RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
15 June 2021 
(21-4885) Page: 1/20 
Committee on Trade and Development  
114th Session    
 
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 29 MARCH  2021 
Chairman: H.E. Dr Muhammad Mujtaba Piracha (Pakistan)  
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  ................................ ................................ .....................  2 
B. ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND 
DEVELOPMENT  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  2 
C. OBSERVERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  2 
(I) Request for attendance of ad hoc  observers  ................................ ................................ ... 2 
(II) Further consideration of requests for observer status by the League of Arab States, 
the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Gulf Organization for Industrial 
Consulting, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, the Common Fund for 
Commodities, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) and the Groupe de 
la Banque Africaine de Développement  ................................ ................................ ...................  3 
D. REPORT OF THE 54TH SESSION OF THE JOINT ADVISORY GROUP ON THE 
INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE UNCTAD/WTO (ITC/AG(LIV)/280)  ...............................  3 
E. BRIEFING BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SUB -COMMITTEE ON LEAST DEVELOPED 
COUNTRIES ON THE WORK OF THE SUB -COMMITTEE  ................................ ........................  6 
F. TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND TRAINING  ................................ ..............................  7 
(I) Facilitating Beneficiaries' Application to WTO Technical Assistance Activities - Presentation by 
the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation  ................................ ................................ . 7 
G. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT – WORK IN THE COMMITTEE ON THE BASIS OF THE 
CHAIRMAN'S CONCLUDING STATEMENT FROM THE EIGHTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
(WT/MIN(11)/11)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  10 
(I) Committee on Trade and Development Mandate: Focal Point for Consideration and 
Coordination of Work on Development in the WTO – Proposal from Barbados, Belize, China,  
Cuba, Ecuador, India, and the African Group (WT/COMTD/W/208)  ................................ ...........  10 
(II) Operationalization of the CTD's mandate: A Proposal to Deliver Outcomes based on the 
MC8 Mandate - Proposal from Chi na, Cuba, Ecuador, India and the African Group 
(WT/COMTD/W/192)  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  10 
H. SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT PROVISIONS IN WTO AGREEMENTS AND 
DECISIONS – NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT (WT/COMTD/W/258)  ................................ ... 12 
I. NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE ENABLING CLAUSE  ................................ ...................  13 
(I)  Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Notification of Customs Union – Communication from China, 
Egypt and India  (WT/COMTD/W/175)  ................................ ................................ ...................  13 
J. REVIEW OF STEPS TAKEN TO PROVIDE DUTY -FREE AND QUOTA -FREE MARKET 
ACCESS TO LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES ................................ ................................ ..... 14 
K. WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ ..................  16 
 WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  L. ELECTION  OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SUB -COMMITTEE ON LEAST DEVELOPED 
COUNTRIES  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  19 
M. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING ................................ ................................ ..................  20 
N. OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 20 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  
1. The incoming  Chairman , Dr Muhammad Mujtaba Piracha of Pakistan,  welcomed delegations 
to the 114th Regular Session of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD). He recalled that, 
on 4 March 2021, the General Council had noted the consensus on a slate of names of the 
Chairpersons of WTO bodies for 2021, including his as Chairman of the CTD. He explained that he 
was opening the 114th Regular Session because the former CTD  Chairman – 
Ambassador  Mohammad  Qurban Haqjo of Afghanistan – had left Geneva and was therefore unab le 
to be present at the meeting. Turning to the draft agenda for the meeting , which  was contained in 
Airgram WTO/AIR/COMTD/22/Rev.1 of 19 March 2021 , he indicated that he wished to a make a brief 
intervention under "Other Business" concerning a regular upd ate prepared for the CTD by the 
Secretariat on the participation of developing economies in the global trading system. The next 
update was due for later in the  year.  
 
2. The agenda was adopted , as amended . 
B. ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT  
3. The incoming  Chairman  said that, under the present agenda item, the Committee  would 
formally elect him as Chairman. He recalled once again that, on 4 March 2021, the General Council 
had noted the consensus on a slate of names of the Chairpersons of WTO bodies for 2021, including 
his as Chairman of the CTD.  
4. The Committee elected  Dr Muhammad Mujtaba Piracha of Pakistan as the Chairman of the 
CTD for 2021 . 
5. The Chairman  thank ed Members for their confidence and trust  in having elected him Chairman 
of the CTD. He additionally  thank ed the former Chairman  for having  steered the Committee over the 
past year. He noted that the CTD played an important role a s the focal point for the consideration 
and coordination of work on  development in the WTO  and indicated that he would work closely with 
Members on the various areas of the CTD's work. He also indicated his intention to hold informal 
consultations in small groups on expectations for the CTD in the current year.  
C. OBSERVERS   
(I) Request  for attendance of ad hoc  observers  
6. The Chairman  recalled that, at previous sessions of the CTD, Members had agreed to invite a 
number of intergovernmental organizations on an ad hoc  meeting -by-meeting basis. These were the  
Arab Maghreb Union, the Economic Community of Central African States, the  Economic  Community 
of West African States, the Economic Cooperation Organization , the  Inter-Arab Investment 
Guarantee Corporation, the Islam ic Development Bank, the  African  Union, the Organization  of the 
Islamic Conference, the South Centre, the  Pacific  Islands  Forum, the United Nations Environment 
Programme, the  West African  Economic and Monetary Union, and the World Intellectual Property 
Organization.  These organizations had been invited to the present meeting. He proposed that the 
same organizations be invited to the next formal meeting of the CTD.  
7. It was so agreed . WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  (II) Further consideration of requests for observer status by the Le ague of Arab States, 
the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countrie s (OPEC) , the Gulf Organization for 
Industrial Consulting, the Organi sation Internationale de la Francophonie , the Common 
Fund for Commodities, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Cou ntries (OAPEC) 
and the Groupe de la Banque Africaine de Développement  
8. The Chairman  said that the positions of delegations had been previously expressed. He 
inquired whether there were any changes in Members' positions on these requests for observer 
status . 
9. No Member took the floor.  
10. The Chairman  noted that there were no changes in Members' positions , and therefore that 
there was no consensus at the present  time to approve these requests for observer status . He 
suggested that the Committee take note, and revert to these requests at the next meeting.  
11. It was so agreed . 
D. REPORT OF THE 54TH SESSION OF THE JOINT ADVISORY GROUP ON THE 
INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE UNCTAD/WTO (ITC/AG(LIV)/280)   
12. The Chairman  said that the 54th Session of the Joint Advisory Group  (JAG)  on the International 
Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (ITC) was held on 25 November 2020. The report of the meeting wa s 
contained in ITC document ITC/AG( LIV)/280. He welcomed Ambassador Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme 
of Botswan a, the Chairperson of the J AG, and invited her to introduce the report .  
13. The Chairperson of the JAG  provided an overview of the discussions that had taken place at 
the JAG meeting. In the context of the JAG 's review of the ITC 's annual report for 2019, she observed 
that the ITC had surpassed its targets on almost every indicator. Some of the key results  from 2019 
included a delivery of USD 129 million across all budgets; USD 302 million extra -budgetary funds 
secured for 2020 and beyond; the value of transacted business and mature international trade and 
investment deals facilitated by ITC amount ing to USD 1 billion; trade and investment leads and deals 
in earlier stages of negotiation created through ITC 's work amount ing to more than USD 2 billion; 
and over 26,000 extra enterprises bec oming  more internationally competitive.  The ITC's crucial role 
within t he Geneva trade hub was recogni zed by the then Secretary -General of the United Nations 
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD ), Mr Mukhisa  Kituyi , and by 
WTO Deputy  Director -General Mr Yonov Frederick Agah. They praised the continuing collaboration 
among the three organizations, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation  and e-trade, as well as  
with respect to trade and market intelligence. They had stressed that the ITC 's work w ould take on 
even greater importance in building back  a better global economy  following the economic 
repercussions of the COVID -19 pandemic. The three organizations w ould, therefore, maintain close 
collaboration in order to make trade more sustainable and inclusive, while promoting development 
and fight ing poverty.  
14. At the JAG meeting, the Executive Director of the ITC, Ms Pamela Coke -Hamilton , had stated 
that 2020 marked one of the most significant inflection point s in people 's lives , in particular as the 
COVID -19 pandemic had dramatically reshaped the world . The Executive Director had  outlined the 
pandemic 's impact on the global economy, as whole sectors were locked down, borders were closed , 
and trade protectionism spiked. It was  pointed out that the global recession had particularly negative 
consequences o n micro, small and medium -sized enterprises ( MSMEs ), and especially women and 
young people. If protectionism bec ame entrenched, trade imbalances that exacerbate d existing 
inequalities between regions would  grow, and the least developed countries (LDCs) wou ld be at risk 
of falling further behind.  The Executive Director had also outlined how the pandemic had forced the 
ITC to adapt the delivery of its projects and programmes , and had pointed out that COVID -19 could, 
in some areas, present an opportunity to build back boldly and put gender equality, social 
responsibility, and environmental protection at the heart of the recovery. The Executive Director 
reiterated the ITC's commitment to  work with funders and beneficiaries to deepen its interventions 
and provide its expertise and services where they were needed the most. The ITC's funders were 
thanked for their continued commitment and financial contributions in 2019. It was  calculate d that 
USD 1 in extra -budgetary funding translated into USD 11 worth of international export and 
investment transactions, which demonstrat ed the value -for-money ethos. Delegations were WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  informed that the ITC would  begin consultations on the next strategic plan, which w ould run from 
2022 to 2025 . In this regard, t he Executive Director had welcome d input on how to pivot the ITC 
towards recovery and resilience.  
