WT/GC/W/809  
2 December 2020  
(20-8689) Page: 1/15 
General Council  
16-17 December 2020    
 
  
GENERAL COUNCIL  
DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT (2020)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 3  March , 
29 May, 22-23 and 31 July , and 13 October, a special meeting on 1 5 May and a General Council 
meeting with the candidates in the Appointment Process for a new Director -General on 15-17 July .3 
The minutes of these  meetings, which remain in the record of the G eneral Council's work, are 
contained in documents WT/GC/M/182, WT/GC/M/183  and WT/GC/M/183/Corr.1, WT/GC/M/184 
and WT/GC/M/184/Corr.1, WT/GC/M/185, WT/GC/M/186 and WT/GC/M/187.  
 
The following subjects are included in the report:  
 
1   REPORTS ON INFORMAL TNC AND INFORMAL HODS MEETINGS   ................................ . 2 
2   IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON   ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
3   COVID -19 TRADE -RELATED MATTERS  ................................ ................................ .........  5 
3.1   Information Sharing and Exchange of Views on COVID -19 Trade -Related Measures   ............  5 
3.2   Joint Ministerial Statement on Action Plans to Facilitate the Flow of Goods and Services as 
well as the Essential Movement of People – Request by the Republic of Korea  ...........................  5 
3.3   Garments and Textile Sector in light of COVID -19 – Statement by Bangladesh  ...................  6 
3.4   Discussions of the g7+ WTO Accessions Group on COVID -19 – Statement by Afghanistan  .... 6 
3.5   COVID -19 Initiative: Protecting Global Foo d Security Through Open Trade –  
Statement by Co -Sponsors of WT/GC/218/Rev.1  ................................ ................................ ... 6 
3.6   APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Virtual Meeting Joint Statement 2020 –  
Request from Malaysia  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 6 
4   WORK PROGRAMME O N ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ .......................  6 
4.1   Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs Duties  
on Electronic Transmi ssions – Request from India  ................................ ................................ .. 6 
5   WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORTS  ................................ .............  7 
6   ACCESSION MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 7 
6.1   2019 A nnual Report by the Director -General  ................................ ................................ .. 7 
6.2   Curaçao  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  7 
 
1 The final version of the report will also reflect any further meeting of the General Council to be held in 
2020 and items will be renumbered as necessary.  
2 The annual report of the General Council for 2019 was circulated in WT/GC/205.  
3 A special meeting  of the General Council was convened for 9 November (WTO/AIR/GC/33). The 
meeting was subsequently postponed until further notice (WTO/AIR/GC/33/Add.1). See also Footnote 30.  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  6.3   Somalia  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  7 
7   OBSERVER STATUS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
7.1   Turkmeni stan ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  8 
8   WAIVERS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  8 
8.1   Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  ................................ ... 8 
9   TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MIN ISTERIAL CONFERENCE ................................ ..............  8 
9.1   Statement by the Chairperson  ................................ ................................ .....................  8 
9.2   Election of Officers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 9 
9.3   Request for Observer Status by Palestine  ................................ ................................ ...... 9 
9.4   Launch of the MC12 Logo – Statement by Kazakhstan  ................................ ....................  9 
9.5   Date and Venue   ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 9 
10   PROCEDURES TO STRENGTHEN THE NEGOTIATING FUNCTION OF THE WTO – 
STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES  ................................ ................................ ...............  9 
11   PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES FOR WTO COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES ADDRESSING 
TRADE CONCERNS – COMMUNICATION FROM AND STATEMENT BY CO -SPONSORS   ....... 10 
12   THE IMPORTANCE OF MARKET -ORIENTED CONDITIONS TO THE WORLD  
TRADING SYSTEM  – COMMUNICATION FROM THE UNITED STATES AND JOINT 
STATEMENT BY BRAZIL, JAPAN  AND THE UNITED STATES  ................................ .............  10 
13   UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE REPORT ON THE APPELLATE BODY  
OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION – STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES  ............  11 
14   KAZAKHSTAN – BORDER RESTRICTIONS OF GOODS IN TRANSIT – REQUEST  
FROM THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC  ................................ ................................ .......................  11 
15   G20 TRADE AND INVESTMENT MINI STERIAL MEETING – STATEMENT BY  
THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA  ................................ ................................ ..................  11 
16   ORIGIN MARKING REQUIREMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES – STATEMENT  
BY HONG KONG, CHINA ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 11 
17   COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  ................................ .... 11 
17.1   Reports and Recommendations  ................................ ................................ .................  11 
18   WTO PENSION PLAN  ................................ ................................ ...............................  12 
18.1   Election of Chairperson, Members, and Alternates to the Management Board   ..................  12 
18.2   Reports   ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  12 
19   ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS   ................................ .... 12 
20   APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT DIRECTOR -GENERAL   ................................ .................  12 
21   DESIGNATION OF ACTING DIRECTOR -GENERAL   ................................ .....................  13 
22   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES  ................................ ........................  14 
23   ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON   ................................ ................................ ..................  15 
 
