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WT/COMTD/MMSDT/M/2
22 December 2014
(14-7401)  Page: 1/2
Committee on Trade and Development 
Second Dedicated Session on the Monitoring Mechanism 
on Special and Differential Treatment   
   
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 27 NOVEMBER 2014 
 
Chairman: H.E. Mr. Pierre Claver Ndayiragije (Burundi) 
 
A.
 ADOPTION OF TH E AGENDA .................................................................................... 1  
B. MONITORING OF SPECIAL AN D DIFFERENTIAL PROVISIONS .................................. 1  
- Statement by th e Chairman ....................................................................................... 1  
C. OTHER BUSINESS .................................................................................................... 2  
 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 
1.  The draft agenda as contained in document WTO/AIR/4391 of 17 November 2014 was adopted. 
B. MONITORING OF SPECIAL AN D DIFFERENTIAL PROVISIONS 
- Statement by the Chairman  
2.  The Chairman said that, at the Ninth Ministerial Conference held in Bali, a Decision was taken 
to establish a Monitoring Mechanism (MM) on Special and Differential Treatment (S&D). The 
Decision was contained in documents WT/MIN(13)/45 and WT/L/920. He recalled that, at the 
CTD's 1st Dedicated Session on the MM, he had provided an overview of this Decision, including its 
scope, functions and operations. He did not intend to make a long statement at the present 
meeting. He only wished to take the opportunity to remind Members that, according to the 
Decision, the monitoring of special and differential provisions in the Mechanism was to be undertaken on the basis of written inputs or submissions made by Members, as well as on the 
basis of reports received from other WTO bodies to which submissions by Members could also be 
made. However, no written submissions had been made to date. He believed that the Decision establishing the MM was important for the multilateral trading system, and for the work of the CTD. He recalled that it had taken years of negotiations to establish the MM. Now that the 
Mechanism had been established, he encouraged Members to use it fully and take advantage of 
the opportunities that it provided. In this light, he once again called on Members to make written 
submissions, so that the MM could become operational. 
3.  The representative of Uganda, on behalf of the LDC Group, recalled that the Group had 
welcomed the Decision establishing the MM. In th e past few months, the least-developed countries 
(LDCs) had been analyzing and reviewing the LDC- specific S&D provisions in the WTO Agreements 
and Decisions with a view to making them more precise, effective and operational, as mandated 
by paragraph 44 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration. The process involved determining which provisions concerned the work of the MM, and which fell under the Special Session of the CTD (CTD SS). While the intention had been to complete  the exercise before the end of 2014, the work 
was taking longer than had been initially envisage d, due to the complexity of the subject matter. 
He expressed his hope that a submission could be  made in time for the next meeting of the MM, 
and that Members would give the submission posi tive consideration. The LDC Group also looked 
forward to working closely with other groups within the WTO to advance work in this area. WT/COMTD/MMSDT/M/2 
 
- 2 - 
 
  4.  The representative of Nepal associated hi s delegation with the intervention by Uganda. 
Although the MM fell short of LDCs' aspirati ons, the establishment of the Mechanism was 
nevertheless an important step towards the effective implementation of S&D provisions. In particular, the MM could help to analyze the shortcomings in the implementation of S&D provisions 
and find possible ways to overcome these deficiencies. His delegation was waiting to see how the 
MM would work and the extent to which it would prove effective. In this regard, he confirmed that the LDC group was currently reviewing the various S&D provisions with a view to making a written 
submission. He also noted that, while the mandates of the MM and the CTD SS were distinct, 
complementarity and collaboration needed to be developed between these bodies. Members 
needed to ensure that there was no duplication of work, and that the MM served as a vibrant forum to assist LDCs in optimally utilizing S&D provisions. 
5.  The representative of Cameroon, on behalf of  the ACP Group, said that the Group was working 
towards making a written submission in the contex t of the MM. He noted the importance of making 
the MM an effective forum for addressing developing countries' needs and concerns.     
6.  The Committee took note of the Chairm an's statement and of all interventions. 
C. OTHER BUSINESS 
7.  No matter was raised under "Other Business". 
8.  The meeting was adjourned. 
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