WT/GC/W/907  
 
30 November 2023  
(23-8149) Page: 1/20 
General Council  
14-15 December 2023  Original: English  
 
GENERAL COUNCIL  
DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT (2023)1 
The present report has been prepared in pursuance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview of 
WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO ( WT/L/105 ). 
 
Since its previous annual report2, the General Council ha s held four regular meetings on 6 -7 March , 
8-9 May , 24-25 July,  and 1 November  and one special meeting on 23 October . The minutes of these  
meetings, which remain in the record of the General Coun cil's work, are co ntained in documents 
WT/GC/M/203 , WT/GC/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205 , WT/GC/M/206  and WT/GC/M/2073.4 
 
The following subjects are included in the report5: 
 
1  REPORTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND 
REPORTS BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  ................................ ................................ ............  4 
2  FOLLOW -UP TO OUTCOMES OF MINISTERIAL CONFERENCES  ................................ ....... 4 
2.1  MC12 – WTO Reform ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 4 
- Report/Statement by the Chairperson  ................................ ................................ .................  4 
- Informal Meeting on Development of 2 and 3 February – Statement by the Chairperso n ............  5 
- Committee on Trade and Development Mandate: Focal Point for Consideration and  
Coordination  of Work on Development in the WTO – Communication from India.  ........................  5 
- Reinforcing the Deliberative Function of the WTO to Respond to Global Trade Policy  
Challenges – Communication from the European Union  ................................ ............................  6 
- Improving inclusiveness by reviewing and evaluating external engagement – Communication 
from Colombia; Israel; The Philippines; The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen an d Matsu; and the United States  ................................ ................................ ..............  6 
- Improving the Operations of WTO Bodies to Revitalise the WTO' s Monitoring and Deliberative 
Function – Request from Canada; Costa Rica; and the United Kingdom  ................................ ..... 6 
- Maximising the Value of WTO Ministerial Conferences – Communication from Australia;  
Canada; China; Japan; New Zealand; Norway; and Thailand  ................................ ....................  6 
- 30 for 30 Suggestions For Improving the Functioning in WTO – Request from India  ..................  6 
 
1 The final version of the report will also reflect any further meeting of the General Council to be held in 
2023 and items will be renumbered as necessary.  
2 The annual report  of the General Council for 2022 was circulated in WT/GC/256 . 
3 To be issued.  
4 The proposed agenda for these m eetings were issued in: WT/GC/W/869 ; WT/GC/W/876 ; WT/GC/W/898 ; 
WT/GC/W/903 ; WT/GC/W/904  (order of meetings). Annotated agenda for the meetings of July and November, 
as well as the Special Meeting in October, were issued in JOB/GC/348 ; JOB/GC/362 ; and JOB/GC/363 . 
5 In the meetings of the General Council in 2023, some Members de livered statements under one item 
covering several items, as reflected in the respective minutes.  Likewise, the General Council took up several 
items/sub -items  together , as appropriate, also reflected in the respective minutes.  WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  - Proposed Revisions to WT/L/452 "Procedures for the Circulation and Derestriction of WTO 
Documents" – Communication from Australia; Canada; Colombia; Costa Rica; European Union; 
New Zealand; Switze rland; Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; 
and the United Kingdom  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
- A Development Perspective on Institutional Reforms of the World Trade Organization – 
Communication from the African Group  ................................ ................................ .................  7 
- WTO Ministerial Conferences – Communication from Brazil  ................................ ....................  7 
- Small Steps to Make a Difference – Communication from Australia; China; and Thailand  ...........  7 
- Dispute Settlement Reform – Communication from the African Group  ................................ ..... 7 
2.2  MC12 – Work Programme on Electronic Commerce  ................................ ...........................  7 
- Review of Progress ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  7 
- Report by the Facilitator  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 7 
- Reinvig oration of Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing 
Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India and South Africa  ....................  8 
- Reinvigorating the Work under the 1998 Work Programme on Electronic Commerce: A 
Development Approach to the Work Programme on E Commerce – Communication from the 
African Group  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  8 
- Reinvigoration of the Work Programme on E -Commerce – Promoting Competition in  
E-Commerce – Communication from India and South Africa  ................................ .....................  9 
2.3  MC12 - Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision o n The TRIPS Agreement – Duration of 
Extended Deadline  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  9 
2.4  MC12 – Paragraph 24 of the Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the  
COVID -19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics – Statement by the Chairperson  ..... 9 
2.5  Buenos Aires (MC11), Nairobi (MC10) and Bali (MC9)  ................................ ...................... 10 
3  THIRTEENTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE – ADMINISTRATIVE 
MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  10 
3.1  Election of Officers  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......10 
3.2  Attendance of Observers  ................................ ................................ .............................. 11 
3.3  Attendance of Non -Governmental Organizations  ................................ .............................. 11 
4  WORK PROGRAM ME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORT BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
OF THE DEDICATED SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT  ........  11 
5  WTO ACCESSIONS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 12 
5.1  2022 Annual Report by the Director -General  – Statement by the Director -General  .............. 12 
5.2  Briefing on the Latest Developments in the Accession  of Comoros –  
Request from Morocco  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 12 
5.3  Briefing on the Latest Developments in the Accession of Timor -Leste –  
Request from Portugal  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 12 
6  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION –  
REPORTS ON MEETINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................ ........................  12 
7  TRADE RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD: PROPOSAL FOR WTO SMOOTH TRANSITION MEASURES IN FAVOUR OF 
COUNTRIES GRADUATED FROM THE LDC CATEGORY – COMMUNICATION FROM  
DJIBOUTI ON BEHALF OF THE LDC GROUP  ................................ ................................ ..... 13 
8  DRAFT GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION ON EXTENSION OF UNILATERAL DUTY FREE  
AND QUOTA FREE PREFERENCES IN FAVOUR OF COUNTR IES GRADUATED FROM  
THE LDC CATEGORY – COMMUNICATION FROM DJIBOUTI ON BEHALF  
OF THE LDC GROUP  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  13 WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  9  UNILATERAL TRADE RESTRICTIVE MEASURES OF CERTAIN WTO MEMBERS – 
STATEMENT BY THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION  ................................ ................................ ... 14 
10  MC12 DECISION IMPLEMENTATION - RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC – REQUEST 
FROM INDIA ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  14 
10.1  Role of Telemedicine Services in Response to the Pandemic – Communication from India  ...14 
10.2  Building a Pool of Health Professionals to Respond Effectively to Pandemic/Natural  
Disasters – Communication from India  ................................ ................................ ................. 14 
11  POLICY SPACE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT - A CASE FOR REBALANCING  
TRADE RULES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIALISATION AND TO ADDRESS EMERGING 
CHALLENGES SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE, CONCENTRATION OF PRODUC TION AND 
DIGITAL INDUSTRIALISATION – COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP  ..........  14 
11.1  A Case for Rebalancing the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
(ASCM) – Policy Space to Promote Industrialisation in Developing Countries – Communication  
from the African Group  ................................ ................................ ................................ .......14 
11.2  The Role of Transfer of Technology in Resilience Building: Reinvigorating the Discussions  
in the WTO on Trade and Transfer of Technology – Communications from the African Group  .......14 
11.3  A Case for Rebalancing the Agreement on Trade -Related Investment Measures (TRIMS) – 
Policy Space to Promote Industrialisation and Structural Transformation in Developing Countries  14 
12 FOOD SECURITY THROUGH AGRICULTURAL REFORM: TOWARDS AGRICULTURE 
OUTCOMES AT THE 13TH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE - COMMUNICATION FROM 
ARGENTINA; THE PLURINATIONAL STATE O F BOLIVIA; BRAZIL; CHILE; COLOMBIA; 
COSTA RICA; ECUADOR; EL SALVADOR; GUATEMALA; HONDURAS; PANAMA;  
PARAGUAY; PERU; THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; AND URUGUAY  ................................ .... 15 
13 PRINCIPLES GUIDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADE -
RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES – COMMUNICATION FROM  
THE AFRICAN GROUP  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 15 
14 STRENGTHENING THE RESILIENCE AND STABILITY OF GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL  
AND SUPPLY CHAINS – COMMUNICATION FROM CHINA  ................................ ................  15 
15 REVIEW OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE GATT 1994  .. 16 
16 WAIVERS UNDER ARTICLE IX OF THE WTO AGREEMENT  ................................ ...........  16 
16.1  Canada – Extension of the Waiver for the Caribbean Initiative: CARIBCAN –  
Draft Decision  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 16 
16.2  Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  ................................ ..16 
17  WTO PENSION PLAN  ................................ ................................ ................................  17 
17.1  Election of Members and Alternates  ................................ ................................ ............. 17 
17.2 Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 December 2022  ................ 17 
17.3  Report of the Independent External Auditor on the Audit of the Financial Statements  
of the World Trade Organization Pension Plan (WTOPP) for the Year Ended 31 December 2022  ....17 
18 APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES  ................................ ..........................  17 
19 ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ................................ .....................  19 
20 OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 19 
- Chairpersonships of the accession Working Parties of Bhutan and Iraq  ................................ ...19 
- WTO Action to Assist Developing Countries and LDCs in Crisis Response –  
Request from Pakistan  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 19 
- European Deforestation Regulation EUDR – Request by Honduras, on behalf of Argentina;  
Plurinational State of Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras,  
Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru  ................................ ................................ .................... 19 
- Administrative Measures for Members in Arrears ................................ ................................ ..19 
 WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  1  REPORTS BY THE CHAIR PERSON  OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND 
REPORTS BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  (WT/GC/M/203 ; WT/GC/M/204 ; WT/GC/M/205 ; 
WT/GC/M/20 76) 
1.1.  Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the 
General Council to supervise the overall conduct of the negotiations ( WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1 ). In 
accordance with the Principles and Practices endorsed by the Trade Negotiations Committee at its 
first meeting in 2002 ( TN/C/M/1 ), the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the General Council.  
1.2.  At the March , May, July and November  meeting s, the Director -General,  as TNC Chair person , 
updated Members on developments in this area, including on recent formal/informal TNC and 
informal HoDs meetings.7  
1.3.  At the March  meeting, t he representatives of the United States; Senegal; Vanuatu (the Pacific 
Group); Indonesia; Brune i Darussalam; Viet Nam; Egypt; Djibouti (LDC Group); Zambia;  and 
Cameroon (African Group)  spoke. The General Council took note  of the report of  the Director -General 
and of the statements . 
1.4.  At the May meeting, the representatives of Djibouti (LDC  Group); the United States ; and India 
spoke. The General Council took note of the report of the Director -General and of the statements.8 
1.5.  At the July meeting, the representative of India spoke. The General Council took note of the 
report of the Director -General and of the statements made . 
1.6.  At the November  meeting, no discussion was expected in light of the Senior Officials' Meeting, 
which had taken  place from 23 -24 October 2023 . The General Council took note of the report by the 
Director -General.  
2  FOLLOW -UP T O OUTCOMES OF MINISTERIAL CONFERENCES  (WT/GC/M/203 ; 
WT/GC/M/204 ; WT/GC/M/205 ; WT/GC/M/2079) 
2.1  MC12 – WTO Reform  
- Report /Statement  by the Chairperson10 
2.1.  At the March11; May12; July13; and November14 meeting s, the General Council Chairperson 
delivered report s/statements15, providing  update s in the area of WTO reform , including on informal 
meetings on WTO reform16.  
2.2.  At the March  meeting, t he representatives of  Argentina; Cameroon (African Group); Djibouti 
(LDC Group); Samoa (Pacific  Group); Kenya (ACP  Group ); Antigua and Barbuda  (OECS) ; Barbados 
(CARICOM); Panama; U nited Arab Emirates ; Brazil; South Africa;  the United States; Canada; China; 
Nigeria; Switzerland; Colombia; Chile; Nepal; Singapore; Indonesia; the Philippines; Japan; 
Jamaica; Bangladesh; the United Kingdom; Australia; Ukraine; Namibia; Uganda; Brunei 
Darussalam; European Union; Türkiye; the Russian Federation; Norway; Sri Lanka; Chinese Taipei; 
 
