; Mexico; the Republic of Korea; Pakis tan; Turkey; Bangladesh; 
Hong Kong, China; Singapore; Japan; Sri Lanka; China; Canada; El Salvador; Kazakhstan; Thailand; 
the Republic of Moldova; Vanuatu (Pacific Group)  and Cameroon  spoke. During its intervention, the 
representative of India referred to items 4  and 8 of the May G eneral Council  agenda .29 The General 
Council took note of the statements.30 
12.3.   At the July meeting, the representatives of India and South Africa made their respective  
statement s on this matter. The representatives of Australia ; Nigeria ; the Russian Federation ; Costa 
Rica; Tanzania ; Chad (LDCs) ; Nepal ; the European Union ; the United Kingdom ; Turkey ; Japan ; 
Chile; the Republic of Korea ; the United States ; Chinese Taipei ; Norway ; Brazil; Singapore ; New 
Zealand ; Pakistan ; Switzerland ; Indonesia ; Thailand; Hong Kong, China; Israel ; Mexico ; Sri Lanka ; 
the Philippines ; Viet Nam  and Paraguay spoke. Argentina; Colombia; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
and Bangladesh subsequently provided their  statements. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
12.4.   At the October  meeting,  the representative s of India  and South Africa  made their respective 
statement s on this matter. The representatives of Sri Lanka; Australia; Nepal; Bangladesh; Japan; 
the Republic of Korea; Chinese Taipei; the European Union; Norway; the United Kingdom; Chile; 
Colombia; Thailand; Pakistan; the Russian Federation; Paraguay; the United States; Israel; the 
Philippines; Indone sia; Switzerland; Nigeria; Mexico  and Zimbabwe  spoke. Tunisia subsequently 
provided its statement. The General Council took note of the statements.  
13  TRADE RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD: A DRAFT FOR MC DECISION – COMMUNI CATIONS FROM CHAD ON BEHALF OF 
THE LDC GROUP  (WT/GC/M/190 ; WT/GC/M/191; WT/GC/M/192 AND WT/GC/M/193 ) 
13.1.   At the March meeting,  the representative of  Chad (LDCs) presented again its c ommunication s 
in documents WT/GC/W/806 and WT/GC/W/ 807. The representatives of  Nepal; Bangladesh; 
Mauritius (African Group); The Gambia; South Africa; the United States; China; Norway the Central 
African Republic; Japan; Jamaica (ACP); India; the Philippines; Nigeria; Cambodia and Vanuatu 
 
29 Item 4 of the May G eneral Council  agenda related to the "TRIPS Council Matters - Status Report on the 
Considerations by the TRIPS Council on the "Proposal for a Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS 
Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of COVID -19" – Statement by the Chair of the Council 
for TRIPS", and Item 8 of the May G eneral Council  agenda related to  the "Paper Titled "The Legal Status of 'Joint 
Statement  Initiatives' and  their Negotiated Outcomes" – Request from India and South Africa ".  
30 At its request, the statement of the delegation of Colombi a is incorporated in the Minutes of th e May  
General Council meeting and can be found in Annex 1 of document  WT/GC/M/191 . WT/GC/W/834  
 
- 13 - 
 
  (Pacific Group)  spoke.  Chad (LDCs)  again too k the floor . The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
13.2.   At the May meeting, the Chair reported on his consultations on this matter following the 
request made by the LDC Group for him to facilitate a conversation on the LDCs' communications . 
The repre sentatives of Chad (LDCs); Bangladesh; Angola; Nepal; Fiji; Tanzania; Barbados; Vanuatu 
(Pacific Group); Jamaica (ACP); China; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); South Africa; Mauritius (African 
Group); India; Indonesia; Uganda; the United States; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group); 
Nigeria and the European Union  spoke. Bangladesh and Chad (LDCs) again took the floor. The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
13.3.   At the July meeting, the representatives of Chad (LDCs) and Bangladesh made their 
respective statements  on this matter. The representatives of Nepal ; Tanzania ; the United States ; 
China ; Mauritius (African Group) ; South Africa ; India and Nigeria  spoke. Chad (LDCs) again took the 
floor. The European Union; Niger and Uganda subsequently pr ovided their statements. The General 
Council took note of the statements.  
