WT/BISD/2017  
 
20 December 2019  
(19-8928) Page: 1/60 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WTO BISD  
2017  
 
 
BASIC INSTRUMENTS AN D SELECTED DOCUMENTS  
OF THE WORLD TRADE O RGANIZATION  
 
2017 
 
Compilation by the WTO Secretariat  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS  
WTO BISD 2017  
Table of Contents  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  2 
Preface ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  4 
WTO Members and Observers  ................................ ................................ .........................  5 
Officers of the Ministerial Conference  ................................ ................................ .............  7 
Chairpersons of Other WTO Bodies  ................................ ................................ .................  8 
Legal Instruments  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  10 
Notification of Entry into Force of the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement Done at 
Geneva on 6  December  2005 ................................ ................................ ....................  10 
Notification of Entry into Force o f the Protocol Amending  the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization  
Done at Geneva on 27 N ovember 201 4 – Agreement on Trade Facilitation  .....................  11 
Amendment of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism Contained in Annex  3 
to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization – 
Transmission  of Certified True Copy of the Amended Provisions  ................................ .... 12 
Decisions and Reports  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 14 
Ministerial Conference Eleventh Session, Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December  2017 ...............  14 
Work Programme on Small Economies  
Ministerial Decision of 13  December  2017 ................................ ..........................  14 
Fisheries Subsidies  
Ministerial Decision of 13  December  2017 ................................ ..........................  15 
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce  
Ministerial Decision of 13  December  2017 ................................ ..........................  16 
TRIPS Non -violation and Situation Complaints  
Ministerial Decision  of 13 December  2017 ................................ ..........................  17 
Eleventh Ministerial Conference  
Closing Statement by the Chairpe rson ................................ ...............................  18 
General Council  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 21 
Amendment of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism  
Decision of the General Council on 26  July 2017 ................................ .................  21 
Amen dment of the TRIPS Agreement – Sixth Extension of the Period for the 
Acceptance by Members of the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement  
Decision of 30  November  2017 ................................ ................................ .........  22 
Derestriction of Additional Negotiating Materials  
Decision of 30  November  2017 ................................ ................................ .........  23 
Dispute Settlement Body  ................................ ................................ ..........................  24 
Canada – Measures Concerning Trade in Commercial Aircraft – 
Initiation of the Procedures for Developing Information Concerning  
Serious Prejudice Under Annex  V of the SCM  Agreement and Designation  
of the Representative Referred to in Paragraph  4 of that Ann ex ............................  24 
United States – Measures Concerning the Importation, Marketing and Sale of Tuna 
and Tuna Products  – Recourse to Article  22.7 o f the DSU by Mexico...  ...................  25 WT/BISD/2017  
 
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  Trade Policy Review Body  ................................ ................................ .........................  26 
Revised Rules of Procedure for Meetings of the Trade Policy Review Body – 
Approved  by the Trade Policy Review Body  at Its Meeting on 15  June 2017 ...........  26 
Trade Policy Review Mechanism – Sixth Appraisal of the Trade Policy  
Review  Mechanism ................................ ................................ ..........................  31 
Council for Tr ade in Goods  ................................ ................................ ........................  39 
Committee on Rules of Origin  ................................ ................................ ...........  39 
Decision on Template for the Notification of Preferential  
Rules of Origin for Least Developed Countries  ................................ ............  39 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  ................................ ......................  42 
Abstract of the Report Adopted by the General Council  
on 30  November  2017 ................................ ................................ .....................  42 
Waivers ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  46 
WTO Dispute Settlement Reports, and Arbitration Awards and Decisions  ........................  47 
Other Decisions, Reports and Selected Documents Not Reproduced  .............................  49 
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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  PREFACE  
 
 
Basic Instruments and Selected Documents (BISD) is an annual publication compiling  basic 
information on the WTO and key WTO documents from a given calendar year.  
 
The initial sections list WTO Members and observers, and the Chairpersons of WTO  bodies appointed  
in the year in question. The middle sections reproduce key WTO legal instruments, decisions and 
reports issued by  WTO bodies in the relevant calendar year. The final sections list other 
WTO decisions, reports and select ed WTO documents for the year in question, by title and document 
symbol, without reproducing the text.  
 
Hyperlinks in the electronic version allow readers direct access to the relevant WTO documents. 
Editorial notes are marked with a ¶.  
 
The present BISD follows a long -established GATT and WTO tradition. A total of 47 volumes1 of 
GATT  BISDs were published between 1952 and 1998, compiling key GATT -related infor mation and 
documents on a mostly annual basis during the 1947 -1995 period. Following this tradition, 
the WTO Secretariat published 12 volumes of WTO BISDs, covering its first 1 1 years (1995 -2006). 
After a decade, the WTO BISD was continued with the 2017 edition.2 
 
BISDs serve a purely informative purpose . The editorial choices have no implications as to the legal 
status of specific WTO  documents , and the texts reproduced have no  official status in the form in 
which they are published here.  This BISD has been prepared by the WTO Secretariat under its own 
responsibility, and it is without prejudice to the positions of Members or to their rights and 
obligations. The terms used in th is BISD and in the texts reproduced or referenced therein do not 
constitute or imply an expression of opinion by the WTO Secretariat concerning the status of any 
territory, or the delimitation of its frontiers.  
  
                                                
1 Supplements 1 -42 as well as Supplements I -IV, with Supplement I existing in both original and revised 
form.  
2 GATT BISDs  are referenced as follows: BISD #S/# , where #S indicates the Supplement  (i.e. Volume) 
number, and the second # i ndicates the page  numb er. For  example, GATT  BISD 27S/25 refers to page 25 in 
Supplement 27 of the GATT  BISD. Likewise,  GATT  BISD IIS/1 refers to page 1 in Supplement II of the 
GATT  BISD.  
In a similar fashion, WTO BISDs for the period 1995 -2006 may be referenced as follows: WTO BISD #S/# . 
For example, WTO BISD 5S/1 refers to page 1 of Supplement 5 of the WTO BISD.  
Later volumes of the WTO BISD , which do not carry a supplement number, should be referenced as 
follows: WTO BISD yyyy/# , where yyyy indicates the calendar year covered by the volume in question, and # 
indicates the page number. For example, page 5 in the present volume, covering  2017, should be referenced as 
WTO BISD 2017/5.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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  WTO MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS  
AS AT 31 DECEMBER  2017 
MEMBERS (164)  
 
Afghanistan  
Albania  
Angola  
Antigua and Barbuda  
Argentina  
Armenia  
Australia  
Austria  
Bahrain, Kingdom of  
Bangladesh  
Barbados  
Belgium  
Belize  
Benin  
Bolivia, Plurinational  
State of  
Botswana  
Brazil  
Brunei Darussalam  
Bulgaria  
Burkina Faso  
Burundi  
Cabo Verde  
Cambodia  
Cameroon  
Canada  
Central African Republic  
Chad 
Chile 
China  
Colombia  
Congo  
Costa Rica  
Côte d’Ivoire  
Croatia  
Cuba 
Cyprus  
Czech Republic  
Democratic Republic of  
the Congo  
Denmark  
Djibouti  
Dominica  
Dominican Republic  
Ecuador  
Egypt  
El Salvador  
Estonia  
European Union  
Fiji 
Finland  
                                                
1 As of May 2018: Eswatini . 
2 As of February 2019: North Macedonia.  France  
Gabon  
The Gambia  
Georgia  
Germany  
Ghana  
Greece  
Grenada  
Guatemala  
Guinea -Bissau  
Guinea, Republic of  
Guyana  
Haiti 
Honduras  
Hong Kong, China  
Hungary  
Iceland  
India 
Indonesia  
Ireland  
Israel  
Italy 
Jamaica  
Japan  
Jordan  
Kazakhstan  
Kenya  
Korea, Republic of  
Kuwait, the State of  
Kyrgyz Republic  
Lao People's Democratic 
Republic  
Latvia  
Lesotho  
Liberia  
Liechtenstein  
Lithuania  
Luxembourg  
Macao, China  
Madagascar  
Malawi  
Malaysia  
Maldives  
Mali 
Malta  
Mauritania  
Mauritius  
Mexico  
Moldova, Republic of  
Mongolia  
Montenegro  Morocco  
Mozambique  
Myanmar  
Namibia  
Nepal  
Netherlands  
New Zealand  
Nicaragua  
Niger  
Nigeria  
Norway  
Oman  
Pakistan  
Panama  
Papua New Guinea  
Paraguay  
Peru 
Philippines  
Poland  
Portugal  
Qatar  
Romania  
Russian Federation  
Rwanda  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  
Saint Lucia  
Saint Vincent and the  
Grenadines  
Samoa  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  
Senegal  
Seychelles  
Sierra Leone  
Singapore  
Slovak Republic  
Slovenia  
Solomon Islands  
South Africa  
Spain  
Sri Lanka  
Suriname  
Swaziland1 
Sweden  
Switzerland  
Chinese Taipei  
Tanzania  
Thailand  
The former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia2 
Togo 
Tonga  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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  Trinidad and Tobago  
Tunisia  
Turkey  
Uganda  
Ukraine  
United Arab Emirates  United Kingdom  
United States of America  
Uruguay  
Vanuatu  
Venezuela, B olivarian 
Republic of  Viet Nam  
Yemen  
Zambia  
Zimbabwe  
 
 
 
 
OBSERVERS (23)  
 
Algeria  
Andorra  
Azerbaijan  
Bahamas  
Belarus  
Bhutan  
Bosnia and Herzegovina  
Comoros  Equatorial Guinea  
Ethiopia  
Holy See  
Iran 
Iraq 
Lebanese Republic  
Libya  
Sao Tomé and Principe  Serbia  
Somalia  
South Sudan  
Sudan  
Syrian Arab Republic  
Timor -Leste  
Uzbekistan  
 
 
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 OFFICERS  OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE  
ELEVENTH SESSION  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  
 
Chairperson  
Ms Susana Malcorra (Argentina)  
 