6 To be issued.  
7 JOB/GC/336 ; JOB/GC/340 ; JOB/GC/350 ; JOB/GC/366  
8 Kenya (ACP Group) and Cambodia  subsequently provided their statement s, which ha ve been reflected, 
as requested, in WT/GC/M/204 . 
9 To be issued.  
10 In March, the GC Chairperson delivered a statement under "Item 2.A.(i) – WTO Reform".  
11 Under the sub -item on WTO Reform, the General Council took up all related matters and opened the 
floor only once, as reflected in the respective minutes of the meeting.  
12 As Footnote above . 
13 As Footnote above.   
14 At the November  meeting, the General Council took up items 2.A.(i) – "WTO Reform" and 2.C. – 
"Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement – Duration of Extended Deadline" together and 
the floor was opened once.  
15 JOB/GC/337 ; JOB/GC/342 ; JOB/GC/346 ; JOB/GC/367  
16 In 2023, d edicated  informal meeting s on WTO reform , under the General Council,  took place in 2-3 
February (focused on development); 16 June (focused on the deliberative function and institutional matters); 
and 25 -26 September (focused on trade and industrial policy) . WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  Pakistan; Malawi; India; Paraguay; Peru; Tunisia; Egypt; Mauritius; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; 
Ecuador;  Thailand; Viet Nam; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Kazakhstan ; Zimbabwe; Kingdom 
of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group); and Kyrgyz Republic  spoke .17 The General Council took note of the 
Chair person 's statement and of the other statements.  
2.3.  At the May meeting , the representatives of Cameroon (African Group); Djibouti (LDC Group); 
Kenya (ACP Group); Barbados (CARICOM); Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); the European Union ; 
Argentina; Samoa (Pacific Group); Thailand; Singapore; Ecuador; China; Brazil; Norway; Republic 
of Korea; Peru; Japan; Paraguay; Indonesia; Brunei Darussalam; South Africa;  the United States; 
New Zealand; Chile; Canada; Colombia; Ukraine; Uganda; Chinese Taipei; Israel; Jamaica; 
Switzerland; India; Uruguay; Egypt; Nicaragua; Mauritius; Bangla desh; Cambodia; the Republic of 
Moldova; the Philippines; Nigeria; Malaysia; the Russian Federation; Costa Rica; Viet Nam; 
Tanzania; Türkiye; Nepal; Pakistan;  and The Gambia  spoke . This item was taken up together with 
all other matters under the WTO reform  item. The United States; the United Kingdom; the European 
Union; India; and Australia intervened again. The Director -General also made an intervention. The 
General Council took note of the GC Chairperson's report and of all the statements made.  
2.4.  At the July meeting , the representatives of Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); South Africa; Kenya 
(ACP Group ); Trinidad and Tobago; Djibouti (LDC Group)18; Australia; Samoa (Pacific Group); Costa 
Rica; Türkiye; Brazil; the European Union; Ecuador (on behalf of co -sponsors of WT/GC/W/881  and 
in national capacity); Colombia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Chile; Canada; Norway; China; the United 
Kingdom; the Phili ppines; Chinese Taipei; India; Switzerland; Thailand; Tunisia; the United States; 
Singapore; Barbados (CARICOM); Malaysia; S aint Lucia; Indonesia; Bangladesh; Guatemala19; 
Uruguay; Jamaica; Argentina; Nigeria; Paraguay; Kazakhstan; Malawi; Pakistan; Nepal;  Egypt; 
Brunei Darussalam; the Russian Federation; Tanzania; Nicaragua; Cambodia; Mozambique; 
Ukraine; New Zealand; Sri Lanka; Lao PDR; the Republic of Moldova; and Zimbabwe  spoke. The 
General Council took note of the GC Chairperson's report and of all the  statements made.  The 
Director -General made an intervention.  
2.5.  At the November  meeting20, the representatives of Cameroon (African Group); Antigua and 
Barbuda (OECS); Djibouti (LDC Group); Guyana (CARICOM); Samoa (ACP  Group ); Fiji (Pacific 
Group); Fiji (nati onal capacity); Nigeria; Mauritius; Jamaica; South Africa; Paraguay; Türkiye; 
Mozambique; Nepal; Brazil; Cambodia; Bangladesh; Egypt; Colombia; Zambia; Malaysia; Indonesia; 
the Russian Federation; India; Switzerland; Ecuador; the United Kingdom; Japan; Zimbabwe; Qatar; 
and Australia  spoke.  The Director -General also intervened.  The General Council took note of the 
GC Chairperson's statement  related to sub -items 2.A.(i) and 2.C. and of the statements made under 
these sub -items.   
- Informal Meeting o n Development of 2 and 3 February – Statement by the Chair person  
2.6.  At the March  meeting , as part of the GC Chairperson's report under WTO reform, he also 
reported on the recent  Informal Meeting on Development , which took place on 2 -3 February.    
- Committee on Trade and Development Mandate: Focal Point for Consideration and 
Coordination of Work  on Development  in the WTO – Communication from India 
(WT/GC/M/203  and WT/GC/M/204 ) 
2.7.  At the March meeting , under the item on WTO reform, India presented its communication 
contained in WT/GC/W/865 . 
2.8.  At the May meeting,  under the item on WTO reform,  India provided an updated on its 
communication contained in WT/GC/W/865 . 
 
