WT/GC/W/788  
 
22 November 2019  
(19-7994) Page: 1/18 
General Council  
9-11 December 2019    
 
 
GENERAL COUNCIL  
DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT (2019)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 f our meetings, on 28 February, 7  May, 
23-24 July, and 15 -16 October 2019 , and a special meeting on 10 May.  The minutes of these  
meetings, which remain in the record of the General Council's work, are co ntained in documents 
WT/GC/M/176, WT/GC/M/177, WT/GC/M/178, WT/GC/M/179 and WT/GC/M/1803. 
 
The following subjects are included in the report:  
 
1   REPORTS BY THE C HAIRMAN OF THE TRADE  NEGOTIATIONS COMMIT TEE AND 
REPORTS BY THE DIREC TOR-GENERAL  ................................ ................................ ............  3 
2   IMPLEMENTATION O F THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUT COMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CH AIR ................................ ................................ ............................  4 
3   INFORMAL PROCESS  ON MATTERS RELATED TO THE FUNCTIONING O F                               
THE APPELLATE BODY  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 5 
3.1   Statement by the Chair  ................................ ................................ ................................  5 
3.2   Report by the Facili tator ................................ ................................ ...............................  5 
3.3   Fostering a Discussion on the Functioning of the Appellate Body – Communications from 
Honduras  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  6 
3.4   Guidelines for the work of Panels and the Appellate Body – Communication from Brazil, 
Paraguay and Uruguay  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........  6 
3.5   Guideline Development Discussion – Communication from the Separate Customs Territory     
of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu ................................ ................................ ...................  6 
3.6   Informal Process on matters related to the Functioning of the Appellate Body – 
Communication from Japan, Australia and Chile  ................................ ................................ ...... 6 
3.7   General Council Decision on the Dispute Settlement System of the WTO – Communication 
from Thailand  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  6 
3.8   Appellate Body Impasse – Communication from the African Group  ................................ .... 7 
4   WORK PROGRAMME O N ELECTRONIC COMMERC E ................................ .......................  7 
4.1   Review of Progress   ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 7 
4.2   Work Programme and Moratorium on Electronic Commerce – Communication from Australia; 
Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Georgia; H ong Kong, China; Iceland; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; 
Singapore and Switzerland  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
                                                
1 The final version of the report will also reflect any further meeting of the General Coun cil to be held in 
2019 and items will be renumbered as necessary.  
2 The annual report  of the General Council for 2018 was circulated in WT/GC/200 . 
3 To be issued.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  5   TRIPS MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  8 
5.1   TRIPS Non -Violation and Situation Complaints Moratorium – Communication from Chile, 
Colombia, New Zealand and Panama  ................................ ................................ ....................  8 
6   WORK PROGRAMME O N SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORTS   ................................ ............  8 
7   AID FOR TRADE – REPORT  ................................ ................................ ..........................  8 
8   REVIEW OF THE EX EMPTION PROVIDED UND ER PARAGRAPH 3 OF TH E GATT 1994  .... 9 
9   WAIVERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  9 
9.1   Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least Developed Countries – Extension of Waiver  ..............  9 
9.2   United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA as amended) –                  
Extension of  Waiver  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  9 
9.3   Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  ................................ .... 9 
10   TWELFTH SESSION  OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ................................ ..........  10 
10.1   Statement by the Chair  ................................ ................................ ............................. 10 
10.2   Election of Officers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....10 
10.3   Attendance of Observers from Governments and Intergovernmental Organizations  ........... 10 
10.4   Attendance of Non -Governmental Organizations  ................................ ........................... 10 
11   THE VISIT TO TH E WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION OF MR. ANTÓNIO GUTERRES, 
SECRETARY -GENERAL OF  THE UNITED NATIONS   ................................ ..........................  10 
12   PROCEDURES TO S TRENGTHEN THE NEGOTI ATING FUNC TION OF THE WTO – 
COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE UNITED STATES AN D STATEMENT BY                                 
THE UNITED STATES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 10 
13   THE CONTINUED RELEVAN CE OF SPECIAL AND DI FFERENTIAL TREATMENT  IN 
FAVOUR OF DEVELOPING  MEMBERS TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT AND ENSU RE 
INCLUSIVENESS – COMM UNICATION FROM CHINA , INDIA, SOUTH AFRIC A,    
BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA, LAO PE OPLE'S DEMOCRATIC RE PUBLIC, 
PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA, KENYA AN D CUBA  ................................ ................  11 
14   PURSUING THE DE VELOPMENT DIMENSION IN WTO RULE -MAKING E FFORTS – 
COMMUNICA TION FROM NORWAY, IC ELAND, NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE AND 
SWITZERLAND  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  12 
15   STRENGTHENING T HE WTO TO PROMOTE DE VELOPMENT AND INCLUS IVITY – 
COMMUNICATION FROM P LURINATIONAL STATE O F BOLIVIA; CUBA; ECU ADOR;      
INDIA; MALAWI; SOUTH  AFRICA; TUNISIA; UG ANDA AND ZIMBABWE  ..........................  12 
16   STATEMENT ON SP ECIAL AND DIFFERENTI AL TREATMENT TO PROM OTE 
DEVELOPMENT – STATEM ENT BY CHINA, CUBA, INDIA, NAMIBIA, OMAN ,                           
SOUTH AFRICA, UGANDA  AND ZIMBABWE  ................................ ................................ .... 12 
17   PROCEDURAL GUID ELINES FOR WTO COUNC ILS AND COMMITTEES A DDRESSING 
TRADE CONCERNS – COMMUNICATION FROM ALBA NIA; AUSTRALIA; EURO PEAN UNION; 
HONG KONG, CHINA; RE PUBLIC OF KOREA; REP UBLIC OF MOLDOVA; NE W ZEALAND; 
NORWAY; PANAMA; QATA R; SINGAPORE; SWITZE RLAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS 
TERRITORY OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; THAILAND; TUR KEY; AND 
UKRAINE  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  13 
18   AN INCLUSIVE AP PROACH TO TRANSPAREN CY AND NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
IN THE WTO – COMMUNI CATION FROM THE AFRI CAN GROUP, CUBA AND INDIA  ..........  13 
19   STATEMENT DELIV ERED BY THE UNITED S TATES ON THE IMPORTA NCE OF 
TRANSPARENCY IN WTO DISPUTE SETTLEMENT  ................................ ............................  13 
20   EXPANDING THE S COPE AND MANDATE FOR  THE GENEVA WEEK – STATEMENT BY 
ST. VINCENT AND THE GREN ADINES ON BEHALF OF THE OECS AND C OMMUNICATION 
FROM SAINT LUCIA, SO LOMON ISLANDS AND VA NUATU  ................................ ...............  14 WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  21   EUROPEAN UNION – SAFEGUARD MEASURES  ON INDICA RICE FROM  CAMBODIA – 
REQUEST FROM CAMBODIA  ................................ ................................ ...........................  14 
22   SPS AGRICULTURE  ISSUES – STATEMENT BY CANADA  ................................ ............  14 
23   TRADE RESTRICTI VE MEASURES BY BRAZI L – STATEMENT BY ECU ADOR  ................  14 
24   EXPORT RESTRICT IVE MEASURES BY JAPA N – STATEMENT BY THE  REPUBLIC OF 
KOREA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  15 
25   WTO OPEN DAY – STATEMENT BY THE DIR ECTOR -GENERAL  ................................ ... 15 
26   US TRADE RESTRI CTIVE MEAS URES ON THE ICT INDU STRY –                         
STATEMENT BY CHINA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 15 
27   G20 OSAKA SUMMI T AND THE G20 MINIST ERIAL MEETING ON TRA DE AND     
DIGITAL ECONOMY – STATEMENT BY JAPAN  ................................ ................................ . 15 
28   COMMITTEE ON BU DGET, FINANCE AND AD MINISTRATION  ................................ .... 15 
28.1   Reports and Recommendations ................................ ................................ ................... 15 
29   WTO PENSION PLA N ................................ ................................ ...............................  15 
29.1   Reports   ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 15 
29.2   Election of Chairperson, Members, and Alternates to the Management Board  ................... 16 
30   ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS  IN ARREARS  ................................ ..... 16 
31   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES   ................................ .......................  16 
32   ELECTION OF CHA IRPERSON   ................................ ................................ ..................  18 
 