13.4.   At the October  meeting,  the representatives of Chad (LDCs) and Bangladesh referred to the 
revised LDC Graduation Fact Sheet in document WT/GC/W/806/Rev.1 and made  their respective 
statements  on this matter. The representatives of the United States; Nepal; Mauritius (African 
Group); the European Union; South Africa; the United Kingdom; Japan; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); 
India; Jamaica (ACP); China; Senegal; Nigeria  and Turkey spoke . The D irector -General also took 
the floor.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
14  PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES FOR WTO COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES ADDRESSING 
TRADE CONCERNS – COMMUNICATION FROM AND STATEMENT BY CO -SPONSORS 
(WT/GC/M/1 91; WT/GC/M/1 92 AND WT/GC/M/1 93) 
14.1.   At the May meeting, the representative of the European Union, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
provided an update on Members' work on the  proposal in document WT/GC/W/777/Rev.5. The 
representatives of China; Mexico; the Republic of Korea; India; Chinese Taipei; Bangladesh; Chad 
(LDCs); Mongolia; South Africa; the United Kingdom and the United States  spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the statements.  
14.2.   At the July meeting, the representative of the European Union, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
provided an update on this matter and referred to the revision in document WT/GC/W/777/Rev.6. 
The representatives of Chad (LDCs); Nigeria; India; South Africa; Chinese Taipei; the Republic of 
Korea; Uruguay; Paraguay; Chile; India; Bangladesh ; Jamaica (ACP)  and the United States spoke. 
Uganda subsequently provided its statement. The General Council took note of the statements.  
14.3.   At the October  meeting, the representative of the European Union, on behalf of the co -
sponsors, made a statement on this matter. The representatives of the  United States; Chad (LDCs); 
Ukraine; Chinese Taipei; South Africa; Bangladesh; India and the Republic of Korea  spoke.  The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
15  PROPOSED GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION ON PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE 
TRANSPA RENCY AND IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
UNDER WTO AGREEMENTS – ARGENTINA; AUSTRALIA; CANADA; CHILE; COSTA RICA; THE 
EUROPEAN UNION; ISRAEL; JAPAN; REPUBLIC OF KOREA; MEXICO; NEW ZEALAND; 
NORWAY; THE PHILIPPINES; SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS 
TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; UNITED KINGDOM AND THE 
UNITED STATES (WT/GC/M/192 AND WT/GC/M/193)  
15.1.   At the July meeting, the representative of the United States, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
presented their communication  on this matter in document JOB/GC/204/R ev.6 – JOB/CTG/14/R ev.6. 
The representatives of the Republic of Korea ; Norway ; Chinese Taipei ; Canada ; Uruguay ; the United 
Kingdom ; Mexico ; Mauritius (African Group) ; Switzerland ; China ; Australia ; the European Union ; 
Japan ; Chad (LDCs) ; Tanzania ; Costa Rica ; Paraguay ; Turkey ; Bangladesh ; Jamaica (ACP) ; Chile; 
Pakistan ; Saint Lucia (CARICOM) ; South Africa ; Singapore ; India; Israel and the Philippines  spoke . 
The United States again took the floor. The Gen eral Council took note of the statements.  WT/GC/W/834  
 
- 14 - 
 
  15.2.   At the October  meeting,  the representative of the United States, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
presented the  revision of their  communication on this matter in document JOB/GC/204/Rev. 7 – 
JOB/CTG/14/Rev. 7. The repre sentatives of the United Kingdom; Iceland; the Philippines; Turkey; 
Chinese Taipei; Paraguay; Brunei Darussalam; South Africa; China; Japan; Mexico; Israel; Mauritius 
(African Group); Jamaica (ACP); the Republic of Korea; Canada; Pakistan; India; Banglades h; 
Indonesia  and Singapore spoke. The United States again took the floor. The General Council took 
note of the statements.  