Vice-Chairpersons  
Dr Okechukwu Enelamah (Nigeria)  
Mr David Parker (New Zealand)  
Mr Edward Yau (Hong Kong, China)  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 CHAIRPERSONS OF OTHER WTO BODIES  
Appointed in 2017 
General Council  Mr Xavier Carim (South Africa)  
Dispute Settlement Body  Mr Junichi Ihara (Japan)  
Trade Policy Review Body  Mr Juan Carlos González (Colombia)  
  
Council for Trade in Goods  Mr Kyonglim Choi (Republic of Korea)  
- Committee on Agriculture  Mr Alf Vederhus (Norway)  
- Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices  Mr Faisal Saud Sulaiman Al -Nabhani (Oman)  
- Committee on Customs Valuation  Ms María Luciana Nader Leandri (Uruguay)  
- Committee on Import Licensing  Mr Fawaz Almuballi (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)  
- Committee on Market Access  Mr Ahmed El Libedy (Egypt)  
- Committee on Rules of Origin  Mr Gerald Pajuelo (Peru)  
- Committee on Safeguards  Mr Kensuke Tsunoda (Japan)  
- Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures   
Mr Marcial Espínola Ramirez (Paraguay)  
- Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures   
Ms Ieva Baršauskaitė (Lithuania)  
- Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Mr Jose Manuel Campos Abad (Chile)  
- Committee on Trade -Related Investment 
Measures   
Mr Ali Alwaleed Al -Thani (Qatar)  
- Working Party on State Trading Enterprises  Ms Rike Octaviana (Indonesia)  
- Committee of Participants on the Expansion  
of Trade in Information Technology Products   
Ms Zsófia Tvaruskó (Hungary)  
- Committee on Trade Facilitation  Mr Daniel Blockert (Sweden)  
  
  
Council for Trade in Services  Mr Julian Braithwaite (United Kingdom)  
- Committee on Specific Commitments  Ms Charlotte Frater (New Zealand)  
- Committee on Trade in Financial Services  Mr Khalid Jamal Alaamer  
(Kingdom of Bahrain)  
- Working Party on GATS Rules  Ms Stacey Wu (Chinese Taipei)  
- Working Party on Domestic Regulation  Ms Katarzyna Stecz (Poland)  
  
Council for Trade -Relates Aspects of  
Intellectual Property Rights   
Ms Irene B.K. Young (Hong Kong, China)  
  
Committee on Balance -of-Payments Restrictions  Mr Tudor Ulianovschi (Republic of Moldova)  
Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration  Mr Peter Brňo (Slovak Republic)  
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  Mr Walid Doudech (Tunisia)  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 Committee on Trade and Developm ent Mr Taonga Mushayavanhu (Zimbabwe)  
- Dedicated Session of the Committee on Trade 
and Development   
Mr Taonga Mushayavanhu (Zimbabwe)  
- Sub-Committee on Least -Developed Countries  Ms Monique T.G. Van Daalen (Netherlands)  
Committee on Trade and Environment  Ms Zhanar Aitzhanova (Kazakhstan)  
Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance  Mr Asi Yosef (Israel)  
Working Group on Trade and Transfer of 
Technology   
Ms Zorica Marić -Djordjević (Montenegro)  
  
Trade Negotiations Committee  Mr Roberto Azevêdo (Director -General)  
- Committee on Agriculture  in Special Session  Mr Stephen Ndũn'gũ Karau (Kenya)  
- Committee on Trade and Development  
in Special Session   
Ms Tan Yee Woan (Singapore)  
- Committee on Trade and Environment  
in Special Session   
Mr Syed Tauqir Shah (Pakistan)  
- Council for Trade in Services  in Special Session  Mr Hector Marcelo Cima (Argentina)  
- Council for TRIPS  in Special Session  Mr Dacio Castillo (Honduras)  
- Dispute Settlement Body  in Special Session  Mr Coly Seck (Senegal)  
- Negotiating Group on Market Access  Mr Didier Chambovey (Switzerland)  
- Negotiating Group on Rules  Mr Wayne McCook (Jamaica)  
  
Plurilateral Trade Agreements   
- Committee on Government Procurement  Mr John Newham (Ireland)  
- Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft  Mr Hsiao -Yin Wu (Chinese Taipei)  
 
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 LEGAL INSTRUMENTS  
 
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF ENTR Y INTO FORCE  
OF THE PROTOCOL AMEN DING THE TRIPS AGREE MENT  
DONE AT GENEVA ON 6  DECEMBER  2005 
(WT/Let/1236 ) 
 
I have the honour to inform you that, in accordance with its p aragraph 4, the Protocol 
Amending the TRIPS Agreement, done at Geneva on 6 December 2005 (the "Protocol"), entered into 
force on 23 January  2017 in respect of those Members that accepted it on or before such date.1 
 
In respect of each other Member that accepts the Protocol after its entry into force, the 
Protocol shall take effect upon acceptance by such Member, in accordance with Article X:3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization.  
 
This notification is furnished in accordance with paragraph 5 of the Protocol.  
 
 
 
Roberto Azevêdo  
Director -General  
  
                                                
1 The acceptances deposited o n or before the date of entry into force of the Protocol were notified in the 
WT/Let/  document series with document symbols carrying the following numbers: 50 6, 547, 548, 558, 563, 572, 
573, 582, 592, 593, 594, 606, 607, 608, 611, 617, 619, 620, 630, 636, 638, 639, 645, 646, 650, 651, 652, 
663, 664, 671, 678, 684, 747, 753, 758, 830, 831, 832, 833, 837, 838, 839, 843, 848, 855, 870, 884, 888, 
893, 894, 920, 949 , 953, 984, 1037, 1048, 1052, 1055, 1080, 1084, 1088, 1107, 1108, 1114, 1122, 1129, 
1132, 1134, 1138, 1139, 1142, 1147, 1153, 1156, 1164, 1168, 1173, 1196, 1197, 1216, 1219, and 1235.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 NOTIFICATION OF ENTR Y INTO FORCE  
OF THE PROTOCOL AMEN DING THE MARRAKESH A GREEMENT  
ESTABLISHING THE WOR LD TRADE ORGANIZATIO N 
DONE AT GENEVA ON  27 NOVEMBER 201 4 
 
AGREEMENT ON TRADE F ACILITATION  
(WT/Let/1241 ) 
 
I have the honour to inform you that, in accordance with its paragraph 41, the Protocol 
Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, done at Geneva on 
27 November 2014 (the "Protocol"), entered into force on 22 February 2017 in  respect of those 
Members that accepted it on or before such date.2 
 
In respect of each other Member that accepts the Protocol after its entry into force, the 
Protocol shall take effect upon acceptance by such Member, in accordance with Article X:3 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization.  
 
This notification is furnished in accordance with paragraph 5 of the Protocol.  
 
 
 
Roberto Azevêdo  
Director -General  
  
                                                
1 Footnote 1 to paragraph 4 of the Protocol provides that: "For the purposes of calculation of acceptances 
under Article X.3 of the WTO Agreement, an instrument of acceptance by the European Union for itself and in 
respect of its Member States shall be counted as acceptance by a number of Members equal to the number of 
Member States of the European Union which are Members to the WTO."  
2 The acceptances deposited on or before the date of entry into force of the Protocol were notified in the 
WT/Let/  document series with document symbols carrying the following numbers: 1025, 1028, 1029, 1033, 
1041, 1042, 1043, 1044, 1061, 1062, 1063, 1064, 1069, 1076, 1 077, 1078, 1081, 1082, 1083, 1086, 1087, 
1090, 1091, 1092, 1100, 1102, 1104, 1105, 1106, 1109, 1111, 1112, 1113, 1115, 1116, 1117, 1121, 1123, 
1124, 1127, 1128, 1133, 1136, 1143, 1148, 1149, 1151, 1152, 1154, 1155, 1160, 1161, 1165, 1166, 1170, 
1172, 1175,  1178, 1179, 1183, 1185, 1186, 1188, 1193, 1194, 1199, 1201, 1208, 1209, 1214, 1215, 1217, 
1218, 1222, 1223, 1225, 1229, 1230, 1232, 1237, 1238, and 1240.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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AMENDMENT OF THE TRA DE POLICY REVIEW MEC HANISM CONTAINED IN ANNEX  3 TO THE 
MARRAKESH AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE WOR LD TRADE ORGANIZATIO N 
 
TRANSMISSION OF CERT IFIED TRUE COPY OF T HE AMENDED PROVISION S 
(Extract from WT/Let/1276 ) 
 
 
I have the honour to inform you that on 26 July 2017, conducting the functions of the 
Ministerial Conference in the interval between meetings pursuant to Article  IV:2 of the 
Marrakesh  Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (the "WTO Agreement"), 
the General Council adopted a decision pursuant to Article X:8 of the WTO Agreement 
(the "Decision")1 to amend the English, French, and Spanish versions of pa ragraph C(ii) of the 
Trade  Policy Review Mechanism contained in Annex 3 to the WTO Agreement as follows:  
 
(a) the phrases "every two years", "tous les deux ans", and "cada dos años" shall be replaced 
with "every three years", "tous les trois ans", and "cad a tres años", respectively, in the English, 
French, and Spanish versions of the third sentence of paragraph C(ii);  
 
(b) the phrases "every four years", "tous les quatre ans", and "cada cuatro años" shall be 
replaced with "every five years", "tous les cinq ans", and "cada cinco años", respectively, 
in the English, French, and Spanish versions of the fourth sentence of paragraph C(ii); and  
 
(c) the phrases "every six years" and "cada seis años" shall be replaced with "every seven 
years" and "cada siete años", respectively, in the English and Spanish versions of the fifth 
sentence of paragraph C(ii), and the phrase "tous les six ans" shall be replaced with "tous les 
sept ans" in the French version of the fourth sentence of paragraph C(ii).  
 