15. The Chairperson of the JAG went on to say that delegat ions had applauded the ITC for the 
results achieved in 2019 . Appreciat ion was expressed for  the continued focus on the most vulnerable 
countries , and the efforts to integrate LDCs and small island states into the global economy. Specific 
areas of the organization 's work that were highlighted included the  strengthening of agricultural 
value chains , with an emphasis on quality improvements and standards, women 's economic 
empowerment, trade and investment facilitation, digital trade and e -commerce, and regional 
economic integration – particularly in support of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). 
The ITC 's work in trade promotion and market linkages through virtual trade fairs and business 
meetings were pointed to,  as well as its investments in youth empowerment, export st rategies and 
trade and market intelligence. Delegat ions expressed concern with the disproportionate impact of 
the COVID -19 pandemic on MSMEs, which they believed made the ITC's mandate more relevant 
than ever. The organization was  praised for its flexibili ty in adjusting its mode of delivery and working 
method s by adapting contents and using digital tools . Delegat ions saw a need to increase action in 
specific industries impacted by the pandemic and across affected value chains, such as tourism. 
Given the di sproportionate impact of the pandemic on women, an increased need was seen for 
women 's economic empowerment through initiatives such as SheTrades . The digital economy was 
identified as a particularly important avenue to rebuild post -crisis economies. Comme nding the 
demand -driven nature of the technical assistance (TA) provided, funders urged the ITC to continue 
delivering with flexibility in the future and encouraged the organization  to enhance communication 
with current and future partners , and with other trade and development organizations. This would 
allow more synergies to be created, as well as new partnerships and funding for specific 
programmes.  
16. She added that t he 2020 ITC Annual Evaluation Synthesis Report was presented  to the JAG. 
The report found that the ITC's Results Framework brought  consistency and convergence to the 
results sought and achieved. Projects that had been evaluated were found to be aligned with 
countries ' priorities , and the needs of the different cate gories of ITC beneficiaries. The ITC's 
programmatic approach , launched in 2016 , was found to be bearing fruit , and the organization 's 
intervention model was found to be effective and reliable. The statements made by delegations 
showed their recognition and  appreciation of the ITC 's work. Both funders and beneficiaries indicated  
that the ITC would continue to play a vital role in supporting small businesses in developing countries 
to become more resilient and respond to the various new global challenges, inc luding the 
COVID -19 pandemic. The JAG delivered a strong message of continued trust and encouraged the 
ITC's management and staff to continue the good work to strengthen trade capacity and connect 
MSMEs to regional markets and the global economy.  She infor med the Committee that t he ITC was 
currently in the process of preparing its next strategic plan for 2022 to 2025 and would be reaching 
out to delegations over the coming  months for feedback and contribution s. In closing, she said that 
she was  pleased to s ee that the relationship between  the ITC and the WTO had becom e even stronger 
in the last few weeks , with the ITC contributing to the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, 
the structured discussions on trade and environmental sustainability, the recent Aid -for-Trade review 
week and the inaugural meeting of the Trade for Peace Network. She trusted that this collaboration 
would continue.  
17. The representative of Kenya  thanked  the JAG Chairperson for her presentation of the report . 
He said that the ITC ha d made invaluable contribution s to international trade and development, 
particularly in the context of the work of the WTO and UNCTAD , and in their endeavo ur to create an 
inclusive and sustainable multilateral trading system  (MTS). The ITC ha d been instrumental in 
supporting MSMEs in many developing countries and LDCs to integrate in to global value chains  
(GVCs) , and in supporting women 's economic empowerment . He also referred to the organization 's 
work on trade facilitation, digital trade, and regional economic integration. In the case of Africa, the 
ITC ha d been at the forefront of the negotiation, conclusion and launch of the Af CFTA. The 
organization had also been active during the COVID -19 pandemic, prov iding insight s and guidance 
to small businesses as they search ed for ways to cope with the operational stress generated by the 
pandemic . For instance, the 2020 Action Plan for supporting small businesses through the COVID -19 
crisis and towards the future h ad been helpful in supporting MSMEs during the crisis and allowing 
them to be at the forefront in terms of generating resilience, inclusiveness, sustainability and growth. 
The pandemic remain ed a real threat to the survival of many MSMEs in developing coun tries, and 
more need ed to be done to support them to weather this protracted storm. In addition to the WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  pandemic, climate change and natural calamities were also a drawback to the economic and social 
development of many developing countries. Kenya therefore  welcome d the timely inclusion of 
Sustainable  Development Goal ( SDG) 13 on climate change into the ITC's portfolio of indicators , and 
in mainstreaming environmental sustainability across its interventions. Kenya also commend ed the  
ITC's initiatives to promote a low-carbon circular economy , as this ha d a positive impact on the 
environment, job creation , and ultimately the attainment of the SDGs . In closing, he expressed his 
delegation 's appreciation for the ITC 's role in trade policy  – and particularly the integration of MSMEs, 
youth and women in trade, and the efforts towards environmental sustainability in relation to trade . 
He called for more support to  the ITC to enable it to further advance its programmes and to make 
more enterprises  internationally competitive.  
18. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDC Group , expressed appreciation to the 
JAG Chairperson. He said that t he ITC play ed a crucial role in helping to develop LDC s' trade 
capacities by supporting MSMEs and their integ ration into regional value chains and GVCs . The LDC 
Group was relying on the continuation and  the broadening of the ITC 's efforts to improve the 
competitiveness and trade  of LDCs . This was even more important in light of  the impact of the 
COVID -19 crisis. The LDC Group was expecting the ITC to work on all areas of trade facilitation that 
were likely to improve the integration of LDCs into world trade. In particular, it was important to 
focus effectively on the participati on of women and young people in value creation. He call ed on 
development partners to continue to support the ITC in its activities on the ground , so as  to build 
the trade capacities of LDCs to ensure sustainable development.  
19. The representative of the United States  indicated her delegation 's appreciation for  the briefing 
by the JAG Chairperson on the ITC 's 2020 annual performance review. Building on the current 
recommendations, it call ed for the ITC to collaborate more with the WTO, which the ITC plan ned to 
do. Her delegation saw this as important in moving forward. Her delegation also acknowledge d the 
recent efforts by the Executive Director, Ms. Pamela Coke -Hamilton , to engage with WTO Members 
and hear directly from them. She  appreciate d the Executive Director 's willingness and openness to 
continue the dialogue in the budget Committee , but also in the CTD , including on the formulation of 
the ITC 's next four -year plan and funding process. As pointed out in the Synthesis Evaluation Report, 
the ITC relie d on extra -budgetary resources for its trade -related TA interventions. These were mainly 
project -focused, and relatively short -term in duration. The ITC review also underscored that 
ITC projects were complex, and might require the building  of long-lasting partnerships and local 
engagement in order to successfully address  the sustainability and impact of  long-term projects.  
To build on the complexity of the ITC's TA, there was a need to identify ways forward to improve 
coordination between the WTO an d the ITC, thereby enhancing the WTO 's ability to see tangible, 
real world results , made possible by its contributions to the ITC regular budget. Her delegation also 
believe d that increasing ITC participation and specific results reporting directly to the CTD would 
increase project reporting transparency to Members. This information could help inform the work of 
the CTD, among others, and better ensure that the TA provided by Members was complementary. 
Her delegation stood ready to engage with the ITC on th ese issues in an open and constructive way.  
20. The representative of the United Kingdom  thanked the JAG Chairperson for the report.  He said 
that the United Kingdom  had long been a strong supporter and advocate of the work of the ITC. 
Apart from delivering great  results on the ground, the ITC ha d been a model for other Aid -for-Trade 
programme s in adapting its delivery to respond to the challenges of COVID -19. The U nited Kingdom  
was proud to be one of the ITC 's largest donors, with a wide portfolio of programmes. He indicated 
that he wished to highlight the SheTrades Commonwealth  initiative , which was the  
United  Kingdom 's flagship support to women 's economic empowerment. S ince 2018, SheTrades 
Commonwealth ha d provided training to 3,300 women entrepreneurs in four Commonwealth 
developing countries, generating an estimated GBP 30 million worth of sales and supporting the 
creation of over 3 ,000 jobs. The programme also support ed the excellent work of the SheTrades 
Outlook, which provide d a cross -country look at how governments c ould better support 
women 's economic empowerment. His delegation looked forward to working with the ITC to support 
developing countries as the world recover ed from th e global pandemic.  
21. The representative of the European Union  said that the European Union and several of its 
member States were longstanding supporters of the ITC. She thanked the JAG Chairperson for the 
report and pledge d her delegation 's continu ed support to the ITC.  
22. The representative of Cameroon  welcome d the report introduced by the JAG Chairperson . He 
expressed support for the work of the ITC, and in particu lar highlighted the efforts of the WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  Executive  Director to try to respond to the interests and the needs of beneficiary countries on the 
ground . His delegation  encourage d the ITC  to continue the efforts in this direction, so as to ensure 
that the organization 's activities me t the needs identified by beneficiaries , thereby  ensuring  their 
integration into global trad e. He indicated his delegation 's readiness to continue to work with all 
stakeholders and with the ITC to pursue these objectives more ef fectively.  
23. The representative of Egypt  thanked the JAG Chairperson for the report and  commend ed the 
ITC for its efforts in helping developing countries and LDCs to integrat e into the MTS, and fac e the 
challenges of the current pandemic. He called on Member s to continue to support the ITC  in order 
to enhance its role in the provision of TA and capacity -building program mes for developing countries 
and LDC s.  
24. The Chairperson of the JAG  thanked delegations for their interventions. She in dicated that the 
ITC would  respond to the comments that were made . 