1  REPORTS BY THE CHAIR MAN OF THE TRADE NEG OTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND REPORTS 
BY THE DIRECTOR -GENE RAL (WT/GC/M/176; WT/GC /M/177 ; WT/GC/M/179  AND 
WT/GC/M/180 ) 
1.1.  Ministers  at Doha established a Trad e 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 i n 2002 (TN/C/M/1), the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the General Council.  
1.2.  At the General Council meetings in February , May, July, and October , the Chair recalled that 
the Director -General had convened Informal TNC and Informal Heads of Delegation meetings where 
he had reported on each occasion on relevant activities  since his previous report and noted that, as 
per established practice , the Director -General's report, the reports of the Chairs of negotiating 
bodies, and the statements deli vered by delegations would be included in the minutes of the 
respective General Council meetings .4 
1.3.  At the February  meeting, the representative of Barbados spoke. T he General Council took note 
of the report of the Chairman of the TNC and of the Director -General's report, and of the statements 
delivered at the Informal TNC and Informal HODs meeting s on 27 February5 and by  the 
representative of  Barbados at the February General Council  meeting . 
                                                
4 The Director -General's reports and those of the Negotiating Group Chairs at the February, May, July and 
October Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meetings were incorporated in the minutes of the respective General 
Council meetings and were also circulated as JOB/TNC/73, JOB/TNC/74, JOB/TNC/75 and JOB/TNC/76 
respectively.  
5 The statements at the 27 Febr uary Informal TNC and HODs Meeting s by the following delegations are 
incorporated in the minutes of the February General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/176 : Benin (African Group); 
Switzerland; Haiti (CARICOM); Canada; Malawi (ACP); Australia (Joint Statement I nitiative on E -Commerce); 
Central African Republic (LDCs); Indonesia; European Union; Colombia ( Structured Discussions on Investment 
Facilitation for Development ); Norway; China; Uruguay (Informal Working Group on MSMEs); Thailand; Mexico; 
United States; S ingapore; Brazil; New Zealand; Republic of Korea; India; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Russian 
Federation; Nepal; Turkey; Chinese Taipei; Japan; Ukraine; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Egypt; Kenya; Malaysia; 
Jamaica; Cambodia; Argentina; Panama (Article XII Members) ; Ghana; Uganda; Chile; Trinidad and Tobago; WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  1.4.  At the May meeting, t he General Council took note of the report of the Chairman of the TNC 
and of the Director -General's report, and of the statements delivered at the Informal TNC and 
Informal HODs meetings on 3 May.6 
1.5.  At the July meeting, the General Council took note of the report of the Chairman of the TNC 
and of the Director -General's report, and of the statements delivered at the Informal TNC and 
Informal HODs meetings on 19 July.7 
1.6.  At the October  meeting, the General Council took note of the report of the Chairman o f the 
TNC and of the Director -General's report, and of the statements delivered at the Informal TNC and 
Informal HODs meetings on 14 October8 as well as of the statements delivered at the General Council 
meeting  by H.E. Abdulrahman Al -Harbi, Governor of th e General Authority of Foreign Trade of the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and  by H.E. Maria Luisa Hayen, Minister of Economy of El Salvador.  
2  IMPLEMENTATION OF TH E BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOME S – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CH AIR (WT/GC/M/176; WT/GC /M/177 ; WT/GC/ M/179  AND 
WT/GC/M/180 ) 
Since July 2014, the item on implementation of the Bali outcomes has been included on the 
General Council's agenda at the request of the Chair, to provide an update on the work taking place 
in the regular bodies which were directly w orking 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.  
At the General Council meetings in Februar y, May, July and October , the Chair reported on the 
work taking place in WTO regular bodies to fulfil the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Ministerial 
mandates.9 
                                                
