WT/GC/227  
 
18 January 2021  
(21-0550) Page: 1/23 
   
 
GENERAL COUNCIL  
ANNUAL REPORT (2020)  
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 report1, the General Council ha s held five regular meetings on 3  March , 
29 May, 22-23 and 31 July , 13 October,  and 16-18 December,  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 July2. The minutes of these  meetings, which remain in the record of the General Council's 
work, are co ntained 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 , WT/GC/M/187  and 
WT/GC/M/188 .3 
 
The following subjects are included in the report:  
 
1   REPORTS ON INFORMAL TNC AND INFORMAL HODS MEETINGS   ................................ . 3 
2   IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON   ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
3   COVID -19 TRADE -RELATED MATTERS ................................ ................................ ..........  6 
3.1   Information Sharing and Exchange of Views on COVID -19 Trade -Related Measures  .............  6 
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  ...........................  7 
3.3   Garments and Textile Sector in light of COVID -19 – Statement by Bangladesh  ....................  7 
3.4   Discussions of the g7+ WTO Accessions Group on COVID -19 – Statement by Afghanistan  .... 7 
3.5   COVID -19 Initiative: Protecting Global Food Security Through Open Trade – Statement by 
Co-Sponsors of WT/GC/218/Rev.1  ................................ ................................ ........................  7 
3.6   APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT ) Virtual Meeting Joint Statement 2020 –                  
Request from Malaysia  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  8 
3.7   COVID -19 and Beyond: Trade And Health – Statement by Co -Sponsors of WT/GC/223  ........  8 
4   WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ .......................  8 
4.1   Reports by the Chairs of the Council for Trade in Goods and  
the Council for  Trade in Services  ................................ ................................ ...........................  8 
4.2   Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs Duties on 
Electronic Transmissions – Request from India  ................................ ................................ ....... 8 
4.3   Reinvigorating the Work Under the 1998 Work Programme on Electronic Commerce – 
Communication from South Africa and India  ................................ ................................ ..........  9 
 
1 The annual report  of the General Council for 2019 was circulated in WT/GC/205 . 
2 A special meeting of the G eneral 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 47.  
3 To be issued.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  5   TRIPS COUNCIL MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ...........................  9 
5.1   Annual Review of the Special Compulsory Licensing System – Paragraph 7 of the Annex to 
the Amended TRIPS Agreement and Paragraph 8 of the Decision on the Implementation of 
Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health – Report of the 
Council for TRIPS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  9 
5.2   Status Report on the Consideration by the TRIPS Council of the "Proposal for a Waiver from 
Certain P rovisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment of 
COVID -19" – Statement by the Chair of the Council for TRIPS  ................................ ..................  9 
6   WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORTS  ................................ ...........  10 
7   THE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ASPECTS OF COTTON  ................................ .............  10 
7.1   Action Plan to Enhance Support for Cotton By -Product Development in LDCs – Draft General 
Council Declaration – Communication  from Burkina Faso on behalf of the C -4 and C ôte d'Ivoire   .10 
7.2   Statement by Deputy Director -General  ................................ ................................ .......... 10 
8   ACCESSION MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ................................  11 
8.1   2019 Annual Report by the Director -General   ................................ ................................ .11 
8.2   Curaçao  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 11 
8.3   Somalia  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 11 
9   OBSERVER STATUS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 11 
9.1   Turkmeni stan ................................ ................................ ................................ ............. 11 
10   WAIVERS ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  11 
10.1   Introduction of Harmonized System 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 Changes into WTO 
Schedules of Tariff Concessions – Draft Decision  ................................ ................................ ....11 
10.2   Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement   ................................ 12 
11   TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ................................ ..........  13 
11.1   Statement by the Chairperson  ................................ ................................ .................... 13 
11.2   Election of Officers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....13 
11.3   Request for Observer Status by Palestine  ................................ ................................ .....13 
11.4   Launch of the MC12 Logo – Statement by Kazakhstan  ................................ ................... 13 
11.5   Date and Venue  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 13 
12   PROCEDURES TO STRENGTHEN THE NEGOTIATING FUNCTION OF THE WTO – 
STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES  ................................ ................................ .............  14 
13   STRENGTHENING THE WTO TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSIVITY – 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP, CUBA, AND INDIA  ................................  15 
14   PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES FOR WTO COU NCILS AND COMMITTEES ADDRESSING 
TRADE CONCERNS – COMMUNICATION FROM AND STATEMENT BY CO -SPONSORS  ........  15 
15   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  ................................ ................................ ..... 15 
16   UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE REPORT ON THE APPELLATE BODY OF   
THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION – STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES  .................  16 
17   KAZAKHSTAN – BORDER RESTRICTIONS OF GOODS IN TRANSIT – REQUEST FROM 
THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC  ................................ ................................ ................................ . 16 
18   TRADE RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD: A DRAFT FOR MC DECISION – COMMUNICATIONS FROM CHAD ON BEHALF  
OF THE LDC GROUP   ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 16 WT/GC/227  
 