25. A representative of  the ITC indicated appreciation for the interventions by delegations, and 
for the expression s of support for the work of the organization. She said that ITC remain ed ready to 
work with Members going forward in its next strategic plan and operation s period.  She also looked 
forward to increasing the collaboration between the ITC and the WTO.  
26. The Committee took note  of the report of the 54th Session of the JAG and forwarded  it to the 
General Council for adoption.  
E. BRIEFING BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SUB -COMMITTEE ON LEAST DEVELOPED 
COUNTRIES ON THE WORK OF THE SUB -COMMITTEE  
27. The Chairman  welcomed Ambassador Monique Van Daalen of the Netherlands,  the 
Chairperson of the Sub -Committee  on LDCs, and invited her to provide a briefing on the work of the 
Sub-Committee . 
28. The Chairperson of the Sub -Committee on LDCs  thanked the CTD for the invitation to provide 
a briefing on the work of the Sub -Committee. She said that  two meetings of the Sub -Committee 
were held  in 2020 , on 30 June and 11 November. The discussions c ould be found in the respective 
minutes of the meetings, and a summary  of the work undertaken was included in the CTD's annual 
report, which was contained in document WT/COMTD/100. The next meeting of the Sub -Committee 
would be held on 19 April 2021. She went on to say that t he Sub -Committee under took its work 
based on the Work Programme for the LDCs, which focused on the systemic issues of interest to the 
LDCs, such as market access, trade -related TA and capacity -building initiatives, accession of LDCs 
to the WTO, and the trade -related elements of the Istanbul Programme of Action  (IPoA)  for the 
LDCs.  She went on to highlight the unprecedented times  that had been brought about by the 
COVID -19 pandemic . She noted that the pandemic was  still not over , and uncertainty remain ed all 
around. The trade -related impacts of the pandemic on LDCs were at the centre of discussions in 
both meetings of the Sub -Committee in 2020 . At the meeting in June, UNCTAD and the World Bank 
presented insights from their respective analyses, pointing to the severe consequences of the crisis 
for LDCs , due to weak health care systems, eco nomic vulnerabilities and lack of financial resources. 
In the discussion s, Members underlined the importance of facilitating trade in medical supplies and 
essential goods and expressed their support to help the LDCs recover from the pandemic. At the 
meetin g in November, Members discussed the Secretariat's yearly report on market access for LDCs. 
The report for 2020 included a special chapter on the trade developments during the first half of the 
year. The analysis showed that exports  of LDCs were hit particularly hard by the pandemic . It was 
the LDCs whose exports were dependent on fuels, clothing and travel services that ha d seen their 
exports drop the most.  
29. In terms of monitoring trade -related TA and capacity -building initiatives, the Sub-Committee 
considered briefings by the secretariats of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and the 
Standards and Trade Development Facility  (STDF) . Discussions  focused on actions taken to manage 
risk and ensure the effective delivery of activities d uring the pandemic. The accession of LDCs to the 
WTO constitute d another systemic issue, which was considered by the Sub -Committee on an annual 
basis. Eight LDCs were currently in the accession process. In 2020, accession working parties were 
held for Como ros, Ethiopia and Timor -Leste . Good progress had been  made on LDC accessions, even 
though the pandemic  had slowed down some of the work. Finally, the Sub -Committee also heard a WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  briefing by the WTO Secretariat on progress made in the implementation of the E IF-WTO project on 
LDC graduation, including the publication of the report titled "Trade impacts of LDC graduation". She 
was pleased to note that the  WTO was able to assist graduating LDCs to better understand the 
trade -related implications of graduation. I t was her  understand ing that graduation -related proposals 
were being discussed in several WTO bodies.  Going forward, the Sub -Committee w ould continue to 
consider the systemic issues of interest to LDCs in the MTS. In this regard, she indicated that she 
wished to highlight two issues . First, with regard to market access for LDCs, the Sub -Committee 
would  continue to monitor trends in LDC trade during the pandemic. At the next meeting in April, 
the Secretariat w ould provide a trade update which w ould further improve Members ' understanding 
of the trade impact of the pandemic on LDCs. A second issue relate d to the international community 's 
agenda on LDCs , as t he IPoA for the LDCs had ended in 2020. A new Programme of Action for the 
LDCs was expected to be adopted at the Fifth U nited Nations  Conference on the LDCs (LDC5 ) that 
would  take place in Doha, Qatar, in January 2022. At the next meeting  of the Sub -Committee , the 
United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, La ndlocked 
Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN -OHRLLS) would provide a briefing on 
the preparatory process leading up to the Conference . She concluded by thanking Members, and 
especially the LDCs, for their constructive engagement in the Sub -Committee.  
30. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDC Group , expressed appreciation to the 
Chairperson of the Sub -Committee on LDCs for her briefing. H e welcome d the work undertaken and  
the reports produced in the Sub -Committee on issues conc erning LDCs and their ability to access 
external markets. In the current context of the COVID -19 crisis, the analytical work carried out in 
the Sub-Committee was even more important in helping to guide the LDCs ' responses to the crisis. 
The issue of LDC accession was also as important as issues relating to market access for LDC goods 
and services. He indicated that, according to the United Nations  (UN), there were three criteria  to 
determine inclusion in the list of LDCs . These were : gross national income ; human assets ; and 
economic vulnerability to external shocks. LDCs were particularly vulnerable to economic and 
environmental shocks and ha d a weak human resource base. The COVID -19 pandemic was 
exacerbating the f ragile situation in LDCs. In addition, LDCs did not have the same health tools to 
fight th e crisis as some other countries, and therefore  very much depend ed on their developed and 
developing country partners. He added that t he impact of shocks in LDCs was always greater. One 
of the reasons for this was the fragility of the economies , which was linked to  the low levels of 
industrialization and diversification in domestic production. Th erefore , when a main export sector 
was affected, LDC economies and their p opulations suffer ed major losses. The main challenge for 
LDCs was to emerge from th e crisis as quickly as possible , and to be able to better cope with such 
situations in the future. Trade and market access for LDCs' goods and services was a vehicle through 
which they could  develop the necessary economic strength. The activities carried out in the 
Sub-Committee were important and help ed towards the better integration of LDCs in world trade. It 
was therefore important for the Sub-Committee to continue these efforts to better respond to the 
concerns of LDCs.  
31. The representative of the European Union  thanked the  Chairperson of the Sub -Committe e on 
LDCs for the briefing provided. She said that the work of the Sub -Committee was of great importance 
to her delegation. The particular vulnerability of the LDCs was recognized through 
the European  Union 's market access instrument for LDCs, as well as i n terms of Aid for Trade. She 
agreed with the remarks by Chad that Members should focus on strengthening efforts to support the 
LDCs in dealing with the COVID -19 pandemic. Members could look forward to the continued support 
of the European Union for the wo rk of the Sub -Committee.  
32. The Committee took note  of the briefing by the Chairperson of the Sub -Committee on LDCs, 
and of all interventions.  
F. TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND TRAINING  
(I) Facilitating Beneficiaries' Application to WTO Technical Assistance Activities - 
Presentation by the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation  
33. The Chairman  invited a representative of the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation  
(ITTC)  to make a presentation on facilitating beneficiaries' applicat ion to WTO TA activities.   WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  34. The representative of the ITTC referred Members to the Technical Assistance Management 
System (TAMS) webpage, which was accessible from the WTO website. On the TAMS webpage, it 
was possible to find information on the various TA activities being organized by the WTO, including 
with regar d to the target audience, the language in which the activity was being organized, and the 
prerequisites to be able to apply for that activity.  He demonstrated the new elements of the system, 
which had been introduced in order to make it easier for a large number of individuals to apply online 
for the WTO 's TA activities . The first step to apply for an activity was to create an account. 
Subsequently, when applying for an activity, an individual would need to provide certain types of 
information to demonstrat e that the prerequisites for that particular activity were met. It was also 
necessary to submit a completed nomination form, which was available online in the context of the 
application process. The completed nomination form would need to provide informati on on the 
nominating authority, and would need to be signed and stamped with the official seal of the 
institution nominating the individual. The information submitted would be taken into account during 
the selection process. At the end of the selection pro cess, participants who ha d applied for the 
activity would  be informed o f the results. T he permanent mission s in Geneva of the selected 
candidate s would  also be informed.   
35. The Chairman  said that, before opening the floor, he wished to provide some updated 
information to the Committee regarding the WTO Chairs Programme  (WCP) . He recall ed that, at the 
112th Session of the CTD on 29 September 2020, under the agenda item concerning technical 
cooperation and training, his predecessor in the Chair had informed the Committee that the 
responsibility for the W CP had been transferred from the ITTC to the Knowledge Management 
Division ( KMD). The importance of providing regular updates to the Committee on the programme 
was highlighted. As he had recently been in  contact with the KMD, he wished  to share with the 
Committee the updated information that ha d been provided to him.  
36. He went on to say that, for a decade, the WCP had provided support and promoted capacity 
building in trade -related academic research , teach ing programmes and outreach activities . 
Universities in developing countries and LDCs ha d provided policy advice to governmental and other 
stakeholders. A total of 19  universities were currently part of the network of WTO Chairs, and a new 
cohort of WTO Ch airs was being selected to substantially expand the size of the programme in the 
next four -year cycle.  In November 2020, the Secretariat  had issued a call for expressions of interest 
for the next four -year cycle of the programme, which was the programme's third phase. This was 
followed, in December 2020, by a call for applications. By the deadline of 1 March  2021, applications 
from 126 universities in 54 WTO Members had been received from developing countries, LDCs, 
recently acceded WTO Members and acceding  governments. This represent ed an increase of about 
80% compared to about 70 applications received for the last four -year cycle of the programme. 