Costa Rica; Montenegro; Mali (C -4); St. Lucia; Nigeria; Paraguay; Hong Kong, China; Zimbabwe; Pakistan and 
Plurinational State of Bolivia . 
6 The statements at the 3 May  Informal TNC and HODs Meeting s by the foll owing delegations are 
incorporated in the minutes of the May General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/177: Canada (Ottawa Group); 
Jamaica (ACP); Panama (Article XII Members); Australia (Joint Statement Initiative on E -Commerce); Trinidad 
and Tobago (CARICOM); Ja pan; Mexico; Angola; European Union; Colombia (Structured Discussions on 
Investment Facilitation for Development); China; Ghana; Cuba; Singapore; India; Peru (including Lima Group); 
Argentina; United States; Egypt; Chinese Taipei; Barbados; Chad (LDCs); Br azil; Chile; New Zealand; Thailand 
(ASEAN); Russian Federation; Republic of Korea; Paraguay; Norway; Pakistan; Turkey; Uruguay (Informal 
Working Group on MSMEs); Plurinational State of Bolivia; Switzerland; Benin (African Group and C -4); Sri Lanka; 
South A frica; Indonesia; Solomon Islands (Pacific Group); St. Lucia (OECS); Nigeria; Hong Kong, China; 
Malaysia; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Nepal.  
7 The statements at the 19 July  Informal TNC and HODs Meeting s by the following delegations are 
incorporat ed in the minutes of the July General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/179: Paraguay; Singapore; Chad 
(LDCs); Republic of Korea; Chile; Benin (African Group  and C -4); Panama (Article XII Members); European 
Union; Nepal; Australia (Joint Statement Initiative on E -Commerce) ; India; Thailand (ASEAN); China; 
Kazakhstan; Mexico; Sri Lanka; Colombia (Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation for Development) ; 
Switzerland; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Japan; New Zealand; United States; South Africa; Brazil; Jamaica (ACP) ; 
Canada (Ottawa Group) ; Uruguay (Informal Working Group on MSMEs) ; Turkey; Indonesia; Trinidad and Tobago 
(CARICOM) ; Egypt; Montenegro; Russian Federation; Malaysia; Norway; Uganda; Ecuador; Afghanistan; Hong 
Kong, China; Argentina; Nigeria; Chinese Taipei; Pakistan; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Haiti; Viet Nam; 
Peru (Lima Group) and Philippines.  
8 The statements at the 14 October  Informal TNC and HODs Meeting s by the following delegations are 
incorporated in the minutes of the October General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/180: Singapore; Costa Rica 
(Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation); Chad (LDCs); Cuba; Australia (Joint Statement Initiative on 
Electronic Commerce); Panama (Article XII Members); Benin (African Group and C -4); China; New Zealand; 
Chile (Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation for Development); Switzerland; Brazil; Japan; Pakistan; 
European Union; Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOM) ; Argentina; Malaysia; Russian Federation; South Africa; United 
States; Ecuador (GRULAC); India; Uruguay (Informal Working Group on MSMEs); Jamaica (ACP); Turkey; 
Thailand (ASEAN); Nigeria; Canada (Ottawa Group); Indonesia; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Chine se Taipei; 
Egypt; Senegal; Mexico; Norway; Uganda; Republic of Korea; Colombia; Plurinational State of Bolivia; Peru; 
Montenegro; St. Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS); Viet Nam; Nepal; Paraguay; Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela; Sri Lanka; Ghana; Cambodia  and Morocco . 
9 The Chair's statements were subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/214, JOB/GC/216, JOB/GC/219 and 
JOB/GC/221 respectively.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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At the February  meeting, the representative of the Central African Republic (LDCs)  spoke. The 
General Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statement.  
At the May meeting, the representatives of Benin  (African Group), Chad (LDCs) and Angola  
spoke. The General Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statements.  
At the July meeting, the representatives of Benin (African Group) and Chad (LDCs)  spoke. The 
General Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statements.  
At the October  meeting, the representatives of Chad (LDCs) Benin (African Group) and 
Tajikistan  spoke. The General Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statements.  
3  INFORMAL PROCESS ON MATTERS RELATED TO T HE FUNCTIONING OF TH E APPELLATE 
BODY  
3.1  Statement by the Chair (WT/GC/M/176)  
At the February  meeting, t he Chair recalled that , following the discussions on matters related 
to the functioning of the Appellate Body  that had taken place  at the December 2018 General Council  
meeting, he conducted con sultations and subsequently held an Informal G eneral Council  meeting in 
January , where he had kicked off an Informal Process  on Matters  related to the Functioning of the 
Appellate Body and appointed Ambassador Walker (New Zealand) to facilitate it.   
Ambass ador Walker, as the Facilitator of the Informal Process, then reported on the 
developments in this regard. His report can be found in JOB/GC/215. The representatives of Brazil; 
the European Union; Benin (African Group); Canada; Barbados; Ghana; India; Chin a; Uganda; 
Australia; Uruguay; Switzerland; Japan; Ecuador; Mexico; Singapore; Norway; Egypt; Pakistan; 
Turkey; the Republic of Moldova; Thailand; Morocco; Argentina; Colombia and Guyana spoke. At 
the end of the discussion, the Chair proposed that the Info rmal Process led by Ambassador Walker 
as Facilitator continue under the auspices of the General Council and that another stock -taking take 
place at the May GC meeting.  The General Council took note of the Chair's statement, of the 
Facilitator's report and of the other statements.  
3.2  Report by the Facilitator (WT/GC/M/177 ; WT/GC/M/179  and WT/GC/M/180 ) 
At the May meeting, the Chair noted  that since the February G eneral Council  meeting, 
Ambassador Walker had continued his consultations on  the Informal Process on Matters related to 
the Functioning of the Appellate Body  under the auspices of the General Council , and had provided 
an additional report to all delegations in an Informal Open -ended meeting on 9 April. Ambassador 
Walker, the Facil itator of the Informal Process, reported on the developments in the Informal 
process . His report can be found in JOB/GC/21 7.  
The representatives of the  Republic of Korea; the European Union; Mexico; Canada; 
Switzerland; Ukraine; Singapore; Colombia; Niger ia; Jamaica (ACP); the Philippines; Argentina; 
Benin; Guyana; India; Egypt; China; Chad (LDCs); Malaysia; Peru; Indonesia; Viet Nam; the 
Plurinational State of Bolivia; Turkey; Honduras and the United States spoke. At the end of the 
discussion, the Chair s aid that Members needed to continue exploring possible compromise solutions 
ahead of the next General Council meeting in July and appealed to all delegations to engage in that 
conversation.  The General Council took note of the Chair's statement, of the rep ort of the Facilitator 
and of the other statements.  
At the July meeting, Ambassador Walker (New Zealand), the Facilitator of the Informal Process  
on Matters related to the Functioning of the Appellate Body , reported on the developments in this 
regard. His report can be found in JOB/GC/220.  
The representatives of Chile; Pakistan; Norway; Turkey; South Africa; Thailand; Colombia; 
India; Japan; Ecuador; China; Australia; Singapore; Canada; the European Union; Brazil; the 
Russian Federation; the Philippines; S witzerland; Jamaica (ACP); the United States; Costa Rica; 
Indonesia; Uruguay (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay); 
Guyana; Qatar; Zambia; Mexico; Egypt and Uganda spoke. The representative of China then made 
another inte rvention. At the end of the discussion, the Chair said that Members would need to decide WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  on the format and vehicle for the next stage of the informal process in the second half of the year. 
She asked Ambassador Walker, as Facilitator, to continue consultin g with delegations on this very 
important matter immediately after the summer break.  The General Council took note of the Chair's 
statement, of the Facilitator's report and of the other statements.  
At the October  meeting,  Ambassador Walker (New Zealand), the Facilitator of the Informal 
Process  on Matters related to the Functioning of the Appellate Body , reported on the developments 
in this regard. His full report , including the draft instrument presented,  can be found in JOB/GC/ 222.  
The represen tatives of Brazil; Uruguay; Guatemala; China; Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOM); 
Australia; Chile; Chinese Taipei; Japan; Ecuador; Benin (African Group); the United States; 
Chad (LDCs); Thailand; Turkey; Mexico; Norway; the European Union; the Republic of Kore a; South 
Africa; Singapore; Iceland; Indonesia; the Russian Federation; Switzerland; India; Qatar; 
Jamaica  (ACP); Guyana; Argentina; Barbados; Colombia; Pakistan; Nigeria and the Dominican 
Republic spoke.  At the end of the discussion, the Chair  said that  she and the Facilitator hoped that 
Members would give due consideration to the draft instrument that had been presented and asked 
the Facilitator to continue to work with Members in the urgent task of restoring the necessary trust 
and confidence to implemen t any such instrument in the future. The General Council took note of 
the Chair's statement, of the Facilitator's report and of the other statements.  
3.3  Fostering a Discussion on the Functioning of the Appellate Body – Communications 
from Honduras (WT/GC/M/17 6) 
At the February  meeting, the representative of Honduras presented its communications on 
fostering discussions relating to 90 days, Rule 15, alleged judicial activism by the Appellate Body, 
and precedent  circulated in documents WT/GC/W/758, WT/GC/W/759, WT/GC/W/760 and 
WT/GC/W/761 , respectively. The representatives of the Republic of Korea; Panama; the Philippines; 
El Salvador; Indonesia; Hong Kong, China and Guatemala spoke.  The General Council took note of 
the statements.  
3.4  Guidelines for the work of Pane ls and the Appellate Body – Communication from 
Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (WT/GC/M/177)  
At the May meeting, the representatives of Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay presented their 
communication containing a proposal to adopt guidelines on the completion of a ppeals by persons 
who ceased to be A ppellate Body  members, timeframes, factual elements of Panel Reports, extent 
of analysis and findings by Panels and the A ppellate Body , value of adopted Panel and AB Reports 
and filling of vacancies in the A ppellate Body  circulated in document WT/GC/W/767/Rev.1 . The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
3.5  Guideline Development Discussion – Communication from the Separate Customs 
Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (WT/GC/M/177)  
At the May meeting, the representative of Chinese Taipei presented its communication 
containing a proposal to develop guidelines on the A ppellate Body 's future functioning circulated in 
document WT/GC/W/763/Rev.1 . The General Council took note of the statement.  
3.6  Informal Process on matters related to the Functioning of the Appellate Body  – 
Communication from Japan, Australia and Chile (WT/GC/M/177)  
At the May meeting, the representatives of Japan, Australia and Chile  presented their 
communication containing a  proposed  draft decision on the scope of issues to be considered by the 
Appellate Body , 90 days, precedent, 'overreach' and a regular dialogue between the DSB and the 
Appellate Body  circulated in document WT/GC/W/768/Rev.1 . The General Council took note of the 
statements . 
3.7  General Council Decision on the Dispute Settlement System of the WTO – 
Communication from Thailand (WT/GC/M/177)  
At the May meeting, the representative of Thailand  presented its communication containing 
a propos ed draft decision  on transition rules  for outgoing A ppellate Body  members , 90 days, WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  municipal law , findings necessary for the resolution of the dispute , precedent and a regular dialogue 
between the DSB and the adjudicative bodies of the WTO circulated in document WT/GC/W/76 9. 
The General Coun cil took note of the statement.  
3.8  Appellate Body Impasse – Communication from th e African Group (WT/GC/M/179)  
At the July meeting, the representatives of Benin (African Group), Nigeria and South Africa 
presented  their communication  calling for the resolution of the Appellate Body Impasse and 
proposing amendments on: transitional rules for outgoing Appellate Body members; composition of 
Appellate Body members; term of office for Appellate Body; duration of examination of cases before 
the Appellate Bo dy and the application of obiter dicta during disputes  circulated in WT/GC/W/776 . 
The General Council took note of the statements.  
4  WORK PROGRAMME ON EL ECTRONIC COMMERCE  
4.1  Review of Progress (WT/GC/M/179)  
At the July meeting, t he CTG, CTS and CTD Chairs reported on the work taking place in their 
respective areas. The Chair then reported on the informal open -ended meeting she  had convened 
on 17 June to discuss the moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic 
transmissions, including India a nd South Africa's relevant submission s (WT/GC/W/747 and 
WT/GC/W/774 ), noted that she intended to consult broadly with Members after summer and 
reminded delegations that the General Council would need to take a decision on the moratorium by 
the end of the y ear. Her full report can be found in WT/GC/W/780. The representatives of India; 
Chad (LDCs); the European Union; the Russian Federation; South Africa; Uganda; the United States; 
Hong Kong, China; Benin; Singapore; Costa Rica; Switzerland and Norway spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the statements of the Chair and of the Chairs of the CTS, CTG and CTD, of the 
reports in S/C/57 and G/C/65 and of the other statements.  
4.2  Work Programme and Moratorium on Electronic Commerce – Communication from 
Australia; Ch ile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Georgia; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Mexico; New 
Zealand; Norway; Singapore a nd Switzerland (WT/GC /M/180)  
At the October  meeting, the representative of Switzerland introduced the communication  in 
WT/GC/W/782  co-sponsored10 by Austr alia; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Georgia; Hong Kong, 
China; Iceland; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Singapore and Switzerland propos ing to extend the 
e-commerce moratorium until MC12 and to continue the work under the Work Programme on 
Electronic Commerce during this period and  also noted that the moratorium was without prejudice 
to Members' right to impose internal taxes, fees or other charges in a manner consistent with WTO 
Agreements.   
The representatives of  Singapore; Hong Kong, China; Costa Rica; Chile ; Iceland; Mexico; 
Georgia; Australia; Paraguay; Uruguay; Argentina; Indonesia; the European Union; Panama; 
Chinese Taipei; Thailand; Chad (LDCs); Guatemala; the United States; Japan; Canada; India; the 
Plurinational State of Bolivia; Jamaica (ACP); Nigeri a; the Republic of Korea; the Dominican 
Republic; Peru; South Africa and Brazil spoke.  During its intervention, Thailand  referred to both 
items 9 and 10 of the October GC agenda11. The representative of Switzerland again took the floor. 
At the end of the discussion, the Chair invited all Members to engage in the consultations that she 
was conducting on the work programme and the moratorium with a view to make progress by the 
December meeting of the General Council.  The General Council took note of the stat ements.  
                                                