 
1  REPORTS ON INFORMAL TNC AND INFORMAL HODS MEETINGS  (WT/GC/M/182; 
WT/GC/M/184; WT/GC/M/186  AND WT/GC/M/187 ) 
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.  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  1.2.  At the March  meeting, the Chair recalled that the Director -General had convened Informal TNC 
and Informal Heads of Delegation meetings on 2 March where he had reported 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 bo dies, and the statements delivered by delegations would 
be included in the minutes of the March General Council meeting. The representatives of Costa Rica, 
Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire  spoke. The General Council took note of the report of the Chairman of the 
TNC and of the Director -General's report4, and of the statements delivered at the Informal TNC and 
Informal HODs meetings on 2 March5 and by the delegations who took the floor under this item at 
the March General Council meeting.  
At the May meeting, t he Director -General , as Chairman of the TNC,  provided his report on the 
TNC's activities since his last report to the Council , as well as  on COVID -19 related matters and on 
his recent outreach activities. His full report can be found in  document JOB/GC/231. The 
representatives of Chad (LDCs); Botswana (African Group); Burkina Faso (C -4 and the 36 African 
Country Cotton and Cotton Product Producers and/or Exporters); Costa Rica (Joint Initiative on 
Services Domestic Regulation); Panama; Uruguay (Informal Working Group on MSMEs); Australia 
(Joint Statement on E -Commerce); Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Jamaica (ACP); Indonesia; India; South 
Africa; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); the European Union; Guyana and Switzerland spoke.  During its 
intervention, the representative of Indo nesia referred to both items 1 and 2 of the May GC agenda .6 
The General Council took note  of the report of the Director -General and of the statements .7 
1.4.  At the July meeting, as it was his last General Council meeting , Director -General  Roberto 
Azevêdo delivered a farewell statement to the General Council. The D irector -General  recalled his 
experience and the highlights during his seven -year tenure. He said that  MC12 should deliver 
credible agreements and map the way for further reforms  especially given the economic 
repercussions in the wake of COVID -19. His full statement can be found in JOB/GC/241 .8 
1.5.  The Chairman followed by the representatives of Brazil; Guatemala (GRULAC); Thailand; 
Switzerland; Tanzania; Singapore; Barbados; Australia ; China; Honduras; Egypt; Costa Rica; 
Ukraine; the European Union; Ecuador; Canada; the United Kingdom; Sir Lanka; Jamaica (ACP); 
the United States; North Macedonia; India; Tajikistan; Viet Nam (ASEAN); the Dominican Republic; 
Japan; Pakistan; Chad (LDCs a nd C-4); Botswana (African Group); the Russian Federation; Burkina 
Faso (LDCs and C -4); Côte d'Ivoire; Zimbabwe; the Republic of Korea; Turkey; Afghanistan; Nigeria; 
the Philippines; Senegal; Kenya; Nepal; Norway; Cambodia; Mozambique; Haiti; Israel; Chine se 
Taipei; Angola; Bangladesh; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Uruguay; South Africa; Indonesia; Ghana; 
Iceland; Fiji; Albania; Namibia; Malaysia; Togo; Cameroon; New Zealand; Myanmar; Gabon; 
Paraguay; Qatar; Peru; Mexico; Colombia; Hong Kong, China; Liechtenstei n; Georgia; Saint Lucia; 
Liberia; Zambia; The Gambia; Brunei Darussalam; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group) and 
Kazakhstan  bade farewell to DG Azevêdo and paid tribute to him for his leadership during his tenure 
as WTO Director -General. The General C ouncil took note of the statements.  
 
4 The Director -General's report and those of the Negotiating Group Chairs at the 2 March Informal TNC 
and Informal HODs Meetings are incorporated in the minutes of the March General Council meeting and are 
also circulated in document JOB/TNC/78.  
5 The statements at the 2 March Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meetings by the following de legations 
are incorporated in the minutes of the March General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/182: Switzerland; Brazil; 
Botswana (African Group); Singapore; Chad (LDCs); European Union; Morocco; Canada (Ottawa Group); 
Angola; Iceland; Jamaica (ACP); Montenegro ; China; Mexico; Japan; United States; New Zealand; Uruguay 
(Informal Working Group on MSMEs); India; Norway; Peru; Egypt (NFIDCs except Peru); Barbados 
(CARICOM); Afghanistan; Russian Federation; Malaysia; Republic of Korea; Turkey; Philippines; Costa Ric a 
(Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation); Nigeria; Argentina; South Africa; Pakistan; Thailand; Hong 
Kong, China; Indonesia; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; United Kingdom; Viet Nam (ASEAN); Nepal; 
Solomon Islands (Pacific Group); Australia ( Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce); Cambodia; 
Panama (Article XII); Chinese Taipei; Burkina Faso (C -4); Saint Lucia (OECS); Ecuador; Chile (Structured 
Discussions on Investment Facilitation for Development) and Paraguay.  
6 Item 1 of the May GC agenda related to the " Report by the Chairman of the Trade Negotiations 
Committee and Report by the Director -General " while Item 2 of the May GC agenda related to the 
"Implementation of the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Outcomes – Statement by the Chairman ". 
7 At the request of the delegations of Egypt and Gabon, their statements under this item are 
incorporated in the minutes of the May General Council meeting and can be found in Annex 1 of document 
WT/GC/M/184.  
8 See also https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spra_e/spra304_e.htm .  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  1.6.  At the October  meeting, the Chair recalled that on 12 October, the Informal TNC and Informal 
Heads of Delegation meetings had been convened by the four Deputy Directors -General in 
coordination with him as General Council  Chair. The Deputy Director s-General  and he had thought 
that during the interim period, it would be useful to have a "no surprises" approach, and that included 
continuing to provide the important usual transparency and inclusiveness in the HODs/TNCs – for 
Members to update each other on their activities and express views on the way forward ahead of 
the General Council meeting. D eputy Director -General  Agah, representing all DDGs,  chaired the 
meeting and had provided a report on recent activities. As per past  practice, the report of Deputy 
Director -General  Agah, representing all DDGs, the reports of the Chairs of negotiating bodies, and 
the statements delivered by delegations during the Informal TNC and Informal HODs meetings were 
included in the minutes of the October  General Council meeting.  The representative of Saint Lucia 
(CARICOM)  spoke. The General Council took note  of the report9 of Deputy Director -General Agah, 
representing all DDGs , on 12 October, and of the statement that day as well as those delivered at 
the 12 October Informal TNC and Informal HODs meetings .10 
2  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/182 ; WT/GC/M/184 ; WT/GC/M/186 
AND WT/GC/M/187 ) 
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 dire ctly 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.  
At the General Council meetings in March, 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.11  
At the March  meeting, the representative s of Chad (LDCs) and Barbados spoke. The General 
Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statement.  
At the May meeting, the representatives of Chad (LDCs); Switzerland and the  European Union  
spoke.  The General Council took note of the Chair man's report and of the statements.  
At the July meeting, the representatives of India; South Africa; Chad (LDCs); Botswana (African 
Group); Indonesia; Switzerland; the European Union; Sri Lanka and Namibia  spoke. The General 
Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statements.  
At the October  meeting, the representatives of Chad (LDCs); the European Union; India and 
Indonesia  spoke. The General Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statements.  
 