Applications from LDCs significantly increased and account ed for 21% of applications. With respect 
to world re gions, Latin America account ed for 29% of applications, Africa for 28%, Asia -Pacific for 
23%, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the Caucasus countries (CEECAC) for 16% 
and Arab countries for 4%. This impressive response from beneficiary count ries w ould permit the 
inclusion of more universities from LDCs and under -represented regions in the programme, thereby 
enhancing the diversity in geographic representation. Henceforth, the programme w ould also be 
aligned more closely with other modes of de livery of WTO  TA, as well as with the WTO's economic 
and other research activities. The programme was modified to intensify networking with more 
universities, policymakers and stakeholders, and mentoring opportunities for all participants. 
The KMD w ould coordinate the selection process for the third phase of the programme. This w ould 
involve a cross -cutting team from several Divisions at the WTO, and an assessment by the 
programme's Academic Advisory Board of renowned experts. Given the high number o f applications 
and the current transition in WTO senior management, the selection process w ould take a number 
of weeks. A further update w ould be provided to the CTD at the next meeting.  
37. The representative of the Republic of Korea  expressed appreciation fo r the work of the KMD 
in launching the third cycle of the WCP . He stressed the importance of the WCP  and welcomed the 
interest that had been shown in the third cycle.  He also welcomed the continued reporting  in the 
CTD of the activities of the WCP . 
38. The rep resentative of Chad, on behalf of the LDC Group , express ed appreciation for the work 
of the Secretariat  in building human and institutional capacities in LDCs . He noted that, despite the 
pandemic and the associated travel restrictions, the WTO  and its partners were  able to launch the 
process to bring interns from LDCs to Geneva.  He recalled that the permanent missions of LDCs 
suffered from insufficient human resources, and in this regard indicated that the interns were of WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  great help in allowing  LDC delegations to participate in negotiations and discussions on subjects of 
interest in international forums in Geneva. With regard to the TA provided to LDCs by the WTO, he 
indicated that he wished to reiterate the request that the activities planned f or the 2020 -2021 period , 
but which could not be carried out due to the COVID -19 pandemic and travel restriction measures, 
be completed without reducing the entitlement to future  TA. With regard to the WCP, he welcome d 
the fact that many LDCs ha d submitted applications to join th e programme. He said that LDCs were 
particularly vulnerable, and the W CP wa s a significant tool available to LDCs in order to support their 
development effort s. The LDC s remain ed convinced that the WCP remain ed relevant  and useful in  
order to share knowledge on  the functioning of  international trade, the MTS, and WTO Agreements. 
He would continue to actively encourage LDCs to take ownership of th e programme, so that more 
WTO Chairs were established among LDCs. Given the importance of digital tools, he also consider ed 
it vital for the WCP to support LDCs in building their capacities in science, technology and innovation , 
which would allow them to address various challenges and seize opportunities to achieve the SDGs . 
It was important to facilitate access to appropriate technologies through technology transfer and 
access to research and technical knowledge. The WCP could help to strengthen partnerships and the 
coordination of science, technology and innovation between LDCs and stakeholders involved in new 
technologies.  
39. The representative of the United States  expressed appreciation to the ITTC for the briefing 
provided on the new platform for accessing TA, which she found helpful. She inquired when the new 
webpage would become active. She also noted that she had not been able to capture all that the 
Chairman had said on the WCP, and asked whether it would be possible for delegations to receive a 
copy of the Chairman 's intervention.  
40. The representative of Cameroon  thanked the ITTC for the presentation and appreciated the 
efforts to facilitate the participation of beneficiary countries in the WTO's TA activities . He noted with 
satisfaction the increase in applications to  the WCP, and indicated that Cameroon had also applied 
to the programme. He asked how best to reach the Secretariat so as to obtain further information 
on the WCP and facilitate the selection process.  
41. The representative of the European Union  said that the European Union and several of its 
member States were longstanding contributors to the Global Trust Fund (GTF) and took great 
interest in the effective and efficient management of the various activities. She also expressed 
appreciation to the ITTC for the briefing and welcomed discussions on improv ing the functioning of 
the activities under the GTF.  
42. The representative of Colombia  thanked the ITTC for presenting the platform and for 
developing new facilities for accessing training programmes. S he said that her country had benefited 
greatly from the training courses and activities organized by the Secretariat. She asked when the 
platform would become available. She also wished to know whether the platform would help the 
Geneva -based missions monitor the various activities  and the participants that had been accepted .  
43. The representative of Malawi  said that his mission was small, and delegates were  often not 
able to attend all relevant meeting s. He expressed appreciation for the initiative by the IT TC.  
44. The representative of the ITTC said that he would first respond to the issue raised by Chad on 
the continued availability of TA activities  which could not take place in 2020 and 2021. He said that 
the Secretariat would do all that was possible to ensure that countries that were not able to benefit 
from the TA that they required as a result of the consequences of the pandemic , would be able to 
have access to these activities once it bec ame possible to organize travels  again . Efforts would also 
be made to increase the number of participants in the activities. In the meantime, significant efforts 
were being made to organize virtual activities . With regard to the timing of the release of the 
platform, he said that the intention w as to deploy it shortly. On the availability of information on the 
various activities to the Geneva -based missions, he said that when an activity was approved and 
appeared on the list of upcoming activities, all delegations to which the activity was open w ould be 
informed. Delegations would also be informed of the participants that were eventually selected.  
45. The Chairman  said that, when a new system was deployed , feedback from users could help 
improve its functioning. He therefore suggested that the possibil ity be given to users to provide 
feedback on the new platform being introduced by the ITTC .  WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  46. The representative of the ITTC said that the initial  deployment would be in a  pilot phase . 
The ITTC would then address any comments or reaction s that were received . 
47. The Chairman  said that the Secretariat would send out a communication to delegations, which 
would include the intervention he had made on the WCP, as well as information on how delegations 
could obtain further details  on the programme.   
48. The Committee took note of the presentation by the ITTC, and of all interventions.  
G. TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT – WORK IN THE COMMITTEE ON THE BASIS OF THE 
CHAIRMAN'S CONCLUDING STATEMENT FROM THE EIGHTH MINISTERIAL 
CONFERENCE (WT/MIN(11)/11)  
(I) Committee on Trade and Development Mandate: Focal Point for Consideration and 
Coordination of Work on Development in the WTO – Proposal from Barbados, Belize, 
China, Cuba, Ecuador, India, and the African Group (WT/COMTD/W/208)  
(II) Operationalization of the CTD's Mandate: A Proposal to Deliver Outcomes based on the 
MC8 Mandate - Proposal from China, Cuba, Ecuador, India and the African Group 
(WT/COMTD/W/192 )1 
49. The Chairman  said that, at the Eighth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC8), Ministers had 
reaffirmed the positive link between trade and development and called for focused work in the CTD. 
Ministers had called on Members to fully operationalize the mandate of the CTD as a  focal point for 
development work. Two submissions containing proposals for work under the MC8 mandate were 
included on the agenda of the present meeting. The first submission – by Barbados, Belize, China, 
Cuba, Ecuador, India and the African Group, and co ntained in document WT/COMTD/W/208 – was 
for the CTD to report on the development -related work taking place in other WTO bodies. The 
second  submission – by China, Cuba, Ecuador, India and the African Group – was contained in 
document WT/COMTD/W/192. This s ubmission contained three proposals. In the order they were 
presented in the document, the first proposal was for the Secretariat to continue to update its report 
on the implementation of the special and differential treatment ( S&D) provisions in the 
WTO Agreements and Decisions. The second proposal was for the CTD to report on the development -
related work taking place in other WTO bodies, while the third proposal was for the CTD to make a 
recommendation for parties to regional trade agreements (RTAs) to su bmit their notification and 
information requirements jointly. He noted that the two submissions had remained on the CTD's 
agenda for several years. At the last meeting , a number of the proponents had requested that the 
submissions be maintained on the agen da. He indicated that he would first invite the proponents of 
the two submissions to brief the Committee on the status of the propos als, after which the floor 
would be opened for intervention s by other delegations . 
50. The representative of India indicated tha t her intervention related to both document 
WT/COMTD/W/208 and document WT/COMTD/W/192. She said that the two submissions, when 
taken together, contained three proposals. The first proposal, which was for the Secretariat to 
continue to update its report on  the implementation of S&D provisions in the WTO Agreements and 
Decisions, was discussed and agreed to at the 87th Session and the 109th Session. Turning to the 
second proposal, which was for the CTD to report on the development -related work taking place in 
other WTO bodies, she said that this proposal was in line with the terms of reference (TORs) of the 
CTD, as well as with the MC8 mandat e. She also noted that there was a precedent from 1996 for 
this type of work in the CTD, as her delegation had previously highlighted. The proponents were 
simply urging the CTD to restart this practice. As for the third proposal – which was for the CTD to 
make a recommendation for parties to RTAs to submit their notification and information 
requirements jointly – the proponents believed that this would help ensure a timely consideration of 
RTAs, and the full realization of the responsibilities assigned to t he CTD. She expressed the 
willingness of the proponents to engage in informal consultations in order to arrive at a consensus. 
In closing, she requested that the items concerning the two submissions be maintained on the CTD's 
agenda.  