As a result of  the Decision, the amended English, French, and Spanish versions of 
paragraph  C(ii) of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism contained in Annex 3 to the WTO Agreement 
shall read as follows:  
 
English:  
 
"(ii) The trade policies and practices of all Members shall  be subject to periodic review. 
The impact of individual Members on the functioning of the multilateral trading system, 
defined in terms of their share of world trade in a recent representative period, will be the 
determining factor in deciding on the freq uency of reviews. The first four trading entities so 
identified (counting the European Communities as one) shall be subject to review every three 
years. The next 16 shall be reviewed every five years. Other Members shall be reviewed every 
seven years, exce pt that a longer period may be fixed for least -developed country Members. 
It is understood that the review of entities having a common external policy covering more 
than one Member shall cover all components of policy affecting trade including relevant 
policies and practices of the individual Members. Exceptionally, in the event of changes in a 
Member's trade policies or practices that may have a significant impact on its trading partners, 
the Member concerned may be requested by the TPRB, after consultatio n, to bring forward its 
next review."  
 
French:  
 
"ii) Les politiques et pratiques commerciales de tous les Membres seront soumises à un 
examen périodique. L'incidence des différents Membres sur le fonctionnement du système 
commercial multilatéral, définie d 'après leur part du commerce mondial pendant une période 
représentative récente, sera le facteur déterminant pour décider de la fréquence des examens. 
Les quatre entités commerciales qui viendront en tête de liste (les Communautés européennes 
comptant pour  une), seront soumises à un examen tous les trois ans. Les 16 suivantes feront 
l'objet d'un examen tous les cinq ans, et les autres tous les sept ans, un intervalle plus long 
                                                
1 The General Council's amendment decision is contained in document WT/L/1014 . Its adoption was based 
on a proposal submitted to the General Council by the Trade Policy Review B ody in document WT/TPR/399 . WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 pouvant être fixé pour les pays les moins avancés Membres. Il est entendu que l'e xamen des 
entités ayant une politique extérieure commune s'appliquant à plus d'un Membre portera sur 
tous les éléments de politique touchant le commerce, y compris les politiques et pratiques 
pertinentes de chaque Membre concerné.  Exceptionnellement, au ca s où des changements 
interviendraient dans la politique ou les pratiques commerciales d'un Membre, qui pourraient 
avoir des répercussions importantes pour ses partenaires commerciaux, l'OEPC pourrait 
demander à ce Membre, après consultation, d'avancer l'ex amen suivant."  
 
Spanish:  
 
"ii) Las políticas y prácticas comerciales de todos los Miembros serán objeto de un examen 
periódico. La incidencia de los distintos Miembros en el funcionamiento del sistema multilateral 
de comercio, definida en términos de su pa rticipación en el comercio mundial en un período 
representativo reciente, será el factor determinante para decidir la frecuencia de los 
exámenes. Las cuatro primeras entidades comerciantes determinadas de ese modo (contando 
a las Comunidades Europeas como una) serán objeto de examen cada tres años. Las 
16 siguientes lo serán cada cinco años. Los demás Miembros, cada siete años, pudiendo fijarse 
un intervalo más extenso para los países menos adelantados Miembros. Queda entendido que 
el examen de las entidades que tengan una política exterior común que abarque a más de un 
Miembro comprenderá todos los componentes de la política que influyan en el comercio, 
incluidas las políticas y prácticas pertinentes de cada Miembro. Excepcionalmente, en caso de 
que se produzcan cambios en las políticas o prácticas comerciales de un Miembro que puedan 
tener una repercusión importante en sus interlocutores comerciales, el OEPC podrá pedir a 
ese Miembro, previa consulta, que adelante su próximo examen."  
 
In accordance with paragraph 2 of the Decision, the above amendments shall take effect for 
all WTO Members, in accordance with the provisions of Article X:8 of the WTO Agreement, 
on 1 January 2019 . 
 
In accordance with paragraph 3 of the Decision, I hereby furnish a cert ified true copy of the 
relevant provisions of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism contained in Annex 3 to the WTO 
Agreement as amended by the Decision. Pursuant to paragraph 4 of the same Decision, the above 
amendments shall be registered in accordance with the provisions of Article 102 of the Charter of 
the United Nations.  
 
DONE at Geneva this first day of September, two thousand and seventeen.  
 
 
 
Roberto Azevêdo  
Director -General  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 DECISIONS AND REPORT S 
 
 
 
MINISTERIAL CONFEREN CE 
ELEVENTH SESSION, BUENOS AIRES, 10 -13 DECEMBER  2017  
 
 
 
WORK PROGRAMME ON SM ALL ECONOMIES  
 
MINISTERIAL DECISION  OF 13  DECEMBER  2017 
(WT/MIN(17)/63  – WT/L/1030 ) 
 
 
 
The Ministerial Conference  decides as follows:  
 
We reaffirm our commitment to the Work Programme on Small Economie s and take note of all the 
work conducted to date. In particular, we note that document WT/COMTD/SE/W/22/Rev.8  and its 
previous revisions reflect the work of the Dedicated Session up to the Eleventh Ministerial 
Conference. We take note of the work carried out since 2015, including that on the challenges and 
opportunit ies faced by small economies when linking into global value chains in trade in goods and 
services, and instruct the CTD to continue its work in Dedicated Session under the overall 
responsibility of the General Council.  
 
Furthermore, we instruct the Dedicat ed Session to consider in further detail the various submissions 
that have been received to date, examine any additional proposals that Members might wish to 
submit and, where possible, and within its mandate, make recommendations to the General Council 
on any of these proposals. The General Council shall direct relevant subsidiary bodies to frame 
responses to the trade -related issues identified by the CTD with a view to making recommendations 
for action. We instruct the WTO Secretariat to provide relevant information and factual analysis for 
discussion among Members in the CTD's Dedicated Session, inter alia, in the areas identified in item 
k of paragraph 2 of the Work Programme on Small Economies and, in particular, to continue its work 
on the challenges s mall economies experience in their efforts to reduce trade costs, particularly in 
the area of trade facilitation.  
 
The CTD in Dedicated Session shall continue monitoring the progress of the small economy proposals 
in WTO bodies and in negotiating groups with the aim of providing responses, as soon as possible, 
to the trade -related issues identified for the fuller integration of SVEs in the multilateral trading 
system.  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 FISHERIES SUBSIDIES  
 
MINISTERIAL DECISION  OF 13  DECEMBER  2017 
(WT/MIN(17)/64  – WT/L/1031 ) 
 
 
 
The Ministerial Conference  
 
Decides  as follows:  
 
1. Building on the progress made since the 10th Ministerial Confe rence as reflected in documents 
TN/RL/W/274/Rev.2 , RD/TN/RL/29/Rev.3 , Members agree to continue to engage constructively in 
the fisheries subsidies negotiations, with a view to adopting, by the Ministerial Conference in 2019, 
an agreement on comprehensive and effective disciplines that prohibit certain forms of fisheries 
subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfish ing, and eliminate subsidies that contribute to 
IUU-fishing recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for 
developing country Members and least developed country Members should be an integral part of 
these negotiations.  
 
2. Members re -commit to implementation of existing notification obligations under Article 25.3 
of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures thus strengthening transparency with 
respect to fisheries subsidies.  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 16 - 
 
 WORK PROGRAMME ON EL ECTRONIC COM MERCE¶ 
 
MINISTERIAL DECISION  OF 13  DECEMBER  2017 
(WT/MIN(17)/65  – WT/L/1032 ) 
 
 
 
The Ministerial Conference decides  as follows:  
 
We agree to continue the work under the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce since our last 
session, based on the existing mandate as set out in WT/L/274 . We will endeavour to reinvigorate 
our work and instruct the General Council to hold periodic reviews in its sessions of July and 
December 2018 and July 2019 based on the reports  submitted by the relevant WTO bodies and 
report to the next session of the Ministerial Conference.  
 
We agree to maintain the current practice of not imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions 
until our next session which we have decided to hold in 2019.  
  
                                                
¶ In regard to this decision, the Ministerial C onference "took note of the statements made by the delegation 
of Indonesia during the Informal Meeting at the level of Heads of Delegation." ( WT/MIN(17)/SR/6 , para. 1. 3 and 
Annex I).  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 17 - 
 
 
 TRIPS NON -VIOLATION AND SITUATION COMPLA INTS  
 
MINISTERIAL DECISION  OF 13  DECEMBER  2017 
(WT/MIN(17)/66  – WT/L/1033 ) 
 
 
 
The Ministerial Conference decides  as follows:  
 
We take note of the work done by the Council for Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property 
Rights pursuant to our Decision of 19 December 2015 on "TRIPS Non -Violation and Situation 
Complaints" ( WT/L/976 ), and direct it to continue its examination of the scope and modalities for 
complaint s of the types provided for under subparagraphs 1(b) and 1(c) of Article XXIII of 
GATT  1994 and make recommendations to our next session in 2019. It is agreed that, in the 
meantime, Members will not initiate such complaints under the TRIPS Agreement.  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 18 - 
 
 ELEVENTH MINISTERIAL  CONFERENCE  
 
CLOSING STATEMENT BY  THE CHAIRPERSON  
(WT/MIN(17)/67 ) 
 
 
 
At this closing event of the eleventh Ministerial Conference I wish to begin by reiterating that it has 
been an honour to Chair these proceedings. I assumed this role with a great sense of responsibility, 
especially sinc e this year marks the 50th anniversary of Argentina's accession to the GATT.  
 
This will be my summary of the main points that have emerged from the conversations and 
negotiations held over the three days of the Conference.  
 
I submit this summary under my o wn responsibility and in my capacity as Chairperson of the 
conference. Though not exhaustive, it will – I hope – reflect the main points emerging from the work 
done during these days.  
 
With this overview, I wish to begin building a narrative that brings th e WTO closer to ordinary people.  
 