9 Deputy Director -General Agah's report, representing all Deputy Directors -General, and the reports of 
the Chairs of Negotiating Bodies at the 12 Octob er Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meetings are incorporated 
in the minutes of the October General Council meeting and are also circulated in document JOB/TNC/87.  
10 The statements at the 12 October Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meetings by the following 
delegations are incorporated in the minutes of the October General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/187: Brazil; 
Chad (LDCs); China; Panama (Article XII Members); Egypt; European Union; Japan; Angola; Afghanistan; 
United States; Costa Rica (Joint Initiative on Ser vices Domestic Regulation); Argentina; Iceland; Canada 
(Ottawa Group); Jamaica (ACP); Singapore; Australia (Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce); 
Botswana (African Group); India; Montenegro; Turkey; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Philippines; Thailan d; New 
Zealand; Mexico; Republic of Korea; Chinese Taipei; Chile (Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation 
for Development); Switzerland; South Africa; Indonesia (G -33); Norway; Hong Kong, China; Uruguay 
(Informal Working Group on MSMEs); Nigeria;  Malaysia; Qatar; Ecuador; Colombia; Namibia; Pakistan; 
Burkina Faso (C -4); United Kingdom; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Sri Lanka and Peru. At its request, the 
statement of Barbados on this matter is likewise incorporated in the minutes of the Octobe r General Council 
meeting and can be found in Annex 2 of document WT/GC/M/187 together with the above -mentioned 
statements.  
11 The Chairman's statements were subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/226, JOB/GC/232, JOB/GC/242 
and JOB/GC/246.  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  3  COVID -19 TRADE -RELATED MATTERS  
3.1  Information  Sharing and Exchange of Views on COVID -19 Trad e-Related Measures  
(WT/GC/M/183 and WT/GC/M/183/Corr.1)  
The special General Council meeting held in virtual format on 15 May  provided a forum for 
Members to  share information and exchange views on COVID -19 trade-related measures . It was the 
first time that  a Special General Council meeting was convened to discuss the trade policy aspects 
and effects of a global crisis and that a formal WTO meeting was held in virtual format. The Chair 
highlighted the economic dimensions of the COVID -19 crisis and that trade , or the lack of it, could 
variously contribute to ameliorating problems or to aggravating the challenges – in both the 
immediate and longer term. He noted the various initiatives of the WTO in response to the crisis, 
including the guidance joint statement s issued by the Director -General and the monitoring and 
reporting work of the Secretariat and stressed that Members had been issuing joint political 
statements calling for keeping markets open; ensuring the free flow of trade in essential medical 
goods, ag ricultural and food products; minimising disruptions in supply chains; and for response 
measures to be transparent, temporary and proportionate, without creating unnecessary barriers to 
trade. His full statement was circulated  in document JOB/GC/228. The D irector -General also made 
a statement on this matter which was subsequently circulated in document JOB/GC/229.  
The representatives of Uruguay; Switzerland; Morocco; Jamaica (ACP); Guyana; Saint Lucia 
(CARICOM); Israel; Botswana (African Group); Montenegro;  New Zealand; Argentina (Brazil, 
Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay); North Macedonia; the 
Republic of Korea; the United Kingdom; the Dominican Republic (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras 
and Panama); the Philippines; Taji kistan; Australia; Mexico; Nigeria; Albania; Paraguay; Japan; 
Namibia; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; the European Union; Barbados; Egypt; Singapore; Norway; Peru; 
Sri Lanka; Afghanistan; the Republic of Moldova; Costa Rica; the Russian Federation; Hong Kong, 
China; Oman; Benin; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; China; the United States; Ecuador; Turkey; 
Tunisia; Thailand; Canada; Chinese Taipei; Malaysia; India; Indonesia; South Africa; Myanmar; Fiji 
(Pacific Group); Ukraine; Viet Nam (ASEAN); Cambodia; Burkina Faso (C-4, LDCs and the 36 African 
Country Cotton and Cotton Product Producers and/or Exporters); the Maldives; Zimbabwe; Bahamas 
(Observer); Belarus (Observer) and Uzbekistan (Observer)  spoke .12 
In the course of the meeting, delegations referred to several rel evant communications 
including:  (a) G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Statement (WT/L/1089) ; (b) Declaration on 
Trade in Essential Goods for Combating the COVID -19 Pandemic (G/C/W/777) ; (c) Responding to 
the COVID -19 Pandemic with Open and Predictable Trade in Agricultural and Food Products 
(WT/GC/208 and WT/GC/208 /Rev.1 and WT/GC/208 /Rev.2) ; (d) COVID -19: Actions to be 
Considered during Confinement and after Reopening of the World Trade Orga nization (WTO) 
Facilities (RD/GC/13 – RD/TNC/2) ; (e) ASEAN Declaration and Statements on COVID -19 
(WT/GC/210) ; (f) Securing LDCs' Emergency Access to Essential Medical and Food Products to 
combat the COVID -19 Pandemic (WT/GC/211) ; (g) Statement on COVID -19 And the Multilateral 
Trading System by Ministers Responsible for the WTO from Co -Sponsors (WT/GC/212 and Rev.1 and 
Rev.2) ; (h) Statement on COVID -19 by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (WT/GC/213)  (i) Joint 
Ministerial Statement on COVID -19 (WT/GC/214 ); (j) Statement on Highlighting the Importance of 
MSMEs in the time of COVID -19 (WT/GC/215 and Rev.1) ; (k) G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial 
Meeting Ministerial Statement (WT/GC/216) .  
The General Council took note of the statements.  
3.2  Joint Ministerial Statement on Action Plans to Facilitate the Flow of Goods and 
Services as well as the Essential Movement of People – Request by the Republic of Korea 
(WT/GC/M/184)  
At the May meeting, t he representative of the Republic of Korea presented the Joint Minister ial 
Statement circulated in WT/GC/214 and co -sponsored by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and 
Singapore. The representatives of Chad (LDCs); New Zealand, Australia; Singapore; Kenya; Chinese 
Taipei; South Africa; India; Canada; the European Union; Afghanist an and Chile spoke.  During their 
 
