RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/MMSDT/M/3  
 
28 July 2015  
(15-3876)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Trade and Development 
Third Dedicated Session on the Monitoring Mechanism 
on Special and Differential Treatment    
 
   
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 9 JUNE 2015 
Chairman: H.E. Mr. Juan Esteban Aguirre Martínez (Paraguay) 
 
A. ADOPTION OF TH E AGENDA .................................................................................... 1  
B. MONITORING OF SPECIAL AN D DIFFERENTIAL PROVISIONS .................................. 1  
-  Statement by th e Chairman ....................................................................................... 1  
C. OTHER BUSINESS .................................................................................................... 2  
 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 
1. The draft agenda as contained in document WTO/AIR/COMTD/MMSDT/1 of 29 May 2015 
was adopted. 
B. MONITORING OF SPECIAL AN D DIFFERENTIAL PROVISIONS 
- Statement by the Chairman 
2. The Chairman said that, at the Ninth Ministerial Conference held in Bali, a Decision was 
taken to establish a Monitoring Mechanism (MM) on Special and Differential Treatment (S&D). The 
Decision was contained in documents WT/MIN(13)/45 and WT/L/920. According to the Decision, 
the MM was to act as a focal point within the WT O to analyze and review the implementation of 
S&D provisions. It was to review all aspects of implementation of S&D provisions with a view to 
facilitating the integration of developing and leas t developed Members into the multilateral trading 
system. The Mechanism operated in Dedicated Sessions of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD), and was to meet at least twice a year. Two meetings of the Dedicated 
Session on the MM were therefore held in 2014, and the present meeting was the 3
rd Dedicated 
Session. He said that he wished to take this o pportunity to remind Members that, according to the 
Decision, the monitoring of special and differential provisions in the Mechanism was to be undertaken on the basis of written inputs or submissions made by Members, as well as on the 
basis of reports received from other WTO bodies to which submissions by Members could also be 
made. However, no written submissions had been made to date. He emphasized the importance of the Decision establishing the MM, and encouraged Members to use the Mechanism fully and take 
advantage of the opportunities that it provided. He  said that, as had been done by the previous 
Chairman, he wished to once again call on Members to make written submissions, so that the MM could become operational. 
3. The representative of Nepal welcomed the establishment of the MM, which he believed was 
an important step towards the effective implementa tion of S&D provisions. He indicated that the 
MM could assist Members to analyze shortcomings in S&D implementation and suggest possible ways forward. Although the MM was not a negotiating forum, the least developed countries (LDCs) 
believed that it could provide a useful platform for a meaningful and objective assessment of the 
implementation of S&D provisions on a regular basis, with a view to improving them further. The WT/COMTD/MMSDT/M/3 
 
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  LDCs were keen to see how the MM would work and to what extent it could prove effective in 
helping them to better utilize existing S&D provisions and integrate into the multilateral trading system. With regard to a submission to the MM, he informed the Committee that the LDCs were still consulting, and would request an item on the agenda after they had identified issues relating 
to the implementation and utilization of S&D provisions which could be raised in the context of the 
Mechanism. He also indicated that the LDCs were  currently preparing a proposal relating to the 
S&D provisions which they had identified as important and relevant, with a view to securing a 
meaningful outcome at the Tenth Ministerial Conf erence (MC10). Finally, he stressed the need for 
the MM to complement the work of the Special Session of the CTD and other relevant WTO bodies, and to serve as a vibrant discussion forum to assist weaker Members to raise their voice on issues relating to S&D implementation. 
4. The representative of Cameroon, on behalf of the ACP Group, indicated that a written 
submission would be made to the MM. He expressed hope that Members would respond positively 
to the submission.   
5. The Committee took note of all interventions. 
C. OTHER BUSINESS 
6. No matter was raised under "Other Business". 
7. The meeting was adjourned. 
 
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