10 The latest revision to the communication can be found in document WT/GC/W/782/Rev.1 adding Israel; 
Panama and  Paraguay to the list of co -sponsors.  
11 Item 9 of the October GC agenda related to the " Work Programme and Moratorium on Electronic 
Commerce – Communication from Australia; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Georgia; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; 
Mexico; New Zealand; Norway;  Singapore; and Switzerland " while Item 10 of the October GC agenda related to 
the "TRIPS Non -Violation and Situation Complaints Moratorium – Communication from Chile, Colombia, New 
Zealand and Panama ". WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  5  TRIPS MATTERS  
5.1  TRIPS Non -Violation and Situation Complaints Moratorium – Communication from 
Chile, Colombia, New Zealand and Panama (WT/GC/M/180)  
At the October  meeting,  Chile introduced  the communication in WT/GC/W/783  co-sponsored 
by Chile;  Colomb ia; New Zealand and Panama propos ing to extend the TRIPS moratorium until MC12 
and to continue the examination of the scope and modalities for complaints of the types provided 
for under subparagraphs 1(b) and 1(c) of Article XXIII of GATT 1994 during this period.   
The representatives of  New Zealand; Panama; Colombia; the Russian Federation; Hong Kong, 
China; South Africa; India; the European Union; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Bangladesh; 
Nigeria; Canada; Guatemala and Sri Lanka spoke.  During its int ervention, Colombia  referred to both 
items 9 and 10 of the October GC agenda12. At the end of the discussion, the Chair noted that 
discussions on the issue were taking place in the TRIPS Council and encouraged delegations to 
actively engage in those discuss ions. The General Council took note of the statements.  
6  WORK PROGRAMME ON SM ALL ECONOMIES – REPO RTS (WT/GC/M/176; 
WT/GC/M/177 ; WT/GC/M/179  AND WT/GC/M/180 ) 
At the February  meeting, t he CTD Chair noted that following relevant discussions as mandated 
by Ministers at MC11, the SVEs were preparing an outcome document to be taken up at the next 
dedicated session in March. The agenda would include presentations on vulnerability of small 
economies to natural disasters and its impact on trade and the common fund for commodities. The 
representatives of Guatemala (SVEs), Trinidad and Tobago and Sri Lanka spoke.  The General Council 
took note of the CTD Chair's report and of the statements.  
At the  May meeting, DDG Agah, on behalf of the CTD Chair, reported that at the recent 
Dedicated Session, the SVE Group presented an outcome document (WT/GC/W/772) which provided 
a background of the work undertaken in accordance with the MC11 mandate. The CTD als o discussed 
in the dedicated session trade and natural disasters and commodities trade.  The representatives of 
Guatemala (SVEs), Trinidad and Tobago, and Sri Lanka spoke.  The General Council took note of the 
CTD Chair's report and of the statements.  
At the  July meeting, t he CTD Chair reported that the SVE Group was working on possible topics 
for future debate which would be proposed in a meeting of the Dedicated Session after the summer 
break with the view to making recommendations at MC12.  The representati ves of  Guatemala (SVEs) 
and Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOM) spoke.  The General Council took note of the CTD Chair's report 
and of the statements.  
At the October  meeting,  DDG Agah, on behalf of the CTD Chair, reported that, at its next 
meeting, the CTD would consider a communication from the SVEs on future work in the dedicated 
session and that the SVEs would introduce some follow -up issues on the challenges faced by small 
economies in attracting investments.  The representatives of  El Salvador (SVEs) and Trini dad and 
Tobago (CARICOM)  spoke . The General Council took note of the CTD Chair's report and of the 
statements.  
7  AID FOR TRADE  – REPORT (WT/GC/M/1 79) 
At the July meeting, the Director -General reported on the Aid for Trade Global Review 2019  
and noted that it had been  the largest one since the launch of the Aid for Trade I nitiative. The issues 
covered centred on the theme of "Supporting Economic Diversification and Empowerment" – with 
women's economic empowerment figuring prominently in the discussions. Other topics taken up 
included LDC graduation, trade and peace, standards, sustainability, tourism and e -commerce, 
among others. The representatives of Chad (LDCs) ; China;  Morocco;  Canada;  the European Union;  
Ecuador;  Cambodia;  Benin (African Group) ; Cote d'Ivoire and Nigeria spoke . The General Council 
took note of the report by the Director -General and of the statements . 
                                                
