WT/GC/W/705  
 
16 November 2015  
(15-6046)  Page: 1/12  
General Council 
30 November - 1 December 2015    
 
 GENERAL COUNCIL 
DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT (2015)1 
The present report has been prepared in pursuanc e of the Procedures for an Annual Overview of 
WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105).  
 
Since its previous annual report2, the General Council has held four meetings, on 20 February, 
5 May, 27-28 July, and 8 October 2015.  The minutes of these meetings, which remain in the record of the General Council's work, are cont ained in documents WT/GC/M/156, WT/GC/M/157, 
WT/GC/M/158 and WT/GC/M/159
3. 
 The following subjects are included in the report: 
 
1   TRADE NEGOTIATIONS  COMMITTEE – REPORTS ......................................................... 2
 
2   IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI  OUTCOMES – STATEMENTS BY THE 
CHAIRMAN ...................................................................................................................... . 3 
3   PROTOCOL AMENDING THE TRIPS AGREEMENT – UPDATE ON STATUS ....................... 3  
4   WORK PROGRAMME ON SM ALL ECONOMIES – REPORTS ............................................. 4  
5   WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE – REVIEW OF PROGRESS ................ 4  
6   AID FOR TRAD E – REPO RTS ........................................................................................ 4  
7   ACCESSION MATTERS .................................................................................................. 5  
7.1   Kazakhstan ............................................................................................................... 5  
8   TENTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CO NFERENCE .................................................. 5  
8.1   Election of Officers ..................................................................................................... 5  
8.2   Attendance of Observers from Governments and International Intergovernmental 
Organiza tions ................................................................................................................. .. 5 
8.3   Attendance of Non-Governmental Organizations ............................................................. 6  
8.4   Progress Report on Logistical Prep arations  .................................................................... 6  
8.5   Launch of the Logo of the Tenth Session of the Ministerial Conference ............................... 6  
9   COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINA NCE AND ADMINI STRATION ........................................ 6  
9.1   Reports and Recommendations .................................................................................... 6  
10   COMMITTEE ON BALANCE OF PAYMENTS REST RICTIONS .......................................... 7  
10.1   Consultation s with Ukraine ........................................................................................ 7  
11   REVIEW OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE GATT 
1994 .......................................................................................................................... ...... 7 
                                               
1 The final version of the report will also reflect any further meeting of the General Council to be held in 
2015 and items will be renumbered as necessary. 
2 The annual report of the General Council for 2014 was circulated in WT/GC/167. 
3 WT/GC/M/159 will subs equently be issued. WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  12   WAIVERS UNDER ARTICLE IX  OF THE WTO AGREEMENT ........................................... 7  
12.1   Jordan – Request for a Waiver relating to the Transitional Period for the Elimination 
of the Export Subsidy Pr ogramme for Jordan ........................................................................ 7  
12.2   United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA as amended) – 
Draft Decision ................................................................................................................ .. 8 
12.3   Canada – Extension of the Waiver for the Caribbean Initiative: CARIBCAN – Draft 
Decision ...................................................................................................................... .... 8 
12.4   Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement .................................. 8  
13   IMPROVING THE GUIDELINES FOR GRANTING INTERGOVERNMENTAL 
ORGANIZATIONS PERMANENT OBSERV ER STATUS IN THE WTO ...................................... 8  
14   FOSTERING PARTICIPATION OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES 
IN GLOBAL MARKETS ....................................................................................................... 9  
14.1   Statement by the Philippines ..................................................................................... 9  
14.2   Communication from the Philippines,  Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Lao PDR ............... 9  
15   MEETING IN MARRAKESH ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WTO – 
STATEMENT BY MOROCCO ................................................................................................ 9  
16   ITA EXPANSION– STATEMENT BY THE EUROPEAN UNION ......................................... 9  
17   STATEMENTS DAMAGING TO THE REPUTATION OF SEVERAL 
INTERNATIONAL FINANCIA L CENTRES IN SMALL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 
CONTRARY TO THE ASSESSMENT OF THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES – STATEMENT BY BARBADOS ............................................................................................ 10
 
18   WTO YOUNG PROFE SSIONALS PROG RAMME ........................................................... 10  
19   MERCI GENÈVE  – OPEN DAY .................................................................................... 10  
20   ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES  FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS ..................................... 10  
21   WTO PENS ION PLAN ............................................................................................... 10  
21.1   Election of Chairperson, Members, and Alternates to the Management Board ................... 10 
21.2   Re ports ................................................................................................................ . 11 
22   APPOINTMENT OF OFFI CERS TO WTO BODIES ........................................................ 11  
23   ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON ................................................................................... 12  
 