12 At their request, t he statements of Chad (LDCs) and of Libya (Observer) are incorporated in the 
minutes of the 15 May meeting and can be found in the annex of document WT/GC/M/183.  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  respective intervention s, Kenya and Chile referred to items 5 and 6 of the May GC agenda .13 The 
representative of the Republic of Korea again  took the floor.  The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
3.3  Garments and Tex tile Sector in light of COVID -19 – Statement by Bangladesh 
(WT/GC/M/184)  
At the May14 meeting, the representative of Bangladesh made a statement on the impact of 
the behaviour of businesses in light of  COVID -19, in particular in the garments manufacturing sector 
and requested that an event be organised to discuss this matter.  The General Council took note of 
the statement.  
3.4  Discussions of the g7+ WTO Accessions Group on COVID -19 – Statement by 
Afghanista n (WT/GC/M/184)  
At the May15 meeting, the representative of Afghanistan provided an update on the discussions 
of the g7+ WTO Accessions Group on COVID -19 where they called on all Members to consider the 
challenges they faced and to support them in curbing the pandemic and facilitating their economic 
recovery and resilience.  The General Council took note of the statement.  
3.5  COVID -19 Initiative: Protecting Global Food Security Through Open Trade – 
Statement by Co-Sponsors of WT/GC/218/R ev.1 (WT/GC/M/186)  
At the July meeting, the representative of Australia presented the revised communication in 
document WT/GC/218/Rev.1, on behalf of the co -sponsors, seeking to limit the impacts of COVID -
19 by reinforcing the importance of open markets, maintaining global s upply chains and 
transparency.  The representatives of Costa Rica; Canada; Argentina; Uruguay; Brazil; Peru; 
Paraguay; New Zealand; Japan; Chile; the United States; Singapore; Ukraine; China; the United 
Kingdom; Nigeria; the European Union; the Russian Fede ration; Pakistan; Qatar; Botswana (African 
Group); Jamaica (ACP); Chad (LDCs); South Africa; India; Indonesia and  Malaysia spoke . During its 
intervention, Botswana referred to the African Group Statement on the Implications of COVID -19 in 
document WT/GC/21 9 – TN/C/20. The General Council took note of the statements.  
3.6  APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (M RT) Virtual Meeting Joint Statement 2020 – 
Request from Malaysia (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October  meeting, the representative of Malaysia presented the communication in 
WT/GC/220 . The representatives of Australia; Chile; the United States; Canada; the Philippines; Viet 
Nam (ASEAN) and Japan spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
4  WORK P ROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE16 
4.1  Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs 
Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October  meeting, the representative of India made a statement stressing the importance 
of discussions under the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and on the moratorium.  The 
representatives of  South Africa;  Indonesia;  Nigeria;  Australia;  Botswana (African Group) ; 
Bangladesh;  Jamaica (ACP) ; Namibia;  Saint Lucia (CARICOM) ; the United Kingdom;  Turkey;  the 
United States;  Mali; Mexico;  Canada;  Switzerland;  Israel;  Singapore;  Japan;  Sri Lanka;  the 
European Union;  Pakistan;  Chad (LDCs) and Chile spoke. India again took the floor.  The General 
Council took note of the statements.  
 
13 Item 5 of the May GC agenda related to the " Process of Appointment of the next Director -General – 
Statement by the Chairman "; Item 6 of the May GC agenda related to the " Joint Ministerial Statement on 
Action Plans to Facilitate the Flow of Goods and Services as well as the Essential Movement of People – 
Request by the Republic of Korea ". 
14 This statement was made under "Other Business" at the 29 May meeting.  
15 This statement was made under "Other Business" at the 29 May meeting.  
16 See also Paragraph 2.2 and Footnote 11.  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  5  WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORT S (WT/GC/M/182 ; 
WT/GC/M/184 ; WT/GC/M/186 AND WT/GC/M/187 ) 
At the March  meeting, t he CTD Chair man reported that the proposed text for a Ministerial 
Decision on Small  Economies was still under consideration and that there was no objection to 
proceed with a proposed seminar on the opportunities and challenges for small economies in 
attracting investments. The representatives of El Salvador (SVEs) and Barbados spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the CTD Chair man's report and of the statements.  
At the May meeting, the CTD Chairman reported that due to COVID -19, the dedicated session 
scheduled on 26 March was postponed – which could have been used to agree on a text for  an MC12 
Ministerial Decision on the Work Programme of Small Economies. As MC12 had also been postponed, 
the CTD Chair would discuss with the SVEs Group regarding the way forward. The representatives 
of Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Mauritius; Saint Lucia (CARI COM); El Salvador (SVEs) and Barbados 
spoke. The General Council took note of the CTD Chairman's report and of the statements.  
At the July meeting, the CTD Chairman reported that he had reached out to the SVEs and other 
delegations and planned to convene a  meeting after the summer break to discuss relevant issues. 
He noted the suggestions by delegations to include topics such as the impact of COVID -19 on trade 
in small economies and on attracting investments. The representatives of Guatemala (SVEs), Fiji, 
Saint Lucia (CARICOM), Vanuatu (Pacific Group), Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso (C -4) and Barbados spoke. 
The General Council took note of the CTD Chairman's report and of the statements.  
At the October  meeting,  the CTD Chairman  reported that he had reached out to the SVEs and 
other delegations and planned to convene a meeting after the summer break to discuss relevant 
issues. Delegations suggested topics such as the impact of COVID -19 on the trade of small 
economies and attracting investments in small economies.  The representatives of  Barbados;  
Guatemala (SVEs) ; Sri Lanka;  Ecuador;  Saint Lucia (CARICOM) ; Mauritius;  the Republic of Korea 
and Fiji (Pacific Group) spoke.  The General Council took note of the CTD Chairman's report and of 
the statements.  
6  ACCESSION MATTERS  
6.1  2019 Annual Report by the Director -General (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the  Director -General presented the 2019 Annual Report on WTO 
Accessions (WT/ACC/36 – WT/GC/207) and highlighted that 2019 was another busy year for WTO 
accessions with 14 out o f the 22 ongoing accessions being in the "active" category. The 
representatives of Panama (Article XII Members); Afghanistan; Chad (LDCs); the United States; 
Uruguay; Botswana (African Group); South Africa; Turkey; the United Kingdom; Benin; Oman; 
Qatar; Somalia (Observer) and Ethiopia (Observer) spoke.  The General Council took note of the 
Director -General's report and of the statements.  
6.2  Curaçao (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, t he General Council agreed to establish the Working Party to examine 
the request for accession of Curaçao  in document WT/ACC/CUW/1 , with standard terms of reference 
and composition as the Chair read out in the meeting.  Mr. Caryl Monte, President of the Permanent 
Commission for International Trade and Foreign Economic Relati ons and Chief Negotiator of Curaçao  
(Observer) and the  representatives of  the Kingdom of the Netherlands; Panama (Article XII 
Members); the European Union; S aint Lucia (OECS); Barbados; the United Kingdom; Jamaica and 
the Dominican Republic spoke. The Gene ral Council took note of the statements.  
6.3  Somalia (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October17 meeting, the Chair announced that, following a process of consultations 
conducted by Deputy Director -General Wolff, there was consensus on the appointment of 
 