12 See footnote 11.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  8  REVIEW OF THE EXEMPT ION PROVIDED UNDER P ARAGRAPH 3 OF THE GA TT 1994 
(WT/GC/M/176)  
At the February  meeting, t he General Council conducted a review 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 eve ry two years. 
In line with the procedure agreed by the Council in 2002, statements made at GC meetings in 2019, 
questions posed to the United States and related replies would form the basis of th e 2019 review, 
together with the annual report provided by th e United States  (WT/L/1055). The  representatives of 
the European Union; Norway; Canada; the Republic of Korea; Panama; Hong Kong, China; Japan 
and Australia spoke. The United States then made a statement . The General Council took note of 
the statements  and agreed to  revert back to the matter at its last regular meeting in 2019.  
9  WAIVERS  
9.1  Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least Developed Countries  – Extension of Waiver 
(WT/GC/M/179 and WT/GC/M/180)  
At the July13 meeting, the representative of Chad  (LDCs) made a statement on the waiver 
concerning the Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least Developed Countries.  The General Council took 
note of the statement.  
At the October  meeting, the General Council adopted the draft decision concerning the 
extension of the waiver on the "Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least Developed Countries" 
circulated in document G/C/W/764 including G/C/W/764/Add.1 and G/C/W/764/Add.2. The decision 
was subs equently circulated in WT/L/1069. The representatives of Chile; China; Chad (LDCs); India; 
Nepal; Turkey and Benin  spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
9.2  United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (C BERA  as amended)  – 
Extension of Waiver (WT/GC/M/180)  
At the October  meeting, the General Council adopted the draft decision concerning the 
extension of the waiver on " United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act  (CBERA as 
amended)" circulated in document G/C/W/765. The decisi on was subsequently circulated in 
WT/L/1070. The representatives of t he United States; Jamaica; Barbados; St. Lucia (OECS); Trinidad 
and Tobago (CARICOM)  and Haiti spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
9.3  Review of Waivers Pursuant to Articl e IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  (WT/GC/M/179)  
Under Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement, "[ a]ny waiver granted for a period of more than one 
year shall be reviewed by the Ministerial Conference not later than one year after it is granted, and 
thereafter annually  until the waiver terminates ." 
At the July meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review under 
Article IX:4:  
i. Least -Developed Country Members – Obligations under Article 70.8 and Article 70.9 of 
the TRIPS Agreement with respect to  Pharmaceutical Products, granted on 30 November 
2015 until 1 January 2033 (WT/L/971)  
ii. Canada – CARIBCAN, granted on 28 July 2015 until 31 December 2023 ( WT/L/958, 
WT/L/1065 ) 
iii. United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, granted on 5 May 2015 until  
31 December 2019 ( WT/L/950, WT/L/1063 ) 
In doing so, the General Council considered reports on implementation of the respective 
waivers in documents  WT/L/1065 and WT/L/1063. The representatives of Trinidad and Tobago 
(CARICOM); Guyana; Haiti; Jamaica; Chad  (LDCs); Barbados; St. Lucia (OECS); the United States 
                                                
13 This item was taken up under "Ot her Business" at the July meeting.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  and Canada  spoke. T he General Council took note of the reports contained in documents WT/L/1065  
and WT/L/1063 and of the statements , and agreed to revert to the review of multi -year waivers 
under Artic le IX.4 of the WTO Agreement at its last regular meeting in 2019 . 
10  TWELFTH SESSION OF T HE MINISTERIAL CONFE RENCE  
10.1  Statement by the Chair (WT/GC/M/177 and WT/GC/M/179)  
At the May and July meetings14, the Chair made a statement regarding the preparations for 
MC12 including on consultations that would be conducted in due course on matters related to : 
Election of Officers; Attendance of Observers from Governments and IGOs; and Attendance of NGOs . 
The Ge neral Council took note of the Chair's statement.  
10.2  Election of Officers (WT/GC/M/180)  
At the October  meeting, the General Council agreed to formally elect formally elect 
H.E. Bakhyt Sultanov, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to chair the 
Twelfth Session of the Ministerial Conference . The representative of Kazakhstan spoke. The General 
Council took note of the statement.  
10.3  Attendance of Observers from Governments and Intergovernmental Organizations 
(WT/GC/M/180)  
At the October  meeting, the General Council agreed to repeat past practice by inviting the 
Governments with Observer Status at MC11 to attend MC12. With respect to the attendance of IGOs, 
the Chair noted that on the basis of the consultations she had conducted , the positi ons previously 
expressed had not changed and that the difficulties regarding the issue remained.  She also noted 
that she remained available to consult . The General Council took note of the Chair's statement.  
10.4  Attendance of Non -Governmental Organizations (WT /GC/M/180)  
At the October  meeting, the General Council agreed to repeat past practice by following the 
procedure that had been agreed by the General Council in July 1996 in this regard.  
11  THE VISIT TO THE WOR LD TRADE ORGANIZATIO N OF MR. ANTÓNIO GUT ERRES, 
SECRETARY -GENERAL OF  THE UNITED NATIONS  (WT/GC/M/178)  
At the 10 May  special meeting, the Director -General  welcomed the Secretary -General of the 
United Nations , Mr. António Guterres , to the WTO  and stressed the importance of multilateral 
cooperation  for being a powerful force for good , supporting economic growth, development, stability 
and peace . The Secretary -General of the United Nations highlighted  trade's contribution to economic 
growth and sustainable development . He also stressed the need to resolve the trade tensions  which 
threaten ed international trade and the rules -based multilateral trading system  through multilateral 
dialogue and cooperation. He  welcomed ongoing WTO reform efforts by Members which should be 
guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . He then  called on everyone to work together 
to honour the commitment to achieve a universal, rules -based, open, non -discriminatory and 
equitable international trading system.  The Chair noted that m ultilateralism was a public good which 
should be  protected for peace and prosperity and thanked the  Secretary -General for his unwavering 
support in that regard  and for his timely visit to the WTO.  
12  PROCEDURES TO STRENG THEN THE NEGOTIATING FUNCTION  OF THE WTO – 
COMMUNICATION S FROM THE UNITED STATES AND ST ATEMENT BY THE UNITE D STATES  
(WT/GC/M/176 ; WT/GC/M/177 ; WT/GC/M/179  AND WT/GC/M/180 ) 
At the February  meeting, t he representative of the United States presented the 
communications  in documents WT/GC/W/757/Rev.1 titled "An Undifferentiated WTO: Self-declared 
Development Status risks Institutional Irrelevance" and WT/GC/W/764  on "Draft General Council 
Decision – Procedures to Strengthen the Negotiating Function of the WTO".  The repre sentatives of 
the Central African Republic (LDCs); Brazil; Mexico; Oman (GCC); China; the Kingdom of Saudi 
                                                
14 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the May and July meetings.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  Arabia (Arab Group); Turkey; Benin (African Group); Tanzania; India; Uganda; Norway; 
Kazakhstan; New Zealand; Jamaica; Trinidad and Tobago; Canada; S witzerland; Egypt; the Republic 
of Korea; Cuba; Colombia; Australia; El Salvador; Pakistan; Israel; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; 
Indonesia; Sri Lanka; Barbados; Cameroon; Bangladesh; Chile (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, 
Mexico, Panama, Paragua y, Peru and Uruguay); Malawi (ACP); Peru; the European Union; Mali; 
Uruguay and Zimbabwe spoke.  During their intervention, s everal delegations referred to both 
items  6 and 7  of the February GC agenda15. The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the May meeting, t he representative of the United States provided an update regarding its 
discussions with delegations concerning its communications in documents WT/GC/W/757/Rev.1 and 
WT/GC/W/764  since the February General Council  meeting . The representatives of Paraguay; Chad 
(LDCs); South Africa; Brazil; Japan;  the European Union; China; India; Australia; Argentina; 
Pakistan and Egypt spoke.  During their intervention, s everal delegations referred to both items 6 
and 7  of the May GC agenda16. The representatives of the  United States; China and South Africa 
intervened again thereafter . The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the July meeting, the representative of the United States provided an update regarding its 
discussions with delegations concerning its communications in documents WT/GC/W/757/Rev.1 and 
WT/GC/W/764  since the May General Council meeting . The representatives of China; the European 
Union; Chad (LDCs); India; Jamaica; Peru; Uganda; Turkey; Benin (African Group) and S outh Africa 
spoke. The representative of the United States then made another intervention.  The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
At the October  meeting,  the representative of the  United States made a statement on this 
matter including its submis sions in documents WT/GC/W/757/Rev.1 and WT/GC/W/764 and also 
concerning the relevant US Presidential Memo. The representatives of Brazil; Chad (LDCs); the 
European Union; India; South Africa; China; Australia; Turkey; Jamaica (ACP); Indonesia; Norway; 
Barbados; Switzerland; Benin (African Group); Thailand; Pakistan; Senegal and Oman spoke.  During 
their intervention, several  delegations referred to both items 7 and 11 of the October GC agenda17. 
The representative of the United States again took the floor.  The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
13  THE CONTINUED RELEVA NCE OF SPECIAL AND D IFFERENTIAL TREATMEN T IN FAVOUR 
OF DEVELOPING MEMBER S TO PROMOTE DEVELOP MENT AND ENSURE INCL USIVENESS – 
COMMUNICATION FROM C HINA, INDIA, SOUTH A FRICA, BOLIVARIAN RE PUBL IC OF 
VENEZUELA, LAO PEOPL E'S DEMOCRATIC REPUB LIC, PLURINATIONAL S TATE OF BOLIVIA, 
KENYA AND CUBA (WT/G C/M/176)  
At the February  meeting, the representative of China introduced  the communication in 
WT/GC/W/765/Rev. 1 on "The Continued Relevance of Special and Differential Treatment of 
Developing Members to Promote Development and Ensure Inclusiveness " co-sponsored18 by China;  
India;  South Africa; the  Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela;  Lao People's Democratic Republic, the 
Plurinational State of Bolivi a; Kenya and Cuba .  
The representatives of India; Kenya; Pakistan; South Africa;  Thailand (ASEAN); Japan; 
Ghana; Myanmar; Singapore; Hong Kong, China;  the Philippines; Cambodia; Nigeria; Afghanistan; 
the United States; China; India; Brazil and Argentina sp oke. During their intervention, s everal 
                                                