1  TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE – REPORTS (WT/GC/M/156; WT/GC/M/157; 
WT/GC/M/158; AND WT/GC/M/159) 
1.1.  Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the 
General Council to supervise the overall conduc t of the negotiations (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1). In 
accordance with the Principles and Practices endorsed by the Trade Negotiations Committee at its 
first meeting in 2002 (TN/C/M/1), the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the General Council.  
1.2.  At the General Council meetings in February, May, July, and October, the Director-General, 
as Chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committ ee, reported on each occasion on the TNC's 
activities since his previous report to the General Council.4  
1.3.  At the February meeting, the representative s of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (on behalf of 
the Arab Group); Burkina Faso (on behalf of the C-4); Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the RAMs 
Group); Brazil; the United States; Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDC Group); Lesotho (on behalf of 
the African Group); Barbados (on behalf of the ACP Group); Guatemala (on behalf of the SVEs); the European Union; China; Nigeria; Republic of Korea; Cuba; India; Japan; and Paraguay spoke. 
The General Council took note of the Director-General's report and of the statements. 
                                               
4 The Director-General's statements were subsequently circulated as JOB/GC/74, JOB/GC/77, 
JOB/GC/81 and JOB/GC/83, respectively. WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  1.4.  At the May meeting, the representatives of  Guatemala (on behalf of the SVEs); Bangladesh 
(on behalf of the LDC Group); Chile; and Chinese Taipei spoke. The General Council took note of 
the Director-General's report and of the statements. 
1.5.  At the July meeting, H.E. Amina Mohame d (Kenya), Chairperson of the Tenth Ministerial 
Conference, addressed the General Council, following which the representatives of Indonesia (on 
behalf of the G-33); Tonga; Barbados (on behalf of the ACP Group); Lesotho (on behalf of the African Group); Sierra Leone; and Bangladesh (o n behalf of the LDC Group) spoke. The General 
Council took note of the Director-General's report and of the statements. 
1.6.  At the October meeting, the representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (on behalf of the 
Arab Group); Kenya; Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDC Group); Lesotho (on behalf of the African 
Group); Australia (also on behalf of the Cairns Group); Barbados (on behalf of the ACP Group); 
Indonesia (on behalf of the G-33); Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the RAMs Group); Honduras (on 
behalf of the IGDC); Mali (on behalf of the C-4); Guatemala (on behalf of the SVEs); Egypt; Brazil; 
South Africa; Jamaica (on behalf of the CARICOM); the European Union; Morocco; China; Uganda; 
India; Japan; Dominica (on behalf of the OECS); Qatar (on behalf of the GCC); Costa Rica; 
Pakistan; Colombia; Uruguay; the Russian Federation; the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (on behalf of the ALBA); Republic of Korea; Tanz ania; Hong Kong, China; Nigeria; Argentina; 
Singapore; Thailand; Switzerland; the United St ates; Sri Lanka; Norway; Montenegro; and Mexico 
spoke. The General Council took note of the Di rector-General's report and of the statements. 
2  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI OUTCOMES – STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRMAN 
(WT/GC/M/156; WT/GC/M/157; WT/GC/M/158; AND WT/GC/M/159) 
2.1.  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 Chairman, to provide an update on the work taking place in the regular bodies which were direct ly working on the various Bali Decisions.  
2.2.  At the General Council meetings in February, May, July and October, the Chairman reported 
on the work taking place in WTO regular bodies to fulfil the Bali Ministerial mandates.
5 
2.3.  At the February meeting, the General Council took note of the Chairman's report. 
2.4.  At the May meeting, the representatives of  Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDC Group); the 
European Union; and Uganda spoke. The General Council took note of the Chairman's report and 
of the statements. 
2.5.  At the July meeting, the representatives of  Tonga; China; Republic of Korea; the European 
Union; Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDC Group); the United States; Thailand; and Montenegro 
spoke. The General Council took note of the Chairman's report and of the statements. 
2.6.  At the October meeting, the representative s of Thailand, India and Montenegro spoke. The 
General Council took note of the Chairman's report and of the statements.  
3  PROTOCOL AMENDING THE TRIPS AGREEMENT – UPDATE ON STATUS 
(WT/GC/M/156) 
3.1.  At the February meeting, the Director-General urged Members who had not yet accepted the 
amendment to do so. Twenty-seven more accept ances were needed for the amendment to come 
into force. The representatives of the Dominican Republic (on behalf of the IGDC); Canada; and the United States spoke. The General Council took note of the Director-General's statement and of 
the other statements. 
                                               