17 Under the sub -item on  WTO Reform, the General Council took up all related matters and  opened the 
floor only  once.  
18 At the request of the delegation of Djibouti, on behalf of the LDC Group, the LDC Group statement on 
WTO reform – shared with the GC Chairperson during consultations on 13 July 2023 – is also incorporated in the 
minutes of the July General Council meeting in Annex 1 of document WT/GC/M/205 . 
19 This statement was delivered by Mr. Marco Molina  of Guatemala , in his personal ca pacity and under his 
own responsibility, as the convenor of the informal process on Dispute Settlement reform.  
20 As Footnote 14.  WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  - Reinforci ng the Deliberative Function of the WTO to Respond to Global Trade  Policy  
Challenges – Communication from the European Union ( WT/GC/M/203 , WT/GC/M/204 , 
WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.9.  At the March  meeting , under the item on WTO reform, the European Union presented its 
communication contained in WT/GC/W/864 .  
2.10.   At the May and July meeting s, under the item on WTO reform, the European Union provided 
updates  on its commu nication contained in WT/GC/W/864 . 
- Improving inclusiveness by reviewing and evaluating external engagement – 
Communication from Colombia; Israel; The Philippines; The Separate Customs Territory 
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; and the United States (WT/GC/M/204 ) 
2.11.   At the May meeting , under the item on WTO reform, the  United States, on behalf of the  co-
sponsors , made a statement to introduce the item. They also presented a communication contained 
in WT/GC/W/871 . 
- Improving the Operations of WTO Bodies to  Revitalise the WTO's Monitoring and 
Deliberative Function – Request from Canada; Costa Rica; and the United Kingdom 
(WT/GC/M/204 ) 
2.12.   At the May meeting , under the item on WTO reform, the United Kingdom and Costa Rica, on 
behalf of the co-sponsors , introduced  the item. They also presented the communication contained 
in WT/GC/W/877 . 
- Maximising the Value of WTO Ministerial Conferences – Communication from Australia; 
Canada; China; Japan; New Zealand; Norway; and Thailand ( WT/GC/M/204 , 
WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.13.   At the May meeting21, under the item on WTO reform, Australia introduced the communication 
contained in WT/GC/W/873 . 
2.14.   At the July meeting , under the item on WTO reform, Australia provided, on behalf of the co -
sponsors, updates on its communication contained in WT/GC/W/873/Rev.1 . 
- 30 for 30 Suggestions For Improving  the Functioning in WTO  – Request from India  
(WT/GC/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.15.   At the May meeting , under the item on WTO reform,  India made a statement to introduce the 
item. India also presented a communication  contained in WT/GC/W/874 . 
2.16.   At the July meeting , under the item on WTO reform, India provided updates o n the 
communication contained in WT/GC/W/874 . 
- Proposed Revisions to WT/L/452  "Procedures for the Circulation and Derestriction of 
WTO Documents" – Communication from Australia ; Canada ; Colombia ; Costa Rica ; 
European Union ; New Zealand ; Switzerland ; Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Ki nmen and Matsu ; and  the United Kingdom  (WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.17.   At the July meeting , under the item on WTO reform, Canada, on behalf of the co-sponsors , 
introduced the communication contained in WT/GC/W/897 . 
 
21 At the May meeting, the item was titled "Maximising the Value of WTO Ministerial Conferences – 
Communication from Australia ". WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  - A Development Perspective on Institutional Reforms of the  World Trade Organization – 
Communication from the African Group ( WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.18.   At the July meeting , under the item on WTO reform, South Africa , on behalf of the African 
Group, introduced the communication contained in WT/GC/W/895 . 
- WTO Ministerial Conferences – Communication from Brazil ( WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.19.   At the July meeting , under the item on WTO reform, Brazil introduced the communication 
containe d in WT/GC/W/882 .22 
- Small Steps to Make a Difference – Communication from Australia; China; and Thailand 
(WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.20.   At the July meeting , under the item on WTO reform, China , on behalf of the co -sponsors , 
introduced  the communication contained in WT/GC/W/879/Rev.2 . 
- Dispute Settlement Reform – Communication from the African Group ( WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.21.   At the July meetin g, South Africa, on behalf of the African Group, introduced the 
communication contained in WT/GC/W/892 . 
2.2  MC12 – Work Programme on Electronic Commerce  
- Review of Progress ( WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.22.   At the July meetin g, the General Council undertook the periodic review of the work in the 
Council for Trade in Goods;  Council for Trade in Services; the Council for Tr ade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property; and the Committee on Trade and Development , in line with the MC12 Decision 
on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce.23 The representatives of Djibouti (LDC  Group); 
Kenya (ACP Group); Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOM); Samoa (Pacific 
Group); Singapore; Canada; Japan; Nigeria; Argentina; Pakistan; Australia; Tunisia; Nepal; Egypt; 
Ecuador; Costa Rica; Indonesia; Paraguay; Tanzania; Chil e; Bangladesh; Chinese Taipei; Jamaica; 
South Africa; Sri Lanka; Hong Kong, China ; the European Union; Switzerland; China; Thailand; 
Malawi; Nicaragua; the United States; the United Kingdom; Malaysia; the Republic of Korea;  Brazil ; 
India; and Cambodia  spoke. 
- Report by the Facilitator ( WT/GC/M/203 , WT/GC/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205 , 
WT/GC/M/20724)  
2.23.   At the March25, May, July26, and November  meeting s, Ambassador  Dwarka -Canabady  
(Mauritius), in her capacity as Facilitator  for the E -Commerce Work Programme and Moratorium , 
delivered reports to the General Council . 27  
2.24.   At the March  meeting, t he representatives of  South Africa; India; New Zealand;  the United 
States; Cameroon (African Group); Kenya (ACP Group); Trinidad and Tobago  (CARICOM) ; Canada; 
Sri Lanka; Jamaica;  the United Kingdom; Djibouti (LDC Group)28; Antigua and Barbuda  (OECS) ; 
Norway; Switzerland; Brazil; Panama; Singapore; Nepal; Pakistan;  Japan; Ecuador; the European 
 
22 See also JOB/GC/310  and WT/MIN(22)/W/6 .  
23 WT/MIN(22)/32  
24 To be issued.  
25 At the March meeting, the item was titled "Work Programme on Electronic Commerce – Report by the 
Facilitator".  
26 In July, following the "Review of Progress", the GC Chairperson also provided an update on the 
Facilitator -led Dedicated Discussion, on behalf of Ambassador Dwarka -Canabady . The statement was 
subsequently circulated in document JOB/GC/351 . 
27 JOB/GC/338 ; JOB/GC/341 ; JOB/GC/351 ; JOB/GC/368  
28 At the request of the delegation of Djibouti, on behalf of the LDC Group, the LDC  Group statement 
delivered at the informal open -ended meeting of the Work Programme  on Electronic Commerce held on 
4 May 2023 – is also incorporated in the minutes of the May General Council meeting in the Annex  of document 
WT/GC/M/20 4. WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  Union; Bangladesh; Tunisia; Samoa (Pacific Group); Chinese Taipei; Republic of Korea; Türkiye; 
Indonesia; Peru; Chile; Myanmar; Cambodia; Australia; Egypt;  China ; and Uganda  spoke.29 The 
Director -General also intervened . The General Council took note of the report by the Facilitator and 
of the other statements30. 
2.25.   At the May meeting , the representatives of Djibouti (LDC Group); Cameroon (African Group); 
Kenya (ACP Group); Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOM); Panama; A ntigua and Barbuda (OECS); Fiji 
(Pacific Group); the European Union; Switzerland; Indonesia; China; Peru; Paraguay; the United 
States; Japan; Australia; Argentina; Bangladesh; Singapore; Nigeria; Canada; the United Kingdom;  
the Republic of  Korea; Pakistan;  Chinese Taipei; the Philippines; Egypt; Chile; Jamaica; Myanmar; 
Tanzania; Uganda; Nepal; Costa Rica; Ecuador; the Russian Federation; Senegal; the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia; and, The Gambia  spoke.31 The Facilitator spoke again. The General Council took not e 
of the report by the Facilitator and of the other statements made.32 
2.26.   At the July meeting, this matter was taken up, together with WTO reform, and the floor was 
opened once . 
2.27.   At the November  meeting , the representatives of Djibouti (LDC  Group); Cameroon (African 
Group); Fiji (Pacific Group); Samoa (ACP Group); Guyana; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); the 
European Union; the United States; Nigeria; Jamaica; Singapore; Indonesia; Bangladesh; Barbados; 
Paraguay; Hong Kong, China; Switzerland; Ch ina; Cambodia; Egypt; and Pakistan spoke.33 India 
intervened again. The General Council took note of the report by the Facilitator and of the other 
statements made . 
- Reinvigoration of Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on 
Imposing Custom s Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India and South 
Africa ( WT/GC/M/203 , WT/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205 ) 
2.28.   At the March , May, July meetings, India and South Africa made  statements on this matter.   
- Role of Digital Public Infrastructure in Promoting E -Commerce – Communication from 
India ( WT/GC/M/203 ) 
2.29.   At the March  meeting , India presented the communication  "Role of Digital Public 
Infrastructure in Promoting E -commerce " (WT/GC/W/863 ). 
- Reinvigorating the Work under the 1998 Work Programme on Electronic Co mmerce: A 
Development Approach to the Work Programme on E Commerce – Communication from 
the African Group (WT/GC/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205)   
2.30.   At the May meeting34, under the item on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, South 
Africa presented the communication entitled "A development approach on the Work Programme on 
E-commerce " contained  in WT/GC/W/875 .  
 
