JOB/GC/102  
 
27 July 2016  
(16-4000) Page: 1/2 
General Council   
 
 AGENDA ITEM 1 - REPORT BY THE CHAIRM AN OF THE  
TRADE NEGOTIATIONS C OMMITTEE  
WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY 2016  
Director -General's Report at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting on 25 July 2016  
1.1.  When we met here in May, I said that we should be looking to move from reflection to action. 
Members should be ready to provide more specifics about what issues they would like to pursue 
between now and MC11 and how these should be advanced.  
1.2.  Since then, I have continued to talk to Members and have reached out to a number of 
capitals. I have attended a range of m inisterial meetings, including UNCTAD 14 in Nairobi just last 
week. I also attended: the APEC ministerial meeting in Peru; the ministerial meeting hosted by 
Australia and Norway in the wings of the OECD meeting in Paris ; the ministerial meeting of 
Landlocked Developing Countries which we hosted here at the  WTO; the meeting of G20 trade 
Ministers in Shanghai; and, alongside the G20, I also took part in a constructive ministerial 
meeting on the Environmental Goods Agreemen t. 
1.3.  In each case I have continued to highlight the importance that the WTO must keep 
delivering, and the need for Ministers to increase their engagement in our discussions. In each 
case, I have been very pleased at the response. The increase in engagement t hat we are seeing 
here in Geneva has been reflected in each of these meetings. And this brings into sharper focus 
the need to increase the specificity of our discussions here. We should seek to use this 
encouraging kind of engagement to keep making progres s. 
1.4.  I have been in regular cont act with the Negotiating Group C hairs in recent weeks, and  
convened a meeting of all the C hairs on the 6 July. They will report on their consultations in more 
detail in a moment, but I just want to underline the imp ortance of their work and that M embers  
stay engaged in these Groups. There are signs that we are gradually moving towards a more 
proposals -driven process. This is exactly what is needed now.  
1.5.  I was very pleased to see that M embers have submitted a number of papers in recent weeks. 
In agriculture, for example, seven  papers have been submitted with ideas and queries on a range 
of issues, including Dom estic Support. This shows that M embers are following through on their 
commitment to pursue this work. We are also seeing s ome positive engagement in  Services, 
though less in NAMA.  
1.6.  Fisheries subsidies continue to draw much attention. On the 13 July I convened a meeting on 
this topic with proponents (and delegations that expressed an interest in pursuing those 
conversations). T hat meeting was quite constructive.  
1.7.  Looking at the DDA issues overall, if we want to move forward I think we will need to 
significantly deepen our discussions in the months ahead to see if there is any potential for 
outcomes. And in all of these conversati ons we need to maintain and enhance our focus on 
development and LDC issues. This applie s to all elements of our work . 
1.8.  Members have undertaken a wide range of exchanges in different formats as well, raising a 
number of other issues. For example, groups of Members have taken the initiative of organizing 
informal workshops on issues including MSMEs and e -commerce, or digital trade. And a number of 
submissions have been circulated on e -commerce, in particular. I also have to note that the JOB/GC/102  
 
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  private sector has be come significantly more engaged. In response, I accepted a request to 
facilitate a meeting with the private sector at the WTO at the end of May. At the end of that 
gathering, WTO M embers were invited to interact with the private sector representatives. So I 
don’t have to brief you on that, given that you had  a first -hand report from them.  
1.9.  I have heard positive reports of the nature and tone of all these exchanges. I think we should 
welcome the very fact that a range of discussions is taking place – and that  other constituen cies 
are becoming more engaged.  
1.10.   So there is a lot to be positive about. But, if we r eally do want to deliver, then M embers will 
need to be pragmatic, realistic and creative. We succeeded in Bali and Nairobi because we adhered 
to these prin ciples.  
1.11.   The Trade Facilitation Agree ment in particular showed that M embers can be creative in 
structuring agreements to reflect Members differing needs and priorities – also including technical 
assistance as a fundamental ingredient for success. Models and  approaches like this should inspire 
us now.  
1.12.   But the most important thing we need now is specificity, in each and every area. We need 
to change the pace of our engagement – if we want to make progress – and dive into a real 
proposal -driven process imme diately after the summer break.  
1.13.   We should all have one eye on MC11. I am delighted that we now have an application to 
host the conference. I think I speak for al l Members when I thank Argentina for putting forward 
their offer. We'll be following this process c losely as the General Council Cha ir continues his 
consultations.  
1.14.   If we want to deliver new outcomes in the near future, then we need to accelerate our work 
significantly in the autumn. And, with the se words, I conclude my report.  
 
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