5 The Chairman's statements were subsequently circulated as JOB/ GC/75, JOB/GC/78, JOB/GC/82 and 
JOB/GC/84 respectively. WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  4  WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORTS (WT/GC/M/156; 
WT/GC/M/157; WT/GC/M/158; AND WT/GC/M/159) 
4.1.  In 2002, the General Council took note of a framework and procedures for the conduct of the 
Work Programme on Small Economies, which had been agreed by Ministers at Doha 
(WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 35), under which this Work Programme would be a standing item 
on the General Council's agenda and which also provided that the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) would report regularly to the General Council on the progress of work in its 
Dedicated Sessions on this subject.  In December  2013, Ministers at MC9 adopted the Decision on 
the Work Programme on Small Economies (WT/L/908), which reaffirmed their commitment to the Work Programme and further instructed the CTD to continue its work in Dedicated Sessions under the overall responsibility of the General Council. 
4.2.  At the February meeting, the Chairman, on behalf of the CTD Chairperson, reported that the 
Secretariat was currently carrying out a background research on the challenges and opportunities 
experienced by small economies when linking into  global value chains. The representatives of 
Guatemala (on behalf of the SVEs) and the Europe an Union spoke. The General Council took note 
of the report and of the statements. 
4.3.  At the May meeting, the Chairman, on behalf of the CTD Chairperson, reported on the 
Secretariat's finished background paper on the " Challenges and Opportunities Experienced by 
Small Economies when Linking into Global Value Chains in Trade in Goods and Services " in 
WT/COMTD/SE/W/31. The representatives of Guatem ala (on behalf of the SVEs) and the European 
Union spoke. The General Council took note of the report and of the statements. 
4.4.  At the July meeting, the CTD Chairperso n recalled that the Secretariat had prepared a 
background analysis in WT/COMTD/SE/W/31. This report and its findings had been taken up by 
Members in a dedicated discussion on 5 June. The SVEs had begun the process of identifying the 
topics from the report they would like to explore in further detail. The representative of Guatemala 
(on behalf of the SVEs) spoke. The General Council took note of the report and of the statement. 
4.5.  At the October meeting, the CTD Chairperso n reported that Members were set to explore in 
further detail the background analysis prepared by the Secretariat on the challenges and 
opportunities experienced by small economies when linking into global value chains in 
WT/COMTD/SE/W/31. The representatives of Guatem ala (on behalf of the SVEs) and Dominica (on 
behalf of the OECS) spoke. The General Council to ok note of the report and of the statements. 
5  WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE – REVIEW OF PROGRESS 
(WT/GC/M/158)  
5.1.  In line with the Declaration on Global Electronic Commerce adopted by Ministers at the 
second session of the Ministerial Conference  (WT/MIN(98)/DEC/2), in September 1998, the 
General Council adopted a Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (WT/L/274). At MC9, Ministers adopted a Decision on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (WT/L/907) which 
instructed the General Council to hold periodic reviews based on the reports submitted by the WTO 
bodies entrusted with the implementation of the Work Programme, namely – the Councils for Services, Goods and TRIPS and the Committee on Trade and Development. 
5.2.  At the July meeting, Ambassador Suescum (Panama), as the Friend of the Chair, provided an 
overview of the work taking place on the work  programme on e-commerce. His report can be 
found in document WT/GC/W/701. The Chairman drew attention to the reports on the work programme on e-commerce submitted by the Chairs of the Council for Trade in Services (S/C/47) 
and the Goods Council (G/C/56). The representative s of the United States; the Russian Federation; 
China; India; and the European Union spoke. The General Council took note of the reports and of 
the statements. 
6  AID FOR TRADE – REPORTS (WT/GC/M/158) 
6.1.  At the July meeting, the Director-General pr ovided a report on the Fifth Global Review of Aid 
for Trade, which had taken place on 30 June to 2 July with the theme " Reducing Trade Costs for 
Inclusive, Sustainable Growth ".  He pointed out that the Aid for Trade initiative was already having WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  a tangible effect on trade costs and connectivity and that the implementation of the Bali Package 
promised further substantive and measurable impacts in this area. The representatives of Sierra Leone; the European Union; and Guatemala (on behalf of the SVEs) spoke. The General Council took note of the Director-General's report and of the statements. 
7  ACCESSION MATTERS 
7.1  Kazakhstan (WT/GC/M/158) 7.1.  At its July meeting, the General Council co nsidered the Report of the Working Party on the 
Accession of the Republic of Kazakhstan (WT/ACC/KAZ/93 and WT/ACC/KAZ/93/Add.1 and 
WT/ACC/KAZ/93/Add.2). The Chairperson of the Working Party spoke. The General Council approved the text of the Protocol of Accession of  the Republic of Kazakhstan and, in accordance 
with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articl es IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in 
November 1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the Decision on the Accession of the Republic of Seychelles 
(WT/L/957). The General Council then adopted the Report of the Working Party as a whole (WT/ACC/KAZ/93 and Addenda 1 and 2). 
7.2.  The Chairman; H.E. President Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of the Republic of 
Kazakhstan; and the Director-General spoke, following which H.E. Ms Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya; the representatives of the Russian 
Federation; the United States; the European Union; China; Ukraine; Japan; Brazil; India; the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (on behalf of the Arab Group); Turkey; Mexico; Uruguay; Uganda; Tanzania; Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the RAMs Group); Oman; Republic of Korea; Switzerland; Norway; the Solomon Islands (on behalf of the Pacific WTO Group, Australia and New Zealand); 
the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (on behalf of the GRULAC); Malaysia (on behalf of the 