29 In their  interven tions, delegations also spoke on the other related sub -item, i.e., "Reinvigoration of 
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs Duties on Electronic 
Transmissions – Request from India and South Africa" and "A Role of Digital Public Infrastructure in Promoting 
E-Commerce – Communication from India ( WT/GC/W/863 )". 
30 Zambia subsequently provided its statement , which has been reflected, as requested,  in WT/GC/M/203 . 
31 In their interventions, delegations also spoke on the other related sub -items, i.e., "Reinvigoration of 
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs Duties on Electronic 
Transmissions – Request from India and South Africa" and "A Development Approach to the Work Programme 
on E-Commerce (WPEC) – Request from South Africa".  
32 Cambodia subsequently provided its statement, which has been reflected, as requested, in 
WT/GC/M/204 . 
33 In their interventions, delegations also spoke on the  related sub -item,i.e., "Reinvigoration of Work 
Programme on E -Commerce – Promoting Competition in E -Commerce ( WT/GC/W/902/Rev.1 ) – Communication 
from India and South Africa.  
34 At the May meeting, the item was titled  "A Development Approach to t he Work Programme on 
E-Commerce (WPEC) – Request from South Africa"  WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  2.31.   At the July meeting , under the item on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, 
Cameroon, on behalf of the African Group, provided an update on the communication contained in 
WT/GC/W/875/Rev.1 .  
- Reinvigoration of the Work Programme on E -Commerce – Promoting Competition in 
E-Commerce ( WT/GC/W/902/Rev.1 ) – Communication from India and South Africa  
(WT/GC/M/20735) 
2.32.   At the November  meeting,  India and South Africa introduced the item and com munication 
contained in WT/GC/W/902/Rev.1 .36  
2.3  MC12 - Paragraph 8 of the  Ministerial Decision on  The TRIPS A greement – Duration  
of Extended Deadline37 (WT/GC/M/203 , WT/GC/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205 , 
WT/GC/M/20738) 
2.33.   At the March39, May40, July and November41 meeting s, the GC Chairperson made statement s42 
related to the duration of the extension of the deadline pertaining to paragraph 8 of the Ministerial 
Decision on the TRIPS Agreement.  
2.34.   At the March  meeting, t he representatives of South Africa; Djibouti (LDC Group); Switzerland; 
Cameroon (African Group); Indonesia; Maldives; Antigua and Barbuda; Tunisia; Samoa (Pacific 
Group); Japan; Mozambique; the United States; Nepal; Egypt; Brazil; Pakistan; Bangladesh; the 
United Kingdom; China; and India spoke. The General Council took note of the GC Chairperson's 
statement and  of the other statements made.  
2.35.   At the May meeting , the representatives of t he United States; Djibouti (LDC Group); 
Cameroon (African Group); Kenya (ACP Group); South Africa; Nigeria; Argentina; Bangladesh; 
Switzerland; Brazil; Indonesia; Tanzania; Samoa (P acific Group); the United Kingdom; the European 
Union; Jamaica; Paraguay; Japan; Chinese Taipei; and India spoke.  The Director -General also 
intervened.  The General Council took note of the GC Chairperson's statement and of the statements 
made.  
2.36.   At the July meeting , the representatives of Cameroon (African Group); Djibouti (LDC Group); 
Paraguay; Tanzania; Maldives; Nigeria; Bangladesh; Colombia; Indonesia; Argentina; South Africa 
on behalf of 65 co -sponsors; Brazil; Egypt; the Plurinational State of  Bolivia ; Switzerland; 
Mozambique; Pakistan; India; and Türkiye spoke. The General Council took note of the statements 
made.43 
2.4  MC12 – Paragraph 24 of the Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the 
COVID -19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics – Statement by the 
Chairperson ( WT/GC/M/ 205) 
2.37.   In line with paragraphs 23 and 24 of the MC12 Declaration on the WTO Response to the 
COVID -19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics44, a stocktaking exercise of the work 
of WTO bodies listed in the declarat ion is to be undertaken yearly at the General Council until the 
end of 2024, based on the reports of these bodies.  
 
35 To be issued.  
36 At the November  meeting, t his sub -item was taken up together with the report by the Facilitator  and 
the floor was opened once.  
37 WT/L/1141  
38 To be issued.  
39 JOB/GC/337  
40 JOB/GC /342 
41 At the November  meeting, this sub -item was taken up together with the sub -item on WTO  reform and 
the floor was opened once.  
42 JOB/GC/337  
43 Kenya (ACP Group); Cambodia; and Barbados subsequently provided their statement s, which have 
been reflected, as requested,  in WT/GC/M/205 . 
44 WT/MIN(22)/31 – WT/L/1142 . WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  2.38.   At the July meeting , the General Council undertook the first stocktaking exercise.45 The 
representatives of the United Kingdom; China; Djibou ti (LDC Group); Kenya (ACP Group);  the United 
States; South Africa; Switzerland; Japan; the European Union; and India spoke. The General Council 
took note of the GC  Chairperson's statement  and of all the  statements made.   
2.5  Buenos Aires (MC11), Nairobi (MC10) and Bali (MC9 ) (WT/GC/ M/203 , 
WT/GC/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205 , WT/GC/M/20746)  
2.39.   Since July 2014, the item on implementation of the Bali outcomes has been included on the 
General Council's agenda at the request of the Chair person , to provide an update on the work taking 
place in the regular bodies which were directly working on the various Bali Decisions. After the Tenth 
and Eleventh Sessions of the Ministerial Conference, reports on the implementation of the Nairobi 
and Buenos Aires outcomes were also provided under this item.  
2.40.   At the General Council meetings in March , May, July and November , the Chair person  reported 
on the work taking place in WTO regular bodies with respect to  the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires 
Ministe rial outcomes .47  
2.41.   At the March meeting,  the CTD Chairperson made a statement related to the new work 
programme for the Aid for Trade Initiative. T he representative s of Cambodia; Djibouti (LDC  Group); 
South Africa; India; Indonesia; and Pakistan  spoke . The Director -General also spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the  reports of the GC Chairperson and the CTD Chairperson  and of all statement s 
made . 
2.42.   At the May meeting, the representatives of Cameroon (African Group); Cambodia; South 
Africa; India; Pakistan; Djibouti (LDC Group); Paraguay; Indonesia; Brazil; and China spoke. The 
General Council took note of the GC Chairperson's report and of the statements.  
2.43.   At the July meeting, the representati ves of Djibouti (LDC Group); India; Kenya (ACP Group); 
South Africa; Indonesia; the European Union; and Pakistan  spoke. The General Council took note of 
the GC Chairperson's statement  and of all the  statements  made .48 
2.44.   At the November  meeting,  the representatives of India; Nigeria  (African Group) ; Brazil; 
Paraguay; Indonesia; Cambodia; Djibouti (LDC Group); and Egypt spoke.  The Director -General also 
intervened. The General Council took note of the GC Chairperson's report , the statement of the 
Director -General and of the statements.   
3  THIRTEEN TH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE – ADMINISTRATIVE 
MATTERS ( WT/GC/M/205 ) 
3.1  Election of Officers  (WT/GC/M/205 ) 
3.1.  At the July meeting , the General Council  formally agreed to appoint H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed 
Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates as Chairperson of the 
Thirteenth Session of the Ministerial Conference  (MC13) . The GC Chairperson congratulated the 
MC13 Chairp erson on his appointment. H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi then delivered a 
statement. The Director -General also intervened. The  GC Chairperson then invited, in line with 
customary practice, the  coordinators of the three broad groupings to consult with their constituents 
with a view to putting forward their respective nominations for the three Vice -Chairpersons. The 
General Council would revert to this matter with a view to agree on the three MC13 Vice -
Chairpersons. T he representatives of Ka zakhstan; Djibouti (LDC Group); the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia ; and India  congratulated the MC13 Chairperson under this item.49 The MC13 Chairperson 
 