17 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the October meeting.  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  Ambassador Mikael Anzén (Sweden) as Chair man of the Working Party on the Accession of Somalia.  
The General Council took note of the statement.  
7  OBSERVER STATUS  
7.1  Turkmenistan (WT/GC/M/184 and WT/GC/M/186)  
At the May18 meeting, the Chair announced that he would begin consultations on 
Turkmenistan's request for observer status (WT/L/1090). The General Council took note19 of the 
Chairman's statement.  
At the July meeting, the Chair reported that, further to subsequent engagement with a number 
of delegations, he had sent a  communication on 25 June to suggest that, if no objections or 
reservations had been received by 3 July, the General Council would consider the request for 
observer status at its next regular meeting. As he had not received any objections, he understood 
that the General Council could be in a position to take action on the matter. He therefore proposed 
that the General Council agreed to the request to grant Turkmenistan Observer Status. The General 
Council so agreed. H.E. Atageldi Haljanov, Ambassador and Pe rmanent Representative of 
Turkmenistan in Geneva (Observer) and the representatives of Afghanistan, Panama (Article XII 
Members), Mongolia (LLDCs), Tajikistan, Ukraine, Turkey, India, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, 
the Russian Federation, Paraguay and Pa kistan spoke. Turkmenistan (Observer) again took the floor. 
The General Council took note of the statements.  
8  WAIVERS  
8.1  Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  (WT/GC/M/186)  
8.1.  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."  
8.2.  At the July meeting, the General Council considered the fo llowing waivers for review under 
Article IX:4:  
a. 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)  
b. Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds, granted on 26 July 2018 
through 31 December 2024 (WT/L/1039)  
c. Canada – CARIBCAN, granted on 28 July 2015 until 31 December 2023 (WT/L/958, 
WT/L/1091)  
8.3.  In doing so, the General Council considered a report on implementation of the respective waiver 
in document WT/L/10 91. The representatives of  Chad (LDCs), Canada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia 
(CARICOM) and the European Union  spoke. The General Council took note of the report contained 
in document WT/L/ 1091 and of  the statements.  
9  TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE  
9.1  Statement by the Chairperson (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the Chair made a statement on the Annual Reports to be transmitted to 
Ministers at MC12 and on a possible outcome document. The representative of Barbados spoke. The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
 
18 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the May meeting.  
19 At the request of the delegation of Afghanistan, its statement under this item is incorporated in the 
minutes of the May meeting and can be found in Annex 2 of document WT/GC/M/184.  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  9.2  Election of Officers (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the General Council agreed to elect the following Vice -Chairs for MC12: 
H.E. Ms Amelia Kyambadde (Uganda), H.E. Mr J erome Walcott (Barbados) and H.E. Mr Simon 
Birmingham (Australia).  
9.3  Request for Observer Status by Palestine (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the General Council agreed to grant Palestine Observer Status at MC12 
on an ad hoc basis.  
9.4  Launch of the MC12 Log o – Statement by Kazakhstan (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the representative of Kazakhstan launched the logo of the Twelfth 
Session of the Ministerial Conference, as part of the preparations for MC12. The Chair and the 
representative of Kazakhstan sp oke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
9.5  Date and Venue (WT/GC/M/184 ; WT/GC/M/186 and WT/GC/M/187 ) 
At the May meeting, t he Chair  reported on the consultations the Director -General and he had 
conducted in light of the postponement of MC12 in Nu r-Sultan on 8 -11 June 2020 due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic and further to the communication Kazakhstan had circulated in document 
WT/GC/209 confirming that it remained ready to host MC12 in June 2021 in Nur -Sultan.  The 
representatives of  Thailand; Botswana (A frican Group); Jamaica (ACP); Paraguay; Brazil; Viet Nam 
(ASEAN); the Republic of Korea; Hong Kong, China; Barbados; Tanzania; the Russian Federation; 
the Dominican Republic; India; Chinese Taipei; Ecuador; Cameroon; the European Union; Nigeria; 
Afghanista n; Singapore and Kazakhstan spoke.  During their  respective  intervention s, Thailand; 
Jamaica (ACP); Paraguay; Viet Nam (ASEAN); Tanzania; Ecuador and Afghanistan referred to both 
items 4 and 5 of the May GC agenda20 and Viet Nam (ASEAN) also referred to item 2 of the May GC 
agenda .21 The General Council took note of the Chairman's report and of the statements.  
At the July meeting, the Chair reported that c oncerns on uncertainties brought about by the 
evolution of the COVID -19 pandemic had remained and that  several delegations remained of the 
view that  any date set would necessarily need to be considered as a "working hypothesis".  Therefore, 
the third week of June 2 021 – 21 to 24 June – remained as a "working hypothesis", and the G eneral 
Council would  take a formal decision at the appropriate time.  The representatives of Brazil; Thailand;  
Afghanistan;  Paraguay;  Namibia;  Viet Nam (ASEAN) ; the  Republic of Korea;  India;  the United 
Kingdom;  Botswana (African Group) ; Peru;  South Africa; the  Russian Federation;  Burkina Faso 
(C-4); Cambodia; the  European Union;  Nigeria;  Jamaica;  Japan;  Cameroon; Ecuador and 
Kazakhstan spoke. The General Council took note of the Chairman's re port and of the statements.  
At the October  meeting, the Chair noted that, given the uncertainties caused by COVID -19, 
the "working hypothesis" continued to be that the Conference would take place in the third week of 
June 2021 – specifically from 21 to 24 June. He invited all Members to stay constructively engaged 
on the matter so that the G eneral Council  could take a formal decision as soon as feasible. The 
representatives of Brazil;  Botswana (African Group) ; the Dominican Republic;  the United Kingdom;  
Namibia; South Africa;  Viet Nam (ASEAN) ; the Russian Federation;  the Philippines;  India;  
Afghanistan;  Malaysia;  Chad (LDCs) and Kazakhstan spoke.  The General Council took note of the 
Chairman's report and of the statements.  
10  PROCEDURES TO STRENGTHEN THE NEGOTIATING FUNCTION OF THE WTO – 
STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/GC/M/182 ; WT/GC/M/186 AND 
WT/GC/M/187 ) 
At the March  meeting, the United States introduced the item including  the communications in 
documents WT/GC/W/757/Rev.1 and WT/GC/W/764/Rev.1. The representatives of the European 
 