15 Item 6 of the February GC agenda related to the " Procedures to Strengthen the Negotiating Function 
of the WTO – Communications from the Unite d States " while Item 7 of the February GC agenda related to " The 
Continued Relevance of Special and Differential Treatment in favour of Developing Members to Promote 
Development and Ensure Inclusiveness – Communication from China, India, South Africa and t he Bolivarian 
Republic of Venezuela ". 
16 Item 6 of the May GC agenda related to the " Procedures to Strengthen the Negotiating Function of the 
WTO – Communications from the United States " and Item 7 of the May GC agenda related to " Pursuing the 
Development Dimension in WTO Rule-Making Efforts – Communication From Norway ". 
17 Item 7 of t he October GC agenda related to the " Procedures to Strengthen the Negotiating Function of 
the WTO – Statement by the United States " and Item 11 of the October G C agenda related to the " Statement 
on Special and Differential Treatment to Promote Development – Statement by China, Cuba, India, Namibia, 
Oman, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe ". 
18 The latest revision to the communication can be found in document WT/GC/ W/765/Rev.2 adding the 
Central African Republic and Pakistan  to the list of co -sponsors.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  delegations referred to both items 6 and 7  of the February GC agenda19. The General Council took 
note of the statements.  
14  PURSUING THE DEVELOP MENT DIMENSION IN WT O RULE -MAKING EFFORT S – 
COMMUNICATION FROM N ORWAY, ICELA ND, NEW ZEALAND, SIN GAPORE AND 
SWITZERLAND (WT/GC/M /177)  
At the May meeting, the representative of Norway introduced the communication in 
WT/GC/W/770 /Rev.2  related to "Pursuing the Development Dimension in WTO Rule -Making Efforts " 
co-sponsored20 by Norway;  Iceland;  New Zealand;  Singapore and Switzerland .  
The representatives of Iceland; New Zealand; Switzerland; Canada; Mexico; Hong Kong, 
China; Turkey; Afghanistan; Uruguay; Thailand (ASEAN); Jamaica (ACP); China; Malaysia; India; 
Chad (LDCs); Egypt;  Colombia; Barbados; Ecuador; Benin (African Group); Japan; South Africa; the 
European Union; Nigeria; Indonesia and the United States spoke.  During their intervention, s everal 
delegations referred to both items 6 and 7  of the May GC agenda21. The represent ative of Norway 
again intervened thereafter.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
15  STRENGTHENING THE WT O TO PROMOTE DEVELOP MENT AND INCLUSIVITY  – 
COMMUNICATION FROM P LURINATIONAL STATE O F BOLIVIA; CUBA; ECU ADOR; INDIA; 
MALAWI; SOUTH AFRICA ; TUNI SIA; UGANDA AND ZIMB ABWE (WT/GC/M/179)  
At the July meeting, the representative of India introduced  the communication in document 
WT/GC/W/778/Rev.1  on "Strengthening the WTO to Promote Development and Inclusivity " co-
sponsored22 by the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Cuba; Ecuador; India; Malawi; South Africa; 
Tunisia; Uganda and Zimbabwe .  
The representatives of Zimbabwe; Uganda; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Oman; South 
Africa; Ecuador;  Benin; China; Chad (LDCs); Pakistan; the United States; Bangladesh; 
Jamaica  (ACP); Sri Lanka; the European Union; Egypt; Nigeria; Canada; Morocco; Norway; 
Indonesia; Turkey; Guyana and Afghanistan spoke. The representatives of South Africa and India 
then m ade another intervention.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
16  STATEMENT ON SPECIAL  AND DIFFERENTIAL TR EATMENT TO PROMOTE 
DEVELOPMENT – STATEM ENT BY CHINA, CUBA, INDIA, NAMIBIA, OMAN , SOUTH AFRICA, 
UGANDA AND ZIMBABWE (WT/GC/M/18 0) 
At the Octob er meeting, the representative of India introduced  a joint statement on this 
matter circulated in document WT/GC/202/Rev.1  on "Special and Differential Treatment to Promote 
Development " co-sponsored by the African Group ; the Plurinational State of Bolivia;  Cambodia;  
China;  Cuba;  India;  Lao People's Democratic Republic ; Oman;  Pakistan and the Bolivarian Republic 
of Venezuela .  
The representatives of China; Benin (African Group); Chad (LDCs); Uganda; Zimbabwe; the 
Plurinational State of Bolivia; Oman; Pakista n; Jamaica (ACP); Colombia (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, 
Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay); Cuba; Sri Lanka; the Dominican Republic; 
Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOM); Namibia; Ecuador; Bangladesh; Barbados; the United States; 
Indonesia; Turke y and South Africa spoke.  During their intervention, several  delegations referred to 
both items 7 and 11 of the October GC agenda23. The representatives of  India and Benin (African 
Group) again took the floor.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
 