45 The GC Chairperson's statement was subsequently circulated in document JOB/GC/352  
46 To be issued.  
47 The GC Chairperson 's statements were subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/ 337; JOB/GC/342 ; 
JOB/GC/35 3; JOB/GC/ 369. 
48 Cambodia subsequently provided its statement , which has been reflected, as requested,  in 
WT/GC/M/205 . 
49 Other representatives welcomed the MC13 Chairperson's election throughout the General Council 
meeting  under other agenda items . WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  intervened again to present Members the MC13 logo. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
3.2  Attendance  of Observers  (WT/GC/M/205 ) 
3.2.  At the July meeting , the General Council  agreed to repeat past practice , namely, to invite the 
Governments with regular observer status in the General Council plus the following five 
Governments, which had previously been granted  observer status only at Ministerial Conferences, 
i.e., Cook Islands, Eritrea, Niue, San Marino and Tuvalu.   
3.3  Attendance of Non -Governmental Organizations  (WT/GC/M/205 ) 
3.3.  At the July meeting , the General Council  agreed to repeat past practice , namely, that a l imited 
number of accredited NGO representatives were allowed to attend only the Plenary Sessions of the 
Conference, without the right to speak; applications from NGOs to be registered are accepted on the 
basis of Article V, paragraph 2 of the WTO Agreement, i.e., NGOs "concerned with matters related 
to those of the WTO"; and a deadline would be established for the registration of NGOs that wished 
to attend the Conference.   
4  WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORT  BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE 
DEDICAT ED SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT  (WT/GC/M/203 , 
WT/GC/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205 , WT/GC/M/20750) 
4.1.  At the March , May, July and November  meetings,  the CTD Chair person  provided update s and 
informed Members of the ongoing work in this area, including the Secretariat background 
document51.  
4.2.  At the March  meeting, t he representatives of Guatemala (SVEs); Cameroon (African Group); 
Jamaica; Trinidad and Tobago; Ecuador; Sri Lanka; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); Mauri tius; the 
United Kingdom;  the Russian Federation; Panama; Brazil; Samoa (Pacific Group);  the European 
Union; China; and The Bahamas (CARICOM)  spoke. The CTD Chairperson intervened again. The 
General Council took note of the report  by the CTD Chairperson an d of the statements made.  
4.3.  At the May meeting , the representatives of Guatemala  (SVEs) ; Cameroon (African Group); 
Antigua and Barbuda  (OECS) ; Trinidad and Tobago; Maldives; Mauritius; Ecuador; the European 
Union; Barbados (CARICOM); Jamaica; the United King dom; and Vanuatu (Pacific Group) spoke. 
The Director -General also intervened. The General Council took note of the report  by the 
CTD Chairperson  and of the  statements made.  
4.4.  At the July meeting , the representatives of Guatemala (SVEs ); Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); 
Kenya (ACP Group); Trinidad and Tobago; Barbados (CARICOM); the United Kingdom; Sri Lanka; 
Mauritius; Jamaica; and Samoa (Pacific Group) spoke. The Director -General also intervened. The 
General Council took note of the report  by the CTD Chairperson and of the statements made.52 
4.5.  At the November  meeting,  the representatives of Guatemala (SVEs); Antigua and Barbuda 
(OECS); Barbados; Trinidad and Tobago; Maldives; Fiji (Pacific Group) ; Fiji (national capacity) ; 
Jamaica; Mauritius;  Samoa (ACP  Group ); and the  United Kingdom spoke. The General Council took 
note of the report  by the CTD Chairperson and of the statements made.  
 
50 To be issued.  
51 WT/COMTD/SE/W/45  
52 Brazil; Saint Lucia; Ecuador subsequently provided their statement s, which have been reflected, as 
requested,  in WT/GC/M/205 . WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  5  WTO ACCESSIONS53  
5.1  2022 Annual Report by the Director -General ( WT/ACC/43  – WT/GC/257 ) – 
Statement by the Director -General ( WT/GC/M/203 ) 
5.1.  At the March  meeting , the Director -General presented the Annual Report on WTO Accessions 
for 2022.54 The representatives of Sierra Leone (g7+ WTO Accessions Group); Kazakhstan; Portugal 
(Timor -Leste , Acces sion Working Party Chairperson);  the United States; Lao PDR; Panama 
(Article  XII Members); Indonesia; Cambodia; the European Union; Djibouti (LDC Group); the 
Russian Federation; Samoa; Cameroon (African Group); the United Kingdom; the Philippines; China; 
Morocco (Comoros , Accession Working Party  Chairperson); India; Singapore; Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia (Arab Group); and the Republic of  Moldova spoke. Several Observer Governments also 
spoke.55 The General Council took note of the Director -General's report  and of the other statements  
made . 
5.2  Briefing on the Latest Developments in the Accession of Comoros – Request from 
Morocco  (WT/GC/M/205 ) 
5.3  Briefing on the Latest Developments in the Accession of Timor -Leste – Request from 
Portugal ( WT/GC/M/205 ) 
5.2.  At the July meeting,  the Chairpersons of the accession Working Parties of Comoros56 and 
Timor -Leste57 provided updates on the status of Comoros' and Timor -Leste's accession negotiations.  
The representatives of Djibouti (LDC Group); Cameroon (Afr ican Group); Kenya (ACP Group); 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group); Samoa (Pacific Group);  the United States; Australia; 
Mauritius; Indonesia; Panama (Article XII Members); China; Mozambique; the European Union; 
Angola; Brazil; Singapore; South Africa; C abo Verde; Cambodia; and Kazakhstan  spoke. Speaking 
as Observers, t he representatives of Comoros58 and Timor -Leste59 also spoke. Under this item, the 
GC Chairperson also referred to her communication of 29 June, in which she had informed Members 
of the con sensus on the appointment of Amb assador  Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel (Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia) as Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Iraq. The General Council took note 
of the statements by the accession Working Party Chairpersons  and of the other statements made.60  
5.3.  Under the same item, the GC Chairperson also referred to a communication that she had sent 
on 29 June, in which she  had informed Members  that, following the consultations that Deputy 
Director -General Xiangchen Zhang had ca rried out on her behalf, there was broad consensus on the 
appointment of H.E. Mr. Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the WTO  as Chairperson of the Working Party on the Accession of Iraq. 
The Gene ral Council took note of the statement of the GC Chairperson.  
6  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION – REPORTS ON MEETINGS  
AND RECOMMENDATIONS  (WT/GC/M/205 ; WT/GC/M/20761) 
6.1.  At the July meeting, the General Council approved the Budget Committee's spec ific 
recommendation in paragraph 11.7 of the report contained in WT/BFA/211  urging Members and 
Observers under Administrative Measures to liquidate their arrears; took note of the statement by 
 
53 In 2023, an update on accession Working Party Chairpersonships was also provided under "Other 
Business", see further below.  
54 WT/ACC/43  – WT/GC/257  
55 Uzbekistan; Serbia; Belarus; Ethiopia; Sudan; Islamic Republic of Iran  
56 Ambassador Omar Zniber (Morocco) . His full statement was subsequently circulated in document  
JOB/ACC/COM/15 . 
57 Ambassador Rui Macieira (Portugal) . His full statement was subsequently circulated in document 
JOB/ACC/TLS/11 . 
58 Ambassador Sultan Chouzour  (Comoros). The statement was subsequently circulated in document was 
JOB/ACC/COM/14 . 
59 Ambassador Maria de Lurdes Martins de Sousa Bessa  (Timor -Leste). The statement was subsequently 
circulated in document JOB/ACC/TLS/11 . 
60 Japan subsequently provided its statement , which has been reflected, as requested,  in WT/GC/M/205 . 
61 To be issued.  WT/GC/W/907  
 