The Conference opened with a strong demonstration of support for the multilateral trading system 
and multilateralism by the Presidents of Latin America. As stated in the declaration signed by the 
Presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Guyana, Me xico, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname and 
Uruguay, the region "[reaffirms] that multilateralism is the best way to take advantage of the 
opportunities and to face the challenges of international trade … [and confirms] the importance of 
preserving and strengthenin g the multilateral trading system, including its dispute settlement 
mechanism, in order to promote the rules -based, open, transparent, inclusive, non -discriminatory 
and equitable trade embodied in the WTO, providing it with the tools it needs to face the c hallenges 
of the 21st century" . 
 
Allow me to recall President Macri's eloquent exhortation to balance national interests with our 
shared interest in the common good. As the Director -General has just eloquently indicated, we have 
not risen to the challenge of this call by President Macri. In their statements to the plenary, Ministers 
also recognized the important role played by the WTO in promoting economic growth, employment 
and development; and they reaffirmed the principles and objectives established by t he Marrakesh 
Agreements. They also recognized that the system is not perfect and that it is essential to strengthen 
the commitment to work towards its enhancement.  
 
Important decisions were taken at this Ministerial for the integration of developing countr y Members 
and least developing countries in the international trading system, including a work programme on 
small economies and the establishment of a working party on the accession of the world's youngest 
nation, South Sudan, which we have just approved. It is highly noteworthy that counties emerging 
from situations of deep conflict see in the WTO an opportunity to consolidate their institutions.  
 
Over the past three days, Ministers engaged intensively in trying to move forward in numerous areas 
of our neg otiations: agriculture, special and differential treatment, fisheries subsidies, domestic 
regulation in services, a proposal on transparency in regulatory measures in NAMA, and 
e-commerce. Allow me once again to express my profound gratitude to the facilit ators who  assisted 
the Director -General and myself and led the efforts to steer the negotiations and reconcile positions 
in each of those areas.  
 
All Members worked hard and constructively to make progress in each area. Commitment and effort 
went into find ing genuine solutions, but the results were not sufficient.  
 
These efforts have borne fruit in the definition of parameters for our future work, with a number of 
specific decisions.  
 
I would like to emphasize that after years of negotiation, in Buenos Aires we have for the first time 
taken a significant step forward with the decision on fisheries subsidies. A work programme has 
been adopted to continue the negotiations on fisheries sub sidies, including renewed commitment to WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 19 - 
 
 
 the implementation of existing notification obligations. Buenos Aires will no doubt be remembered 
as the Conference at which the fisheries negotiation was launched in earnest.  
 
The decisions also include a work progr amme on electronic commerce.  
 
There are some remaining topics, which our representatives should continue negotiating and on 
which there will be periodic reports to the General Council. Members agreed to advance negotiations 
on all remaining issues, includi ng on the three pillars of agriculture, namely domestic support, 
market access and export competition, as well as non -agriculture market access, services, 
development, TRIPS, rules, and trade and environment .¶ 
 
We have received some specific requests from groups of Member countries. Allow me to mention 
the request on small, vulnerable economies, another from Article XII Members, another from 
graduated least -developed countries, Members that have suffered natural disasters, transparency in 
preferential trade  arrangements, net food importing developing countries; if I have omitted anything 
please let me know, and it will be added forthwith.  
 
We also had a large number of initiatives from groups of like -minded Members, aimed at addressing 
the broader challenges  of international trade, in order to make international trade more inclusive. 
These initiatives included discussions on investment facilitation and the integration of micro, small 
and medium -sized enterprises into international trade. Attention was also dr awn to the importance 
of continuing work on e -commerce.  
 
I received the Declaration on Trade and Woman's Economic Empowerment and the 
recommendations from business leaders arising from the Business Forum.  
 
At this point, I wish once again to thank the Dire ctor-General and my three Vice Chairs for their 
support and assistance in handling a very full and heavy agenda, with an unprecedented number of 
side events.  
 
These side events included a parliamentary conference, a business forum, and a symposium on 
trade  and development, among others. These events made it possible to expand the scope of the 
Ministerial to the public sector, businesses, civil society and academia. We truly took the Conference 
beyond the negotiating tables and that is the message we must tr ansmit.  
 
For the first time in the history of these conferences, we held a Ministers' dialogue session, which 
enabled us to confirm that there are many issues of shared interest that we have no opportunity to 
discuss in the context of the Organization's regular activities.  
 
I think it highly important to emphasize that, throughout the process, we have been inclusive and 
have enabled everyone to participate. Personally, during the preparations for the Conference, I made 
an effort to approach  everyone and listen to all their views, in order to understand their concerns 
and differences, and in particular to identify commonalities.  
 
Members reaffirmed the principles and objectives set out in the Marrakesh Agreements Establishing 
the WTO. They pl edged their shared commitment to the WTO's rules -based system, which is a key 
driver for economic growth, development and job creation for all Members.  
 
They confirmed the principles of consensus, inclusivity and transparency and committed to working 
together to improve the functioning of the WTO and to ensure that it achieves its objectives for the 
benefit of all Members.  
 
They reiterated the provisions of paragraphs 30 and 31 of the Nairobi Ministerial Declaration, 
committed to work towards more effective  implementation and enforcement of WTO rules as 
negotiated and agreed by all, and stressed the importance of implementing Decisions by Members.  
 
                                                
¶ See also paragraph 1.4 of WT/MIN(17)/SR/6 : "In doing so, [the Chairperson] understood that all 
delegations agreed that there continued to be a strong commitment to advance negotiations on all remaini ng 
issues, including on the three pillars of agriculture, namely domestic support, market access and export 
competition, as well as non -agriculture market access, services, development, TRIPS, rules, and trade and 
environment."  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 20 - 
 
 They welcomed the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and supported its full 
implementation. T hey also welcomed the Protocol amending the TRIPS Agreement.  
 
Obviously, there remain differences of opinion on the Doha Round and the Doha Development 
Agenda, which have hampered progress on issues that the developing country Members consider 
essential to  achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.  
 
The Eleventh Ministerial Conference has come to an end, but this is definitely not the end of our 
work. The decisions adopted in Buenos Aires will guide the work in Geneva during the coming years.  
 
It has been noted on multiple occasions that the international trading system is at a crossroads. This 
makes it necessary to rekindle trust and find common areas for forward movement on outstanding 
issues.  
 
We agreed in Buenos Aires that dialogue, and not just negotia tion, is part of our work. We need to 
commit ourselves to consultative mechanisms through which to find solutions for forward movement 
in all areas of interest. All Members have a shared responsibility to provide that space for dialogue. 
Let Buenos Aires b e remembered as the place where we initiated that dialogue. I urge you to 
continue working and engaging in dialogue, with the firm aim of ensuring that all the benefits of 
international trade reach all our citizens. This is what we agreed in the 2030 Agend a, where we 
pledged to leave no one behind.  
 
At the conclusion of our mini -Ministerial meeting in Marrakesh, I said that "there is life after 
Buenos  Aires". I confirm today that there is life after Buenos Aires. But it lies with us to give meaning 
and valu e to that life. Thank you.  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 21 - 
 
 
 GENERAL COUNCIL  
 
 
 
AMENDMENT OF THE TRA DE POLICY REVIEW MEC HANISM  
 
DECISION OF THE GENE RAL COUNCIL ON 26  JULY 2017 
(WT/L/1014 ) 
 
The General Council;  
 
Having regard  to paragraph 8 of Article X of  the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World 
Trade Organization ("the WTO Agreement");  
 
Conducting the functions of the Ministerial Conference in the interval between meetings 
pursuant to paragraph 2 of Article IV of the WTO Agreement;  
 
Recalling the ob jectives set out in paragraph A of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism 
contained in Annex 3 to the WTO Agreement;  
 
Noting  the consensus at the Trade Policy Review Body in December 2016 to launch the 
necessary procedures in order to change, as of 2019, the cu rrent review cycles under the Trade 
Policy Review Mechanism contained in Annex 3 to the WTO Agreement;  
 
Having considered  the proposal to amend the English, French and Spanish versions of the 
Trade Policy Review Mechanism contained in Annex 3 to the WTO Ag reement submitted by the Trade 
Policy Review Body ( WT/TPR/399 ); 
 
Noting  the consensus to approve this proposed amendment to the English, French and Spanish 
versions of the Trade Policy Review Mechanism contained in Annex 3 to the WTO Agreement;  
 
Decides  as follows:  
1.  The Trade Policy Review Mechanism contained in Annex 3 to the  WTO Agreement shall be 
amended as follows:  
 
(a) the phrase "every two years" in the third sentence of paragraph C(ii) shall be replaced 
with "every three years";  
 
(b) the phrase "every four years" in the fourth sentence of paragraph C(ii) shall be replaced 
with " every five years"; and  
 
(c) the phrase "every six years" in the fifth sentence of paragraph C(ii) shall be replaced with 
"every seven years".  
 
2.  The amendments set out in paragraph 1 of this Decision shall take effect for all WTO Members, 
in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 8 of Article X of the WTO Agreement, on 1 January 
2019.  
 
3.  The Director -General of the World Trade Organization shall promptly furnish to each WTO 
Member a certified copy of the relevant provisions of the Trade  Policy Review Mechanism contained 
in Annex 3 to the WTO Agreement as amended by this Decision.  
 