                                                
19 See footnote 15.  
20 The latest revision to the communication can be found in document WT/GC/W/770/Rev.3 adding 
Canada; Hong Kong, China and Mexico to the list of co -sponsors.  
21 See footnote 16.  
22 The latest revision to the communication can be found in document WT/GC/W/778/Rev.2 adding the 
African Group to the list of co -sponsors.  
23 See footnote 17.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  17  PROCEDURAL GUIDELINE S FOR WTO COUNCILS A ND COMMITTEES ADDRES SING 
TRADE CONCERNS – COMMUNICATION FROM ALBANIA; AUSTRALIA; EUROPEAN UNION; 
HONG KONG, CHINA; RE PUBLIC OF KOREA; REP UBLIC OF MOLDOVA; NE W ZEALAN D; 
NORWAY; PANAMA; QATA R; SINGAPORE; SWITZE RLAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS 
TERRITORY OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; THAILAND; TUR KEY; AND 
UKRAINE  (WT/GC/M/179  AND WT/GC/M/180 ) 
At the July meeting,  the representative of the  European Union introduced  the communication 
in document WT/GC/W/777/Rev.1.  related to a Draft General Council Decision on Procedural 
Guidelines for WTO Councils and Committees Addressing Trade Concerns  co-sponsored24 by 
Australia; the European Union; Hong Kong, China; the Republic of Korea; New Zealand; Norway; 
Panama; Singapore; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei ; Turkey and Ukraine .  
The representatives of  Ukraine; Australia; Turkey; New Zealand; Chinese Taipei; Switzerland; 
Norway; Singapore; Panama; the Republic of Korea; Hon g Kong, China;  Thailand; Mexico; the 
Republic of Moldova; the Russian Federation; the United States; Uruguay; Chad (LDCs); Argentina; 
the Dominican Republic; Canada; Bangladesh; Sri Lanka; China; South Africa; Brazil; Japan; 
Paraguay; Chile; Ecuador; Niger ia; India; Egypt; Indonesia and Colombia spoke. The European 
Union then made another intervention.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the October  meeting,  the representative of the European Union presented the revision of 
the communication  in document WT/GC/W/777/Rev.325 co-sponsored26 by Albania; Australia; the 
European Union; Hong Kong, China; the Republic of Korea; the Republic of Moldova; New Zealand; 
Norway; Panama; Qatar; Singapore; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei ; Thailand; Turkey and Ukraine .  
The representatives of Qatar; Australia; Iceland; Chad (LDCs); Uruguay; Bangladesh; 
Ecuador; Colombia; Nigeria; Japan; Guatemala ; Paraguay; the United States; Mexico; Chile; South 
Africa; Indonesia; Sri Lanka; India; Canada and Oman spoke.  The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
18  AN INCLUSIVE APPROAC H TO TRANSPARENCY AN D NOTIFICATION REQUI REMENTS 
IN THE WTO – COMMUNI CATION FROM THE AFRICAN GRO UP, CUBA AND INDIA 
(WT/GC/M/179)  
At the July meeting , the representative of South Africa introduced  the communication in 
document JOB/GC/218/Rev. 1 concerning "An Inclusive Approach to Transparency and Notification 
Requirements in the WT O" co-sponsored27 by the African Group ; Cuba and India.  
The representatives of India; Oman; Nigeria; Egypt; Benin (African Group) ; Uganda; Chad 
(LDCs); Costa Rica; Switzerland; Jamaica (ACP); Uruguay;  the European Union; Bangladesh; the 
United States; Japa n; China; Norway; Canada; Thailand; Argentina; Sri Lanka; Indonesia; Pakistan; 
Turkey; Chile; Mexico; Chinese Taipei and the Plurinational State of Bolivia spoke. The 
representative of South Africa (African Group) then made another intervention.  The Genera l Council 
took note of the statements.  
19  STATEMENT  DELIVERED  BY THE UNITED STATE S ON THE IMPORTANCE OF 
TRANSPARENCY IN WTO DISPUTE SETTLEMENT ( WT/GC/M/179  AND WT/GC/M/180 ) 
At the July meeting, the United States made a statement on the importance of transparency 
in WTO Dispute Settlement and  recalled its proposal at the 1998 Ministerial Conference on opening 
all dispute settlement hearings to the public and making all submissions by the parties publi cly 
available .  
                                                
24 A revision to the communication was subsequently circulated in docu ment WT/GC/W/777/Rev.2 adding 
Albania; Republic of Moldova and Thailand to the list of co -sponsors.  
25 This revision included  Qatar as a co -sponsor  and amendments to the recitals and paragraphs 1, 7, 12, 
13 and 14.  
26 The latest revision to the communication  can be found in document WT/GC/W/777/Rev.4 adding Iceland 
and North Macedonia to the list of co -sponsors.  
27 The latest revision to the communication can be found in document JOB/GC/218/Rev.2 adding Oman 
to the list of co -sponsors.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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The representatives of the  Russian Federation; Canada; Australia; Japan; Switzerland; 
Turkey; the European Union; South Africa; China; Norway; Peru; Indonesia and India spoke. The 
representative of the United States then made another interv ention.  The General Council took note 
of the statements.  
At the October  meeting, the representative of the United States presented the joint statement 
in document WT/GC/W/785  on the " Importance of Transparency in WTO Dispute Settlement " co-
sponsored by Arg entina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; Costa Rica; New Zealand; Norway; Singapore; 
Switzerland; Chinese Taipei and the United States .  
The representative of Canada; Chinese Taipei; Switzerland; Colombia; Australia; Chile; Costa 
Rica; the European Union; Guatem ala; Brazil; South Africa; China; Japan; Mexico; Norway; 
Indonesia; Peru; Ind ia and Argentina spoke. The representative of the United States again took the 
floor.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
20  EXPANDING THE SCOPE AND MANDATE FOR THE GENE VA WEEK  – STATEMENT BY ST. 
VINCENT AND THE GREN ADINES ON BEHALF OF THE OECS AND COMMUNI CATION FROM 
SAINT LUCIA, SOLOMON  ISLANDS AND VANUATU  (WT/GC/M/177 AND WT /GC/M/180)  
At the May28 meeting, the representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS) made a 
statement on the  importance of  Geneva Week and proposed to broaden the scope of eligible 
participants . The representatives of  Dominica and Grenada spoke . The General Council took note of 
the statements.  
At the October  meeting, the representative of St. Lucia (OECS)  introduced  the communication 
in WT/GC/W/781/Rev.1  on "Expanding the Scope and Mandate of the Geneva Week " co-sponsored29 
by Barbados;  Saint Lucia;  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines;  Solomon Islands and Vanuatu .  
The representatives of St. Vi ncent and the Grenadines; Mauritius; Sri Lanka; Chad (LDCs); 
Suriname; Bangladesh; Barbados; Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOM); Benin (African Group); the 
European Union; the United States; Guyana; Jamaica and Honduras spoke . The representative of 
St. Lucia (O ECS) then made another intervention. The General Council took note of the statements.  
21  EUROPEAN UNION – SAFEGUARD MEASURES ON I NDICA RICE FROM CAMB ODIA – 
REQUEST FROM CAMBODI A (WT/GC/M/177)  
At the May meeting,  Cambodia made a statement concerning the Europe an Union 's 
withdrawal of DFQF market access under the EBA scheme for its Indica Rice by imposing a safeguard 
duty under EU Regulation 2019/67. The representatives of Thailand; Chad (LDCs); Myanmar; 
Yemen; Afghanistan; China and Benin spoke . The representat ive of the European Union made a 
statement. The General Council took note of the statements.  
22  SPS AGRICULTURE ISSU ES – STATEMENT BY CA NADA (WT/GC/M/177)  
At the May meeting,  Canada raised concerns on the suspension by China of two Canadian 
establishments from exporting Canadian canola seeds for not meeting China's import requirements 
and increased inspection of imports of canola seeds from other Canadian companies.  The 
representative  of China provided a response and noted that it intended to continue to discuss the 
matter with Canada in the SPS Committee.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
23  TRADE RESTRICTIVE ME ASURES BY BRAZIL – STATEMENT BY ECUADOR 
(WT/GC/M/177)  
At the May meeting,  the representative of Ecuador raised concerns on Brazil's suspension of 
imports of bananas from Ecuador on the basis of alleged presence of the bract mosaic virus that 
could contaminate Brazilian banana plantations. The representative of Brazil  said that the decision 
to suspend such imports was based on the adoption of phytosanitary measures necessary to 
                                                