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  19   PROPOSAL ON AGRICULTURE EXPORT PROHIBITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS               
RELATING TO THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME  ................................ ..............................  16 
19.1   Draft General Council Decision - Communication from Albania; Angola; Australia; Kingdom 
of Bahrain; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Ecuador; Grenada; Guyana; Iceland; Indonesia; Israel; 
Japan; Republic of Korea; Liechtenstein; Malawi; Malaysia; Mali; Mexic o; Moldova; Mongolia; 
Montenegro; Myanmar; New Zealand; Norway; Paraguay; Peru; Qatar; Samoa; Kingdom of               
Saudi Arabia; Singapore; Solomon Islands; Switzerland; Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Ukraine; United Ki ngdom; United States; Vanuatu and Viet  Nam .....16 
19.2   Communication from Singapore  ................................ ................................ ................. 17 
20   G20 SAUDI ARABIA 2020 – STATEMENTS BY THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA  ..... 17 
20.1   Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting  ................................ ................................ ....17 
20.2   G20 Leaders' Declaration – Riyadh Summit   ................................ ................................ .17 
21   ORIGIN MARKING REQUIREMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES – STATEMENT BY               
HONG KONG, CHINA  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 17 
22   INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CREATIVE ECONOMY  FOR SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT 2021  – STATEMENT BY OMAN  ................................ ................................  17 
23   WTO VIRTUAL MEETINGS – STATEMENT BY OMAN  ................................ ..................  17 
24   COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  ................................ .... 18 
24.1   Reports and Recommendations ................................ ................................ ................... 18 
25   WTO PENSION PLAN  ................................ ................................ ...............................  18 
25.1   Election of Chairperson, Members, and Alternates to the Management Board   .................. 18 
25.2   Reports   ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 18 
26   ADMINISTRATIV E MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS  ................................ ..... 19 
27   REVIEW OF WTO ACTIVITIES   ................................ ................................ .................  19 
28   APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT DIRECTOR -GENERAL   ................................ .................  19 
29   DESIGNATION OF ACTING DIRECTOR -GENERAL   ................................ .....................  21 
30   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES  ................................ ........................  21 
31   ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON   ................................ ................................ ..................  23 
 
 
1  REPORTS ON INFORMAL TNC AND INFORMAL HODS MEETINGS  (WT/GC/M/182; 
WT/GC/M/184; WT/GC/M/186 ; WT/GC/M/187  AND WT/GC/M/188 ) 
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 repo rts to each regular meeting of the General Council.  
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 pre vious report and noted that, as per established practice, the Director -General's report, 
the reports of the Chairs of negotiating bodies, 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 
 
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/TN C/78.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  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 Indonesia 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 Chair 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 and 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; Chinese 
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; Liechtenstein; 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 Council took note of the statements.  
1.6.  At the October  meeting, the Chair recalled that on 1 2 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 ah ead 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 report s 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 
 
5 The statements at the 2 March Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meetings by the following delegations 
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 Rica (Joint Initiative 
on Services Domestic Regulation); Nigeria; Argentina; South Africa; Pakistan; Thailand; Hong Kong, China; 
Indonesia; Bolivarian Republic of Venezu ela; 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  statement s under this item are incorporated 
in the minutes of th e May General Council  meeting an d 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/227  
 
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  (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 
1.7.  At the December  meeting , the Chair recalled that the Informal TNC and Informal Heads of 
Delegation meetings was convened on 14 December by the four Deputy Directors -General in 
coordination with him as General Council Chair. They continued in line with the understanding that 
had been reached at the July meeting of the General Council – that reflecting the existing and 
appropriate boundaries of governance, the Deputy Directors -General would undertake their 
responsibilities in close consultation with Members, where relevant, as repr esented by the General 
Council Chair. He recalled that Deputy Director -General  Brauner, representing all DDGs, had chaired 
the meeting and had provided a report on recent activities. As per past practice, the report of Deputy 
Director -General Brauner , 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 representatives of El 
Salvador (Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Dominican Republic and El Salvador); Oman and 
Cambodia  spoke. The General Council took note  of the report11 of Deputy Director -General Brauner , 
representing all DDGs, on 14 Decem ber, and of the statement that day as well as those delivered at 
the 14 Decem ber Informal TNC and Informal HODs meetings .12 
2  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON (W T/GC/M/182 ; WT/GC/M/184 ; WT/GC/M/186 ; 
WT/GC/M/187  AND WT/GC/M/188 ) 
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 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 . 
 
9 Deputy Director -General Agah's  report, representing all Deputy Directors -General, and the reports of 
the Chairs of Negotiating Bodies at the  12 October Informal  TNC and Informal HODs Meetings  are incorporated 
in the minutes of th e 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 th e October General Council meeting in WT/GC/M/187 : Brazil; 
Chad (LDCs); China; Panama (Arti cle XII Members); Egypt; European Union; Japan; Angola; Afghanistan; United 
States; Costa Rica (Joint Initiative on Services 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; Thailand; New Zealand; 
Mexico; Republic of Korea; Chinese Taipei; Chile (Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation for 
Development); Swi tzerland; 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 a nd Peru. At its request, the statement of 
Barbados under Item 1 of the October GC agenda related to the " Report on Informal TNC And Informal HODs 
Meetings " is incorporated in the minutes of th e October General Council  meeting  and can be found together with  
the above -mentioned statements . 
11 Deputy Director -General Brauner's report, representing all Deputy Directors -General, and the reports 
of the Chairs of Negotiating Bodies at the  14 December Informal  TNC and Informal HODs Meetings  are 
incorporated in the m inutes of th e October General Council  meeting and are also circulated in document 
JOB/TNC/89.  
12 The statements at the 14 December  Informal TNC and Informal HODs Meetings by the following 
delegations are incorporated in the minutes of th e December General C ouncil meeting in WT/GC/M/188 : Morocco; 
Switzerland; Uruguay (Informal Working Group on MSMEs); Jamaica (ACP); Egypt; Tunisia; Nigeria; Chinese 
Taipei; Chile (Structured Discussions on Investment Facilitation for Development); Senegal; Singapore; Republic 
of Korea; Norway; Barbados; Iceland ( Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender ); Turkey; Australia (Joint 
Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce); Chad (LDCs); Guyana (CARICOM); United States; Philippines; 
Brazil; Panama (Article XII); Russian Federa tion; Paraguay; European Union; Costa Rica (Joint Initiative on 
Services Domestic Regulation); Hong Kong, China; Afghanistan; India; Japan; Thailand; Nepal; Botswana 
(African Group); Viet Nam; Colombia; Mozambique; Canada (Ottawa Group); Mexico; Uganda; Ch ina; 
Montenegro; Malaysia; South Africa; Fiji; Pakistan; Tanzania; New Zealand; Peru; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Indonesia; Republic of Moldova; Argentina; Ecuador; Mauritius; Mongolia; Bangladesh; 
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela an d United Kingdom . At its request, the statement of Morocco under Item 1 of 
the December GC agenda related to the " Report on Informal TNC And Informal HODs Meetings " is incorporated 
in the minutes of the December General Council meeting and can be found together with the above -mentioned 
statements.  WT/GC/227  
 