- 13 - 
 
  Ambassador Bettina Waldmann  (Germany), the CBFA Chairperson ; and adopted the reports 
contained in WT/BFA/211  and WT/BFA/212 . 
1.7.  At the Novemb er meeting, the General Council approved the Budget Committee's specific 
recommendations in paragraph 4.16 of the report contained in WT/BFA/213 ; took note of the 
statement by Ambassador Bettina Waldmann  (Germany), the CBFA Chairperson; and adopted the 
report s contained in WT/BFA/213 , WT/BFA/214  and WT/BFA/215 . 
7  TRADE  RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD : PROPOSAL FOR WTO SMOOTH TRANSITION MEASURES IN FAVOUR OF 
COUNTRIES GRADUATED FROM THE LDC CATEGORY – COMMUNICATION FROM DJIBOUTI 
ON BE HALF OF THE LDC GROUP  (WT/GC/M/203 , WT/GC/M/204 , WT/GC/M/205 ) 
7.1.  At the March  meeting, Togo, on behalf of the LDC Group, provided an update on the revised 
proposal. The representatives of  Bangladesh (Focal Point for LDC Graduation);  Cameroon (African 
Group); Ken ya (ACP  Group ); Angola; Niger; Tanzania; Mozambique; Nepal; Indonesia; Cambodia; 
Botswana; South Africa; Switzerland; Jamaica; Malawi; Norway; India; the Russian Federation; 
Myanmar; Australia ; the United States; Nigeria; the European Union; China;  the United Kingdom; 
New Zealand; Samoa  (Pacific Group) ; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group); Canada; Brazil; 
Singapore; Egypt spoke. The Director -General also intervened. Bangladesh and the United States 
then intervened again. The General Council took note o f the statements62 made.  
7.2.  At the May meeting, Zambia , on behalf of the LDC Group , presented an update on the LDC 
Group's revised communication on a smooth transition for graduated LDCs  contained in 
WT/GC/W/807/Rev.2 . The representatives of Bangla desh (Focal Point for LDC Graduation) ; 
Cameroon (African Group); Kenya (ACP Group); Angola; Cabo Verde; Tanzania; Mauritius; Lao PDR; 
Cambodia; Antigua and Barbuda  (OECS) ; Nepal; Argentina; Australia; Uganda; Lesotho;  the 
European Union; Jamaica; Samoa (Pa cific Group); South Africa; the United Kingdom; the United 
States; Barbados; Nigeria; Brazil; Japan; China; Niger; Senegal; the Russian Federation; Indonesia; 
India; and Singapore  spoke. Djibouti (LDC Group) intervened again. The Director -General also 
intervened. The General Council took note of the statements made.  
7.3.  At the July meeting,  Djibouti, on behalf of the LDC Group, provided an update on the  
discussions and work on the  LDC Group's revised communication . The representatives of Bangladesh 
(Focal Point  for LDC Graduation); Cameroon (African Group); Kenya (ACP Group); Egypt; Nigeria; 
Norway; Thailand; the United Kingdom; Paraguay; Tanzania; the European Union; Australia; Malawi; 
South Africa; Barbados; Zambia; Niger; Indonesia; Botswana; India; Lao PDR; Mauritius; Japan; 
Samoa (Pacific Group); Brazil; the United States; the Russian Federation; Cambodia; Mozambique; 
Nepal; Argentina; Singapore; Ja maica; Chad; Tunisia; China; and Morocco  spoke. Djibouti (LDC 
Group) intervened again. The General Council agreed to  instruct the Sub -Committee on LDCs to 
examine Annex 2 of the LDC proposal ( WT/GC/W/807/Rev.2 ) and report back to the General Co uncil 
by 30 November 2023 with any recommendations. The General Council took note of the 
statements.63 The Director -General made a statement.  
8  DRAFT GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION ON EXTENSION OF UNILATERAL DUTY FREE AND 
QUOTA FREE PREFERENCES IN FAVOUR OF COUNTR IES GRADUATED FROM THE LDC 
CATEGORY ( WT/GC/W/901 ) – COMMUNICATION FROM DJIBOUTI ON BEHALF OF THE LDC 
GROUP  (WT/GC/M/206 ) 
8.1.  A Special Meeting of the General Council took place64, prior to the opening session of the Senior 
Officials' Meeting (SOM), on 23 October .65 The representative of Djibouti, on behalf of the LDC Group, 
introduced the draft decision "Extension of Unilateral Duty Free and Quota Free Preferences in Favour 
of Countries Graduated from the LDC Category"  contained in WT/GC/W/901 , which was before the 
General Council for adoption.  The General Council adopted the draft decision.66  
 
62 Zambia subsequently provided its statement , which has been reflected, as requested,  in WT/GC/M/203 . 
63 Namibia subsequently provided its statement , which has been reflected, as requested,  in WT/GC/M/205 . 
64 WT/GC/W/903  and JOB/GC/362 . 
65 An Informal General Council meeting was convened on 17 October to prepare for this Specia l General 
Council Meeting.  
66 The decision was subsequently circulated in document WT/L/1172 . WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  9  UNILATERAL TRADE RESTRICTIVE MEASURES OF CERTAIN WTO MEMBERS – 
STATEMENT BY THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION  
9.1.  At the March  meeting, the Russian Federation made a statement on this subject matter. The 
representatives of the United States67; Ukraine; Nicaragua; and the Bolivarian  Republic of  Venezuela  
spoke. Belarus, speaking as an Observer,  also made an intervention . The Russian Federation 
intervened again. The General Council took note of the statements.68 
10  MC12 DECISION IMPLEMENTATION - RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC – REQUEST FROM 
INDIA ( WT/GC/M/203 ) 
10.1  Role of Telemedicine Services in Response to the Pandemic – Communication from 
India  
10.2  Building a Pool of Health Professionals to Respond Effectively to Pandemic/Natural 
Disasters – Communication from India  
10.1.   At the March  meeting , India presented  the item and  two communications related to the 
response to the pandemic , i.e., " Role of Telemedicine Services in Response to the Pandemic "69 and 
"Building a Pool of Health Professionals to Respond Effectively to Pandemics/Natural Disasters "70. 
The representatives of Djibouti (LDC Group); South Africa; Mauritius; Bangladesh; Sri Lanka; 
Cameroon (African Group); Egypt; Pakistan; Nepal; China; Indonesia; Japan; the United States; 
Republic of Korea; Switzerland; and Singapore  spoke.  India intervened again.  The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
11  POLICY SPACE FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT - A CASE FOR REBALANCING TRADE 
RULES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIALISATION AND TO ADDRESS EMERGING CHALLENGES 
SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE, CONCENTRATION OF PRO DUCTION AND DIGITAL 
INDUSTRIALISATION – COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP  (WT/GC/M/203 , 
WT/GC/M/205 ) 
11.1  A Case for Rebalancing the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures 
(ASCM) – Policy Space to Promote Industrialisation in Developing Countries – 
Communication from the African Group (WT/GC/W/880 ) 
11.2  The Role of Transfer of Technology in Resilience Building: Rei nvigorating the 
Discussions in the WTO on Trade and Transfer of Technology – Communicatio ns from the 
African Group (WT/GC/W/883 , WT/GC/W/884 , WT/GC/W/885 , WT/GC/W/886 , 
WT/GC/W/887 , WT/GC/W/888 ) 
11.3  A Case for Rebalancing the Agreement on Trade -Related Investment Measures 
(TRIMS) – Policy Space to Promote Industrialisation and Structural Transformation in 
Developing Countries  (WT/GC/W/896 ) 
11.1.   At the March  meeting71, Cameroon  made a statement to  introduce the item . Cameroon also 
presented a communication by the African Group contained in WT/GC/W/868 . The representatives 
of Brazil; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); India; Mozambique; Kenya ( ACP Group); China; Thailand; 
Namibia; Colombia; the European Union; Peru; Indonesia; Pakistan; Djibouti (LDC Group); Canada; 
Barbados; Jamaica; the United Kingdom; Singapore; Republic of Korea; Uruguay; Australia; Egypt; 
 
67 The United States spoke on its own behalf, as well as on behalf of Australia, Canada, the European 
Union, Iceland, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United 
States . 
68 The Islamic Republic of Iran , an Observer, subsequently provided its statement , which has been 
reflected , as requested,  in WT/GC/M/203 . 
69 WT/GC/W/866  – S/C/W/426  
70 WT/GC/W/867  – S/C/W/427  
71 At the March General Council meeting, the item was titled " Policy Space for Industrial Development - A 
Case for Rebalancing Trade Rules to Promote Industrialization and to Address Emerging Challenges such as 
Climate Change, Concentration of Production and Digital Industrialization – Request from South Africa ". WT/GC/W/907  
 
