RESTRICTED  
  
TN/S/44  
 
13 February 2024  
(24-1280) Page: 1/2 
Council for Trade in Services  
Special Session    
 
 
REPORT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR ZHANAR AITZHAN , CHAIR OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OF   
THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN SERVICES TO  THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE  
1.1.  The purpose of this communication, which is made under my own responsibility, is to report to 
the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) on discussions in the Special Session of the Council for 
Trade in Services since MC12 .  
1.2.  At MC12, Ministers endorsed text on services that was developed by Members in the Special 
Session and which I forwarded  for Ministers' consideration and inclusion in the MC12 outcome 
document.1 In paragraph 10 of the outcome document, Ministers underscored the vital role of 
services trade in the global economy and in the post -pandemic economic recovery. They also 
recognis ed the need to facilitate the increasing participation of developing Members, including LDCs, 
in global services trade, including by paying particular attention to sectors and modes of supply of 
export interest to them.  
1.3.  After the Ministerial Conference, I issued, in November 2022, an invitation to consult. I asked 
delegations how they wanted to follow up on that ministerial guidance in the context of the Special 
Session. I recalled, in this regard, that, in Article IV of the GATS, the increasing participati on of 
developing countries is to be facilitated by the negotiation of specific commitments under Article  XIX. 
I also asked how delegations wanted to follow up on discussions undertaken before MC12, which 
were based on communications circulated by Members o n market access issues and aspirations in 
the sectors of tourism, environmental services, logistics, agriculture -related services and financial 
services. A group of Members had also presented a paper on different sectors impacted by the 
pandemic and relate d challenges.2    
1.4.  I reported on those consultations at an informal meeting of the CTS SS held on 13  March 2023.3 
As I subsequently reported to the TNC, I had heard, in those consultations, a good level of interest 
in, and openness for further exchanges a nd deliberations in the Special Session on issues relevant 
to its mandate.4 Some delegations had limited appetite for negotiations at this juncture, and this 
coloured their view of further work. But many delegations appeared to have interest in using the 
platform of the CTS SS to discuss relevant issues. Regarding exploratory discussions on market 
access, many of the delegations consulted expressed appreciation for the communications circulated 
and the focused exchanges on different sectors, and they hoped  that those discussions could 
continue. I also heard interest in discussing issues mentioned in the MC12 outcome document, in 
particular the need to increase the participation of developing countries in global services trade, 
including by paying attention to sectors and modes of supply of export interest to them.  
1.5.  At the meeting of 13 March, two suggestions were put forward: first, to conduct preparatory 
technical discussions on sectors and modes of export interest to developing countries and, second, 
to und ertake an exchange of information on Members' RTA practices and autonomous liberalization 
in the area of trade in services. Support was voiced at the meeting for these suggestions from 
delegations, and, in my concluding remarks, I noted that the Special Se ssion would pursue further 
work in those areas,  and I encouraged delegations to make submissions in order to focus 
exchanges.5 
 
1 WT/MIN(22)/W/12  
2 JOB/SERV/282 ; JOB/SERV/286 ; JOB/S ERV/293  and Rev.1 -2; JOB/SERV/299  and Rev.1 -4; 
JOB/SERV/300  and Rev.1; JOB/SERV/301 ; JOB/SERV/302 ; JOB/SERV/305 ; JOB/SERV/308 . An overview of 
those discussions was included in my report to the TNC prior to MC12 in TN/S/42 . 
3 JOB/SERV/TN/1  
4 JOB/SERV/TN/2  
5 JOB/SERV/TN/2  TN/S/44  
 
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  1.6.  On 6 October 2023, an informal meeting of the CTS SS was held to exchange views on issues 
of relevance for the work of the CTS S S, including with respect to sectors and modes of export 
interest to developing countries, against the background of the co -publication on trade in services 
by the WTO and the World Bank Group that had been launched in July. The meeting flowed from the 
suggestion made by some delegations at the meeting of the TNC held on 20 July. On 24 July, I 
circulated a message to delegations informing of the suggestion made at the TNC and I invited 
delegations to approach me to share opinions. On 19 September, I circula ted a convening notice for 
an informal meeting on 6 October and, on 21 September, I circulated an annotated agenda6 that 
suggested a number of questions to facilitate discussions, as suggested by various delegations 
during consultations.  
1.7.  At the meeting, a  delegation expressed concerns about the convening of the meeting. It had 
reservations about the organization of an informal meeting of a negotiating body to discuss an 
'external' publication that had not been mandated by Members. It also questioned the li nk between 
the questions set out in the annotated agenda and the work of the Special Session. The delegation 
also said that it had not received the message circulated on 24 July.  
1.8.   In my opinion, the views expressed by delegations at the meeting underscore d the services 
sector's growing contribution to national economies and jobs, as well as the importance of expanding 
services trade for growth and development. Sectors of export interest for developing countries 
mentioned by delegations included digitally s upplied services, services related to business process 
outsourcing, recreational and tourism services, and health and wellness services.  
1.9.  In the exchange of views by delegations, it was noted that technological developments had 
enabled digitally deliverabl e services, expanding the scope of cross -border supply of services and 
allowing small suppliers in remote areas to reach consumers and sell their services. The contribution 
of expanded services exports to diversification was also stressed. But some also no ted that much 
remained to be done for developing countries to take advantage of export opportunities. Some 
delegations indicated that better conditions for trade in services could benefit the export of 
agricultural and manufacturing products, and that libe ralization of transport and logistics services 
would be key to facilitating goods exports. Some delegations underscored how services trade and 
related policies were important in promoting inclusion, pointing, for example, to the contribution of 
services tr ade in providing economic opportunities for women and youth, or in supporting the growth 
of MSMEs. The role of services trade in supporting the transition to a greener economy and climate 
mitigation, helping meet sustainability objectives, and enhancing re silience was also mentioned by 
delegations, as was the contribution of services trade policies in fostering an enabling business 
environment.  
1.10.   Challenges related to services trade were also mentioned by a number of delegations, who 
noted that support was required to overcome obstacles faced by developing countries, including 
smaller economies, and help increase their participation in internationa l trade. Some delegations 
underscored that having access to better services trade data and existing measures would help in 
facilitating the increased participation of developing countries. Some delegations noted the 
importance of revived international coop eration and policy reform to harness the potential of services 
for enhanced growth and development. The value of binding commitments was also noted, while a 
group of developing countries recalled the existing opportunities and flexibilities for developing 
countries and LDCs found in Article XIX and IV of the GATS.  
1.11.   Overall, discussions have been limited since MC12, in contrast to a greater level of activity 
and contributions from Members in the years following MC11. In that context, in terms of the way 
forward, I hope that Members will be able to reinvigorate work and intensify discussions after MC13. 
The built -in mandate agreed by Members in GATS Article XIX has not produced results since 2000, 
even though the contribution of services to the global economy and trade has continued to gain in 
importance since then, for economies at all levels of development. Despite this, I believe, on the 
basis of earlier consultations, that there is broad interest in further work and exchanges of views on 
issues of relevance  to the built -in agenda. Some Members underscored the importance of obtaining 
Ministerial guidance on trade in services at MC13, and I understand that proposals have been made 
by delegations in the context of the MC13 outcome document process being led by the Chair of the 
General Council.  
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