 
1 The discussion concerning documents WT/COMTD/W/208 and WT/COMTD/W/192 is presented together 
in this Note, as the Chairman invited the Committee to take the two sub -items together .  WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  51. The representative of Cameroon , on behalf of the African Group,  said that the proposals under 
consideration were designed to strengthen the capacity of the CTD to fulfil  its mandate. With regard 
to the first proposal in document WT/COMTD/W/192 concerning the updating of the 
Secretariat  paper on the implementation of S&D provisions in the WTO Agreements and Decisions, 
he said that the CTD 's TORs included the instruction to periodically review S&D provisions , in 
consultation  with other appropriate bodies of the WTO . The objective was to facilitate inclusive trade, 
including through  the operationalization of  S&D provisions. He encouraged the Secretariat to 
continue to update its paper, so as to allow the Committee to get a full picture of the implementation 
of S&D provisions, thereb y also facilitat ing the operationalization of these provisions . On the 
second  proposal, which was contained in document WT/COMTD/W/208  as well , he explained that 
the proponents were  looking for the CTD to act as the focal point for the consideration and 
coordination of work on development  in the WTO.  In this regard, he stressed the importance of 
development issues in the WTO, which deserved Members ' attention more than ever. In the 
CTD's role as the focal point  on development issues, the proponents were suggesting that other 
Committees would inform the CTD on all  issues being discuss ed that related to development . The 
report prepared by the CTD would then provide an overall picture  of development issues under 
consideration in the WTO . Turning to the third proposal in document WT/COMTD/W/192, he 
explained that the proponents wished the CTD to follow a similar  practice to other WTO bodies , 
whereby parties to RTAs submitted their notification and information requiremen ts jointly. He said 
that the blockage on these proposals should not continue, and in this regard , he encouraged 
Members to find a solution . He requested that the submissions remain on the agenda and called for 
a satisfactory outcome  to be found . 
52. The repres entative of China  said that her intervention relate d to documents 
WT/COMTD/W/208 and WT/COMTD/W/192. China wished to echo India and Cameroon in reiterating 
the need and merit of continuing the discussion on these two submissions.  Her delegation welcome d 
the updated Secretariat report on the implementation of S&D provisions  in the WTO Agreements 
and Decisions , which could  contribute to a more in -depth discussion among Members on how to 
advance development work in the WTO. China wished to request the Secretariat to continue to follow 
this practice. Recalling the CTD's TORs, she noted that the CTD serve d as the focal point for 
consideration and coordination of development work in the WTO. The updated Secretariat note 
showcased  the cap acity of the CTD to coordinate with other WTO bodies to collectively report on 
development -related work regularly. However, there remained  a lot more work ahead in the CTD to 
fully deliver on its mandate. How to further engage other WTO bodies on th e repor ting was of high 
relevance to the WTO, and worthy of more discussion and consideration. To conclude, she said that 
China was willing to work with other Members towards a fully functioning CTD.  Her delegation  
remain ed open to further consultations with Memb ers to find a way to address their concerns. She 
request ed that the two submissions  under discussion  remain on the agenda for the next meeting.  
53. The representative of Pakistan  said that his intervention c ame in support of previous speakers 
and the co -spons ors of the proposals contained in documents WT/COMTD/W/208 and 
WT/COMTD/W/192. The proposals ha d been on the agenda for a long time, and it was unfortunate 
to note that there ha d been no progress. Pakistan view ed development as one of the most 
fundamental pillar s of the WTO , and th e CTD w as a crucial forum for taking stock of the 
implementation, operationalization and further discussion o f development -related elements of the 
WTO's work. The two submissions present ed proposals that were workable and simple to implement . 
In the view of his delegation, the proposals were not controversial , as they address ed a key area  all 
Members  aimed to strengthen. The proposals , and the need to address development issues , had 
become even more current in the wake of the pandemic and its multifarious challenges. His 
delegation  therefore encourage d Members to continue discussing this matter  with a view to finding 
workable solutions . He also request ed that the proposals be maintained on the CTD 's agenda.  
54. The represent ative of the United States  said that eight years was sufficient time for the 
proposals to have been fully considered by other Members. Moreover, the proponents themselves 
had failed to take any initiative for several years to advanc e their ideas. It was time for the 
proponents to address the concerns raised previously by Members – either by revising their 
proposals, or by dropping the proposals altogether. Either way, the items needed to  be removed 
from the CTD agenda until the propon ents ha d something new to say. Her delegation had  repeatedly 
stated on the record that there was no consensus for these items to remain on the agenda as 
standing items as if there was unfinished business to address . In fact , in repeated meetings, previous  
Chairs ha d had to actively solicit acknowledgement of the item from the proponents. While the  
proponents were free to add these items to the agendas of future meeting s, the United States did  WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  not agree to these as standing items. Her delegation failed to see any basis from the CTD 's rules of 
procedure that would justify these items remaining on the agenda , without  the required action by 
the proponents. With respect specifically to the proposal for the CTD to make a recommendation for 
parties to RTAs to submi t their notification and information requirements jointly, the United States 
had repeatedly stated that the proposal suggested a diminishing of Members' substantive rights and 
obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the General  Agreement on 
Trade in Services (GATS), and the Enabling Clause. Her delegation saw no prospect for consensus 
on the proposal in either the CTD or the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA). The only 
outcome from the proposal would be to provide one  Member with the right to prevent others from 
complying with their notification obligations, which would be prejudicial in the face of any dispute 
settlement proceedings regarding a particular RTA. The proponents had failed to make their case.  
55. The representative of the European Union  believed that it would be useful if any informal 
meetings organized to discuss the submissions under consideration could also involve participation 
from other Members besides the proponents. This might help to avoid  a repetition of the same 
positions at each formal meeting. She indicated her delegation's openness to participate in any such 
discussions. She went on to say that her delegation's understanding of the MC8 mandate was that 
the CTD should further explore th e positive link between trade and development. This needed to be 
based on constructive exchanges on clearly identified topics, in line with the instruction from MC8 
to carry out focused work. She emphasized that the European Union had engaged constructivel y on 
the proposals submitted in the context of the MC8 mandate that had previously been agreed to by 
the Committee. However, the remaining proposals did not respond to the requirement to carry out 
focused work. Moreover, her delegation was not aware of any  efforts by the proponents in the last 
few years to take into consideration comments from other Members or to engage with them. 
Regarding the proposal for the CTD to report on the development work of other WTO bodies, her 
delegation was of the view that th is would give the CTD an oversight function for all aspects of the 
WTO's work. The proposal went against the mandate to act as a focal point on development issues 
and carry out focused work. Members needed to discuss what this focused work should be, and n ot 
re-open the CTD's mandate. Turning to the proposal for the CTD to make a recommendation for 
parties to RTAs to submit their notification and information requirements jointly, she said that this 
needed to form part of a wider discussion in the context of  paragraph 28 of the Nairobi Ministerial 
Declaration.2  
56. She added that the first proposal in document WT/COMTD/W/192 had already been agreed 
upon. The updated Secretariat paper on the implementation of S&D provisions in the 
WTO Agreements and Decisions, w hich was on the agenda of the present meeting, was an outcome 
of the agreement  on this matter . Her delegation found the paper very useful and anticipated that it 
would  be updated every two years. As for the second proposal in document WT/COMTD/W/192, 
which  was replicated in document WT/COMTD/W/208, her delegation did not believe that it 
correspond ed to the CTD's mandate.  Members needed to look for targeted activities for the CTD, 
and not to re-write its mandate. Turning to the third proposal in document WT/ COMTD/W/192, her 
delegation 's concern was  that it impinge d upon the rights and obligations of Members. Her delegation 
did not see the possibility of arriving at a consensus on the second and third proposals. Finally, she 
indicated that  her delegation was o pen to informal consultations in an attempt to make progress on  
these issues. Without such informal consultations, delegations would simply repeat the same 
positions at each formal CTD meeting.  
57. The Chairman  encourage d continued engagement among Members in order to make progress 
on these proposals. While  he had just t aken over as Chairman, and would therefore need some time 
to look into the matte r, he indicated his willingness to organize informal consultations so as  to try 
to move forward .  
58. The Committee took note of all interventions.  
H. SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATME NT PROVISIONS IN WTO AGREEMENTS AND 
DECISIONS – NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT (WT/COMTD/W/258)  
59. The Chairman  said that, a t the last CTD meeting in November 2020, the Committee was 
informed that the Secretariat would begin updat ing its  paper on the implementation of 
 
2 This intervention by the European Union, which was made at the 110th Session, is reflected in the minutes 
of this meeting at the request of the delegation of the European Union.  WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  S&D provisions in the WTO Agreements and Decisions, so that the update could appear on the 
agenda of the present m eeting. The updated Secretariat paper was accordingly prepared and 
circulated in document WT/COMTD/W/258. He understood from the Secretariat that th e update ha d 
the same structure as the previous version of the document, which was circulated in 2018 in 
document WT/COMTD/W/239. The total number of S&D provisions in the WTO Agreements ha d 
firstly not changed and rem ained at 155. A table in the Introduction of the document show ed how 
these 155 S&D provisions were distributed across the WTO Agreements, and also where they fit ted 
into the typology of S&D provisions that the Secretariat had developed several years ago. I n addition 
to containing updated information on the implementation of S&D provisions in the WTO Agreements, 
the paper contain ed a section which list ed various relevant Ministerial and other Decisions, along 
with any updated information available on their i mplementation in the S&D context. Here again, the 
number of Ministerial and other Decisions reflected in the update ha d not changed , relative to the 
previous version of the document, and remain ed at 32. He hoped that th e document would continue 
to serve the purpose of informing Members of the S&D provisions in the WTO Agreements and 
Decisions, and how – on the basis of information available – they were being implemented.  
60. The representative of India thank ed the Secretariat for having updat ed the report. She said 
that t he report serve d a useful purpose  – especially in times of pandemic, where it bec ame all the 
more important to have a compilation of S&D provisions . She emphasized the importance of knowing 
how S&D provisions had been practicall y implemented by Members, and how the y could be useful 
in Members ' post-pandemic recovery efforts. She also noted that s ome Members having flexibilities 
in the form of S&D m ight not even be aware of them , or how to utilize them . They were also perhaps 
not able to utilize them , as the provisions were not precise, effective or operational. In the view of 
her delegation, d etailed discussions  on the actual utilization of S&D provisions , including difficulties 
experienced by Members in that regard , would be a us eful exercise.  
