WT/CFMC/W/80  
 
20 July 2020 
(20-4964) Page: 1/3 
Sub-Committee on Cotton  Original: English/French  
 
 
DIRECTOR -GENERAL'S C ONSULTATIVE FRAMEWOR K MECHANISM ON COTTON  
CONCEPTUAL NOTE FROM THE SECRETARIAT  
The following document is being circulated  in response to a proposal submitted by the co-sponsors 
of the Sectoral Initiative in Favour  of Cotton  (C-4) on 11 March 2020, in relation with the structure 
of the Director -General's Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton (DGCFMC) . 
 
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UPDATING THE WTO DIR ECTOR -GENERAL'S CONS ULTATIVE  
FRAMEWORK MECHANISM ON COTTON (DGCFMC)  
CONCEPTUAL NOTE  
1.  This note presents suggestions for updating the current structure of the DGCFMC so as to 
prioritize demand -driven projects while fostering multi -stakeholder coordination and international 
monitoring, after 16 years of operations of the DGCFMC . 
2.  The DGCFMC ha d its first meeting in 2004 as a result of the Sectorial Initiative on Cotton tabled 
by the C -4. Its main purpose is to shed light on the cotton technical assistance needs of developing 
countries, considering the crucial economic and social role that cotto n production and trade play for 
a number of them, especially for LDCs.  
3.  To date, the DGCFMC 's main function is to monitor cotton development assistance activities by 
donor countries and international agencies. The Consultative Framework  keeps track of repor ted 
projects through the Evolving Table  (ET) which captures: the project title, a general description, 
value, disbursement status, beneficiary country(ies) and donor(s).   
4.  In 2017, a new Item 6 was added to the DGCFMC agenda, entitled "Cotton Development 
Assistance Projects". This new agenda item focusses on the presentation of proposed projects by 
beneficiaries, as well as of new projects and case studies by donors and implementing agencies. 
Thus, providing an opportunity in the Consultative Framework for a detailed review of specific 
projects undertaken, and moving towards a more qualitative assessment of the projects listed in the 
Evolving Table.    
5.  The DGCFMC plays an important role by: (i) giving visibility to ongoing and concluded projects 
with relevant general information made available to the global cotton community; (ii) avoiding 
duplication and overlapping of projects in the same regions; (iii) fostering synergies and 
coordination; and (iv) highlighting successful  cotton development assistance and dis seminating best 
practices.  WT/CFMC/W/80  
 
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  6.  Therefore, some proposed changes to the structure and modus operandis  of the DGCFMC are 
presented below:   
a) Create a "Cotton and Textile  Projects Information Exchange ": creation of a platform where 
beneficiary countries can table specific cotton -related development assistance requests based on their 
needs assessments and identified economic development priorities. The project requests added to the 
platform would be presen ted to the whole donor community and relevant international partners 
participating in the DGCFMC, serving as a type of call for expression of interest. The transparent and 
open nature of this structure is designed to foster a multi -stakeholder coordination  and matchmaking 
process amongst beneficiaries, donors, international organizations and implementing agencies.  It 
should also ensure that cotton -related projects are demand -driven rather than offer -driven 
development assistance. DGCFMC  participants will ha ve the chance to respond to specific requests 
based on their technical knowledge, experience and/or funding capacities from the conceptual phase 
of a project. The actual implementation of projects can be carried out by a single partner or by a group 
of don ors and organizations of the DGCFMC, who positively respond to the requests added to the 
platform, enabling a multi -stakeholder and coordinated approach.  
 
b) Elaborate Guidelines for the Presentation of Requests before the DGCFMC: elaboration of 
general guid elines for the elaboration of projects requests to be included to the Exchange platform 
based on a standardized, well -structured and thorough template . The guidelines would also include 
deadlines, advice on how to write clear descriptions for project scope , the need for endorsement by 
national/regional agencies and stakeholders, implementing phases, detailed project responsibilities, 
binding mutual commitments envisaged for the parties, milestones, etc .  
 
c) Elaborate Guidelines for Monitoring Ongoing Projects: elaboration of  guidelines  for regular 
reports, updates and follow -up of ongoing projects, including reports on the progress made, conclusion 
of specific project phases, disbursement progress, achievement of milestones, and expected date for 
conclusion of the entire project.  
 
d) Elaborate Guidelines for the Evaluation and Report of Concluded Projects: elaboration of 
guidelines  for presenting the conclusion of projects, including lessons learned, outputs achieved, 
concrete results, partnership experiences, best practices and further ac tions needed.  
 
e) Prepare a Quinquennial Work Plan: setting up goals and milestones for the subsequent five -year 
period of the DGCFMC.  
 
f) Monitoring and Evaluation of the DGCFMC: assessing the regular work and relevance of the 
DGCFMC, as well the achievement of  milestones.  
 
g) Elaborate a Communication Plan: creation of an on -line platform for the Exchange ; including tools 
for disseminating knowledge, experiences, lessons learned; announcing relevant DGCFMC news and 
meetings; acknowledging and giving visibility to donors and implementing organizations;  and sharing 
documents and contact details.  
 
h) Enhance the Mobilization of Funding:  a coherent approach will enable donors to be in a better 
position to be responsive  to support t he implementation of specific requests fo r development 
assistance for projects listed in the  Cotton Exchange . This will also mobilize the necessary financial 
resources from technical and financial partners and improve the rate of funding and implementation 
of the projects submitted.  
 
i) Organize Thematic Workshops: organization of annual workshops on selected topics for sharing 
knowledge, experiences, best practices and expertise, including sessions on technical assistance 
activities for the elaboration of projects, needs assessment, nati onal cotton strategies, good 
governance and how to audit projects.  
 
 
7.  The proposed update of the DGCFMC envisages inter alia :  
• To pursue demand - and results -driven projects designed and decided by the beneficiary 
countries;  
• To give better visibility to project needs and priorities identified by the beneficiary countries 
themselves;  
• To strengthen project ownership by the beneficiary countries;  
• To foster greater and more coordinated donor engagement;  WT/CFMC/W/80  
 
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  • To enable  improved  surveillance, engagemen t and scrutiny by the international community of 
proposed, ongoing and concluded cotton -related development projects;  
• To revitalize the cotton sector by redirecting joint efforts for its develop ment, with particular 
emphasis on the need for local transform ation of the C -4's production;  
• To enable the expansion of the scope  of assistance  beyond the cotton sector specifically, 
including a wider spectrum of products and comprise , in general, the strengthening of 
LDC capacities linked to the establishment of sus tainable infrastructures (in terms of 
production, transport, energy, etc.), so as to promote trade among the C -4 countries on the 
one hand and between them and the rest of the world on the other;  
• To pursue synergies and project -effectiveness through the co llaboration and participation of 
different partners in specific project s, with enhanced  review of project results and lessons 
learned.  
 
 
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