20 Item 4  of the May GC agenda related to the " Twelfth Session of the Ministerial Conference – Date and 
Venue – Statement by the Chairman " while Item 5 of the May GC agenda related to the " Process of 
Appointment of the next Director -General – Statement by the Chair man ". 
21 Item 2 of the May GC agenda related to the "Implementation of the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires 
Outcomes – Statement by the Chairman"  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  Union; Australia; Colombia; China; Chad (LDCs); Barbados; India; Saint Lucia (OECS); South Africa; 
Indonesia; Jamaica  (ACP); Thailand; Sri Lanka and Namibia spoke. The representative of the United 
States again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the July meeting, the United States made a statement on this matter referring to  its 
communicat ions in documents WT/GC/W/757/Rev.1 and WT/GC/W/764/Rev.1. The representatives 
of Brazil; China; Australia; the European Union; Chad (LDCs); India; Colombia; the Russian 
Federation; South Africa; Jamaica (ACP); Japan; Turkey; Mexico and Cameroon spoke. The  United 
States again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the October  meeting,  the United States made a statement under this item referring to its 
communications in document s WT/GC/W/757/Rev.1 and WT/GC/W/764/Rev.1. The repre sentatives 
of Brazil;  the European Union;  the Russian Federation;  Botswana (African Group) ; South Africa;  
Saint Lucia (CARICOM) ; Australia;  Namibia;  Chad (LDCs) ; Norway;  China;  Jamaica (ACP) ; 
Indonesia;  Barbados;  Japan;  India;  Turkey and Pakistan spoke. Th e United States again took the 
floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
11  PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES FOR WTO COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES ADDRESSING 
TRADE CONCERNS – COMMUNICATION FROM AND STATEMENT BY CO -SPONSORS 
(WT/GC/M/182; WT/GC/M/186  AND WT/GC/M/1 87) 
At the March  meeting, the representative of the European Union, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
introduced the revised proposal in document WT/GC/W/777/Rev.5. The representatives of Canada; 
China; Hong Kong, China; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; Chad ( LDCs); the United Kingdom; 
Bangladesh; Paraguay; the United States; India; Indonesia; South Africa and Ecuador spoke. The 
European Union again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the July meeting, the representative of the E uropean Union, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
made a statement on the revised proposal in document WT/GC/W/777/Rev.5 . The representatives 
of Norway; Uruguay; the United States; India; Brazil; Chad (LDCs); Turkey; Chinese Taipei; 
Hong Kong, China; Nigeria; S outh Africa; Bangladesh and Mexico spoke. The European Union again 
took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the October  meeting, the representative of the European Union, on behalf of the 
co-sponsors, made a statement on the revi sed proposal in document WT/GC/W/777/Rev.5 . The 
representatives of India; South Africa;  the United Kingdom;  Chad (LDCs) ; Mexico;  Indonesia;  
Thailand;  Bangladesh and Chinese Taipei spoke . The European Union again took the floor. The 
General Council took not e of the statements.  
12  THE IMPORTANCE OF MARKET -ORIENTED CONDITIONS TO THE WORLD TRADING 
SYSTEM  – COMMUNICATION FROM THE UNITED STATES AND JOINT STATEMENT BY 
BRAZIL, JAPAN AND THE UNITED STATES  (WT/GC/M/182; WT/GC/M/18 6 AND 
WT/GC/M/187 ) 
At the March  meeting,  the representative of the United States introduced the item including 
its communication in document WT/GC/W/796. The representatives of Canada; Japan; Brazil; 
Colombia; Chinese Taipei; Nigeria; Australia; the European Union; South Africa; Uruguay; 
Indones ia; the United Kingdom; Norway; Pakistan; the Russian Federation; Sri Lanka; India; 
Mexico; Switzerland and China spoke. The United States and China again took the floor. The General 
Council took note of the statements.  
At the July meeting, the representat ives of the United States  and Brazil  presented their Joint 
Statement on the "Importance of Market -Oriented Conditions to the World Trading System " 
circulated in document WT/GC/W/803. The representatives of China;  Australia;  Nigeria; the  
European Union;  Norway;  Switzerland; the  United Kingdom;  the Russian Federation;  Chinese Taipei ; 
Paraguay;  South Africa;  Canada;  India;  Japan and Burking Faso  spoke. The United States and Brazil 
again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the October  meeting, the representatives of the  United States, Brazil and Japan  presented 
their revised  joint statement circulated in document WT/GC/W/803/Rev.1.  The representatives of 
South Africa;  the European Union;  the United Kingdom;  the Philippin es; Nigeria;  Switzerland;  the WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  Russian Federation;  Norway;  Mexico;  Canada;  Chinese Taipei ; India;  Australia;  Pakistan;  Colombia 
and China spoke. The United States again took the floor.  The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
13  UNITED STATES TRADE REP RESENTATIVE REPORT ON THE APPELLATE BODY OF THE 
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION – STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the representative of the United States introduced the item. The 
representatives  of Chad (LDCs); Canada; Benin; Th ailand; the Philippines; China; Argentina; the 
European Union; India; Barbados; Switzerland; Jamaica (ACP); the Russian Federation; Japan; 
Botswana (African Group); South Africa; Australia; Mexico and Indonesia spoke. The General Council 
took note of the s tatements.  
14  KAZAKHSTAN – BORDER RESTRICTIONS OF GOODS IN TRANSIT – REQUEST FROM THE 
KYRGYZ REPUBLIC (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the representative of the Kyrgyz Republic introduced the item including 
its communication in document G/C/W/774 – G/TFA/W/20  and G/C/W/774/Add.1 – 
G/TFA/W/20/Add.1 . The representative of  Kazakhstan spoke. The representatives of the Kyrgyz 
Republic and Kazakhstan took the floor again . The representatives of  Japan and the Republic of 
Moldova spoke. The General Council too k note of the statements.  
15  G20 TRADE AND INVESTMENT MINISTERIAL MEETING – STATEMENT BY THE  KINGDOM 
OF SAUDI ARABIA (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October22 meeting, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented the Communiqué from the 
G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Mee ting circulated in document WT/GC/221 . The General 
Council took note of the statement.  
16  ORIGIN MARKING REQUIREMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES – STATEMENT BY HONG 
KONG, CHINA  (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October23 meeting, the representative of Hong Kong, China raised concerns  on the 
"Origin Marking Requirement by the United States" – a revised requirement from the U nited States  
for all goods produced in Hong Kong, China and destined to the United States be marked to indicate 
"China" as their origin.  The representative of  the United States spoke. The General Council took note 
of the statements.  
17  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  
17.1  Reports and Recommendations (WT/GC/M/186  and WT/GC/M/187 ) 
At the July meeting, the CBFA Chairman introduced the report of the CBFA in document 
WT/BFA/ 185/Rev.1  including the Committee's recommendations.  The General Council took note of 
the CBFA Chairman's statement, approved the Budget Committee's specific recommendation in 
paragraph 7.19 of WT/BFA/18 5/Rev.1, and adopted the report . 
At the October  meeting, the CBFA Chairman introduced the reports of the CBFA in documents 
WT/BFA/186, WT/BFA/187 and WT/BFA/188 including the Committee's recommendations.  The 
General Council approved the Budget Committee's specific recommendations in paragraph 2.49 of 
WT/BFA/188 concerning transfers between budgetary sections and the WTO Audited Financial 
Statements for the year ended 31 December 2019 and in paragraph 4.3 of WT/BFA/188 concerning 
the budgetary surplus; took note of the CBFA Chairman's statement concerning the WTO budget 
proposal; approved paragraph 5.5 of WT/BFA/188 concerning the suspension of Administrative 
Measures for Niger; adopted the reports in WT/BFA/186, WT/BFA/187 and WT/BFA/188 and took 
note of the  statements.  The representatives of India and Chad (LDCs) spoke. At its request, the 
 