4.  The amendments set out in paragraph 1 of this Decision shall be registered in accordance with 
the provisions of Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations.  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 22 - 
 
 AMENDMENT OF THE TRI PS AGREEMENT – SIXTH  EXTENSION OF THE PE RIOD FOR THE 
ACCEPTANCE BY MEMBER S OF THE PROTOCOL AM ENDING THE TRIPS AGR EEMENT  
 
DECISION OF 30  NOVEM BER 2017 
(WT/L/1024 ) 
 
 
 
The General Council,  
 
Conducting  the functions of the Ministerial Conference in the interval between meetings pursuant to 
paragra ph 2 of Article IV of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization 
(the "WTO Agreement");  
 
Having regard to paragraph 2 of the Decision of the General Council of 6 December 2005 on the 
Amendment of the TRIPS Agreement (the "TRIPS Amend ment Decision") and paragraph 3 of the 
Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement (the "Protocol")1, which provide that the Protocol shall be 
open for acceptance by Members until 1 December 2007 or such later date as may be decided by 
the Ministerial Conference ; 
 
Recalling  that the General Council, by its decision of 30 November 2015 (the "2015 Extension 
Decision")2, extended the period for acceptances of the Protocol by Members for the fifth time until 
31 December 2017 or such later date as may be decided by th e Ministerial Conference;  
 
Recalling  also that, pursuant to paragraph 3 of the TRIPS Amendment Decision and paragraph 4 of 
the Protocol, the Protocol took effect and entered into force on 23 January 2017 upon acceptance 
by two thirds of Members who had acc epted it on or before that date in accordance with the 
provisions of paragraph 3 of Article X of the WTO Agreement;  
 
Noting that the Protocol takes effect for each other Member upon acceptance by it pursuant to 
paragraph 3 of Article X of the WTO Agreement;  
 
Noting also  that a number of Members are yet to accept the Protocol and that this is taking them 
longer than initially foreseen;  
 
Having considered  the proposal to further extend the period for acceptances of the Protocol 
submitted by the Counc il for TRIPS ( IP/C/78 ); 
 
Decides  as follows:  
 
The period for acceptances by Members of the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement referred to 
in paragraph 2 of the TRIPS Amendment Decision and paragraph 3 of the Protocol, and extended by 
the 2015 Extension Decision, shall be further extended until 31 December 2019 or  such later date 
as may be decided by the Ministerial Conference.  
  
                                                
1 WT/L/641 . 
2 WT/L/965 . WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 23 - 
 
 
 DERESTRICTION OF ADD ITIONAL NEGOTIATING MATERIALS  
 
DECISION OF 30  NOVEM BER 2017 
(WT/L/1025 ) 
 
 
 
The General Council,  
 
Having regard  to Articles IV:2 and IX:1 of the WTO Agreement;  
 
Having regard  to the agreement of 8 December 1994 between the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES, 
the Preparatory Committee for the WTO and the Interim Commission for the International Trade 
Organization (ICITO), approved by the WTO General Council on 31 January 1995 ( WT/L/36 ), 
providing inter alia for the transfer of assets and records of the GATT t o the WTO;  
 
Considering  that, in the interest of a better access of the general public to the historical negotiating 
documentation of the GATT 1947 multilateral trade negotiations, a general derestriction of such 
documentation is in order;  
 
Noting that the derestriction of the majority of the historical bilateral negotiating documentation 
pertaining to the first seven GATT 1947 Tariff Conferences1 has already taken place;  
 
Noting that the Committee on Market Access has approved the derestriction of addit ional negotiating 
materials from the Geneva (1947), Annecy (1949), Torquay (1950 -1951), and Geneva (1956) tariff 
negotiations which are listed in the annex to document G/MA/334 ; 
 
Decides as follows:  
 
The historical bilateral negotiating documentation listed in the annex to document G/MA/334  shall 
be derestricted as of 1 January 2018.  
  
                                                
1 Geneva Tariff Conference (1947), the Annecy Tariff Conference (1949), the Torquay Tariff Conference 
(1950 -51), the Geneva Tariff Conference (1956), the Geneva Tariff Conference ("Dillon Round", 1960 -1961),  
the Kennedy Round (1964 -1967), and the Tokyo Roun d (1973 -1979).  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 24 - 
 
 DISPUTE SETTLEMENT B ODY 
 
 
 
CANADA – MEASURES CO NCERNING TRADE IN COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT – INITIATION 
OF THE PROCEDURES FO R DEVELOPING INFORMA TION CONCERNING SERI OUS 
PREJUDICE UNDER ANNE X V OF THE SCM  AGREEMENT AND DESIGN ATION OF THE 
REPRESENTATIVE REFER RED TO IN PARAGRAPH  4 OF THAT ANNEX  
(Extract from WT/DSB/M/402 ) 
 
 
 
4.1 [The Chairman] […] drew attention to the communication from Brazil contai ned in document 
WT/DS522/6  […]. 
[…] 
4.8 The Chairman  said that with regard to the issue of the procedures for developing information 
concerning serious prejudice under Annex V of the SCM Agreement, paragraph 2 of Annex V provided 
that, where matters were referred to the DSB under Article 7.4 of the SCM Agreement, the DSB had 
to, upon request, initiate the Annex V procedure. The Chairman noted that Brazil had requested in 
document WT/DS522/6 , that the DSB initiate such a procedure. It was the Chairman's und erstanding 
that Canada had accepted that the Annex V procedure would be initiated at the present meeting. 
He further noted that paragraph 4 of Annex V provided that the DSB had to designate a 
representative to serve the function of facilitating the informa tion-gathering process under that 
Annex. The Chairman understood that Brazil and Canada were consulting regarding the designation 
of a representative, and the Chairman stood ready to render any assistance necessary to assist them 
in that process.  
 
4.9. The DSB took note  of the statement.  
 
 
 
(Extract from WT/DSB/M/403 ) 
 
 
 
5.1 The Chairman  said that this item was on the Agenda of the present meeting at the request of 
Brazil […]. 
 
[…] 
5.5 The Chairman  recalled that a fax had been sent to delegations on 18 October 2017 regarding 
Brazil's request to designate a DSB facilitator, pursuant to paragraph 4 of Annex V of the 
SCM Agreement. In that fax, the Chairman had informed Members that he had identified, and that 
the parties to the dispute had agreed to, a representative whom he had proposed that the DSB 
designate to serve the function of facilitating the information -gathering process, pursuant to 
paragraph 4 of Annex V of the SCM Agreement. The Chairman i nvited any delegation that desired 
further information to contact him or the Secretariat. The Chairman proposed that the DSB designate 
Mr. Hanspeter Tschaeni as a representative to serve the function of facilitating the 
information -gathering process, pursu ant to paragraph 4 of Annex V of the SCM Agreement.  
 
5.6 The DSB so agreed .  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 25 - 
 
 
 UNITED STATES – MEAS URES CONCERNING THE IMPORTATION, MARKETI NG AND SALE 
OF TUNA AND TUNA PRO DUCTS – RECOURSE TO ARTICLE  22.7 OF THE DSU BY MEXICO  
(Extract from WT/DSB/M/397 ) 
 
 
 
7.1 The Chairman  drew attention to the communication from Mexico contained in document 
WT/DS381/44  […]. 
 
[…] 
7.24 The DSB took note  of the statements and, pursuant to the request by Mexico under Article  22.7 
of the DSU contained in document WT/DS381/44 , agreed  to grant authorization to suspend the 
application to the United States of tariff concessions or other obligations consistent with the 
Arbitrator's decision con tained in document WT/DS381/ARB . 
 
 
 
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 26 - 
 
 TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY  
 
 
 
REVISED RULES OF PRO CEDURE FOR MEETINGS OF THE TRADE POLICY REVIEW BODY  
 
APPROVED BY THE TRAD E POLICY REVIEW BODY  AT ITS MEETING ON 1 5 JUNE 2017 
(WT/TPR/6/Rev.4 ) 
 
 
 
 The following revised rules of procedure for the Trade Policy Review Body were approved by 
the Body at its meeting on 15 June 2017 to take account of the results  of the Sixth Appraisal of the 
Trade Policy Review Mechanism.1 
 
_______________  
 
 
 
1. When the General Council convenes as the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB), it shall follow the 
rules of procedure of the General Council, except as set out below.  
  Chapter I – Meetings  
 
2. The TPRB shall meet, as appropriate, to conduct Trade Policy Reviews of Members, including the 
European Union considered as one trading entity. The TPRB shall also meet to undertake the 
Annual  Overview of Developments in the Internati onal Trading Environment and in addition to consider 
the trade policy monitoring reports by the Director -General.   
 
3. The cycle of reviews provided for in Paragraph C (ii) of the Agreement on the Trade Policy Review 
Mechanism (TPRM)2 shall be applied with a  general flexibility of up to six months, if and as may be 
necessary. Schedules of subsequent reviews shall be established counting from the date of the previous 
review meeting. Members should adhere strictly to the timetables for the preparation of review s, once 
agreed.  
Chapter II – Agenda  
 
4. The convening notice containing the proposed agenda for each review meeting of the TPRB shall 
be circulated to all Members not later than five weeks for current timelines and eight weeks for 
alternative timelines before  the relevant meeting.  
5. The trade monitoring meetings will have a regular item on the agenda which gives an 
opportunity for Members to provide brief reports on significant changes in their trade policies between 
reviews, in the manner as envisaged in Sectio n D of Annex 3 to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing 
the WTO. Members volunteering to provide these reports shall inform the Secretariat not less than ten 
calendar days before the relevant meeting.  
6. For both review and trade monitoring meetings, matters t o be raised under "Other Business" 
shall be communicated to the Chairperson or the Secretariat not less than ten  calendar days before 
the relevant meeting.  
                                                
1 WT/TPR/389 . 
2 Annex 3 to the Marrakesh Agreement establish ing the World Trade Organization.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 27 - 
 
 
 Chapter V – Officers  
 
7. The TPRB shall elect its own Chairperson from among the representatives of Mem bers. The TPRB 
may also elect a Vice -Chairperson. The election shall take place at the first meeting of the year and 
shall take effect at the end of the meeting. The Chairperson and the Vice -Chairperson shall hold office 
until the end of the first meeting of the following year.  
8. If the Chairperson is absent from any meeting or part thereof, the Vice -Chairperson shall 
perform the functions of the Chairperson. If a Vice -Chairperson is not elected or available, the 
Chairperson of the General Council, or in the latter's absence, the Chairperson of the Dispute 
Settlement Body shall perform the functions of the Chairperson. If the Chairpersons of the General 
Council and of the Dispute Settlement Body are also absent, the TPRB shall elect an interim 
Chairperson for the meeting or that part of the meeting.  
9. If the Chairperson and the Vice -Chairperson can no longer perform the functions of the office, 
the TPRB shall designate an interim Chairperson in accordance with paragraph 8 to perform those 
functions pending the el ection of a new Chairperson.  
  Chapter VI – Conduct of Business  
 