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At the General Council meetings in March , May, July, October  and December , the Chair reported 
on the work taking place in WTO regular bodies to fulfil the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Ministerial 
mandates.13 
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'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 too k 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.  
At the December  meetin g, the representatives of Chad (LDCs); Indonesia; Cambodia; the 
European Union; India and Morocco14 spoke. The General Council took note of the Chair's report and 
of the statements.  
3  COVID -19 TRADE -RELATED MATTERS  
3.1  Information  Sharing and Exchange of Views on COVID -19 Trade -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 CO VID-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 statements 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, agricultural 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 Director -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 Pa nama); the Philippines; Tajikistan; 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 Russi an 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 (ASE AN); 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 .15 
In the course of the meeting, delegat ions referred to several relevant communications 
including:  (a) G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Statement (WT/L/1089) ; (b) Declaration on 
 
13 The Chair's statements were subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/226, JOB/GC/232, JOB/GC/242 , 
JOB/GC/246 and JOB/GC/249.  
14 See Footnote 12.  
15 At their request, the statement s of the delegations of Chad (LD Cs) and of Libya (Observer) are 
incorporated in the Minutes of the 15 May General Council meeting.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  Trade in Essential Goods for Combating the COVID -19 Pandemic ( G/C/W/779 – G/MA/W/151 ); 
(c) Responding to the COVI D-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 Organization (WTO) 
Facilit ies (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 Hi ghlighting 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 Pla ns 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 Ministerial 
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 U nion; Afghanistan and Chile spoke.  During their 
respective intervention s, Kenya and Chile referred to items 5 and 6 of the May GC agenda .16 The 
representative of the Republic of Korea again  took the floor.  The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
3.3  Garments and Textile Sector in light of COVID -19 – Statement by Bangladesh 
(WT/GC/M/184)  
At the May17 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 
Afghanistan (WT/GC/M/184)  
At the May18 meeting, th e 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 econ omic 
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 supply chain s 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 Federation; Pak istan; Qatar; Botswana (African 
Group); Jamaica (ACP); Chad (LDCs); South Africa; India; Indonesia and  Malaysia spoke . During its 
 
16 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 r elated 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 ". 
17 This statement was made  under "Other Business" at the 29 Ma y meeting.  
18 This statement was made under "Other Business" at the 29 May meeting.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  intervention, Botswana referred to the African Group Statement on the Implications of COVID -19 in 
document WT/GC/219 – 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.  
3.7  COVID -19 and Beyond: Trade And Health – Statement by Co-Sponsors of WT/GC/223  
(WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December  meeting,  the representative of the European Union presented the 
communication in WT/GC/223 , co-sponsored by Australia;  Brazil;  Canada;  Chile;  Japan;  Kenya;  the 
Republic of Korea;  Mexico;  New Zealand;  Norway;  Singapore and Switzerland.   
The representatives of Australia ; the Republic of Moldova; the Russian Federation; Nigeria; 
Senegal; Hong Kong, China; C ôte d'Ivoire; Chile; Iceland; Colombia; Fiji; Mexico; Costa Rica; 
Norway; Canada; the Republic of Korea; the United States; New Zealand; Switzerland; Thailand; 
Chinese Taipei; Guyana (CARICOM); Indonesia; Turkey; Bangladesh; Chad (LDCs); the United 
Kingdom; Peru; Brazil; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Mauritius (African Group); India; Singapore; Qatar; 
Cameroon; Israel; South Africa; Pakistan; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mali ; Cambodia and  Oman 
spoke. The European Union again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
4  WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE19 
4.1  Reports by the Chairs of the Council for Trade in Goods and the Council for Trade in 
Services  (WT/G C/M/188)  
At the December  meeting, the Chair drew Members' attention to the reports submitted by the 
Chairs of the Council for Trade in Goods and of the Council for Trade in Services to the General 
Council, contained in documents G/C/67 and S/C/61, respectively. The Chairs of the Council fo r 
Trade in Goods and the C ouncil for Trade in Services  introduce d those reports  and the Chair of the 
TRIPS Council  made a statement on the developments in this area.  The Chair then made a 
statement.  The General Council took note of the reports and of the C hairs' statements .20 
4.2  Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs 
Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India (WT/GC/M/187  and 
WT/GC/M/188 ) 
At the October  meeting, the representative of India made a statement stressi ng 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.  
At the December  meeting, the representative of India made a statement on this matter. The 
General Council took note of the statement .21 
 