22 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the October meeting.  
23 This item was taken up under "Other Bu siness" at the October meeting.  WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  statement of the delegation of Niger under this agenda item  was incorporated in the Minutes of th e 
October  General Council meeting . The General Council took note of the st atements.24 
18  WTO PENSION PLAN  
18.1  Election of Chairperson, Members, and Alternates to the Management Board  
(WT/GC/M/186)  
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.  
18.2.  At the July meeting, the Chair recalled that the term of office of the current membership of 
the Management Board had been due for renewal and that a process of consultations had been 
undertaken regarding this which was announced through communications sent to delegations in 
May, June and July. On the basis of this process, the Chairman  suggested that that the slate of 
candidates in document WT/GC/W/801 be elected to the Management Board. The General Council 
so agreed.  The decision was subsequently circulated in WT/L/ 1092.  
18.2  Reports (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October  meeting,  the Chairman of the WTOPP Management Board presented to the 
General Council the 2019 Report of the External Auditor and the 2019 Annual Report of the World 
Trade Organization Pension Plan which could be found in documents WT/L/1093 and WT/L/1094.  
The General Council took note of the reports and of the WTOPP Management Board Chairm an's 
statement.  
19  ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS (WT/GC/M/182; 
WT/GC/M/184 ; WT/GC/M/186 AND WT/GC/M/187 ) 
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 Co mmittee on Budget, Finance 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 inf orm the 
Secretariat as to when the payment of arrears might be expected.  
At the General Council meetings in March , May, July and October25, the Chair man of the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration provided information with regard to which 
Member s were under Administrative Measures and the Chair man made the said request to Members 
and Observers in Categories II and III. The representative of the United States spoke at the July 
meeting ; the representative of Cuba spoke at the October meeting. The G eneral Council took note 
of the statements.  
20  APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT DIRECTOR -GENERAL (WT/GC/M/184; WT/GC/M/185 
AND WT/GC/M/186)  
At the May meeting, the Chair said that f ollowing the announcement made by the Director -
General on 14 May that he would step dow n on 31 August 2020, after consulting with Members and 
in accordance with the relevant Procedures for the Appointment of Directors -General adopted by the 
General Council in 2002 (WT/L/509), he initiated the process for the appointment of a new Director -
General. In this regard, in line with  the Procedures, the Chair  had formally notified Members 
(JOB/GC/230) of the start of the process. Phase One would involve the nomination period); Phase 
Two w ould provide candidates the opportunity to present themselves to Members and Phase Three 
 
24 Under this item, the General Council also took up the matter concerning "Administrative Measures for 
Members in Arrears" where the delegation of Cuba intervened. See Paragraphs 19.1 and 19.2 of this report.  
25 This item was  taken up under "Other Business" at the March, May and July meetings. At the October 
meeting, this matter was taken up under Item 11 of the October GC agenda entitled " Committee On Budget, 
Finance and Administration – Reports on Meetings of June, July and September 2020 ". WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  would be devoted to selecting and appointing one of the candidates through consultations with 
Members . In this Phase, in line with the Procedures,  the G eneral Council  Chair would be assisted by 
the Chairpersons of the Dispute Settlement Body  and the Trade Policy Review Body. As for the 
duration of Phase Two and Phase Three,  he noted that, in line with Paragraph 23 of the Procedures , 
in the event of a vacancy in the post , the General Council Chairman could establish expedited 
deadlines in consultation with Members as necessary. He would be consulting with Members on the 
matter  with a view to establishing expedited deadlines . The representatives of Botswana (African 
Group) ; Mongolia (Asian Group of Developing Countries); Brazil; the Dominican Republic; Chinese 
Taipei; Cameroon; Turkey; Zimbabwe; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); Chad (LDCs); India; Canada; Egypt; 
Nigeria; Cambodia; South Africa; the European Union; the United Kingdom and Tunisia spoke.  
During their respective intervention s, the representatives of Turkey; Cambodia; South Africa and 
Tunisia referred to both items 4 and 5 of the May GC agenda .26 The General Council took note of the 
Chairman's report and of the statements.  
At the General Council meeting  with the candidates on 15-17 July, the Chair  recalled that the 
nomination period had closed on 8 July and a consolidated list27 of candidates had been circulated 
on 9 July. Pursuant to paragraph 14 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, Members then met formally28 
with each of the eight candidates nominated29 for the post of the next Director -General, on the basis 
of modalities for the co nduct of the meeting communicated to all delegations on 1 and 10 July which 
were recalled by the Chairman at the beginning of the meeting.  
At the July meeting, the Chair noted  that, further to the consultations undertaken on 
expediting deadlines, the durat ion of Phase Two – period for the candidates to make themselves 
known to Members – could be shortened from three to two months. On that basis, Phase Three – 
period of consultations to narrow the field of candidates and ultimately to arrive at its choice fo r 
appointment – would start on 7 September. He gave an overview of how Phase Three was organised 
in the previous appointment process in 2013 and highlighted a number of elements, in particular the 
number of rounds of consultations that took place; the numb er of candidates that remained at the 
end of each round; the question asked and the modalities for the consultations. He in consultation 
with the Facilitators would be engaging with Members, including through an open-ended Informal 
Meeting, with the intent ion that before the end of the month, the modalities  for the organization and 
conduct of Phase Three would be known to all Members and all candidates.30 The representatives of 
the Philippines, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, India, Kenya, Botswana (African Group), Indonesia, 
Haiti, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, Chad (LDCs) and Jamaica spoke. During their respective 
intervention s, the representatives of Cambod ia, Paraguay, Viet Nam (ASEAN), Malaysia, Peru and 
Cameroon referred to both items 5 and 6 of the July GC agenda .31 The General Council took note of 
the Chair's report and of the statements.  
21  DESIGNATION OF ACTING DIRECTOR -GENERAL (WT/GC/M/186)  
At the July meeting, the Chair  recalled that Paragraph 23 of the Procedures in WT/L/509 
established that "in the event of a vacancy in the post of Director -General, the General Council shall 
designate one of the existing Deputy Directors -General to serve as Acting Dir ector-General, until the 
 