ASEAN); Pakistan; Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDC Group); Ecuador; Georgia; Colombia; the Kyrgyz Republic; Cuba; Paraguay (on behalf of  the LLDCs); Tajikistan; Argentina; Guatemala; 
Hong Kong, China; Lesotho (on behalf of the African Group); Morocco; Sierra Leone; Israel; 
Jordan; Canada; and El Salvador; and H.E. Minister  Axel Addy, Minister of Commerce and Industry 
of Liberia, intervening as an Observer, spoke. The General Council took note of the statements and 
of the expressions of welcome and support. 
8  TENTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 8.1  Election of Officers (WT/GC/M/157 and WT/GC/M/158) 8.1.  At the May meeting, the General Council agreed to elect H.E. Amina Mohamed, Cabinet 
Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, to be the Chairperson of the Tenth WTO 
Ministerial Conference. 
8.2.  At the July meeting, the General Council agreed to elect H.E. Heraldo Muñoz, Minister of 
Foreign Affairs (Chile); H.E. Gregory L. Domingo,  Secretary of Trade and Industry (Philippines); 
and, H.E. Carlo Calenda, Member of the Italian Cabinet of Ministers, in charge of Trade and 
Investment (Italy), to be the Vice Chairper sons for the Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference. 
8.2  Attendance of Observers from Govern ments and International Intergovernmental 
Organizations (WT/GC/M/157; WT/GC/M/158; and WT/GC/M/159) 
8.3.  At the May meeting, the General Council agreed to repeat past practice with respect to the 
attendance of observer governments which was to invite the Governments with observer status at 
MC9 to attend MC10. On the attendance of IGO's, the Chairman said that more time was needed 
for delegations to consider this matter and proposed to continue his consultations. The General Council took note of the statement. 
8.4.  At the July meeting, the Chairman said he would continue his consultations in various 
configurations on this matter after the summer break. He called on delegations to work together 
with a constructive spirit to address this matte r. The representative of the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia (on behalf of the Arab Group) spoke. The General Council took note of the statements. WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  8.5.  At the October meeting, the Chairman report ed on his consultations on this matter. He also 
drew attention to the request of Palestine for Ob server status at MC10, circulated in document 
WT/L/960. He said he would undertake consultation s on those matters and revert to them during 
the next General Council meeting. The representatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (on behalf 
of the Arab Group) and Honduras (on behalf of th e IGDC) spoke. The General Council took note of 
the statements. 
8.3  Attendance of Non-Governme ntal Organizations (WT/GC/M/157) 
8.6.  At the May meeting, the Chairman recalled that for all previous Ministerial Conferences, 
attendance of Non-Governmental Organizations (N GOs) had been governed by a procedure which 
had been agreed by the General Council in July 1996. The General Council agreed to follow the procedure, with a deadline for registration fixed at 13 November 2015 and to let the Secretariat to 
circulate the list of registered NGOs to all Members once the registration procedure was finalized. 
This procedure was as follows: 
a. a limited number of accredited NGO representatives were allowed to attend only the 
Plenary Sessions of the Conference, without the right to speak; 
b. applications from NGOs to be registered were accepted on the basis of Article V, 
paragraph 2 of the WTO Agreement, i.e. NGOs "concerned with matters related to those 
of the WTO"; and 
c. a deadline was established for the registration of NGOs that wished to attend the 
Conference. 
8.4  Progress Report on Logistic al Preparations (WT/GC/M/157) 
8.7.  At the May meeting, the Chairman of the MC 10 Task Force reported on the progress on the 
logistical preparation for MC10 including the contents of the Information Notes in documents 
WT/MIN(15)/INF/1, WT/MIN(15)/INF/2, WT/MIN(15)/INF/3 and WT/MIN(15)/INF/4. He also 
highlighted the need to contribute to the special Trust Fund for LDC participation at MC10. 
8.8.  The Director-General and the representatives of Kenya; the European Union; Lesotho (on 
behalf of the African Group); the Kingdom of Sa udi Arabia (on behalf of the Arab Group); and 
Tanzania spoke. The General Council took no te of the report and of the statements. 
8.5  Launch of the Logo of the Tenth Session of the Ministerial Conference 
(WT/GC/M/157) 
8.9.  At the May meeting, the Director-General la unched the official logo for the Tenth Ministerial 
Conference. The representative of Kenya spoke. Th e General Council took note of the statements. 
9  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION 9.1  Reports and Recommendations (W T/GC/M/156; WT/GC/M/157; WT/GC/M/158; 
and WT/GC/M/159) 
9.1.  At the February meeting, the General Council considered reports by the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration on its meeting in February (WT/BFA/147). The General Council 
took note of the statement of the Chairperso n of the Budget Committee, approved the Budget 
Committee's specific recommendations in paragraphs 1.4 and 2.4 of the report and adopted the report in WT/BFA/147. 
9.2.  At the May meeting, the General Council considered reports by the Committee on Budget, 
Finance and Administration on its meeting in March (WT/BFA/148). The General Council took note 
of the statement, and adopted the report in WT/BFA/148. 
9.3.  At the July meeting, the General Council considered reports by the Committee on Budget, 
Finance and Administration on its meeting in June (WT/BFA/149). The General Council took note of WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  the statement, approved the Budget Committee's sp ecific recommendations in paragraphs 1.2 and 
8.8 of its report and adopted the report in WT/BFA/149. 
9.4.  At the October meeting, the General Council considered reports by the Committee on Budget, 
Finance and Administration on its meeting in September (WT/BFA/150). The General Council took 
note of the statement, and adopted the report in WT/BFA/150. 
10  COMMITTEE ON BALANCE OF PAYMENTS RESTRICTIONS 10.1  Consultations with Ukraine (WT/GC/M/158) 
10.1.  At the July meeting, the BOP Committee had noted that it had not been possible to reach 
consensus on the measure adopted by Ukraine and had thus decided to conclude the 
consultations. The General Council took note of the statement of the Chairperson of the BOP Committee and adopted the report on the consultations with Ukraine in document WT/BOP/R/110. 