19 See also Paragraph 2.2 and Footnote 13.  
20 See Paragraph 4.4 for the list of Members that intervened on the sub -items under the Work Pro gramme 
on Electronic Commerce.  
21 See Paragraph 4.4 for the list of Members that intervened on the sub -items under the Work Programme 
on Electronic Commerce.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  4.3  Reinvigoratin g the Work Under the 1998 Work Programme on Electronic Commerce – 
Communication from South Africa and India (WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December  meeting,  the representative of South Africa  introduced the  joint 
communication with India circulated in document WT/GC /W/812 . 
The representatives of Uruguay; Peru; the Republic of Korea; Barbados; Turkey; Uganda; 
Nigeria; Chile; Botswana (African Group); the United States; Chinese Taipei; Indonesia; Chad 
(LDCs); Pakistan; Japan; Tunisia; Thailand; Guyana (CARICOM); Austra lia; Mexico; Singapore; 
Bangladesh; Hong Kong, China; Namibia; Egypt; Sri Lanka; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); the United 
Kingdom; Switzerland; Senegal; the European Union; Canada; Brazil; the Philippines; Jamaica 
(ACP); Oman and  Israel spoke. South Africa again took the floor  and India spoke. The General 
Council took note of the statements.  
5  TRIPS COUNCIL MATTERS  
5.1  Annual Review of the Special Compulsory Licensing System – Paragraph 7 of the 
Annex to the Amended TRIPS Agreement and Paragraph 8 of the Decision on t he 
Implementation of Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and 
Public Health – Report of the Council for TRIPS (WT/GC/M/188)  
In August 2003, the General Council adopted a Decision on the Implementation of Paragraph  6 
of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health.  Paragraph 8 of that Decision 
provided that the TRIPS Council should review annually the functioning of the system set out in the 
Decision with a view to ensuring its effective operation, and should annually report on its operation 
to the General Council.  In addition, in keeping with the August 2003 Decision, the General Council 
adopted, in December 2005, a Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement, which was submitted to 
Members for acceptanc e. In accordance with Article X:3 of the WTO Agreement, the Protocol entered 
into force on 23 January 2017, upon acceptance by two -thirds of the WTO Members . Both the 
amended TRIPS Agreement and the 2003 Decision provide d that the TRIPS Council sh ould review 
annually the functioning of the system and sh ould also report on its operation to the General Council.  
At the December  meeting,  the Chair of the TRIPS Council introduced the report of the Council 
(IP/C/8 6 and IP/C/86/Corr.1 ) on its annual review of the Decision on the Implementation of 
Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health . The General Council 
took note of the report of the TRIPS Council  and of the statement of the TRIPS Council Chair . 
5.2  Status Report on the Considera tion by the TRIPS Council of the "Proposal for a Waiver 
from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and 
Treatment of COVID -19" – Statement by the Chair of the Council for TRIPS 
(WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December  meeting,  the T RIPS Council Chair provided a status report on the "Proposal 
for a Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and 
Treatment of COVID -19" in document IP/C/W/669 and its addenda .22 The representatives of 
Botswana (African Group); Chile; the Republic of Korea; Jamaica (ACP); Hong Kong, China; Cuba; 
Australia; South Africa; Malaysia; Afghanistan; Pakistan; Colombia; Turkey; Mongolia; Tunisia; 
Japan; El Salvador; the European Union; Mo zambique; Egypt; Bangladesh; the Dominican Republic; 
Canada; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Switzerland; Senegal; the United Kingdom; India; Nepal; Chad 
(LDCs); Indonesia and Nigeria spoke .23 The Chair noted that the discussion that day had highlighted 
the importan ce that Members attached to the issue and encouraged all delegations to remain 
positively engaged in the further discussions in the TRIPS Council. He thank ed the TRIPS Council 
Chair for her leadership and  noted  that the  TRIPS Council  would report back to the General Council  
in line with Article IX:3 of the Marrakesh Agreement . The General Council took note of the TRIPS 
Council Chair's report and of the statements.  
 
22 IP/C/W/669/Add.1, IP/C/W/669/Add.2, IP/C/W/669/Add.3, IP/C/W/669/Add.4, IP/C/W/669/Add.5, 
IP/C/W/ 669/Add.6, IP/C/W/669/Add.7  and IP/C/W/669/Add. 8. See also IP/C/W/669/Corr.1.  
23 At its request, the statement of the delegation of Oman under this agenda item is incorporated in the 
Minutes of the December General Council meeting . WT/GC/227  
 
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  6  WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORT S (WT/GC/M/182 ; 
WT/GC/M/184 ; WT/GC/ M/186 ; WT/GC/M/187  AND WT/GC/M/188 ) 
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 Chairma n 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 C hair would discuss with the SVEs Group regarding the way forward. The representatives 
of Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Mauritius; Saint Lucia (CARICOM); 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 top ics 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 Counc il 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 Republi c of Korea 
and Fiji (Pacific Group) spoke.  The General Council took note of the CTD Chairman's report and of 
the statements.  
At the December  meeting,  the CT D Chairman reported on the recent discussions on the 
opportunities and challenges for small economies in attracting investments and the impact of the 
COVID -19 outbreak on the trade of small economies. A report would be prepared on the work 
undertaken since MC11 which would also contain the elements of an agreed text for a Ministerial 
Decision, including on future work.  The representatives of Barbados; Fiji; Sri Lanka; Vanuatu (Pacific 
Islands) ; Jamaica; Guatemala (SVEs) and Guyana (CARICOM)  spoke. The Genera l Council took note 
of the CT D Chairman's report and of the statements.  
7  THE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ASPECTS OF COTTON  
7.1  Action Plan to Enhance Support for Cotton By -Product Development in LDCs – Draft 
General Council Declaration – Communication from Burkina F aso on behalf of the C-4 and 
Côte d'Ivoire  (WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December  meeting, the representative of Burkina Faso ( C-4 and the 36 African Country 
Cotton and Cotton Product Producers and/or Exporters ) made a statement on this matter and 
presented a draft  General Council Declaration in document WT/GC/W/808  on behalf of the C -4 and 
Côte d'Ivoire. Deputy Director -General Wolff and the representatives of Botswana (African Group); 
Senegal; South Africa; Cameroon; Brazil; Pakistan; the United States; Chad (LDCs ); India; Turkey; 
Jamaica (ACP); the European Union; Nigeria; Tunisia; China; Mozambique; Australia and Haiti 
spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
7.2  Statement by Deputy Director -General (WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December  meeting,  Deputy Directo r-General Wolff  provided a periodic report on the 
development assistance aspects of the Cotton Initiative  and referred to the R eport of the 33rd Round 
of the Director -General's  Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton  in document 
TN/AG/SCC/W/35 – WT/CFMC/62 . The General Council took note of the report of Deputy  Director -
General Wolff.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  8  ACCESSION MATTERS  
8.1  2019 Annual Report by the Director -General (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the  Director -General presented the 2019 Annual Repor t on WTO 
Accessions (WT/ACC/36 – WT/GC/207) and highlighted that 2019 was another busy year for WTO 
accessions with 14 out of 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 statement s. 
8.2  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 Relations 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 General Council took note of the statements.  
8.3  Somalia (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October24 meeting, the Chair announced that, following a process of consultations 
conducted by Deputy Director -General Wolff, there was consensus on the appointment of 
Ambassador Mikael Anzén (Sweden) as Chair man of the Working Party on the Accession of Somalia.  
The General C ouncil took note of the statement.  
9  OBSERVER STATUS  
9.1  Turkmenistan (WT/GC/M/184 and WT/GC/M/186)  
At the May25 meeting, the Chair announced that he would begin consultations on 
Turkmenistan's request for observer status (WT/L/1090). The General Council took note26 of the 
Chair'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 propose d 
that the General Council agreed to the request to grant Turkmenistan Observer Status. The General 
Council so agreed. H.E. Atageldi Haljanov, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of 
Turkmenistan in Geneva (Observer) and the representatives of Afghanist an, Panama (Article XII 
Members), Mongolia (LLDCs), Tajikistan, Ukraine, Turkey, India, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, 
the Russian Federation, Paraguay and Pakistan spoke. Turkmenistan (Observer) again took the floor. 
The General Council took note of the  statements.  
10  WAIVERS  
10.1  Introduction of Harmonized System 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017 Changes into WTO 
Schedules of Tariff Concessions – Draft Decision (WT/GC/M/188)  
10.1.   At the December  meeting, the General Council considered four  draft waiver decisions, 
contained in G/C/W/ 782, G/C/W/783, G/C/W/784 and G/C/W /785 which concerned the Introduction 
 