- 15 - 
 
  and South Africa  spoke. Cameroon (A frican Group) intervened again. The Director -General also 
made an intervention. The General Council took note of the statements.72 
11.2.   At the July meeting , Cameroon, on behalf of the African Group , presented the  item and  
communication  contained in WT/GC/W/868 , as well as the three sub -items  with the accompanying 
communications.73 The representatives of Egypt; the United States; the United Kingdom; Brazil; 
Argentina; Singapore; Colombia; Japan; India; Djibouti (LDC Group); the Republic of Korea; China; 
Thailand; Paraguay; Pakistan; Antigua and Barbuda  (OECS) ; the European Union ; Switzerland; 
Indonesia; South Africa; Norway; and Namibia  spoke. The Director -General also made an 
intervention. Cameroon (African Group) intervened again. The Gen eral Council took note of the 
statements.  
12  FOOD SECURITY THROUGH AGRICULTURAL REFORM: TOWARDS AGRICULTURE 
OUTCOMES AT THE 13TH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE - COMMUNICATION FROM 
ARGENTINA; THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA; BRAZIL; CHILE; COLOMBIA; COSTA 
RICA; EC UADOR; EL SALVADOR; GUATEMALA; HONDURAS; PANAMA; PARAGUAY; PERU; 
THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; AND URUGUAY  (WT/GC/M/205 ) 
12.1.   At the July meeting , Ecuador , on behalf of the co -sponsors , introduced the item and presented 
the communication  contained in WT/GC/W/893 . The representatives of Kenya (ACP Group); 
Cameroon (African Group); Djibouti (LDC Group); Brazil; Australia; Argentina; Ukraine; Switzerland; 
Nigeria; the United Kingdom; Peru; New Zealand; Sierra Leone; Panama; Costa Rica; Chile; Canada; 
Urugua y; South Africa; Paraguay; Jamaica; Colombia; India; Egypt; Tanzania; Mauritius; the 
Republic of Moldova ; the Plurinational State of  Bolivia ; China; Indonesia; Pakistan; the United 
States; Thailand; Japan; the Russian Federation; Zimbabwe; and the European  Union  spoke. 
Ecuador spoke again on behalf of the co -sponsors. The General Council took note of the statements.  
13  PRINCIPLES GUIDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADE -
RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES – COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP  
(WT/GC/M/205 ) 
13.1.   At the July meeting , Cameroon on behalf of the African Group,  introduced the item and 
communication  contained in  WT/GC/W/894 . The representatives of Kenya (ACP Group); Antigua and 
Barbuda (OECS); the European Union ; China; Norway; Argentina; Canada; Türkiye; Paraguay; 
Chile; Brazil; the United Kingdom; South Africa; Mauritius; Indonesia; Colombia; Nigeria; India: 
Tanza nia; Bangladesh; the Republic of Korea; Egypt; Switzerland; Ecuador; Japan; Australia; 
Jamaica; Pakistan;  the United States; Djibouti (LDC Group); and Barbados  spoke.  The Director -
General also intervened. Cameroon (African Group) intervened again.  The Gene ral Council took note 
of the statements.  
14  STRENGTHENING THE RESILIENCE AND STABILITY OF GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL AND 
SUPPLY CHAINS – COMMUNICATION FROM CHINA  (WT/GC/M/205 ) 
14.1.   At the July meeting , China  present ed the item and  communication contained in 
WT/GC/W/891 . The  representatives of  the United States; Japan; Antigua and Barbuda  (OECS) ; 
India; Barbados; Switzerland; the European Union ; Brazil; Thailand; South Africa; Norway;  the 
Russian Federation; Egypt; the United Kingdom; and Singapore  spoke.  The Director -General 
intervened twice.  China intervened again.  The General Council took note of the statements.74 
 
72 Mauritius  subsequently provided its statement, which has been reflected, as req uested, in 
WT/GC/M/203 . 
73 A Case for Rebalancing the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM) – Policy Space 
to Promote Industrialisation in Developing Countries – Communication from the African Group ( WT/GC/W/880 ); 
The Role of Transfer of Technology in Resilience Building: Reinvigorating the Discussions in the WTO on Trade 
and Transfer of Technology – Communications from the African Group ( WT/GC/W/883 , WT/GC/W/884 , 
WT/GC/W/885 , WT/GC/W/886 , WT/GC/W/887 , WT/GC/W/888) ; A Case for Rebalancing the Agreement on 
Trade -Related Investment Measures (TRIMS) – Policy Space to Promote Industrialisation and Structural 
Transformation in Developing Countries ( WT/GC/W/896 ) 
74 Argentina subsequently provided its statement, which has been reflected, as requested, in 
WT/GC/M/205 . WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  15  REVIEW OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE GATT 1994  
(WT/GC/M/203 ) 
15.1.   At the March meeting , the General Council conducted a revie w of the exemption granted to 
the US legislation (the Jones Act ) which prohibits the use, sale or lease of foreign -built or foreign -
reconstructed ships in US national waters – and takes place in the General Council every two years. 
In line with the procedu re agreed by the Council in 2002, statements made at GC meetings in 20 23, 
questions posed to the United States and related replies would form the basis of the 20 23 review, 
together with the annual report provided by the United States ( WT/L/1165 ). The representa tives of 
Japan; Norway; the European Union; the Russian Federation; China; and Panama spoke. The United 
States spoke again . The General Council took note of the statements 75 and agreed to revert to this  
matter at its last regular meeting in 2023.  
16  WAIVERS  UNDER ARTICLE IX OF THE WTO AGREEMENT76 
16.1  Canada – Extension of the Waiver for the Caribbean Initiative : CARIBCAN – Draft 
Decision77 (WT/GC/M/204 ) 
16.1.   At the May meeting , the General Council agreed to extend the waiver until 
31 December  2033.78 The representatives of Antigua and Barbuda  (OECS) ; Guyana (CARICOM); 
Trinidad and Tobago; Canada; Jamaica; and Barbados s poke. The General Council took  note of the 
statements.  
16.2  Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  (WT/GC/M/205 ) 
16.2.   Under Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement, "[a]ny waiver granted for a period of more than 
one year shall be reviewed by the Ministerial Conference not later than one year after it is granted, 
and thereafter annually unti l the waiver terminates."  
16.3.   At the July meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review under 
Article IX:4:  
a. Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS  Agreement ( WT/MIN(22)/30  – WT/L/1141 ) 
b. Least -Developed Country Members – Obligations under A rticle 70.8 and Article 70.9 of the 
TRIPS Agreement with respect to Pharmaceutical Products, granted on 30  November  2015 
until 1 January 2033 ( WT/L/971 ) 
c. Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds, granted on 26 July 2018 
through 31 December 2024 ( WT/L/1039 ) 
d. European Union – Application of autonomous preferential treatment to the Western 
Balkans – granted on 28 July 2021 until 31 December 2026 ( WT/L/1114 , WT/L/1169 ) 
16.4.   The GC Chairperson recalled that these  had already been agreed by the General Council and 
the Ministerial Conference and were in force. She said that the General Council was not expected to 
take any new decision on their renewal or otherwise. The GC Chairperson noted that one of the 
waivers under review provided that an annual report should be submitted by the Members 
concerned. The relevant report from the European Union had been circulated in document 
WT/L/1169 . She also recalled that the review of the Mini sterial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement, 
had already been taken up under item 3.C.  
 