11  REVIEW OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED UNDER PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE GATT 1994 
(WT/GC/M/156) 
11.1.  Paragraph 3(a) of GATT 1994 provides an exemption from Part II of GATT 1994 for 
measures under specific mandatory legislation – enacted by a Member before it became a 
Contracting Party to GATT 1947 – which prohibited the use, sale or lease of foreign-built or foreign-reconstructed vessels in commercial applications between points in national waters or 
waters of an exclusive economic zone. On 20 December 1994, the United States invoked the 
provisions of Paragraph 3(a) with respect to specific legislation that met the requirements of that paragraph. Paragraph 3(b) of GATT 1994 calls for a review of this exemption five years after the 
date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement – an d thereafter every two years for as long as the 
exemption was in force – in order to examine whether the conditions which had created the need 
for the exemption still prevailed. The General Council last considered this matter at its meeting in November 2013 at which it had taken note that under the two-year cycle in Paragraph 3(b) of 
GATT 1994, the next review would be held in 2015.  
11.2.  At the February meeting, the Chairman drew attention to the annual report circulated by the 
United States in document WT/L/948. As for the conduct of the review in 2015, he proposed that 
the Council proceed in a manner similar to that in 2013, which had been based on a procedure 
agreed by the General Council in December 20 02. Therefore, the statements, questions and 
responses from all interested delegations together with the annual statistical report provided by the US under Paragraph 3(c) of GATT 1994, would form the basis for the current year's review. 
This matter would be on the Agenda of subsequent  General Council meetings in the course of 2015 
as the Chair deemed appropriate, or at the request of any Member. The Council would consider this matter again at its last meeting for the year, and the subsequent review would normally be 
held in 2017. He also noted that, as provided in  paragraph 3(e) of GATT 1994, the exemption was 
without prejudice to solutions concerning specific aspects of the legislation covered by this exemption negotiated in sectoral agreements or in other fora. 
11.3.  The representatives of the European Unio n; Japan; Norway; Republic of Korea; China; 
Canada; Australia; Hong Kong, China; Chinese Taipei; and the United States spoke. The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this item at a future meeting. 
12  WAIVERS UNDER ARTICLE IX OF THE WTO AGREEMENT 
12.1  Jordan – Request for a Waiver relating to the Transitional Period for the 
Elimination of the Export Subsidy Programme for Jordan (WT/GC/M/156) 
12.1.  At the February meeting, the Chairper son of the Goods Council, in accordance with 
Article IX:3 of the WTO Agreement, reported that the Council for Trade in Goods had not 
completed the consideration of Jordan's request for a waiver relating to the Transitional Period for the Elimination of the Export Subsidy Programme for Jordan. The General Council agreed to allow 
the Goods Council to continue to consider Jordan's request. WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  12.2  United States – Caribbean Basin Econ omic Recovery Act (CBERA as amended) – 
Draft Decision (WT/GC/M/157) 
12.2.  At the May meeting, the General Council considered a draft decision in document 
G/C/W/708 which concerned the request for a waiver by the United States on the Caribbean Basin 
Economic Recovery Act. The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the 
consideration of the draft decision by that Co uncil. The representatives of the United States; 
Jamaica (on behalf of the CARICOM); Haiti; Barbados; Trinidad and Tobago; and Dominica (on 
behalf of the OECS) spoke. The General Council took note of the report and of the statements and, 
in accordance with the Decision-Making Proced ures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO 
Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the Decision (WT/L/950). 
12.3  Canada – Extension of the Waiver for the Caribbean Initiative: CARIBCAN – Draft 
Decision (WT/GC/M/158) 
12.3.  At the July meeting, the General Council considered a draft decision in document 
G/C/W/710 which concerned the request for a waiver by Canada on the Extension of the Waiver 
for the Caribbean Initiative: CARI BCAN. The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported 
on the consideration of the draft decision by th at Council. The representatives of Canada; Jamaica 
(on behalf of the CARICOM); and Grenada (on be half of the OECS) spoke. The General Council 
took note of the report and of the statements  and, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WT O Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the Decision (WT/L/958).  
12.4  Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement 
(WT/GC/M/158) 
12.4.  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 Confer ence not later than one year after it is granted, 
and thereafter annually until the waiver terminates ." 
12.5.  At the July meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review under 
Article IX:4: 
i. LDCs — Article 70.9 of the TRIPS Agreement with respect to Pharmaceutical 
Products, granted on 8 July 2002 until 1 January 2016 (WT/L/478) 
ii. Preferential Treatment for Least-Developed Countries, granted on 27 May 2009 until 
30 June 2019 (WT/L/759) 
iii. United States — Former Trust Territory of  the Pacific Islands, granted on 27 July 
2007 until 31 December 2016 (WT/L/694, WT/L/954) 
iv. United States — African Growth and Opportunity Act, granted on 27 May 2009 until 
30 September 2015 (WT/L/754, WT/L/955) 
v. Philippines — Special Treatment for Rice (WT/L/932) 
12.6.  In doing so, the General Council considered reports on implementation of the respective 
waivers in documents WT/L/954 and WT/L/955. The representative of the United States spoke. 
The General Council took note of the reports, and of the statement, and reverted to the review of 
multi-year waivers under Article IX.4 of the WTO Agreement at its last regular meeting in 2015. 
13  IMPROVING THE GUIDELINES FO R GRANTING INTERGOVERNMENTAL 
ORGANIZATIONS PERMANENT OBSERVER STATUS IN THE WTO (WT/GC/M/156; 
WT/GC/M/157; AND WT/GC/M/158) 
13.1.  In November 2011, the General Council agreed that the Chairperson of the General Council 