24 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the October  meeting.  
25 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the May meeting.  
26 At the request of the delegation of Afghanistan, its statement under this item is incorporated in the 
minutes of th e May  meeting and can be  found in Annex 2  of document WT/GC/M/184 . WT/GC/227  
 
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  of Harmonized System 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017  Changes into WTO Schedules of Tar iff 
Concessions, respectively. The Chair of the  Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration 
of this matter by that Council. The General Council took note of the report  and, in accordance with 
the Decision -Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the W TO Agreement agreed in 
November  1995 (WT/L/93), adop ted the four draft Decisions , including with respect to the request 
by Ecuador to be added in the Annex to the waivers in G/C/W/784 and G/C/W/785 , which were 
subsequently circulated in WT/L/ 1104, WT/L/ 1105, WT/L/ 1106 and WT/L/ 1107. 
10.2  Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  (WT/GC/M/186  
and WT/GC/M/188 ) 
10.2.   Under Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement, "[a]ny waiver granted for a period of more than 
one year shall be reviewed by the Ministerial Conference not later than one year after it is granted, 
and thereafter  annually until the waiver terminates."  
10.3.   At the July meeting, the General Council considered the following 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 r espect 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 20 15 until 31 December 2023 (WT/L/958, 
WT/L/1091)  
10.4.   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 Europe an Union  spoke. The General Council took note of the report contained 
in document WT/L/ 1091 and of the statements.  
10.5.   At the December  meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review 
under Article IX:4:  
a. Preferential Treatment in favour of Services and Service Suppliers of Least -Developed 
Countries, granted on 17 December 2011 until 31 December 2030 (WT/L/847, 
WT/L/982)  
b. Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least -Developed Countries, granted on 
16 October  2019 until 30 June 2029 (WT/L/1069)  
c. Cuba – Article Xv:6 – Extension of Waiver, granted on 7 December 2016 until 
31 December 2021 (WT/L/1003, WT/L/1102)  
d. European Union – Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to the Western 
Balkans, granted on 7 December 2016 until 31 December 2021 (WT/L/1002, 
WT/L/1103)  
e. United States – African Growth and Opportunity Act, granted on 30 November 2015 
until 30 September 2025 (WT/L/970, WT/L/1097  and WT/L/1097/Corr.1 ) 
f. United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, granted on 16 October 2019 
until 30 September 2025 (WT/L/1070, WT/L/1096  and WT/L/1096/Corr.1 ) WT/GC/227  
 
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  g. United States – Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, granted on 
7 December  2016 until 31 December 2026 (WT/L/100 0, WT/L/1098 , 
WT/L/1098/C orr.127 and WT/L/1098/Corr.2 ) 
h. United States – Trade Preferences Granted to Nepal, granted on 7 December 2016 until 
31 December 2025 (WT/L/1001, WT/L/1099)  
In doing so, the General Council considered a report on implementation of the respective 
waiver s in document s WT/L/1 096, WT/L/1 096/Corr.1, WT/L/1097,  WT/L/1 097/Corr.1,  WT/L/1098, 
WT/L/1098/Corr.1,  WT/L/1 098/Corr.2,  WT/L/1099, WT/L/1102 and WT/L/1103.  The representatives 
of Saint Lucia (CARICOM) and Jamaica  spoke .28 The General Council took note of the report s and of 
the statements.  
11  TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE  
11.1  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.  
11.2  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 Jerome Walcott (Barbados) and H.E. Mr Simon 
Birmingham (Australia).  
11.3  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.  
11.4  Launch of the MC12 Logo – 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 spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
11.5  Date and Venue (WT/GC/M/184 ; WT/GC/M/186 ; WT/GC/M/187  and 
WT/GC/M/188 ) 
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 Nur -Sultan on 8 -11 June 2020 due to the COVID -
19 pandemic and further to the communication Kazakhstan had circulated in docu ment WT/GC/209 
confirming that it remained ready to host MC12 in June 2021 in Nur -Sultan.  The representatives of  
Thailand; Botswana (African Group); Jamaica (ACP); Paraguay; Brazil; Viet Nam (ASEAN); the 
Republic of Korea; Hong Kong, China; Barbados; Tanza nia; the Russian Federation; the Dominican 
Republic; India; Chinese Taipei; Ecuador; Cameroon; the European Union; Nigeria; Afghanistan; 
Singapore and Kazakhstan spoke.  During their  respective  intervention s, Thailand; Jamaica (ACP); 
Paraguay; Viet Nam (ASE AN); Tanzania; Ecuador and Afghanistan referred to both items 4 and 5 of 
the May GC agenda29 and Viet Nam (ASEAN) also referred to item 2 of the May GC agenda .30 The 
General Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statements.  
 