75 Republic of Korea subsequently provided its statement, which has been reflected, as requested, in 
WT/GC/M/203 . 
76 In connection with this item, the attention of Members is drawn to the decision -making procedures 
under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed by the General Council on 15 November 1995 ( WT/L/93 ). 
77 G/C/W/826  
78 The decision was subsequently circulated in WT/L/1166 . WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  16.5.   The General Council took note of the statement and the report  contained in document  
WT/L/1169 . 
17  WTO PENSION PLAN ( WT/GC/M/205 ) 
17.1  Election of Members and Alternates  
17.2  Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31 December 2022  
17.3   Report of the Independent External Auditor on the Audit of the Financial Statements 
of the World Trade Orga nization Pension Plan (WTOPP) for the Year Ended 31 December 
2022  
17.1.   At the July meeting , the General Council agreed to elect  the three representatives identified 
in her communication contained in WT/GC/W/890  and to renew  the terms of the other 
representative s that were able to continue serving on the WTO Pension Plan Management Board.  
17.2.   The General Council also  took note of the "Annual Report and Financial Statements for the 
Year Ending 31 December 2022" (WT/BFA/W/636  - WT/L/1167 ) and the "Report of the Independent 
External Auditor on the Audit of the Financial Statements of the WTOPP  for the Financial Year Ended 
31 December 2022"  (WT/BFA/W/637  - WT/L/1168 ).  
18  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES ( WT/GC/M/203 ) 
18.1.   At the March  meeting,  the Chairperson recalled that i n accordance with the Guidelines for 
Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies ( WT/L/510 ), and the related "practical steps" to improve 
their implementation ( JOB/GC/22 ), he, together with the Chair person  of the Dispute Settlement 
Body, Ambassador Molokomme (Botswana), and the former Chair person  of the General Council, 
Ambassador Castillo (Honduras), ha d conducted consultations on a sla te of names for the 
appointment of Chair person s to WTO regular bodies listed in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the Annex to 
the Guidelines.  He noted that they had  consulted regularly and frequently with the coordinators of 
the four broad regional groups, namely: (i) Africa; (ii) Asia and the Pacific; (iii) developed countries; 
and (iv) Latin America and the Caribbean , and that they had also remained available throughout the 
process for any individual delegation wishing to consult with them.  
18.2.   In particular, they ha d met with group coordinators on multiple occasions, in December, 
January and February. To ensure transparency in this process, the Chairperson had  sent 
communications to all delegations on 2  December, 19 January, 26 January and 14 February. In his 
communi cations, he had  provided regular updates on the status of the consultations and the 
nominations or expressions of interests that they had received. The final communication had also 
included the draft, stabilized slate for Members' consideration.  On 21 Febr uary, in line with the 
Guidelines, he had  convened an Informal meeting of the General Council, where he had  reported on 
the consultations and presented to Members the draft, stabilized slate that had emerged – as 
contained in his communication.  No reservat ions to the names put forward had been  received – 
indicating that there appear ed to be consensus on the draft slate of names.  
18.3.   The full slate of names for the WTO regular bodies in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 resulting from the 
consultations read as followed : 
Gene ral Council  H.E. Dr. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana)  
Dispute Settlement Body  H.E. Mr. Petter Ølberg (Norway)  
Trade Policy Review Body  H.E. Mr. Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel ( Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia)  
Council for Trade in Goods  H.E. Dr.  Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid (Nigeria)  
Council for Trade in Services  
 Permanent Representative, Mrs.  Tsvetelina 
Georgieva Dimitrova (Bulgaria)  
Council for TRIPS  H.E. Mrs. Pimchanok Pitfield (Thailand)  WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  Committee on Trade and Development  H.E. Dr.  José Sánchez -Fung (Dominican Republic)  
Committee on Balance -of-Payments 
Restrictions  H.E. Mr. Eheth Salomon (Cameroon)  
Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration  H.E. Dr. Bettina Waldmann (Germany)  
Committee on Trade and Environment  H.E. Mr. José Valencia (Ecuador)  
Committee on Regional Trade 
Agreements  H.E. Ms. Clare Kelly (New Zealand)  
Working Group on Trade, Debt and 
Finance  Mr. Felipe Llantada Soldi (Uruguay)  
Working Group on Trade and Transfer 
of Technology  H.E. Mrs. Sofia Boza Martinez (Chile)  
18.4.   The General Council took note of the Chair person 's statement and of the consensus on the 
slate of names for the appointment of officers in the WTO bodies .  
18.5.   The Chairperson then recalled that, at the Informal meeting of the General Council on 
21 February, he had also encouraged the CTG and CTS Chairpersons , as well as group coordinators 
and delegations, to already start undertaking all possible arrangements and preparations for the 
consultations for the chairpersonships for the subsidiary bodies of the Council for Trade in Goods 
and the Council for Trade in  Services, so as to ensure a swift exercise. He also noted that Ambassador 
Kemvichet LONG (Cambodia), the outgoing Chairperson of the Council for Trade in Services, and 
Permanent Representative Mr. Etienne Oudot de Dainville (France), the outgoing Chairper son of the 
Council for Trade in Goods had already reached out to group coordinators to this end.  
18.6.   The Chairperson also informed the membership of some developments concerning the 
Chairpersonships of Accession Working Parties for which the respective Chairpe rsons had left 
Geneva. As announced at the regular meeting of the General Council in December, and in line with 
practice, he had asked Deputy Director -General Zhang to undertake the relevant consultations, on 
his behalf. Following these consultations, he u nderstood that there was consensus on the 
appointment of the following Chairpersons:  
Working Party  on the Accession of 
Azerbaijan  H.E. Mr. Alparslan Acarsoy (Türkiye)  
Working Party  on the Accession of Bosnia 
and Herzegovina  H.E. Ms. Anita Pipan (Slovenia)  
Working Party  on the Accession of Curaçao  H.E. Mr. Matthew Wilson (Barbados)  
Working Party  on the Accession of 
Equatorial Guinea  H.E. Dr. José R. Sánchez -Fung (the Dominican 
Republic)  
Working Party  on the Accession of Ethiopia  H.E. Ms. Rebecca Fisher Lamb (United 
Kingdom)  
Working Party on the Accession of Serbia  H.E. Ms. Margit Szűcs (Hungary)  
Working Party on the Accession of 
Uzbekistan  H.E. Mr. Seong deok  Yun (Republic of Korea)  
18.7.   The Chairperson also informed Members that t he consultations on the Chairpersonships for 
the Working Parties on the Accessions of Bhutan and Iraq were still ongoing.  He thanked Deputy 
Director -General Zhang for having undertaken these consultations on his behalf, thanked all new 
Chairpersons for the ir readiness and commitment in taking on these new roles and wished them 
success in their new endeavour.  
18.8.   The representatives of Peru; Mauritius; Kazakhstan; Canada; Honduras; Cameroon (African 
Group); Singapore; Kenya (ACP Group); the Russian Federation; China; South Africa; India; Japan; WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  Türkiye; Tanzania; Bangladesh; Nepal; the United Kingdom; and Egypt paid tribute to the outgoi ng 
GC Chair person79 for his extensive contributions to the WTO including to the successful Twelfth 
Ministerial Conference, and congratulated and welcomed the incoming GC Chair person , as well as 
the other Chair person s of WTO bodies.  
18.9.   The General Council took note of  the statements.  
19  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON ( WT/GC/M/203 ) 
19.1.   At the March  meeting, the GC Chairperson , H.E. Mr . Didier Chambovey (Switzerland),  as the 
outgoing presiding officer of the General Council, made a statement. The General Council then 
unanimous ly elected H.E. Dr. Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme (Botswana ) as Chairperson . 
19.2.   The Director -General and the newly  elected Chair person  spoke. The General Council took note 
of the statements.80 
20  OTHER BUSINESS  
- Chairpersonships of the accession Working Parties81 of Bhutan and Iraq  
(WT/GC/M/204 ) 
20.1.   At the May meeting, t he GC Chairperson made an announcement , under Other Business,  
related to the Chairpersonships on the Working Parties on the Accessions of Bhutan and Iraq. The 
General Council took note of the statement.  
- WTO Action to Assist Developing Countries and LDCs in Crisis Response  – Request from  
Pakistan ( WT/GC/M/205 ) 
20.2.   At the July meeting, Pakistan  introduced , under Other Business, a proposal "WTO Action to 
Assist Developing and LDCs in Crisis Response" .82 The r epresentatives of India; Argentina; 
Sri Lanka;  the Bolivarian Republic of  Venezuela ; Egypt; China; South Africa; the Plurinational State 
of Bolivia ; Nepal; Indonesia; and Brazil spoke. The General Council took note of the statement s. 
- European Deforestation Regulation EUDR  – Request by Honduras, on behalf of Argentina;  
Plurinational State of Bolivia;  Brazil; Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru  (WT/GC/M/20783) 
20.3.   At the November  meeting, Honduras, on behalf of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, 
Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru, made a statement , 
under Other Business, concerning the European Deforestation Regulation EUDR.  The representatives 
of Argen tina; Ecuador; Brazil; Thailand; Malaysia; Indonesia; Australia; Nigeria; and Canad a spoke.  
Cameroon (African Group)  made a statement on this matter at the time of the adoption of the 
agenda for the meeting.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
- Administrative Measures for Members in Arrears ( WT/GC/M/203 ; WT/GC/M/204 ; 
WT/GC/M/205 ; WT/GC/M/20784) 
20.4.   In October 2012, the General Council approved a recommendation from the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration regarding revised Administrative Measures for Members in 
arrears, as contained in WT/BFA/132 , Annex I . These new revised Measures entered into force on 
1 January 2013. These Measures required that at the end of each meeting of the General Council, 
the Chair person  of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration should provide information 
with regard  to which Members and Observers were under Administrative Measures; and, the General 
 
79 The European Union; the United States; Thailand; the United Kingdom; Panama , as well as the Director -
General , paid tribute to the outgoing GC Chairperson under previous agenda items, as reflected in WT/GC/M/203 . 
80 Zambia subsequently provided its statement, which has been reflected, as requested, in WT/GC/M/203 . 
81 For more accession -related discussions in the Gen eral Council in 2023, see further above.  
82 JOB/GC/347  
83 To be issued.  
84 To be issued.  WT/GC/W/907  
 
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  Council Chair person  would request Members and Observers in Categories II and III to inform the 
Secretariat as to when the payment of arrears might be expected.  
20.5.   At the Gene ral Council meetings in March , May, July and November , the Chairperson of the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration provided information , under Other Business, with 
regard to which Members were under Administrative Measures85 and the GC Chairpers on request ed 
Members and Observers in Categories II and III  to inform the Secretariat as to when the payment 
of arrears might be expected . The General Council took note of the statements.  
__________  
 
85 JOB/GC/339 ; JOB/GC/343 ; JOB/GC/354 ; JOB/GC/370