start a process of consultations on improving the guidelines for granting observer status to 
Intergovernmental Organizations in the WTO, following a communication by the Arab Group in WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  document WT/GC/W/643, which was then supplemented by a further communication in document 
WT/GC/W/654. 
13.2.  At the February meeting, the Chairman urged continued engagement from all Members to 
address this issue, in a constructive manner and with a solution-finding spirit – and particularly 
looking ahead at MC10. He said he would brief his successor so that he could consider how to 
address this matter. The representatives of the Ki ngdom of Saudi Arabia (on behalf of the Arab 
Group) and the Russian Federation spoke. Th e General Council took note of statements. 
13.3.  At the May meeting, the Chairman noted that  he would continue to seek delegations' views, 
and would report to the General Council as appropriate. He intended to work with an open mind 
and constructive spirit, and urged all delegations to do the same.  The representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (on behalf of the Arab Group) spoke. The General Council took note of 
the statements. 
13.4.  At the July meeting, the Chairman said that he intended to continue his consultations with 
Members and report back to the General Counci l as appropriate. The representative of the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (on behalf of the Arab Group) spoke. The General Council took note of 
the statements. 
14  FOSTERING PARTICIPATION OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN 
GLOBAL MARKETS 
14.1  Statement by the Philippines (WT/GC/M/158) 14.1.  At the July meeting, the Philippines made a statement on Fostering Participation of Micro, 
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Global Markets circulated in document JOB/GC/80. The 
representatives of Singapore (on behalf of th e ASEAN) and Grenada (on behalf of the OECS) 
spoke. The General Council took note of the statements. 
14.2  Communication from the Philippines,  Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Lao PDR 
(WT/GC/M/159) 
14.2.  At the October meeting, the Philippines drew attention to its proposal on Fostering the 
Participation of MSMEs in Regional and Global Markets co-sponsored by Malaysia, Brunei 
Darussalam and Lao PDR, in documents WT/GC/W/702 and WT/GC/W/702/Add.1 calling for the 
inclusion in the outcome documents of MC10 in Nairobi of a statement on this matter. The representatives of Singapore (on behalf of th e ASEAN); Malaysia; Guatemala (on behalf of the 
SVEs); South Africa; El Salvador; Chile; India; Dominican Republic (on behalf of the IGDC); 
Dominica (on behalf of the OECS); the United Stat es; Nigeria; the European Union; Kenya and the 
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela spoke. The General Council took note of the statements. 
15  MEETING IN MARRAKESH ON THE 20
TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WTO – STATEMENT BY 
MOROCCO (WT/GC/M/157) 
15.1.  At the May meeting, the General Council heard a statement by Morocco on a recent 
Conference in Marrakesh to commemorate the WTO 20th Anniversary. The General Council took 
note of the statement. 
16  ITA EXPANSION– STATEMENT BY THE EUROPEAN UNION (WT/GC/M/158) 16.1.  At the July meeting, the European Un ion announced the successful conclusion of the 
negotiations on ITA Expansion, as far as the coverage was concerned. The Director-General and 
the representative of Japan spoke. The Gene ral Council took note of the statements. WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  17  STATEMENTS DAMAGING TO THE RE PUTATION OF SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL 
FINANCIAL CENTRES IN SM ALL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CONTRARY TO THE 
ASSESSMENT OF THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITIES – STATEMENT BY BARBADOS (WT/GC/M/158) 
17.1.  At the July meeting, Barbados raised the i ssue of statements damaging to the reputation of 
several international financial centres in small developing countries contrary to the assessment of 
the responsible authorities. The representatives of Jamaica (on behalf of the CARICOM), Panama, 
Vanuatu and the European Union spoke. The General Council took note of the statements. 
18  WTO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS PROGRAMME (WT/GC/M/156) 18.1.  At the February meeting, the Director-G eneral introduced the proposal for a WTO Young 
Professionals Programme in the WTO. The obje ctive of the Programme was to enhance the 
knowledge and skills of young professionals from eligible participating Members on WTO issues. 
The General Council took note of the Director-General's statement. 
19  MERCI GENÈVE – OPEN DAY (WT/GC/M/156) 
19.1.  At the February meeting, the Director-General made a statement on plans to organize an 
Open Day titled " Merci Genève ". The General Council took note of the statement. 
20  ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS (WT/GC/M/156; 
WT/GC/M/157; WT/GC/M/158; and WT/GC/M/159) 
20.1.  In October 2012, the General Council approved a recommendation from the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration regarding revised Administrative Measures for Members in arrears, as contained in WT/BFA/132, Annex I. Th ese 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 Chairman 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 Secretariat as to when the payment of arrears might be expected. 
20.2.  At the General Council meetings in February, May, July, and October, the Chairperson of the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration provided information with regard to which 
Members were under Administrative Measures. The General Council took note of the statements. 
21  WTO PENSION PLAN 21.1  Election of Chairperson, Members, and Alternates to the Management Board 
(WT/GC/M/157; WT/GC/M/158; and WT/GC/M/159) 
21.1.  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. 
21.2.  At the May meeting, the Chairman proposed that the General Council elect Mr Johannes 
Rühl (Switzerland) to serve as Chairman on th e Board for the remainder of the term, i.e. until 
May 2017. The General Council so agreed.6 
21.3.  At the July meeting, the Chairman proposed that the General Council elect Ms Junko Ueno 
(Japan) and Mr Andrew Staines (United Kingdom) to serve as alternates on the Management Board 
for the remainder of the terms of their respective predecessors, i.e. until 2017. The General 
Council so agreed.7 
                                               