16  G90 DECLARATION ON SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT – COMMUNICATION 
FROM SOUTH AFRICA ON BEHALF OF THE G90  (WT/GC/M/192)  
16.1.   At the July meeting, the representative of South Africa, on behalf of the G90, presented their 
communication entitled "G90 Declaration on Special and Differential Treatment" circulated in 
document WT/GC/234. The representatives of Nigeria ; Mauritius (African Group) ; Pakistan ; Chad 
(LDCs) ; Jamaica (ACP) ; Fiji (Pacific Group) ; Saint Lucia (CARICOM) ; the Central African Republic ; 
the European Union ; China ; Kenya ; the United Kingdom ; India; the United States ; Bangladesh ; 
Cameroon ; Zimbabwe ; Nepal ; Indonesia ; Sri Lanka ; Vanuatu; Brazil  and Norway spoke.  South 
Africa ; the United States ; Nigeri a; Sri Lank a; Cameroon ; Mauritius (African Group)  and the European 
Union again spoke. South Africa again  took the floor. The Director -General intervened three times 
during the discussion. Uganda and Fiji subsequently provided their statements. The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
17  JOINT COMMUNICATION ON SYSTEMIC ISSUES – STATEMENT BY SWITZERLAND  
(WT/GC /M/192 ) 
17.1.   At the July meeting, the representative of Switzerland , on behalf of co -sponsors, presented 
their joint communication on systemic issues circulated in document WT/GC/W/82731. The 
representatives of  China ; the United Kingdom ; Uruguay ; the Philippines ; Chinese Taipei ; the Russian 
Federation ; Japan ; South Africa ; Mauritius (African Group) ; Tajikistan ; the  Republic of Korea ; 
Singapore ; Viet Nam ; India; Chad (LDCs) ; Ecuador ; Kazakhstan  and Mexico spoke.  Switzerland 
again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
18  STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL CHARACTER OF THE WORLD TRADE 
ORGANIZATION – REQUEST FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP  (WT/GC/M/192)  
18.1.   At the July meeting, the representative of Mauritius , on behalf of the African Group , presented 
their communication entitled " Strengtheni ng the Multilateral Character of the W TO" circulated in 
document WT/GC/W/825.  The representatives of Botswana ; Cameroon ; Jamaica (ACP) ; Chad 
(LDCs) ; Pakistan ; the European Union ; China ; India; the Central African Republic ; Kenya ; the 
Philippines ; Sri Lanka ; South Africa ; Côte d'Ivoire  and Tanzania  spoke. Ma uritius  (African Group)  
again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
19  SAUDI ARABIA'S RESTRICTIVE POLICIES ON POULTRY IMPORTS – REQUEST FROM 
BRAZIL  (WT/GC/M/192)  
19.1.   At the July meeting, the representative of Brazil made a statement on this matter. The 
representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States spoke. The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
20  USE OF INTERPREFY PLATFORM – STATEMENT BY MOROCCO (W T/GC/M/190)  
20.1.   At the March32 meeting, the representative of Morocco made a statement on this matter. The 
General Council took note of the statement.  
 
31 The revisions of this document can be found in WT/GC/W/827/Rev.1 and WT/GC/W/827/Rev.2.  
32 This item was taken up under "Other Business".  WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  21  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  
21.1  Reports and Recommendations (WT/GC/M/1 91, WT/GC/M/192 and 
WT/GC/M/193)  
21.1.   At the May meeting, the CBFA Chai r introduced the report of the CBFA in document 
WT/BFA/1 93 including the Committee's recommendation . The General Council approved the Budget 
Committee's specific recommendation in paragraph 5.11 of WT/BFA/193 urgi ng Members and 
Observers under Administrative Measures to liquidate their arrears, took note of the CBFA Chair's 
statement and adopted the report in WT/BFA/193.  
21.2.   At the July meeting, the CBFA Chair introduced the report s of the CBFA in document s 
WT/BFA /194, WT/BFA/195 and WT/BFA/196. The representative of India took the floor. The General 
Council took note of the CBFA Chair's statement  and of the other statement made and adopted the 
reports in WT/BFA/194, WT/BFA/ 195 and WT/BFA/ 196. 