61. The Committee took note of the updated Secretariat report , and of the interventions.  
I. NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE ENABLING CLAUSE  
(I)  Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Notification of Customs Union – Communication from 
China, Egypt and India (WT/COMTD/W/175)  
62. The Chairman  said that the sub -item listed under the present agenda item made reference to 
the GCC Customs Union notification. The sub -item also referred to the communication from China, 
Egypt and India, which was circulated in document WT/COMTD/W/175. The sub -item was requested 
by China and India at the last meeting.  
63. The representative of China  said that the dual notification of RTAs r emain ed an important 
issue, and Members still need ed to give attention to how to address the systemic concerns raised in 
document WT/COMTD/W/175. She requested that the present sub -item remain on the agenda for 
the next meeting.  
64. The representative of India said that document WT/COMTD/W/175 raised systemic concerns 
relating to the legal and procedural implications of the dual notification of the GCC  Customs Union 
under both the Enabling Clause and GATT Article XXIV. These concerns,  which remained 
unaddressed, also applied to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Association of Southeast 
Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea, as well as the Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India the Republic of Korea – even though these agreements 
had already been considered by Members. In this regard, some Members had expressed the view 
that the systemic concerns raised in document WT/COMTD/W/175 were outside the scope of the 
CTD and needed to be discussed in  the Negotiating Group on Rules. In India's view, the CTD was 
the appropriate forum to consider issues arising from RTAs with a dual notification. In doing so, the 
CTD could consult with other WTO bodies, as per paragraph 3 of its TORs. The non -resolution of the 
matters raised in document WT/COMTD/W/175 was the main reason why the consideration of the 
GCC Customs Union was pending for such a long time. Her delegation requested that the present 
sub-item be maintained on the CTD's  agenda.  
65. The representative o f Egypt  said he wished to echo the statements made by China and India 
under  this sub-item. His delegation continue d to believe that the CTD should address the systemic 
concerns raised in WT/COMTD/W/175 in order to resolve this longstanding matter.  WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  66. The repr esentative of the United States  said that  this sub -item had long ago fulfilled its 
purpose of informing Members of the notification made  by the GCC  and needed to be removed from 
the agenda.  
67. The representative of the European Union  indicated that her delegation was of the view that 
this sub-item should be removed from the agenda .  
68. The Committee took note of all interventions . 
J. REVIEW OF STEPS TAKEN TO PROVIDE DUTY -FREE AND QUOTA -FREE MARKET ACCESS 
TO LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES  
69. The Chairman  said that an item concerning duty -free and quota -free (DFQF) market access 
for LDCs had been on the CTD's agenda since early 2006. Under this item, delegations had provided 
information on the steps they were taking, or had already taken, to provide DFQF market access to 
LDCs. Written communications by some Members had also been considered.  
70. The representative of the United Kingdom  said that her delegation strongly believed that trade 
could be an effective way of growing economies and reducing poverty internationally. Th is was why 
the United Kingdom had introduced its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) scheme, which 
provide d DFQF market access to 47 LDCs, and offer ed tariff reduction s to other developing countries. 
Her delegation would be presenting the GSP scheme to Members at the CTD 's 5th Dedicated Session 
on Preferential Trad e Arrangements  (PTAs) , which would be held later in the day. At this point, 
the United  Kingdom wished to reaffirm its commitment to supporting developing countries and LDCs 
in integrating into the global trading system and reducing poverty through trading opportunities.  
71. The representative of the United States  said that she wished to update Members on the 
implemen tation of the trade -related provisions of the U nited States' Caribbean Basin Economic 
Recovery Act (CBERA) , the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) , and  the Nepal and 
Pacific  Islands preferential program mes. Progress on these program mes had been  reported at the 
General Council  meeting of December 2020. By providing duty -free treatment to goods from eligible 
LDCs – especially non -traditional and higher value products  – the United States ' preference 
program mes help ed firms in beneficiary countries to become more competitive internationally, and 
were an example of the way the United States promote d economic growth worldwide. These 
preferential trade regimes help ed to strengthen the United States ' ties with developing countries. 
They were also a means  to promote more open markets, enhance protection of intellectual property 
rights, and embrace stronger worker rights in beneficiary countries. The United States undert ook 
these efforts because it believe d in the benefits that could  accrue to countries fro m fully 
implementing the global trade rules as they were negotiated by WTO Members.  
72. She went on to say that, i n 2019, over 90 % of the United States ' imports from eligible 
AGOA  beneficiaries entered the United States duty -free under AGOA, GSP or other zero -tariff 
provisions.  A couple of  highlights include d an increase in the United States ' imports of textile and 
apparel  – in this case almost all apparel  – from CBERA beneficiaries . In 2019, these  accounted for 
66%, or USD 915 million, of the USD 1.4 billion in imports from countries of the Caribbean Basin. 
In addition, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago remained the leading suppliers of 
the United  States ' imports under CBERA , with the United States importing USD 1 billion from H aiti 
alone in 2019. During the same 2018-2019 period, the United States ' imports under AGOA fell 32.7 % 
– from USD 10.8 billion to US D 7.3 billion  – due in most part to a decrease in the value of imports 
of mineral fuels  in Chapter  27 of the Harmonized Tari ff Schedule (HTS). In 2019, mineral fuels 
accounted for approximately 62 % of imports under AGOA, compared to approximately 73 % percent 
in 2018. Other leading categories of imports under AGOA include d apparel (HTS chapters 61 and 
62) and motor vehicles (HTS  chapter  87), with this last category leading the AGOA non -oil product 
sector for most of the 2017 -2019 period . Apparel  represented US D 1.4 billion, or 19 %, of the United 
States ' total imports for consumption under AGOA in 2019. Leading apparel exporters under AGOA 
were Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana and South Africa. The 
United States had provided substantial trade -related TA to AGOA beneficiaries  to help them make 
the most of the trade opportunities available under AGOA. For example, in 2019, the United States 
had launched Prosper  Africa, which s ought  to expand two -way trade and investment between the 
United States and Africa. Through Prosper Afri ca, the United States was seeking opportunities to do 
business in and with Africa, which benefit ed companies, investors, and workers in both Africa and WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  the United  States. Finally, she said that, i n some cases, trade could  be hampered because of different 
technical regulations between countries. In 2012, the United States  had launched 
the Standards  Alliance, which was an effort to strengthen implementation of the Agreement  on 
Technical Barriers to Trade . The initial program me was recently expanded in 2019.  
73. The representative of India said that she wished to express her delegation 's strong 
commitment to the Hong Kong and Bali DFQF Decisions. India provide d duty-free treatment to LDCs 
for 96% of tariff lines  – with partial preference s on another 114 tariff line s, which amounted to  about 
2.15% of tariff lines. She added that India was the fourth biggest export destination for LDCs after 
the European Union, China and the U nited States, and remain ed committed to provid ing support to 
LDCs to strengthen their integration into the global trading system. Finally, she urged the Chairman 
to continue efforts to help find a solution regarding the Secretariat report on Members' DFQF market 
access for LDCs.  
74. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDC Group , thanked all delegations speak ing 
under the present agenda item for provid ing updates on the steps taken to provide DFQF market 
access to LDCs. He explained that DFQF market access remain ed of importance to LDCs , as it 
contrib uted to stimulat ing their economies, foster ing entrepreneurial activities and creat ing jobs. 
The LDC Group welcome d the regulatory provisions put in place by trading partners , in terms of 
DFQF  market access , and hoped that Members would  go further by increasing the scale and level of 
preferential market access for LDCs. He added that  an important element  contributing to the success 
of the preferences granted to LDCs was the actual utilization rate of the preferences. It had been 
observed  in many cases that LDCs were far from making full use of the preferences granted. It was 
therefore crucial for Members  to jointly identify the impediments to maximizing export potential 
under the preferences granted, so as  to try to remove the obstacles a nd make the preferential 
arrangements more effective. The LDCs were counting on the support of Members, as well as the 
Secretariat, to analy se the existing obstacles. In closing, he noted that, at the last General  Council 
meeting, the Director -General had  emphasized the need to promote a new approach, which involved 
moving away from debate and rounds of questions , and towards the deliver y of results. It was with 
this in mind that the LDC Group intend ed to work to wards  achiev ing concrete results and a 
consen sual outcome on all issues of interest to LDCs.  
75. The representative of  the Republic of K orea said that the drop in exports caused by the 
COVID -19 pandemic wa s a reminder of the importance of DFQF market access for LDCs . His 
delegation recognized the importance of DFQF as a means of facilitating the integration of LDCs into 
the MTS. Korea now provide d duty-free access for 93.3% of tariff lines for goods from LDCs , 
compared to the 90 % that was previously reported. A more detailed breakdown show ed that the 
practical benefits accorded to LDCs was more substantial . In particular , 99.7% of LDC manufactures 
exports enter ed Korea duty -free. Key mining products, which account ed for nearly half of all 
LDC exports to Korea, were also subject to duty -free entry. These numbers were significant when 
bearing in mind that Korea was one of the top 10 export destinations for LDC manufactures , as well 
as for fuels and mining products. Indeed, LDC manufactures exports to Korea grew at an ann ual 
rate of 13 % between 2011 and 2019 . This healthy growth was believed to be at least partly 
attributable to the duty-free treatment provided by Korea to LDCs. It was  hoped that these measures 
would help LDC s' exports recover from the impact of the pandemic.  