10. The TPRB shall adopt a programme of reviews for each year, as referred to in Section C(iv) of 
the Agreement on the TPRM, by the middle of the previous calendar year.  
11. There shall be no require ment of a quorum for the TPRB to conduct trade policy reviews.  
12. A review meeting shall take place in two sessions (each typically half a day) with a day in 
between. While retaining the existing elements of the second session, Members may explore ways of 
adding value to it by offering to include, on a voluntary basis, i nnovative elements to the programme 
for their reviews, such as a question -and-answer session where Members could pose questions relating 
to the trade policy of the Member under review, or a panel discussion on elements of that trade policy. 
In all cases, d etails of these elements, including the format and scope of questions to be considered 
and the make -up of any panel, will be determined by the Member under review and will be conducted 
in informal mode.  
13. Both the current timelines and the alternative timel ines (shown in Annex 1) will remain as 
options for the submission of written questions and answers. The choice will be made by the Member 
under review at the time of agreeing on the date of review.  
14. Documentation relating to each review meeting shall be cir culated in all working languages not 
less than five weeks in advance of the relevant meetings under the current timelines, or eight  weeks 
in advance in the case of Members under review having volunteered to apply the alternative timelines.  
15. Reports by Membe rs under review shall be in the form of policy statements, whose form and 
length is essentially to be determined by the Member under review. Secretariat reports should focus 
principally on the trade policies and practices of the Member under review, seen, to the extent 
necessary, in the context of overall macro -economic and structural policies.  
16. Members should submit written questions to the Member under review at least two weeks before 
the TPRB meeting under the current timelines, or five weeks in advance u nder the alternative timelines, 
to allow time to prepare replies.  
17. Members are encouraged to submit their written questions in as few batches as possible, and 
ideally in just one batch. In order to improve the coherence of their written questions, Members s hould 
group them into the following three categories: those related to the Secretariat report; those 
concerning the Government report; and other questions (as per template in Annex  2). Where the 
questions relate to the Secretariat or Government reports, th ey should refer to the paragraph numbers 
in these reports. Members are to follow these rules for the submission of questions, until a formal 
decision is taken to launch the new IT system which is being developed by the Secretariat for the 
submission of que stions and answers, as envisaged in the Sixth  Appraisal. Members will also continue 
to exercise restraint in raising questions.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 28 - 
 
 18. The Secretariat should identify the main points contained in the questions submitted at least 
two weeks before a review meeting under the current timelines or five weeks under the alternative 
timelines, post them on the Members' Website one week before the meeting, and distribute a revised 
list of main points during the first session of a review when questions received after the tw o- or 
five-week deadline give rise to significantly new issues.  
19. The Chairperson's Introductory Remarks should identify key themes for discussion, covering in 
particular issues of importance to the multilateral trading system. The Chairperson's Concluding 
Remarks should be consistent across all TPRs. These remarks should not deal with matters being 
addressed by the Dispute Settlement Body. Nor shall they have any legal force.  
20. Initial remarks by Members under review should be limited to 15 minutes and should provide 
an overview of policies, noting any new developments since the completion of the Secretariat and 
Government reports. Discussants' statements should not exceed in length that by Members under 
review. Members' statements from the floor should not exc eed seven minutes.  
21. Delegations that have submitted written questions will be invited by the Chairperson to speak 
first, in the order in which the written questions were received. In the event of more than one batch 
of questions, the timing of the receipt of the final batch will determine the order of speakers. 
Delegations not submitting written questions will continue to speak second, in the order in which their 
flags are raised. On the day before each review meeting, the Secretariat will post on the WTO M embers' 
website a provisional list of speakers for the first session of that meeting, for Members' advance 
information.  
22. In accordance with the current timelines, advance questions submitted by the two -week 
deadline before the TPRB meeting should be answere d in writing by Member under review by the start 
of the meeting. As regards the alternative timelines, advance questions submitted by the five -week 
deadline before the TPRB meeting should be answered in writing by Members under review one week 
prior to the  meeting to enable dissemination of written answers four working days prior to the meeting. 
Written questions posed subsequent to either of these deadlines should be answered, to the extent 
possible, before the start of the second session of the meeting.  
23. The statement by Members under review at the beginning of the second session should be 
comprehensive and structured according to the main themes identified in consultation with the 
Chairperson, discussants and Secretariat; these themes, based on the revise d list of main points 
identified by the Secretariat in Members' advance written questions as well as their statements during 
the first session, should be distributed to Members in advance of the second session of a review 
meeting, where time will be given for discussion by discussants and Members of each theme.  
24. Questions left unanswered at the end of the second session should be answered in writing no 
later than one month after the meeting with some latitude in the Chair's discretion for Members 
receiving a very large number of questions. Members under review are obliged to respond only to 
questions that are submitted or received within the TPRB’s prescribed deadlines.  
25. Members on the longest review cycle, especially least -developed countries, can request a 
follow -up to their TPRs. This follow -up could involve a workshop/seminar to discuss and disseminate 
the results of the review as well as to identify the trade -related technical assistance and 
capacity -building needs of the reviewed Members.  
  Chapter IX – Records  
 
26. Reports by the Member under review and by the Secretariat shall be derestricted immediately 
on the expiry of the relevant press embargo; a Member under review may request the Chair to 
de-restrict the two reports at an earlier date.  
27. The Annual Rep ort by the Director -General on the Overview of Developments in the International 
Trading Environment and minutes of TPRB meetings shall be issued as unrestricted documents.  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 29 - 
 
 
 ANNEX 1  
Timelines for Distribution and Receipt of Documents  
 
 Weeks (working days)  
before TPRB  
Current  Alternative  
Secretariat and Government Reports to translation  9 12 
Distribution of Reports to Members  5 8 
Receipt of Written Questions from Members   2 5 
Receipt of Written Answers from Member under Review   By the start of 
the meeting  1 
Dissemination of Written Answers, Notes, etc.a 
(working days)  (0) (4) 
a Secretariat's list of subjects covered by advance written questions and Addendum 
(if necessary) to the Secretariat and Government Reports.  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 30 - 
 
 ANNEX 2  
Proposed Format of Written Questions for Reference  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW  OF MEMBER A  
 
WRITTEN QUESTIONS FROM MEMBER B  
 
 
 
PART I:  QUESTIONS R EGARDING THE SECRETARIAT REPORT  
II. TRADE policy regime:  framework and objectives  
Page 11 (Para 1)  
 
Member A 's overall trade policy aim has remained unchanged since its previous Trade Policy 
Review; it is to accelerate the opening of its economy to the outside world, to introduce foreign 
technology and know -how, develop foreign trade, and promo te economic development that is 
"mutually beneficial" with its trading partners. In this context, Member A  has recently 
concentrated more on the opening up of its services sectors.   
 
Questions : 
 
1. Does Member A  have any plans to unilaterally liberalize the services sectors?   
 
2. If so, could Member A  please elaborate on these plans and the anticipated timeframes?  
 
PART II:  QUESTIONS REGARDING THE GOVERNMENT REPORT  
Page 18 (Para 65)  
 
In April 2009, Member A  decided to launch a pilot program to settle the cross -border trade in 
the local currency in five c ities.  The implementation measures followed up in July that year.   
 
Questions:  
 
3. Would Member A please explain the effectiveness of the pilot program on settlement of 
cross-border trade in the local currency ? 
 
4. How does the Government of Member A intend to enhance the utility of this settlement 
program?  
 
PART III:  OTHER QUESTIONS  
Reference No., title and date of law, decree, regulation, etc.  
 
Description and specific information  
 
Questions:  
 
5. 
 
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 TRADE POLICY REVIEW MECHANISM  
 
SIXTH APPRAISAL OF THE TRADE POLICY REVI EW MECHANISM  
Chairperson: Ms Irene Young (Hong Kong, China)  
 
(WT/MIN(17)/9  – WT/TPR/389 ) 
 
 
 
1 BACKGROUND  
 
1.1. The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was established in  1989 on a provisional basis 
and confirmed by Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. 
Paragraph F of Annex 3 established that the Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB) "shall undertake an 
appraisal of the operation of the TP RM not more than five years after the entry into force of the 
Agreement Establishing the WTO. The results of the appraisal will be presented to the Ministerial 
Conference. It may subsequently undertake appraisals of the TPRM at intervals to be determined b y 
it or as requested by the Ministerial Conference".  
 
1.2. The first Appraisal of the TPRM ( WT/MIN(9 9)/2) was undertaken in 1999, the second 
(WT/MIN(05 )/1) in 2005, the third ( WT/TPR/229 ) in 2008, the fourth ( WT/MIN(1 1)/6) in 2011, and 
the fifth ( WT/MIN(1 3)/5) in 2013. The fifth Appraisal concluded that: "The next Appraisal of the 
operation of the TPRM should take place at a time to be decided by the TPRB but not later than 
within five y ears, and preferably not in the lead up to a WTO Ministerial Conference. It is understood 
that nothing precludes the TPRB to decide on specific items for improvement before the next 
Appraisal."  
 
1.3. With Members' agreement, the sixth Appraisal of the TPRM was formally launched on 20 June 
2016. Six informal meetings of the TPRB were held between July and November 2016 to discuss 
proposals submitted individually or jointly by more than 20 Members1 and successive drafts of the 
relevant parts of this Repor t. The Chairperson also made herself available for bilateral and group 
consultations throughout the exercise. This Report was formally agreed at a TPRB Meeting on 
21 December 2016.  
 
2 ISSUES DISCUSSED IN THE SIXTH APPRAISAL  
 
2.1. In this Appraisal, Members  discussed four main aspects of the TPRM, namely: preparation for 
Trade Policy Review (TPR) meetings; organization and structure of TPR meetings; follow -up to TPR 
meetings; and other areas of the TPRM. The background to each issue and the views expressed b y 
Members are summarized as follows.  
 