21.3.   At the October  meetin g, the CBFA Chair introduced the report of the CBFA in document 
WT/BFA/19 7. The General Council  took note of the CBFA Chair's statement and adopted the report 
in WT/BFA/197.  
22  WTO PENSION PLAN  
22.1  Reports (WT/GC/M/1 92) 
22.1.   At the July meeting,  the Chair of the WTOPP  Management Board presented to the General 
Council the 20 20 Annual Report of the World Trade Organization Pension Plan and the 20 20 Report 
of the External Auditor which could be found in documents WT/L/1111 and WT/L/1113 and 
WT/L/1113/C orr.1. The General C ouncil took note of the reports and of the WTOPP Management 
Board Chair's statement.  
23  ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS (WT/GC/M/1 90; 
WT/GC/M/1 91; WT/GC/M/1 92 AND WT/GC/M/1 93) 
23.1.   In October 2012, the General Council approved a recommendation from the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration regarding revised Administrative Measures for Members in 
arrears, as contained in WT/BFA/132, Annex I. These new revised Measures entered into force on 
1 January 2013. These Measures r equired that at the end of each meeting of the General Council, 
the Chair of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration should provide information with 
regard to which Members and Observers were under Administrative Measures; and, the General 
Council Chair would request Members and Observers in Categories II and III to inform the Secretariat 
as to when the payment of arrears might be expected.  
23.2.   At the General Council meetings in March , May, July and October33, the Chair of the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration provided information with regard to which 
Members were under Administrative Measures and the Chair request ed Members and Observers in 
Categories II and III  to inform the Secretariat as to when the payment of arrears might  be expected . 
The representative of Cuba spoke at the October meeting . The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
24  INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE UNCTAD/WTO – REPORT OF THE JOINT ADVISORY 
GROUP ON ITS 54TH SESSION  (WT/GC/M/191)  
24.1.   At the May meeting, the Gen eral Council considered a report of the Joint Advisory Group on 
the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO on its Fifty -Fourth  Session (ITC/AG(LI V)/280), which 
had been considered initially by the Committee on Trade and Development at its meeting on 
29 March where it had been presented by the Chair of the Joint Advisory Group, Ambassador Athaliah 
Lesiba Molokomme ( Botswana ). The CTD Chair made a statement on the Committee's consideration 
of the report. The representatives of Chad (LDCs); Mauritius (African G roup); the European Union; 
Norway; Kenya  and the International Trade Centre (Observer) spoke.  The Director -General also took 
 
33 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the March, May, July and October meetings.  WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  the floor.  The General Council took note of the CTD Chair's statement and of the other statements, 
and adopted the report of the Jo int Advisory Group.  
25  REVIEW OF WTO ACTIVITIES (WT/GC/M/190)  
25.1.   At the March  meeting, the General Council took note of the Report of the Working Group on 
Trade, Debt and Finance in document WT/WGTDF/19 . The representatives of India; C ôte d'Ivoire; 
Tanzania; Mor occo and the United States spoke. The Director -General also took the floor. The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
26  CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT – AUSTRALIA; 
CANADA; THE EUROPEAN UNION; ISRAEL; JAPAN; MONTENEGRO; NEW ZE ALAND; THE 
SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; UNITED 
KINGDOM; AND THE UNITED STATES  (WT/GC/M/192 AND WT/GC/M/193)  
26.1.   At the July meeting, the representative of the United Kingdom, on behalf of co -sponsors, 
made a statement on this matter. The representatives of  Switzerland ; China ; Israel ; Hong Kong, 
China; the United States ; Japan  and Chinese Taipei  spoke. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
26.2.   At the October  meeting, the representative of the United States , on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
delivered a statement on this matter circulated in document RD/GC/16. The representatives of  Hong 
Kong, China; China; Chinese Taipei  and Japan  spoke . Chinese Taipei again took the floor. The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