76. The representative of the European Union  indicated that she wished to confirm her delegation 's 
strong commitment to the decisions to provide DFQF market access to the LDCs. She said that the 
European Union 's imports from LDCs increased by 5.2 % in 2019 , as opposed to a global increase of 
4.2%. LDCs accounted for 2.2% of the European Union 's imports in 2019. Imports under the 
Everything But Arms initiative increased by 9.9%, with the utilization rate increasing from 93.4 % to 
94%. While it was expected that the statistics for 2020 would look different, her delegation believed 
that the consolidation of the European Union 's trading relationship with LDCs would help the LDCs 
in their recovery from the current shock. In closing, she welcomed the updated information provided 
by Members  – and in particular developing Members  – on their DFQF schemes, and encou raged 
others to provide DFQF market access for LDCs to the extent possible . 
77. The Committee took note of all interventions.   WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  K. WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  
78. The Chairman  said that, as  in previous meetings, he wished  to once again draw 
Members'  attention to the Decision taken at the Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference (MC11) 
concerning the WTO's Work Programme on E -Commerce. In this Decision, which was contained in 
documents WT/MIN(17)/65 and WT/L/1032, it was agreed to continue the work under th e 
Work Programme, and to endeavour to reinvigorate it. He noted that t he CTD was one of the 
subsidiary bodies of the General Council mandated to undertake work under the Work Programme. 
Although there were no specific proposals to consider in the CTD at the present  time, a number of 
Members ha d indicated their interest in this area.   
79. The representative of India said that, under the Work Programme on E -Commerce , Members 
had decided to examine all trade -related issues relating to global e -commerce, taking into account  
the economic, financial, and development needs of developing countrie s. The CTD was specifically 
tasked to report on the development implications of e -commerce . The issues to be examined  
includ ed issues relating  to small and medium -sized enterprises ( SMEs ); the challenges to and ways 
of enhancing the participation of develo ping countries in e -commerce; the financial  implications for 
developing countries; implications of the  possible impact on the traditional means of distribution of 
physical goods ; and the role of improved access to infrastructure and transfer of technology. 
However, no comprehensive assessment of the developmental impacts of global e -commerce 
focusing on exports and the export -oriented development of developing countries ha d been 
undertaken  to date.  Instead, a group of countries under the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) had 
started negotiations among themselves on e -commerce rules , which was  undermining the 
multilateral track instituted under the Work Programme  on E-Commerce . She w ent on to say that 
COVID -19 ha d multiplied the use of e-commerce, both in developed and developing countries . This  
made it all the more necessary to examine the developmental impact of global e-commerce , 
particularly on developing countries ' exports and the associated growth and development. Given the 
existing digital divide, which was exacerbating global inequalities especially in times of COVID -19, it 
was important for Members to ensure that global e -commerce deliver ed inclusive development. To 
gain from global e -commerce, developing countries need ed to advance their digital industrialization 
by building their digital infrastructures and developing their digital skills and capacities. Linking into 
digital platforms was not sufficient, as the products sold on these platforms also need ed to be 
competitive in the digital world. In conclusion, she urged the Membership to examine the mandated 
issues , instead of prematurely jumping to rulemaking. Rulemaking under the JSI at this stage would  
once again create asymmetry and reverse S&D, similar to what existed in the Agreement on 
Agriculture. It would  also create a non -level playing field in support of e xisting players , and against 
the interest of new players. All d id not have the resources and skill s to compete in the game, the 
shape of which was being determined by those who ha d resources and early mover advantage.  
80. The representative of Chad, on behalf of the LDC Group , said that the Group had submitted a 
communication in November  2019 regarding the Work Programme on E-Commerce, which listed 
several challenges that prevent ed LDCs from benefiting from e -commerce. The LDCs  needed these 
challenges to be addressed, so that they could  move forward in this important area , where there 
were opportunities and potential benefits. There was a need to meet certain  prerequisites, and in 
that regard the LDCs hoped to be able to benefit from a ll the Aid for Trade available for this purpose. 
He noted that, i n the context of discussions on the benefits of e-commerce, the LDCs were not as 
enthusiastic as they should be. This was because they currently saw their priorit ies in terms of 
focus ing on bridging the digital divide. They did  not want regulatory requirements or binding 
regulatory provisions to further weaken them. In other words, the LDCs consider ed it essential at 
the present  time to focus on the development of the infrastructure and the means necessary to 
proper ly engage in e -commerce . He noted the use s of technology, and in this regard observed that 
the present virtual meeting allowed participation from all over the world. However , individuals in 
many LDCs had difficulty connect ing. Furthermore, even when connected, the network s were often 
unreliable. Therefore, even participat ing in a simple virtual meeting pose d a significant challenge. 
There were other areas with colossal challenges and where LDCs were in dire need of technology 
transfer, including agriculture, livestock farming, education, health, e-commerce and trade in 
services.  Technology transfer remain ed a vital element for LDCs to ensure the successful 
implementation of development programmes and proje cts. At the present, not all were benefiting 
from technology. Many ha d already been left behind , and were at risk of being left further behind, 
due to persistent inequalities. Huge technological advances ha d been made, but the economic and 
social benefits remai ned concentrated in certain geographical areas or with certain Members. Many 
LDCs ha d few options beyond obsolete technologies. He called on Members to collectively pursue WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  efforts and ensure that the benefits of new technology were harnessed to achieve fair and 
sustainable development. Technology was not an end in itself, but a means to achieving progress 
towards sustainable, inclusive development to the benefit of  all. In closing, he indicated the 
LDC Group 's openness and flexibility to discuss issues relating to e -commerce.  
81. The representative of Pakistan  welcomed the inclusion of the present item on the agenda, 
which he said was an important one for the CTD . His delegation wished  to request that this remain 
a standing item on the CTD 's agenda , similar to the Councils for Goods, Services and Trade -Related 
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ( TRIPS ), and under the direct mandate of the 
Work Programme on E -Commerce. In his delegation's view, the CTD was the most important place 
to discuss the development implications of e -commerce , and to explor e ways for developing 
countries to advance a digital agenda for economic growth and industrialization , given their specific 
economic, financial and development needs. The g rowing literature on the digital divide  permeate d 
beyond infrastructure and connectiv ity, and into the domain of digital skills, capabilities, technologies 
and platforms . Such issues need ed thorough examination and could not be  resolved overnight. At 
the same time, C OVID -19 had not only highlighted the various challenges being faced by dev eloping 
countries , but also the importance of developing digital capabilities and infrastructures for a host of 
reasons. Linked to these issues were the development and financial implications of not allowing 
customs duties on electronic transmissions. Attempts to rush into making new rules, particularly in 
a non -consensual environment , were not only premature , but could  cause lasting damage to the 
prospects of developing countries to address the new challenges. Such rushed rules would  only 
create more anoma lies, as well as  imbalances of opportunity within the rule -based system. His 
delegation therefore  encourage d Members to engage on these issues in the correct, mandated forum 
under a reinvigorated Work Programme , and move forward in a constructive way. This  would also 
allow Members to share their experiences on measures they had actually taken to advance their own 
digital industrialization agenda – a request that ha d been made before in various places. Pakistan 
looked forward to constructive engagement under  the Work Programme going forward.  
82. The representative of Indonesia  stressed the importance for Members to conclude the 
mandate under  the Work Programme on E -Commerce, including in the CTD. Indonesia also wishe d 
to draw attention to the General Council Decision o f 10 December 2019 , in which  Members had 
agreed to reinvigorate the multilateral work under the Work Programme on E –Commerce. Bearing 
in mind the unfolding and rapid development of e –commerce in the present  digital era, this 
multilaterally mandated work ha d never been more important. Members needed to  fully comprehend 
the complexit ies and all other aspects related to e –commerce, in order to further relate these to 
their own social developmental circumstance s. He noted that t he gaps among Members in utilizing 
and reaping the benefits from e –commerce should never  be belittled, as the potential benefits from 
e-commerce needed to  be accessible to all for the development of their economies. Indonesia 
therefore fully support ed the continuation of the  mandated work under the Work Programme on 
E-Commerce, and believed that it was imperative for this work to be advanced.  He urged Members 
to offer their serious commitment and take concrete actions in this regard . 
83. The representative of Australia  said that t he global digital economy offer ed significant benefits 
for developing countries, including to the MSMEs in th ese countries which  stood to benefit from 
online access to more markets. The JSI on E-Commerce would  create an international  framework 
that help ed developing countries unlock the potential of the digital economy. This include d provisions 
that w ould create a more predictable and open online environment for MSMEs and other businesses, 
and commitments that w ould promote consumer confidence in the online space. The E -Commerce 
JSI was open, transparent and inclusive. Many developing countries participate d actively in the 
initiativ e. Their views on the development aspects of the negotiations were encourag ed, and ha d 
shaped the texts under discussion. The E -Commerce JSI d id not undermine the multilateral 
Work Program me on E -Commerce . His delegation was  happy to continue discussions under the 
multilateral Work Program me, including any specific issues countries want ed to raise under the 
Work Program me in the CTD. This include d some of the issues raised by Chad as Coordinator  of the 
LDC Group  in its interv ention , and its previous submission.  In response to Pakistan 's suggestion that 
this be taken up as a standing item, he said that his delegation would prefer to address specific 
issues proposed by countries as they were proposed. This w ould ensure a valuabl e, rich and 
productive discussion.  
84. The representative of Canada  indicated that she wished to repeat her delegation's position. 
For the WTO to be efficient, Members had to  be ready to address a number of issues related to 
e-commerce. The creation of new or modified rules was well overdue. In some cases, Members could WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  move forward on a multilateral basis, but in other cases, the JSI was the best way to pursue common 
objectives. JSI negotiations were inclusive, transparent and open to all  Members, and Canada 
welcome d the progress that ha d been achieved in the negotiations thus far. There had also been an 
increase in the participation of developing Members in the discussions. The test of any outcome, 
regardless of whether it was a plurilate ral or a multilateral outcome , was whether it promote d 
development and sustainable growth, and ensure d a better predictability of the world trading 
system.  