28 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the May meeting.  
29 The latest revision to the communication can be found in document WT/GC/W/781/Rev.2 adding Sri 
Lanka  to the list of co -sponsors.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  preserve plant life and could be more fruitfully discussed in the SPS Committee.  The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
24  EXPORT RESTRI CTIVE MEASURES BY JA PAN – STATEMENT BY T HE REPUBLIC OF 
KOREA (WT/GC/M/179)  
At the July meeting,  the representative of the  Republic of Korea raised  concerns on Japan's 
tightening of export controls on three materials — fluorinated polyimide, hydrogen fluori de and 
photoresist – which were essential for the production of Korean semiconductors. The representative 
of Japan said that the measure was part of its operational review of export controls to prevent the 
proliferation of certain goods for national securi ty purposes. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
25  WTO OPEN DAY – STATE MENT BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL (WT/GC/M/17 6) 
At the February30 meeting, the Director -General announced that there would be a WTO Open 
Day on 16 June (Sunday) and invited everyone to participate in the day's activities.  The General 
Council took note of the Director -General's statement.  
26  US TRADE RESTRICTIVE  MEASURES ON THE ICT  INDUSTRY – STATEMEN T BY CHINA 
(WT/GC/M/179)  
At the July31 meeting, the representative of China raised  concerns on the US Executive Order 
on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain, and its 
announcement of putting relevant Chinese companies into the export control "Entity List". The 
representative of the Unite d States stressed  that WTO Councils and Committees were not 
appropriate venues to discuss issues of national security.  The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
27  G20 OSAKA SUMMIT AND  THE G20 MINISTERIAL  MEETING ON TRADE AN D DIGITAL 
ECONOMY – STATEMEN T BY JAPAN (WT/GC/M/ 179)  
At the July32 meeting,  the representative of Japan provided a report on the  G20 Osaka Summit 
and the G20 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digital Economy in Tsukuba  and referred to the 
respective Declarations circulated in WT/L/1066  and WT/L/1067.  The General Council took note of 
the statement.  
28  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET,  FINANCE AND ADMINIS TRATION  
28.1  Reports and Recommendations (WT/GC/M/177)  
At the May meeting,  the General Council  considered the report by the Committee on Budget, 
Finance and Administration on its meeting in March (WT/BFA/17 8), took note of the CBFA Chair's 
statement, approved the Budget Committee's specific recommendation in paragraph 9.7 of 
WT/BFA/178 and adopted the report.  
29  WTO PENSION PLAN  
29.1  Reports (WT/GC/M/179)  
At the July meeting,  the Chair of the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan introduced 
the Annual Report of the Management Board for 201 8 contained in document WT/L/10 60, and the 
Report of the Independent External Auditor on the Audit of the Financial Statements of  the WTOPP 
in document WT/L/10 64. The General Council took note of the Annual Report of the Management 
Board for 201 8, the Report of the Independent External Auditor on the Audit of the Financial 
Statements of the WTOPP, and the WTOPP Chair's statement.  
                                                
30 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the February meeting.  
31 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the July meeting.  
32 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the July meeting.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  29.2  Election of Chairperson, Members, and Alternates to the Management Board 
(WT/GC/M/1 79) 
Article  4(a) of the Regulations of the WTO Pension Plan provides, inter alia , for the election 
by the General Council of a Chairperson, four members and four alternates to the Management 
Board of the Pension Plan, each for a three -year term.  
At the July meeting,  the Chair recalled the process of consultations that had been undertaken 
regarding the vacancy in the WTOPP Management Board announced through a commun ication sent 
to delegations in May.  On the basis of this process, she suggested that the candidate proposed in 
document WT/GC/W/775, Ms. Kelly Milton (United States), be elected to the Management Board as 
a Member . The General Council so agreed.33 
30  ADMINIST RATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS  (WT/GC/M/176; 
WT/GC/M/177 ; WT/GC/M/179  AND WT/GC/M/180 ) 
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 Chairperson of the Committee on Budget, Finan ce and Administration should provide information 
with regard to which Members and Observers were under Administrative Measures; and, the General 
Council Chairperson would request Members and Observers in Categories II and III to inform the 
Secretariat as t o when the payment of arrears might be expected.  
At the General Council meetings in February , May, July and October34, the Chair of the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration provided information with regard to which 
Members were under Administrati ve Measures and the Chair made the said request to Members and 
Observers in Categories II and III. The  General Council took note of the statements.  
31  APPOINTMENT OF OFFIC ERS TO WTO BODIES  (WT/GC/M/176 ; WT/GC/M/179  AND 
WT/GC/M/180 ) 
At the February  meeting,  the Chair recalled that in accordance with the Guidelines for 
Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies approved by the General Council in 2002 (WT/L/510), and 
the related practical steps to improve their implementation (JOB/GC/22), he, together with  the Chair 
of the Dispute Settlement Body, Ambassador Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand), had conducted 
consultations on a slate of names for the appointment of Chairpersons to WTO regular bodies listed 
in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the Annex to the Guidelines . In addition, they had also consulted on the 
appointment of new Chairpersons for the CTD SS , CTE SS  and DSB SS . The process had included an 
informal open -ended Heads of Delegation meeting which had been held on 26 February where he 
had provided an account of the process and where he had shared with delegations the slate of names 
where there appeared to be consensus.  
Regarding  the WTO regular bodies, he inform ed deleg ations that, on the basis of tho se 
consultations, there had been  consensus on the following slate of names on WTO regular bodies in 
Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5:  
General Council  H.E. Ms. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand)  
 
Dispute Settlement Body  
 H.E. Dr. David Walker (New Zealand)  
Trade Policy Review Body  
 H.E. Mr. Manuel Teehankee (Philippin es) 
 
Council for Trade in Goods  
 H.E. Mr. José Luis Cancela (Uruguay)  
 
                                                
33 The decision can be found in document WT/L/1 068. 
34 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the February, May, July and October meetings.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  Council for Trade in Services  
 H.E. Mr. Geert Muylle (Belgium)  
 
Council for TRIPS  
 H.E. Mr. Lundeg Purevsuren (Mongolia)  
 
Committee on Trade and Development  
 H.E. Mr. Chad Blackman (Barbados)  
 
Committee on Balance -of-Payments 
Restrictions  H.E. Ms. Cheryl K. Spencer (Jamaica)  
 
Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration  H.E. Mr. Dagfinn Sørli (Norway)  
 
Committee on Trade and Environment  
 Mr. Jean -Marie Paugam (France)  
 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
 H.E. Mr. Carlos Mario Foradori (Argentina)  
 
Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance  
 H.E. Mr. Refiloe Litjobo (Lesotho)  
 
Working Group on Trade and Transfer of 
Technology  
 H.E. Dr.  Rashidi Said (Malaysia)  
Concerning the negotiating bodies, consultations showed that there was consensus on the 
following appointments:  
Committee on Trade and Development in 
Special Session  H.E. Mr. François Xavier Ngarambe (Rwanda)  
Committee on Trade a nd Environment in 
Special Session  H.E. Mr. Leopold Samba (Central African 
Republic)  
 
Additionally, upon departure of the current Chair, Ambassador Coly Seck  (Senegal), there 
was consensus that the Chairmanship of the Dispute Settlement Body in Special Session (DSB SS) 
would be taken over by H.E. Mr. Kokou Yackoley Johnson (Togo) . The Chair  then recalled that 
appointm ents for the regular bodies would be for on e year  in keeping with the general rule in the 
Guidelines.  All appointments would be made formally by the WTO bodies concerned at the ir 
subsequent meetings in 2019. The General Council took note of the consensus on the slate of names 
for the appointment of  officers in the WTO bodies  and of the Chair's statement.  
On behalf of t he Chairs of the CTG and CTS , the Chair  made a statement on the consultations 
on the Chairmanships of the subsidiary bodies  of the two Councils  in accordance with the relevant 
guidelines.  The General Council took note of the  Chair's statement.  
At the July35 meeting,  the Chair advised Members that the appointment process for the Chair 
of the Negotiating Group on Rules was still ongoing and the proc ess for appointing the CTD SS Chair 
would soon commence . The General Council took note of the Chair's statement.  
At the October36 meeting, the representative of Ecuador (GRULAC) made a statement on the 
Chairmanship of the Negotiating Group on Rules. The rep resentatives of Mongolia (Asian Group of 
Developing Members) and Benin (African Group) also spoke . The Chair appealed on all delegations' 
sense of responsibility as she stood ready to continue to consult and assist them in the process.  The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
                                                
35 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the July meeting.  
36 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the October meeting.  WT/GC/W/788  
 
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  32  ELECTION OF CHAIRPER SON (WT/GC/M/176)  
At the February  meeting,  the Chair, as the outgoing presiding officer of the General Council, 
made a statement. The General Council then unanimously elected H.E. Ambassador Sunanta 
Kangvalk ulkij (Thailand)  to the Chair.   
The Director -General and the newly -elected Chair spoke. The General Council took note of 
the statements.  
 
 
__________