6 The decision can be found in document WT/L/949. 
7 The decision can be found in document WT/L/959. WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  21.4.  At the October meeting, the Chairman proposed that the General Council elect Ms Eunice 
Huang (Singapore) to serve as an alternate on the Management Board for the remainder of the 
term of her predecessor, i.e. until May 2017. The General Council so agreed.8 
21.2  Reports (WT/GC/M/158) 
21.5.  At the July meeting, the Chairperson of the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan 
introduced the Annual Report of the Management Board for 2014 contained in document 
WT/L/952, and the Report of the Independent Ex ternal Auditor on the Audit of the Financial 
Statements of the WTOPP in document WT/L/953.  The General Council took note of the Annual 
Report of the Management Board for 2014, the Repo rt of the Independent External Auditor on the 
Audit of the Financial Statements of the WTOPP, and the WTOPP Chairperson's statement. 
22  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES (WT/GC/M/156; WT/GC/M/157; 
WT/GC/M/158; and WT/GC/M/159) 
22.1.  At the February meeting, the Chairman reca lled that in accordance with the Guidelines for 
Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies approved by the General Council in December 2002 
(WT/L/510), he, together with Ambassador Fernando de Mateo (Mexico), the Chairperson of the 
Dispute Settlement Body, had conducted consultations with delegations 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. He noted that their consultations had also included the Preparatory Committee on 
Trade Facilitation, as a body under the General Council that had been established by the Ninth Ministerial Conference. In undertaking the proces s set out in the Guidelines, they had put into 
effect the practical steps to improve their implementation agreed by the General Council in 
July 2012, and contained in JOB/GC/22. 
22.2.  On the basis of those consultations, there was a consensus on the following slate of names: 
General Council 
 H.E. Mr Fernando de Mateo ( Mexico ) 
Dispute Settlement Body H.E. Mr Harald Neple ( Norway ) 
 