27 Issued in English only.  
28 At its request, the statement of the delegation of Chad (LDCs) under this agenda item is incorporated 
in the Minutes of the December General Council meeting.  
29 Item 4 of the May GC agen da 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 ". 
30 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/227  
 
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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 2021 – 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 (AS EAN); 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 Chair's report 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 
Chair's report and of the stateme nts. 
At the December  meeting,  the Chair noted  that, since the October  meeting , he had continued 
his consultations with delegations including with group coordinators.  Based on those discussions, 
the sense h e was hearing from Members was that, in light of the current situation, it was no longer 
realistic to envisage a June date for MC12 and that it would be necessary to consider alternative 
dates towards the end of 2021. At the same time, and on the basis of what he had he ard from 
Members, in his view, it was becoming increasingly important and urgent that a firm decision was 
taken so that Members would have clarity on the matter . The representatives of Thailand; Botswana 
(African Group); Namibia; Singapore; Barbados; Mongo lia; Jamaica (ACP) ; Guyana (CARICOM); 
Australia; the United States; Malaysia; Colombia; the Russian Federation; the Republic of Korea; 
India; Hong Kong, China; the United Kingdom; Turkey; South Africa; Tunisia; Ecuador; the 
Philippines; Brazil; Chinese Taipei; Japan; Nigeria; Cambodia; Afghanistan; Uruguay; Mexico; Chad; 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Indonesia; Haiti; the Republic of Moldova and Kazakhstan spoke . The 
General Council took note of the Chair's report and of  the statements.  
12  PROCEDURES TO STRENGTHEN THE NEGOTIATING FUNCTION OF THE WTO – 
STATEMENT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/GC/M/182 ; WT/GC/M/186 ; WT/GC/M/187  
AND WT/GC/M/188 ) 
At the March  meeting, the United St ates 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 
Union; Australia; Colombia; China; Chad (LDCs); Barbados; India; Saint Lucia (OECS); South Africa; 
Indonesia; Ja maica (ACP); Thailand; Sri Lanka and Namibia spoke. 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 
communications 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 ag ain 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 representatives 
of Bra zil; 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. The United States a gain took the 
floor.  The General Council took note of the statements.  
At the December  meeting,  the United States made a statement and referr ed to its 
communications in WT/GC/W/757/Rev.1 and WT/GC/W/764/Rev.1. The representatives of  
Botswana (African Group); China; India;  the European Union; Chad (LDCs); Japan; Pakistan; 
Jamaica (ACP); Guyana (CARICOM); Barbados; Brazil and  South Africa spoke. Th e United States 
again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  13  STRENGTHENING THE WTO TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSIVITY – 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP, CUBA, AND INDIA (WT/GC/ M/188 ) 
At the December  meeting,  the represent ative of South Africa introduced the revised 
communication in document WT/GC/W/778/Rev.3 , co-sponsored by the African Group, Cuba and 
India. The representatives of Botswana (African Group); Cuba; Chad (LDCs); Oman; Jamaica (ACP); 
the European Union;  the United States; China; Pakistan; Bangladesh; Sri Lanka and India spoke. 
During its intervention, the representative of Oman referred to items 11 and 12 of the December  
GC agenda .31 The General Council took note of the statements.  
14  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 ; WT/GC/M/187  AND WT/GC/M/188 ) 
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 Ki ngdom; 
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 European Union, on be half 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; South Africa; Banglad esh 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 revised proposal in docu ment 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 note of the statements.  
At the December32 meeting,  the representative of the European Union, on behalf of the co -
sponsors, noted  that they would continue engaging with Members on their questions  on the proposal 
in  WT/GC/W/777/Rev.5 , and that they i ntended to report back at the next opportunity.  The General 
Council took note of the statement.  
15  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; 
WT/GC/M/187  AND WT/GC/M/188)  
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 ; 
Indonesia; 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 representatives 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 U nion; 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.  
 
31 Item 11 of the December GC agenda item related to the " Procedures to Strengthen the Negotiating 
Function of the WTO – Statement by the United States " while Item 12 of the December GC agenda related to 
"Strengthening the WTO to Promote Development and Inclusivity – Communication from the African Group, Cuba 
and India ". 
32 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the  December  meeting.  WT/GC/227  
 
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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 Philippine s; Nigeria;  Switzerland;  the 
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.  
At the December  meeting,  the representatives of the United States, Brazil and Japan each 
made a statement on this matter  referring  to their joint communication in  WT/GC/W/803/Rev.1 . The 
representatives of Australia; Paraguay; Colombia; Mexico; the Russian Federation; India; South 
Africa; Chinese Taipei; the European Union; Indonesia; Canada; Nigeria; China; Pakistan; Israel and 
the United Kingdom spoke.  During its intervention, the representative of Indonesi a referred to 
items  10, 11  and 12 of the December  GC agenda .33 The United States again took the floor. The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
16  UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE REPORT ON THE APPELLATE BODY OF THE 
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION – STATEM ENT 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; Thailand; the Philippines; China; Argentina; the 
European Union; India; Barbados; S witzerland; Jamaica (ACP); the Russian Federation; Japan; 
Botswana (African Group); South Africa; Australia; Mexico and Indonesia spoke. The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
17  KAZAKHSTAN – BORDER RESTRICTIONS OF GOODS IN TRANSIT – REQUEST FROM TH E 
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 took note of the statements.  
18  TRADE RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD: A DRAFT FOR MC DECISION – COMMUNICATIONS FROM CHAD ON BEHALF OF 
THE LDC GROUP  (WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December  meeting,  the representative of  Chad (LDCs) introduced the c ommunication s 
in documents WT/GC/W/806 and WT/GC/W/ 807 which  include d a proposed Draft Ministerial 
Conference Decision and an LDC Graduation Fact Sheet.  The representatives of Bangladesh; Angola; 
Myanmar; Jamaica (ACP); Mauritius (African Group); Afghanistan; South Africa; Nepal; the 
European Union; Norway;  the Unites States; Switzerland; Turkey; India; China; Vanuatu (Pacific 
Group); Indonesia; Egypt; Cambodia; Nigeria; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and  Cameroon spoke.  
Bangladesh and Chad again took the floor . The General Council took note of the statements.  
19  PROPOSAL ON AGRICULTURE EXPORT PROHIBITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS RELATING 
TO THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME  
19.1  Draft General Council Decision – Communication from Albania;  Angola;  Australia;  
Kingdom of Bahrain;  Canada;  Chile;  Colombia;  Ecuador; Grenada;  Guyana;  Iceland;  
Indonesia;  Israel;  Japan;  Republic of Korea;  Liechtenstein;  Malawi;  Malaysia;  Mali;  
Mexico;  Moldova;  Mongolia;  Montenegro;  Myanmar;  New Zealand;  Norway;  Paraguay;  
Peru;  Qatar;  Samoa;  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;  Singapore;  Solomon Islands;  Switzerland; 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu ; Ukraine;  United 
Kingdom;  United States; Vanuatu and Viet  Nam (WT/G C/M/188 ) 
 