PREPARATION FOR TPR MEETINGS  
 
Issue 1  Review cycles  
 
2.2. In the fifth Appraisal, the need to revise the time -frame for reviews was mentioned but not 
discussed in detail.  
 
2.3. In this Appraisal, Members were informed by the Secretariat that, given the increasing number 
of WTO Members, the current review cycles (2, 4 or 6 years) meant that some 24 reviews had to be 
completed each year. This was already stretching the resources of both Members and the Secretaria t 
to the limit, and building up backlogs. The Secretariat anticipated that, once all the countries 
currently in the accession proceedings had become WTO Members, the number of TPRs required 
would increase to 30 per year, which would not be sustainable in t he long run. Members therefore 
discussed ways to address this challenge. Members noted that, notwithstanding the revised review 
cycles (Conclusion (1) below), the general flexibility of up to six months provided for in the Rules of 
Procedure for Meetings o f the TPRB2 would remain unchanged.  
 
                                                
1 The European Union counting as one.  
2 Paragraph 3 of Rules of Procedure, WT/TPR/6/Rev.3 . WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 32 - 
 
 2.4. Conclusion:  
 
(1) Members agreed to launch the necessary procedures, pursuant to Art.X:8 of the Marrakesh 
Agreement Establishing the WTO, in order to change the current review cycles (2, 4 or 6 
years) as specified in Se ction C(ii) of Annex 3 to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing 
the WTO to 3, 5 or 7 years. The new arrangement will be phased in starting from 2019.  
 
(2) Conclusion (1) of Issue 11 will serve to enhance the transparency of Members' trade 
policies in between TP Rs. 
 
Issue 2  Overdue reviews  
 
2.5. In this Appraisal, Members noted that there were 8 cases of deviation from the review cycles.3 
 
Issue 3  TPR reports  
 
2.6. According to Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO, the Secretariat has 
to produc e reports for TPRs on its own responsibility. The format and content of these reports are 
similar for all TPRs, with adjustments as necessary to cater for the different economic and trade 
profiles of the Members under review. They cover various aspects of trade policies and measures of 
interest to Members and of importance to the multilateral trading system, including topics not 
governed by existing WTO Agreements, such as competition policy.  
 
2.7. In this Appraisal, Members discussed how the format and content of Secretariat reports could 
be further improved, in particular to reflect modern trade policies such as those related to 
e-commerce. The possibility of Members indicating their specific areas of interest to the Secretariat 
for individual TPRs was also discussed, although some Members cautioned that, for the reports to 
be truly impartial, the Secretariat should be allowed to exercise its professional judgement 
independently.  
 
2.8. Supply of Government Reports by Members under review is another requi rement stipulated in 
Sections C and D of Annex 3 to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO.  
 
2.9. In this regard, some Members had identified the preparation of Government Reports as a 
burden. A Member noted that, in some cases, such Reports provided limited added value compared 
to the Members' statement on Day One of TPR meetings. It was suggested that omitting Government 
Reports would also alleviate translation costs. However, some Members found Government Reports 
useful and considered it ne cessary to retain them.  
 
2.10.  Conclusion:  
 
(1) For Members reviewed on a 2 -year cycle4, the Secretariat Report may, as appropriate, 
focus on the implementation of issues highlighted in the last review, and on the actual 
changes on the ground due to new legisl ation entered into force or related to new issues  
arising from recent ministerial decisions of the WTO. For all Members, the scope of the 
Reports may, as appropriate, be limited to the extent possible to the changes in policies 
and focus on implementation of past recommendations. The above is on the understanding 
that the Reports are produced independently by the Secretariat on its own responsibility. 
The above is also without prejudice to the depth and breadth of the reports.  
 
(2) The scope of the Secretariat Reports may include issues relevant to modern trade policies.  
 
(3) For LDCs, the Secretariat Reports should integrate to the maximum extent the needs 
assessment and relevant Aid for Trade elements. Members are also encouraged to include 
in their Government Rep orts a new section on LDC issues, to briefly highlight issues in 
those reports which are considered to be of particular interest to LDC Members.  
 
                                                
3 These are (in parentheses the date of their last TPR): Armenia (April 2010); Cuba; Ecuador 
(November  2011); Republic of Guinea (September 2011); Mauritania (September 2011); Papua New Guinea 
(November  2010); Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (November 2002); and Zimbabwe (October 2011).  
4 Or those on a 3 -year cycle when the new arrangement agreed at Conclusion (1) of Issue (1) comes into 
effect.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 33 - 
 
 
 (4) On balance, Members prefer keeping Government Reports mandatory, as set out in Annex 
3 to the Marrakesh Agreem ent Establishing the WTO.  
 
Issue 4  Timelines for submitting questions and answers  
 
2.11.  In the fourth and fifth Appraisals, Members acknowledged that the Alternative Timeline (AT) 
for submission of written questions and answers could benefit both the Memb ers under review and 
other Members, and encourage more interactive discussion at TPR meetings. However, they could 
not reach a consensus on whether the AT should replace the Current Timeline (CT). They decided to 
maintain the CT, while allowing volunteers to adopt the AT on a pilot basis. They also agreed to 
revisit this issue in the sixth Appraisal.  
 
2.12.  In this Appraisal, Members noted the largely positive comments made by users of the AT in a 
survey conducted by the Secretariat (survey sent on 1 July 2 016; results distributed on 31 August 
2016). While some Members were prepared to replace the CT with the AT if there was a consensus, 
others preferred keeping the AT as an option. Some Members suggested the possibility of introducing 
incentives to encourag e usage of the AT, but there was no consensus.  
 
2.13.  Conclusion:  
 
(1) The AT will be revised to allow one more week for the Member under review to provide 
written answers to advance written questions submitted within the established deadline, 
as illustrated in the graph at Annex.  
 
(2) Both the CT and the revised AT will remain as options for the submission of written 
questions and answers. The choice will be made by the Member under review, at the time 
of agreeing on the date of review.  
 
Issue 5  Facilitating the question -and-answer process  
 
2.14.  In the fifth Appraisal, Members requested the Secretariat to develop an IT system which could 
facilitate the treatment electronically of the question -and-answer process by Members, and to 
simplify and exp edite the process for the Member under review to group the questions according to 
themes. A pilot system was tested during the 2015 TPR of Thailand for the submission of written 
questions, and again tested during the 2016 TPR of the Republic of Korea for t he provision of written 
answers.  
 
2.15.  In this Appraisal, Members were briefed by the Secretariat on the technical functions of the 
system and the progress in its construction. An information session was held on 21 November 2016. 
Members affirmed support for the system and offered suggestions on its design and migration plan.  
 
2.16.  In addition, Members discussed ways to manage the large number of questions. Members 
noted that, in case the same or similar questions were raised, the Member under review coul d either 
give one answer to all those questions, or refer Members to the first answer given. The possibility 
of capping the number of questions that each Member could put to the Member under review was 
also considered.  
 
2.17.  Conclusion:  
 
(1) Given that, for t he system to be fully functional and beneficial, it has to be implemented 
across the board as the only means of submitting questions and answers, the system has 
to be fully tested and necessary technical assistance and training be provided to Members 
before migration to this new platform. Members will be invited to take a formal decision 
to launch the system in due course.  
 
(2) In the initial period of migration (duration to be decided by Members in due course), the 
existing arrangements for submitting question s and answers will co -exist with the new IT 
system, in order to ensure a smooth transition.  
 
(3) Volunteering Members will continue to be involved in the fine -tuning and testing of the 
system during the validation stage.  
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 34 - 
 
 (4) Members will continue to ensure full i mplementation of the rules for sending questions 
adopted at the fourth Appraisal, and will send questions numbered in one batch.  
 
(5) Some Members are concerned about the large number of questions, and Members agree 
to continue exercising restraint in raising questions.  
 
Issue 6  Role of the Discussant  
 
2.18.  Section C(iv) of Annex 3 to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO provides that, in 
consultation with the Member or Members under review, the Chairman may choose discussants who, 
acting in their personal capacity, shall introduce the discussions in the TPRB.  
 
2.19.  In this Appraisal, Members discussed whether and how the role of the Discussant could be 
enhanced, such that TPR meetings could be better prepared and Members could be more involved 
in such preparation. Members considered that, in some cases such as group reviews, having two 
Discussants for a TPR could enrich the discussion. They also saw the value of encouraging the 
Discussants to share their views and questions with all Members in adva nce of TPR meetings.  
 
2.20.  Conclusion:  
 
As there is already sufficient flexibility in the existing arrangement for appointing 
Discussant(s) and in the process of preparing for TPR meetings to allow the Discussant(s) to 
play an effective role, there is no need to change the status quo.  
 
ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE OF TPR MEETINGS  
 
Issue 7  Meeting structure  
 
2.21.  In the fourth Appraisal, it was agreed that, if requested by the Member under review, the 
Chairperson would consult other Members on the possibility of holding a one -day meeting for that 
Member on a pilot basis, such that Day Two proceedings would take place in the afternoon of Day 
One. So far, no Member has made such a request.  
 
2.22.  Meanwhile, a long -standing issue in previous Appraisals  has been how to make Day Two of 
the TPR meeting more interactive and productive.  
 
2.23.  In this Appraisal, Members noted the technical difficulty and downside of holding one -day TPR 
meetings as originally envisaged in the fourth Appraisal, mainly because a one -day break between 
Day One and Day Two was necessary for the Member under review to prepare its responding 
statement and for the Chairperson to prepare his/her concluding remarks. Members also discussed 
how the problem of unsatisfactory attendance and  participation on Day Two should best be 
addressed. Some Members suggested the possibility of allowing a Member under review that had 
chosen the AT to have the option of substituting its Day Two meeting with the circulation of written 
statements, but there  was no consensus.  
 
2.24.  Conclusion:  
 
(1) As a one -day TPR meeting in the format originally envisaged in the fourth Appraisal is 
technically challenging and the benefits are not apparent, it will cease to be an option.  
 