Trade Policy Review Body 
 H.E. Mr Atanas Atanassov Paparizov ( Bulgaria ) 
Council for Trade in Goods 
 H.E. Mr Héctor Casanueva ( Chile ) 
Council for Trade in Services 
 H.E. Mr Martin Eyjólfsson ( Iceland ) 
Council for TRIPS 
 
 H.E. Mr Abdolazeez Al-Otaibi ( Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia ) 
Committee on Trade and 
  Development 
 H.E Mr Bassirou Sene ( Senegal ) 
Committee on Balance-of- 
  Payments Restrictions  H.E. Mr Bertrand de Crombrugghe de Picquendaele 
(Belgium ) 
Committee on Budget, Finance  
  and  Administration  H.E. Mr Daniel Blockert ( Sweden ) 
Committee on Trade and  
  Environment  Ms. Irene B.K. Young ( Hong Kong, China ) 
                                               
8 The decision can be found in document WT/L/961. WT/GC/W/705 
 
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  Committee on Regional Trade  
  Agreements  H.E. Mr Francisco Pirez ( Uruguay ) 
Working Group on Trade, Debt and  
  Finance  H.E. Mr Xavier Carim ( South Africa ) 
Working Group on Trade and  
  Transfer of Technology  H.E. Mr Luc-Joseph Okio ( Republic of  Congo ) 
 
22.3.  Appointments for those bodies would be for one year, in keeping with the general rule in the Guidelines. In relation to the Preparatory Co mmittee on Trade Facilitation, the General Council 
agreed on having its current Chairperson, Ambassa dor Esteban Conejos (Philippines), continue to 
Chair the PCTF. The General Council took note of  the Chairman's statement and of the consensus 
on the slate of names for the appointment of office rs. The Chairpersons of the Councils for Trade in 
Goods and Trade in Services; and the representative s of Chinese Taipei and Lesotho (on behalf of 
the African Group) spoke. The General Council took note of the statements. 
22.4.  At the May meeting, in light of the departure of the current CTD Chairperson 
Ambassador Bassirou Sene (Senegal) from Geneva, the Chairman informed Members that he 
would undertake consultations on the appointment of a new Chairperson of the CTD, alongside 
consultations for the Chairperson of the CRTA as agreed in February. The General Council took note of the statement.
9 
22.5.  At the July meeting, the Chairman informed Members that Ambassador John Adank 
(New Zealand), Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session, would complete 
his assignment in Geneva in August and would then return to New Zealand. He said that unless a n y  d e l e g a t i o n  w i s h e d  t o  c o m m e n t  a t  t h a t  s t a g e ,  h e  p r o p o s e d  A m b a s s a d o r  V a n g e l i s  V i t a l i s  
(New Zealand), who was taking up his appointment in Geneva shortly, to be formally elected as 
the next Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session at the Committee's next meeting. The General Council took note of the statement. 
22.6.  At the October meeting, the Chairman announced that he had concluded consultations to 
appoint a new Chairperson for the Committee on Trade and Environment in Special Session, 
following the departure of Ambassador Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa (Thailand). He proposed that 
Ambassador Syed Tauqir Shah (Pakistan) to be formally elected as the new Chairperson of the 
Committee on Trade and Environment in Special Session at the Committee's next formal meeting. The General Council took note of the statement. 
23  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/156) 
23.1.  At the February meeting, the Chairman, as  the outgoing presiding officer of the General 
Council, made a statement. The General Council then unanimously elected H.E. Mr Fernando de 
Mateo (Mexico) to the Chair. 
23.2.  The Director-General, the newly-elected Chairman, and the representative of Tanzania 
spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements. 
 
__________  
                                               
9 H.E. Mr Juan Esteban Aguirre Martínez (Par aguay) and H.E. Mr Amr Ramadan (Egypt) were 
subsequently elected to Chair the Committee on Trade and Development and the Committee on Regional Trade 
Agreements, respectively.