33 Item 10 of the December GC agenda related to the " Importance of Market -Oriented Conditions to the 
World Trading System – Joint Statement by Brazil, Japan, and the United States "; Item 11 of the December GC 
agenda item related to the " Procedures to Strengthen the Negotiating Function of the WTO – Statement by the 
United States " and Item 12 of the December GC agenda related to " Strengthening the WTO to Promote 
Development and Inclusivity – Communication from the African Group, Cuba and In dia". WT/GC/227  
 
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  19.2  Communication from Singapore (WT/GC /M/188 ) 
At the December  meeting,  the representative of Singapore intr oduced the communications in 
documents WT/GC/W/810 including all revisions34, on behalf of the co -sponsors, and WT/GC/W/811. 
The representatives of Chad (LDCs); Chile; Malaysia; the Republic of Korea; Bangladesh; Ukraine; 
Uruguay; Senegal; Paraguay; Mongol ia; Albania; Panama; the United States; Japan; Norway; Costa 
Rica; Turkey; Afghanistan; Argentina; Chinese Taipei; Ecuador; Brazil; Jamaica (ACP); Switzerland; 
Canada; Colombia; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mexico; South Africa; the European Union; 
Indones ia; Cambodia; India; the Republic of Moldova; Guatemala; Tanzania; Pakistan; Vanuatu 
(Pacific Group); the United Kingdom; the Philippines; Israel; Fiji; Peru and  Botswana (African Group) 
spoke. Singapore again took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
20  G20 SAUDI ARABIA 2020 – STATEMENTS BY THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA  
20.1  Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October35 meeting, the  representative of the  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia presented the 
Communiqué from the G 20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting  circulated in document 
WT/GC/221 . The General Council took note of the statement.  
20.2  G20 Leaders' Declaration – Riyadh Summit (WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December36 meeting,  the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabi a presented the 
G20 Leaders' Declaration – Riyadh Summit circulated in document WT/L/1101 . The representative 
of Japan spoke . The General Council took note of the statements.  
21  ORIGIN MARKING REQUIREMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES – STATEMENT BY HONG 
KONG, CHINA  (WT/GC/M/187)  
At the October37 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 Unit ed States spoke. The General Council took note 
of the statements.  
22  INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE CREATIVE ECONOMY  FOR SUSTAINABLE 
DEVELOPMENT 2021  – STATEMENT BY OMAN (WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December38 meeting,  the representative of Oman made a statement on this m atter 
encourag ing the WTO to work together with other international organizations to support the revival 
of the Creative Industries . The representative of Colombia spoke. The General Council took note of 
the statement s. 
23  WTO VIRTUAL MEETINGS – STATEMENT BY OMAN (WT/GC/M/188)  
At the December39 meeting,  the representative of Oman made a statement on this matter  
including a suggestion to start a conversation on the challenges and benefits of virtual meetings . 
The General Coun cil took note of the statement.  
 
34 The revisions of this communication are circulated in documents WT/GC/W/810/Rev.1, 
WT/GC/W/810/Rev.2 and WT/GC/W/810/Rev.3.  
35 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the October  meeting.  
36 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the December  meeting.  
37 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the October  meeting.  
38 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the December  meeting.  
39 This item was taken up under "Other Bu siness" at the December  meeting.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  24  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  
24.1  Reports and Recommendations (WT/GC/M/186 ; WT/GC/M/187  and 
WT/GC/M/188 ) 
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/185/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 concernin g 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 C had (LDCs) spoke. At its request, the 
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 statements.40 
At the December  meeting,  the CBFA C hairman introduced the reports of the CBFA in 
documents WT/BFA/189, WT/BFA/ 190 and WT/BFA/ 191 including the Committee's 
recommendations. The General Council approve d the Budget Committee's specific recommendation 
in paragraph 4.15 of WT/BFA/191 concerning the ITC 2021 Budget Proposal;  approve d the specific 
recommendation in paragraph 5.23 of WT/BFA/191 concerning the WTO 2021 Budget Proposal;  took 
note of the CBFA Chairman's statement and adopted the reports in WT/BFA/189, WT/BFA/ 190 and 
WT/BFA/ 191.41 
25  WTO P ENSION PLAN  
25.1  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.  
25.2.   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 consul tations 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 Chair  suggested that that the slate of candidates 
in document WT/GC/W/801 be elected to the M anagement Board. The General Council so agreed.  
The decision was subsequently circulated in WT/L/ 1092.  
25.2  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 Chairman's 
statement.  
 