85. The representative of Republic of K orea said that he wished to reiterate his delegation's 
support fo r the ongoing plurilateral negotiations, including under the JSI on E-Commerce, as 
meaningful stepping stone s for multilateral agreement. His delegation  believe d that the open -ended, 
transparent, and inclusive nature of the JSI negotiations could  also be responsive to the diverse 
demand s of various stakeholders, including LDCs and developing countries as a whole.  
86. The representative of Colombia  said that her deleg ation could not let this opportunity pass to 
share  its views on the Work Programme on E-Commerce and the JSI s. With regard to the 
Work Programme, Colombia consider ed that very useful discussions ha d taken place in different 
forums to gain an understanding of the importance and implications of e -commerce and its 
development, and how developing countries c ould benefit from and prepare for trends emerging 
from the increase in e -commerce. Her delegation was open to further discussions in th e CTD on 
issues that may be relevant to e -commerce. With r egard  to the JSIs, as had already been stated in 
other for ums, her delegation wished  to highlight the importance of this work. Each of t he JSIs 
provided the right procedures to ensure that progress was made in their work. These processes ha d 
also been shown to be open, inclusive and transparent . This ha d been made clear by the formal 
participation of many developing countries. The discussions in t he JSIs also t ook into account the 
realities and needs of developing countries. As a developing country facing major economic 
challenges, Colombia consider ed that the various JSIs, including the JSI on E -Commerce, were  a 
major step towards strengthening th e WTO. Her delegation was sure both of their consistency with 
the rules and procedures of the Organization, and of their positive impact on international trade in 
services. This was a matter of priority interest for many developing countries, including  Colombia, 
which had huge potential in this area.  
87. The representative of the European Union  said that she wished to reiterate her delegation's 
commitment to work constructively  in all the regular Committees that were provided mandate s 
under the Work Programme on E -Commerce , including the CTD. That being said, her delegation was 
also of the view that the JSIs were a way to update WTO rules and to revitalize the system, and that 
they did not  fragment or undermine other work. She noted th at there  were several  developing 
countries participating in the JSIs, which was a sign that the  discussion s could  contribute to the  
development objectives  of these countries . She also stress ed that the JSI on E-Commerce was an 
open process , as a ll Members that wished to take part were welcome to join. Finally, she indic ated 
her delegation's understanding of the challenges and constraints faced by various Members, and 
especially the LDCs . In this regard, she took note of the statement by Chad, and  said that her 
delegation would continue to work constructively in all for ums of the WTO.  
88. The representative of Singapore  said that his delegation wished to reiterate that the JSIs were 
in line and in sync with the workings of the WTO. These open plurilaterals did not undermine the 
multilateral workings of the WTO. Instead, they were building blocks towards multilateral agreement, 
which ha d been blocked for various reasons in th e Organization. Legal architecture was a topic that 
was still premature across most of the JSIs. Delegations needed to determine the substance of the 
agreement before engag ing further on the legal form. Nevertheless, it was important for Members 
to get an initial overview of the issues. For instance, t he JSI on E -Commerce would  tackle this topic  
in the first half of 2021. He stressed  that the JSI outcomes were critical to maintaining the relevance 
of the WTO, especially during a time when the Organization was facing an urgent need to reform 
itself and renew its image. His delegation also look ed forward to further constructive discussions on 
the Work Programme on E-Commerce.  
89. The representative of the United States  indicated  that her delegation echoed Australia in not 
wishing to have the present item as a standing item on the CTD 's agenda.  
90. The representative of Hong Kong, China  said that his delegation was  a strong supporter and 
active participant in the JSI on E -Commerce and shared the goal to modernize and strengthen the 
MTS on issues of increasing relevance to global trad e. The need for m ore transparent and predictable WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  trade rules was particularly pressing in light of the COVID -19 pandemic . His delegation believe d that 
the work on the JSI s was contributing to reinvigorating the efforts of the WTO in making new rules 
that respond ed to the a spirations of consumers and business communities across the globe. 
Participants in the JSI on E-Commerce were also providing constructive inputs to ensure that the 
development angle was central in the discussions, with a view to facilitating the participat ion of 
Members at different levels of development. He encourage d more delegations  to join  the JSI on 
E-Commerce, which was open to all Members . His delegation looked forward to engaging with them 
constructively.  
91. The representative of Sri Lanka  said that she wished to concur with the interventions  made 
by India, Chad, Pakistan  and Indonesia , in particular with respect to the mandate given to the 
CTD under the Work Prog ramme on E-Commerce. She also recalled the General Council Decision of 
10 December 2019  concerning the Work Programme on E -Commerce . Her delegation strongly 
supported the continuation of discussions in the CTD under the present agenda item . While 
e-commerce ha d brought  benefits to many countries, it had also brought many challenges, in 
particular challenges related to development.  The CTD needed to address the question of the extent 
to which e-commerce would contribute to a countr y's development.  In addition to  highlighting  the 
digital divide, s he pointed as an example to the difficulties faced by developing countries in the 
collection of taxes, due to the non -availability of statistical systems to track transactions. Until 
developing countries were s ure they had the ability to put in place the necessary mechanisms, this 
remained a development issue for them. With regard to the JSI in E -Commerce, she indicated that 
it had not been mu ltilaterally endorsed, and could not replace the CTD 's discussions und er the Work 
Programme on E -Commerce.  
92. The representative of the United Kingdom  said that her delegation had taken note of the 
comments made by Members . She wished to echo Australia, Canada, the European Union and 
the United States in their support for the JSI on E-Commerce. The U nited Kingdom  believe d that the 
JSI on E-Commerce presented a  vital opportunity for Members to respond to an increasingly digitized 
world . In this regard, she pointed to the imperative of b uilding back sustainably following  the 
COVID -19 pandemic.  
93. The representative of Zimbabwe  indicated  that his delegation  support ed the Work Programme 
on E-commerce, but was not convinced of the relevance of the JSI on E-Commerce in the present 
discussions. His dele gation had  never questioned the right of nations and Members in their sovereign 
capacity to negotiate various agreements which were in their interest. However, t he JSI on 
E-Commerce did not have a multilateral foundation  which his delegation could give relevance  to for 
discussions in the CTD.  
94. The representative of the United States  said that plurilateral negotiations at the WTO could  be 
a useful means to advance issues of interest to Members and to keep the WTO relevant.  Her 
delegation did not view plurilateral negotiations and outcomes as undermining multilateral 
ones.  In fact, plurilateral initiatives could  foster new ideas and appr oaches and build momentum 
toward multilateral outcomes.   
95. The Committee took note of all interventions . 
L. ELECTION OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SUB -COMMITTEE ON LEAST DEVELOPED 
COUNTRIES  
96. The Chairman  said that the normal practice in the CTD was for an item concerning the election 
of the Chairperson of the Sub -Committee on LDCs to be reflected on the agenda of the 
first CTD meeting of the year. In the absence of a sitting CTD Chair in the  past few months, the 
Secretariat had undert aken some consultations on the matter. It was his understanding that 
Ambassador Monique Van Daalen of the Netherlands was interested in continu ing in her role as the 
Chairperson. He therefore wished  to propose that Ambassador Van Daalen s erve for another year 
as the Chairperson of the Sub -Committee on LDCs. He asked if this was acceptable to Members . 
97. The representative of Chad,  on behalf of the LDC Group , said that he wished to pay tribute to 
the efficiency with which Ambassador Van Daalen was conducting the work of the Sub -Committee 
on LDCs, including the analytical work and the consideration of LDC issues. The LDC Group welcome d 
the re-election  of Ambassador Van Daalen, and reiterated its sincere  thanks for her continued WT/COMTD/M/114  
 
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  support, guidance and commitment to supporting the efforts of LDCs to build their capacities so as 
to be able to achieve the  SDGs . The Group  also expressed the wish  that Ambassador Van Daalen  
would be able to visit some LDCs, as she ha d done in the past , so as to allow a better understanding 
of the realities experienced in LDCs. He noted that t his was all the more important in a Ministerial 
year, and therefore  indicated his  hope that the situation following the outbreak of  the COVID -19 
pandemic w ould return to normal soon. 
98. The Committee elected  Ambassador Van Daalen as the Chairperson of the Sub -Committee on 
LDCs for 2021.  
M. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING  
99. The Chairman  said that the next meeting of the CTD's Regular Session was tentative ly 
scheduled to be held on Monday, 28 June 2021. An initial agenda would be circulated four weeks 
before the meeting, on 31 May 2021, as per the CTD's rules of procedure. After the circulation of 
this initial meeting notice, Members would still have the op portunity to request items on the agenda 
for the meeting. The agenda would close on 1 7 June 2021 and would be circulated on 1 8 June 2021.   
N. OTHER BUSINESS  
100.  The Chairman  said that he wished  to make a brief intervention concerning a regular update 
to a statistical paper prepared for the CTD by the Secretariat on the participation of developing 
economies in the global trading system. This paper ha d been prepared over the years in the context 
of the CTD 's mandate to keep under continuous review the participation of developing country 
Members in the MTS. It ha d been the CTD's practice to hold a discussion on this subject every two 
years or so, at which time the paper was updated to assist Members  in their discussion. The previous  
discussion by the CTD on this subject took place in November 2019, and an update to the Secretariat 
paper contained in document WT/COMTD/W/251 would therefore be due for later this year. He would 
accordingly be instructin g the Secretariat to begin preparing this update.  
101.  The meeting was adjourned . 
 
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