27  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL FOR 
TRADE IN GOODS – REPORT BY THE CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
27.1.   At the July meetin g34, the Chair and the CTG Chair reported on this matter. The representative 
of India spoke. The General Council took note of the consensus on the proposed slate of names for 
the appointment of officers to the subsidiary bodies of the Goods Council, as att ached to the 
convening notice sent to all delegations on 27 July with the understanding that he, as Chair of the 
General Council, would undertake consultations on the overall exercise on the appointment of 
officers to avoid a repeat of such a situation in the future.  The representatives of Mongolia; the 
Russian Federation; the United States; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mexico and Chile spoke. The 
General Council took note of the statements.35 
28  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES (WT/GC/M/1 90 AND WT/GC/M/1 93) 
28.1.   At the March  meeting,  the Chair recalled that in accordance with the Guidelines for 
Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies approved by the General Council in 2002 (WT/L/510), and 
the related practical steps to improve their implementation (JOB/GC/22), he, together with the Chair  
of the Dispute Settlement Body, Ambassador D acio Castillo  (Honduras ), and the former General 
Council Chair, Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand),  had conducted consultations on a slate 
of names for the appointment of Chairpersons to WTO regular bod ies listed in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 
in the Annex to the Guidelines. The process had included an Informal General Council meeting which 
had been held on 24 February where he had presented a slate of Chairs for the bodies in Group 1, 
that was the General Coun cil, the Dispute Settlement Body and the Trade Policy Review Body. For 
the bodies in Groups 2, 4 and 5, he had noted that they had a single candidate for most of them but 
that he had been informed very recently of another nomination for a competing candida te for the 
TRIPS Council. He had indicated that he would engage with group coordinators ahead of that meeting 
with a view to finding a solution. Since then, he had been advised of the withdrawal of the 
candidature. He had then sent a communication on 26 Fe bruary informing all Members that they 
would be in a position to present a complete slate of names for the General Council's consideration.  
 
34 Before tak ing up this item, a n Informal GC meeting was convened on 28 July to discuss the appointment 
of officers for subsidiary bodies of the Council for Trade in Goods. The Chair 's statement, the report of the CTG 
Chair and statements of Members who requested that  those be reflected in the minutes of th e July General 
Council  meeting can be found in Annex 4  of document WT/GC/M/192 . 
35 At its request, the statement of the delegation of Colombia is incorporated in the Minutes of th e July  
General Council meeting and can  be found in Annex 4 of document WT/GC/M/192 . WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  28.2.   The full slate of names for the WTO regular bodies in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 resulting from the 
consultations read as  followed : 
General Council   H.E. Mr. Dacio Castillo (Honduras)  
Dispute Settlement Body  
 H.E. M r. Didier Chambovey  (Switzerland)  
Trade Policy Review Body  
 H.E. Dr. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana)  
Council for Trade in Goods  
 H.E. Mr. Lundeg Purevsuren (Mongolia)  
Council for Trade in Services  
 H.E. Mr. Ángel Villalobos Rodríguez (M exico) 
Council for TRIPS  
 H.E. Mr. Dagfinn Sørli (Norway)  
Committee on Trade and Development  
 H.E. Dr. Muhammad Mujtaba Piracha (Pakistan)  
Committee on Balance -of-Payments 
Restrictions  H.E. Mr. Dmitry Lyakishev (Russian Federation)  
Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration  H.E. Dr. Bettina Waldmann (Germany)  
Committee on Trade and Environment  
 H.E. Mr. Manuel A.J. Teehankee (Philippines)  
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
 H.E. Dr. Cleopa Kilonzo Mailu (Kenya)  
Working Group on Trade, Debt and 
Finance  
 H.E. Ms. Cheryl K. Spencer (Jamaica)  
Working Group on Trade and Transfer of 
Technology  
 
 H.E. Mrs. Le Thi  Tuyet Mai (Viet Nam)  