40 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 26.1 and 26.2 of this report.  
41 Under this i tem, the General Council also took up the matter concerning " Administrative Measures for 
Members in Arrears " where the delegation of Cuba intervened. See Paragraphs 26.1 and 26.2 of this report.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  26  ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS (WT/GC/M/182; 
WT/GC/M/184 ; WT/GC/M/186 ; WT/GC/M/187  AND WT/GC/M/188 ) 
In October 2012, the General Council approved a recommendation from the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration regarding revised Administrative Me asures 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,  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 inform the 
Secretaria t as to when the payment of arrears might be expected.  
At the General Council meetings in March , May, July, October , and December42, the Chair man 
of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration provided information with regard to which 
Members were under Administrative Measures and the Chair 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 and December meeting s. The General Council took 
note of the statements.  
27  REVIEW OF WTO ACTIVITIES (WT/GC/M/188)  
27.1.   At the December  meeting, the General Council co nsidered Annual Reports for 2020  from WTO 
bodies that had been drawn up in pursuance of the Decision concerning procedures for an annual 
overview of WTO activities and for reporting under the WTO in document WT/L/105.  
27.2.   The General Council took note of the  Chair's  statement, adopted the re port of the Committee 
on Trade and Development in document WT/COMTD/ 100 and  took note of the reports of other WTO 
bodies, including the reports of the bodies under the Plurilateral Trade Agreements, in documents 
WT/DSB/81, WT/TPR/ 452, G/L/ 1381, S/C/ 60, IP/C/87, G/L/1380, WT/CTE/ 27, WT/BOP/R/118 , 
WT/BFA/192 , WT/REG/31 , WT/WGTTT/22 , GPA/ AR/3, and WT/L/1100 – TCA/16 . 
27.3.   The General Council then adopted the draft Annual Report for 2 020 of the General Council 
(WT/GC/W/ 809), on the understanding that the Secretariat  would make the necessary adjustments 
to include matters considered at that meeting.  
28  APPOINTMENT OF THE NEXT DIRECTOR -GENERAL (WT/GC/M/184; WT/GC/M/185 ; 
WT/GC/M/186  AND WT/GC/M/188 ) 
At the May meeting, the Chair said that f ollowing the announcement made by the Director -
General on 14 May that he would step down 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 nominati on period); Phase 
Two would provide candidates the opportunity to present themselves to Members and Phase Three 
would be devoted to selecting and appointing one of the candidates through consultations with 
Members . In this Phase, in line with the Procedure s, 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 o f a vacancy in the post, the General Council Chair 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 
 
42 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 ". At the December meeting, 
this matter was taken up under Item 17 of the December GC agenda entitled " Committee on Budget, Finance 
and Administration – Reports on Meetings of October and November 2020 ". WT/GC/227  
 
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  Tunisia referred to both items 4 and 5 of the May GC agenda .43 The General Council took note of the 
Chair's report and o f 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 list44 of candidates had been circulated 
on 9 July. Pursuant to paragraph 14 of the Procedures in WT/L/509, Members then met formally45 
with each of the eight candidates nominated46 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 Chair at the beginning of the meeting.  
At the July meeting, the Chair noted  that, further to the consultations undertaken on 
expediting deadlines, the duration  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 for 
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 number 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 intention  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.47 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 Cambodia, Paraguay, Viet Nam (ASEAN), Malaysia, Peru and 
Cameroon referred to both items 5 and 6 of the July GC a genda .48 The General Council took note of 
the Chair's report and of the statements.  
At the December49 meeting, the Chair recalled that  his reports on the outcomes of the three 
rounds of consultations that he, together with the Facilitators, had undertaken in the context of the 
Process of Appointment of the next Director -General were contained in JOB/GC/244, JOB/GC/245 
and JOB/GC/247. I n a further communication that he had circulated on 6 November 2020 in 
JOB/GC/248, he had indicated that  it had come to his attention that,  for reasons including the health 
situation and current events, delegations had not been  in a position to take a formal decision  on 9 
November. He had postponed the Special General Council meeting that had been convened for 9 
November until further notice  during which period he would continue to undertake consultations with 
delegations . The situation had not changed  since then. He noted that  he intended to continue 
consultations with a view to a formal decision being taken in accordance with the agreed rules and 
procedures as soon as possible early in the new year. The General Council took note of the Chair's 
statement.  
 
43 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 ". 
44 The consolidated list of candidates can be found i n document WT/GC/INF/30 . 
45 The Airgram convening this meeting can be found in document WTO/AIR/GC/ 30. 
46 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. Mohamed (Republic of Kenya), Mr. Mohammad Maziad 
Al-Tuwaijri (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and Dr. Liam  Fox (United Kingdom).  
47 The Chair subsequently convened Informal Open -Ended HODs meetings on 28 and 31. Following the 
discussion on 28 July, the Chair 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 October and 28 October. The Chair's 
statements were circulated in JOB/GC/244, JOB/GC/245 and JOB/GC/247, r espectively. A special General Council 
meeting was convened for 9 November which was subsequently postponed until further notice. In this respect, 
a Communication from the General Council Chair was circulated in JOB/GC/248. See also Footnote 2.  
48 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 ". 
49 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the December  meeting.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  29  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 Director -General, until the 
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 Council 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. The General Council was reconvened on 31 July w here, 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 the matter. 
Those were:  
a. "This understanding ap plies 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 the ir 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 respect of serving Members' regular work and area s 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, th e 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.  
30  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES (WT/GC/M/182 ; WT/GC/M/184 AND 
WT/GC/M/188 ) 
At the March  meeting,  the Chair recalled that in accordance with the Guidelines for 
Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies approved by the Ge neral Council in 2002 (WT/L/510), and 
the related practical steps to improve their implementation (JOB/GC/22), she, together with the 
Chair man 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 delegat ions a partial 
slate of names where there appeared to be consensus – those had been for the General Council; the 
DSB; the TPRB; the Goods, Services 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 ) WT/GC/227  
 
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  Trade Policy Review Body  
 
 H.E. Mr. Harald Aspelund ( Iceland ) 
 
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 guidelines. The United States spoke. The General Council took note of the statements . 
At the May50 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 Chair's statement.  
At the December  meeting, the Chair said that in accordance with the Guidelines for the  
Appointment of Officers to WTO bodies in document WT/L/510 and the practical steps to improve 
the implementation of the Guidelines (JOB/GC/22), he would be starting the selection process fo r 
the appointment of chairpersons to the WTO bodies in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Annex to the 
Guidelines. In accordance with paragraph 7.1(b) of the Guidelines, he would be assisted in the 
selection process by the serving Chair of the Dispute Settlement Body, Ambassador Da cio Castillo 
 
50 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 Chair  had received no object ions 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 at 
its next meeting.  WT/GC/227  
 
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  (Honduras ). The General Council took note of the statement which had been made pursuant to the 
Guidelines for the Appointment of Officers.  
31  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/182)  
At the March  meeting, the Chair, as the outgoin g 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 stateme nts. The representatives of Chad (LDCs); Seychelles; Benin; Jamaica (ACP) and the 
Philippines (ASEAN) spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
__________