26 Item 4 of the May GC agenda related to the " Twelfth Session of the Ministerial Conference – Date and 
Venue – Statement by the Chairman " while Item 5 of the May GC agenda related to the " Process of 
Appointment of the next Director -General  – Statement by the Chairman ". 
27 The consolidated list of candidates can be found in document WT/GC/INF/30.  
28 The Airgram convening this meeting can be found in document WTO/AIR/GC/30.  
29 The eight candidates nominated are: Dr. Jesus Seade Kuri (Mexico), Dr.  (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala 
(Nigeria), Mr. Abdel -Hamid Mamdouh (Egypt), Ambassador Tudor Ulianovschi (Republic of Moldova), H.E. Yoo 
Myung -hee (Republic of Korea), Ambassador Amina C. M ohamed (Republic of Kenya), Mr. Mohammad Maziad 
Al-Tuwaijri (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Dr. Liam Fox (United Kingdom).  
30 The Chairman subsequently convened Informal Open -Ended HODs meetings on 28 and 31. Following 
the discussion on 28 July, the Chairman announced on 31 July the modalities for Phase Three of the DG 
Appointment Process. The Chair's statement was circulated in JOB/GC/243. To report on the results of the 
consultations, the Chair convened Informal Open -Ended HODs meetings on 18 September, 8 Oc tober and 28 
October. The Chair's statements were circulated in JOB/GC/244, JOB/GC/245 and JOB/GC/247, respectively. A 
special General Council meeting was convened for 9 November which was subsequently postponed until further 
notice. In this respect, a Com munication from the General Council Chair was circulated in JOB/GC/248. See 
also Footnote 3.  
31 Item 5 of the July GC agenda related to the " Process of Appointment of the Next Director -General – 
Statement by the Chairman " while Item 6 of the July GC agenda related to the " Designation of Acting Director -
General ". WT/GC/W/809  
 
- 14 - 
 
  appointment of a new Director -General". With the outgoing Director -General leaving at the end of 
August, the position of Director -General would be vacant as of 1 September. According to the 
Procedures, therefore, the General Counci l would need to designate an Acting Director -General until 
the new Director -General was appointed. As the consultations were still ongoing, the Chair 
suspended the consideration of the item with a view to resuming the discussion at the appropriate 
time. Th e General Council was reconvened on 31 July where, based on his consultations with 
Members, the Chair proposed that Members proceeded according to an understanding containing a 
number of common elements which applied and would apply however they resolved t he matter. 
Those were:  
a. "This understanding applies for the period between 1st September 2020 and the date 
of formal appointment of the new Director -General.  
b. No structural changes will be made to the Secretariat during this period.  
c. All four Deputy Directors -General will continue to fully discharge their existing 
responsibilities in respect of administration within the Secretariat; engaging with 
external constituencies/stakeholders as currently; and overseeing their respective parts 
of the Secretariat in resp ect of serving Members' regular work and areas of negotiation 
as appropriate. They will also continue to maintain close contact with each other in the 
exercise of their respective responsibilities on behalf of the organization.  
d. And, reflecting the existing  and appropriate boundaries of governance, the Deputy 
Directors -General will undertake these responsibilities in close consultation with 
Members, where relevant, as represented by the General Council Chair."  
The General Council so agreed.  The Director -General and the Chair then spoke. The General 
Council took note of the statements.  
22  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting,  the Chair recalled that in accordance with the Guidelines for 
Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies app roved by the General Council in 2002 (WT/L/510), and 
the related practical steps to improve their implementation (JOB/GC/22), she, together with the 
Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, Ambassador David Walker (New Zealand), 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. The process had  included an Informal General 
Council meeting which had been held on 21 February where she had shared with delegations a partial 
slate of names where there appeared to be consensus – those had been for the General Council; the 
DSB; the TPRB; the Goods, Ser vices and TRIPS Councils; and the Working Groups on Trade, Debt 
and Finance and Trade and Transfer of Technology. She had also noted that, for the other bodies, 
consultations had still been ongoing with the respective groups to finali se the slate and that she had 
been confident that a solution was within reach. Those consultations had continued until that 
morning, and as a result, they were in a position that day to present a complete slate of names for 
the General Council's consideration.  
On the basis of the consultations, there was consensus on the following slate of names:  
General Council  H.E. Dr. David Walker ( New Zealand ) 
 
Dispute Settlement Body  
 
 H.E. Mr. Dacio Castillo ( Honduras ) 
Trade Policy Review Body  
 
 H.E. Mr. Harald Aspelund ( Iceland ) 
 WT/GC/W/809  
 
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  Council for Trade in Goods  
 
 H.E. Mr. Mikael Anzén ( Sweden ) 
 
Council for Trade in Services  
 
 H.E. Mr. Tan Hung Seng ( Singapore ) 
 
Council for TRIPS  
 
 H.E. Ms. Xolelwa Mlumbi -Peter ( South Africa ) 
 
Committee on Trade and Development  
 H.E. Mr . Mohammad Qurban Haqjo ( Afghanistan ) 
Committee on Balance -of-Payments 
Restrictions  
 H.E. Mr. Refiloe Litjobo ( Lesotho ) 
 
Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration  
 H.E. Mr . Manuel Teehankee ( Philippines ) 
Committee on Trade and Environment  
 H.E. Mr . Chad Blackman ( Barbados ) 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
 H.E. Mr. Mārtiņš Kreitus (Latvia)  
Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance  
 H.E. Dr. Rashidi Said ( Malaysia ) 
Working Group on Trade and Transfer of 
Technology  Mr. Stephen Fevrier ( Saint Lucia ) 
 
On behalf of the Chair persons  of the CTG and CTS, the Chair also made a statement on the 
consultations on the Chairmanships of the subsidiary bodies of the two Councils in accordance with 
the relevant guidelin es. The United States spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the May32 meeting, the Chair announced that he would begin consultations on the 
Appointment of a new CoA SS Chair person  given the impending departure of Ambassador Deep 
Ford. The General Council took note of the Chairman's statement.  
23  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the Chair, as the outgoing presiding officer of the General Council, 
made a statement. The General Council then unanimously elected H.E. Dr David Walker (New 
Zealand) to the Chair.  
The Director -General and the newly -elected Chair spoke. The General Council took note of 
the statements. The representatives of Chad (LDCs); Seychelles; Benin; Jamaica (ACP) and the 
Philippines (ASEAN) spoke. The  General Council took note of the statements.  
__________  
 
32 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the May meeting. In light of the consultations 
undertaken  in line with the relevant procedures  and as the Chairman  had received no objections to the 
proposed appointment, a communication was sent to delegations on 6 July  confirming  that Ambassador Gloria 
Abraham Peralta of Costa Rica w ould be formally appointed as Chair of the Committee on Agriculture in Special 
Session a t its next meeting.