28.3.   The General Council took note of the Chair's  statement and of the consensus on the slate of 
names for the appointment of officers in the WTO bodies . The Chairs of the CTG and CTS  then made 
statement s on the consultations on the Chairmanships of the subsidiary bodies of the two Councils 
in accordance with the relevant guidelines. The representative of India  spoke. The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
28.4.   At the October  meeting,  the Chair recall ed that,  as part of the agreed solution to resolve the 
impasse in the appointment process for Chairs of CTG subsidiary bodies it was decided that the Chair 
should urgently begin consultations on the overall process of the appointment of officers. He  
theref ore reported on his consultations  on this matter, and his report  was subsequently circulated 
in document JOB/GC/277. The representatives of India; the European Union; the Russian Federation 
and Mauritius (African Group)  spoke. The General Council took note  of the statements.  WT/GC/W/834  
 
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  29  APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT DIRECTOR -GENERAL (WT/GC/M/189)  
29.1.   At the February  special meeting, following the formal recommendation of the Chair, supported 
by the Facilitators, in accordance with Paragraph 19 of the Procedures, the General Coun cil agreed 
to appoint Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala of Nigeria as the Director -General of the WTO, starting on 
1 March 2021 until 31 August 2025. The appointment was made pursuant to Paragraph 21 of the 
Procedures in document WT/L/509, mutatis mutandis, and the understanding reached by the 
General Council in July 2020 regarding interim arrangements that would continue to apply until the 
beginning of the term of office of the DG -designate, on 1 March 2021 .  
29.2.   The newly elected  Director -General,  Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala; the Chair ; and Deputy Director -
General Karl Brauner, representing all DDGs,  spoke. The representatives of Nigeria; Gabon; 
Mauritius (African Group); the Central African Republic; Chad (LDCs); Switzerland; the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia (Arab Group); Barba dos; the United States; Singapore; Indonesia; Brazil; China; 
Argentina; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Israel; the Russian Federation; Sri Lanka; Japan; Panama (El 
Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Dominican Republic); Turkey; Morocco; the European Union; 
Mozambique;  Brunei Darussalam (ASEAN); India; Honduras; Ecuador; New Zealand; Iceland; 
Colombia; South Africa (ACP); Mongolia (Asian Group of Developing Countries and LLDCs); Ghana; 
Norway; Mexico; Cambodia; the Republic of Korea; Jamaica; Panama (GRULAC); Tanzania; Zambia; 
Nepal; Chinese Taipei; Lao PDR; Viet Nam; Bangladesh; Uruguay; Costa Rica; the Maldives; Burkina 
Faso; Hong Kong, China; Afghanistan; the United Kingdom; Australia; Cameroon; Vanuatu; The 
Gambia; Angola; the Republic of Moldova; Botswana; Albania; Canada; Thailand; Pakistan; Ukraine; 
Peru; Cuba; Malaysia; Togo; Kenya; the Philippines; Namibia; Zimbabwe; Oman; Côte d'Ivoire; 
Liechtenstein; Chile; Uganda; Tunisia; Fiji (Pacific Group); Tajikistan; Djibouti; the Plurinational 
State of Bolivia; Madagasc ar; Mali; Kazakhstan; Egypt; the Kyrgyz Republic; Benin; the Bolivarian 
Republic of Venezuela and the Syrian Arab Republic (Observer) then took the floor to welcome 
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala's appointment.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
30  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/1 90) 
30.1.   At the March  meeting, the Chair,  H.E. Dr. David Walker (New Zealand),  as the outgoing 
presiding officer of the General Council, made a statement. The General Council then unanimously 
elected H.E. Mr. Dacio Castillo (Hondu ras) to the Chair.  
30.2.   The Director -General and the newly  elected Chair spoke. The General Council took note of the 
statements. The representatives of Mauritius (African Group); Thailand; the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia; India; Jamaica (GRULAC and ACP); Sri Lanka; Peru; Singapore; Pakistan; Chad (LDCs); 
Guatemala; Cambodia; Vanuatu; Barbados; Botswana; Cameroon; Honduras; Bangladesh; China; 
Nigeria; the Philippines; South Africa; Chinese Taipei; Turkey; Malaysia; Nepal and Oman  spoke. 
The General Council took  note of the statements.  
__________