(2) The current 2 -day structure of TPR meet ings will be maintained.  
 
(3) While retaining the existing elements of Day Two, Members may explore ways of adding 
value to Day Two by offering to include, on a voluntary basis, innovative elements to the 
programme for their reviews, such as a question -and-answer session where Members 
could pose questions relating to the trade policy of the Member under review, or a panel 
discussion on elements of that trade policy. In all cases, details of these elements, 
including the format and scope of quest ions to be considered and the make -up of any 
panel, will be determined by the Member under review and will be conducted in informal 
mode.  
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 35 - 
 
 
 Issue 8  Speaking time and speaking order  
 
2.25.  In the fourth Appraisal, Members agreed that their statements at meet ings should not exceed 
seven minutes ("the 7 -minute rule"). In the fifth Appraisal, some Members noted that flexibility 
might be required in the application of the 7 -minute rule in the case of group reviews, so as to allow 
deeper consideration of each memb er of the group. As regards the speaking order, it was agreed in 
the fourth Appraisal that Members who had submitted written questions would speak first, following 
the order in which the written questions were submitted. Members who had not submitted writt en 
questions would follow in the order in which their flags were raised. The 7 -minute and speaking 
order rules have since been implemented on a pilot basis, for review in the sixth Appraisal.  
 
2.26.  In this Appraisal, all Members were content with the 7 -minute rule. Some Members suggested 
allocating additional speaking time for the delivery of group statements, and discussed possible 
eligibility criteria. Some Members preferred the status quo for various reasons, for instance, because 
they had reservations about institutionalizing group participation in the TPRM context.  
2.27. Conclusion:  
 
(1) The 7 -minute rule will be formally adopted for all interventions on both Day One and Day 
Two of TPR meetings, except for statements made by the Chairperson, the Member und er 
review and the Discussant.  
 
(2) The speaking order as agreed in the fourth and fifth Appraisals will be formally adopted 
without change.  
 
(3) On the day before each TPR meeting, the Secretariat will post on the WTO Members' 
website a provisional list of speaker s for Day One of that meeting, for Members' advance 
information.  
 
FOLLOW UP TO TPR MEETINGS  
 
Issue 9  Podcasting and minutes  
 
2.28.  In the fourth Appraisal, Members felt that the possibility of podcasting (i.e. digital audio files) 
should be offered as long  as the Secretariat was able to provide it within budget. The current system 
was therefore introduced in 2012 on a pilot basis. Members had discussed whether podcasts could 
replace written minutes of meetings and thereby save costs, but could not reach agr eement on this.  
 
2.29.  In this Appraisal, Members were informed by the Secretariat that the pilot podcasting system 
had serious technical and security issues, such that service could not continue unless there were 
additional resources to upgrade it. The survey conducted by the Secretariat (sent on 1 July 2016 
and the results distributed on 31 August 2016) also showed that most Members did not consider 
podcasts very useful. There was a general preference for written minutes which some Members 
believed coul d not be replaced by podcasts.  
 
2.30.  Conclusion:  
 
Given that Members prefer written minutes, and that the existing podcasting system can no 
longer function, the service will be discontinued.  
 
Issue 10  Follow -up activities  
 
2.31.  In the fourth and fifth Appraisals, Members underlined the value, especially for LDCs, of 
follow -up workshops to their TPRs. As requested by Members, the Secretariat provided an 
assessment of the experiences in conducting such activities at a meeting on 20 June 2016.  
 
2.32.  In this Appraisal, Members heard feedback from LDCs, and noted their views that TPRs and 
follow -up seminars were very useful and important for them. It was noted that one Member had 
donated funding specifically to support such follow -up activities for LDC s. Members also considered, 
under Issue 3, ways to enhance support for developing countries, especially for LDCs, so that they 
could benefit more from the TPR process.  
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 36 - 
 
 OTHER AREAS OF THE TPRM  
 
Issue 11  Trade monitoring  
 
2.33.  The TPRB meets at least twice  a year to review the Director -General's monitoring reports on 
recent trade policy developments, including the overall trends in implementing trade -restricting and 
trade -liberalizing measures. In preparing these reports, the Secretariat has to rely on Memb ers to 
provide accurate information and verify all the measures recorded for their economies. The response 
rate, however, is often unsatisfactory. The fourth and fifth Appraisals recognized the usefulness of 
the trade monitoring exercise, and there was bro ad consensus among Members to continue with it 
and strengthen it.  
 
2.34.  In this Appraisal, some Members expressed concerns regarding the general lack of 
engagement in the trade monitoring exercise. Members discussed the possibility of highlighting 
certain  measures in the trade monitoring report, and ways to make the meetings more interactive 
and fruitful. They were also informed of the process of gathering input for the reports, and the 
necessary steps involved. In this connection, there was a suggestion t o combine two current steps 
in the collection and verification of information.  
 
2.35.  Conclusion:  
 
(1) The trade monitoring meetings will have a regular item on the agenda which gives an 
opportunity for Members to provide brief reports on significant changes i n their trade 
policies between reviews, in the manner as envisaged in Section D of Annex 3 to the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO.  
 
(2) To ensure consistency in the format and length of information provided by different 
Members, the Secretariat may pr ovide Members with a standard format thereof, e.g. time 
of implementation, agency responsible, name and serial number of the legislation, brief 
description of its key points, etc. This format will also apply, to the maximum extent 
possible, to the informat ion that the Secretariat collects from other non -official sources to 
be verified by Members.  
 
Issue 12  Vice-Chair  
 
2.36.  In the fourth and fifth Appraisals, Members decided that, in view of the increased number of 
TPRs taking place each year, the TPRB would appoint, under its Rules of Procedure for Meetings of  
the TPRB, a Vice -Chairperson to assist the Chairperson in chairing formal TPR meetings. To 
implement this decision, the Rules of Procedure were subsequently revised as per WT/TPR/6/Rev.3  
paragraphs 5 to 7.  
 
2.37.  So far, no Vice -Chairperson ha s been appointed, mainly because there has been no actual 
need to do so. Besides, it is unclear how the arrangement should work in practice, for instance, what 
would trigger the selection process, and when; how the workload and responsibilities are to be 
shared between the Chairperson and Vice -Chairperson; and whether the Member under review 
should have a say on who is to chair its TPR, etc.  
 
2.38.  Conclusion:  
 
While there has been no need to select a Vice -Chairperson so far, to provide flexibility for 
future appointments, the current provision in the Rules of Procedures will remain unchanged. 
The practical issues mentioned above will be decided by Members if there is an actual need to 
select a Vice -Chairperson in future.  
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 37 - 
 
 
 3 DEVELOPMENTS ON OTHER ISSUES SINC E THE FIFTH APPRAISAL  
 
3.1. There were comments made in the fifth Appraisal which did not require further discussion or 
decision by Members, and were therefore not covered in the sixth Appraisal. Follow -up actions had 
nonetheless been taken. The developmen ts are reported below for the sake of completeness.  
 
3.2. During the fifth Appraisal, Members invited the Secretariat to continue to explore ways to 
improve and streamline its reports in order to make them more effective in achieving the objectives 
of the TPRM and, at the same time, help reduce documentation and translation costs of the TPRB.  
 
3.3. The Secretariat has been working to produce shorter and more concise reports without 
compromising the quality of the information and analysis. By streamlining it s reports, the Secretariat 
also aims to reduce documentation and translation costs. The Secretariat continues to seek to ensure 
that its reports are factual and objective and that, subject to each Member providing the data and 
information needed for a thor ough trade policy review, there is consistency across all Members in 
terms of comprehensiveness, accuracy and detailed analysis, particularly when they are reviewed 
on the same cycle.  
 
3.4. In the fifth Appraisal, Members also requested the Secretariat to pay more attention in its TPR 
reports to reporting more comprehensively on trade and trade -related measures, covering both 
trade in goods and trade in services, that are applied behind the border by individual Members at 
central government level and, where  they are relevant and feasible and where data are available at 
the central government level, matters at sub -central level, in areas such as regulatory measures, 
subsidies and state aid, state trading and government procurement.  
 
3.5. In its reports, the S ecretariat continues to make efforts to provide a more detailed analysis of 
behind -the-border measures of the Member under review, for example on state aid, subsidies, 
government procurement, and state trading. The Secretariat also aims to improve its cove rage and 
analysis of trade and trade -related policies at the sub -central level, where relevant and feasible, and 
where data are available. Further progress in this area could be made if Members contributed more 
information about such measures.  
 
4 DATE OF T HE NEXT APPRAISAL  
 
4.1. The next Appraisal of the operation of the TPRM should take place at a time to be decided by 
the TPRB, but not later than within five years, and preferably not in the year of a WTO Ministerial 
Conference. It is understood that nothi ng precludes the TPRB from deciding on specific items for 
improvement before the next Appraisal. The next Appraisal should include an assessment of the 
implementation of the conclusions reached at this Appraisal, inter alia, in terms of the transparency 
of Members' trade policies.  
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
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 ANNEX  
 
 
 
  
WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 39 - 
 
 
 COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN  GOODS  
 
 
COMMITTEE ON RULES O F ORIGIN  
 
 
DECISION ON TEMPLATE  FOR THE NOTIFICATIO N 
OF PREFERENTIAL RULE S OF ORIGIN  
FOR LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES  
Adopted on 2 March 2017  
 
(G/RO/84 ) 
 
 
 
The Committee on Rules of Origin,  
 
Considering  the Ministerial Decision on Preferential Rules of Origin for least developed countries 
(WT/L/917/Add.1 ) adopted at the tenth Session of Ministerial Conference held in Nairobi, whereby 
Ministers instructed the CRO to develop a template for the notification of preferential rules of origin, 
to enhance transparency and promote a  better understanding of the rules of origin applicable to 
imports from LDCs.  
 
Agrees as follows:  
 
1. Preference -granting Members shall notify to the Committee on Rules of Origin the 
preferential rules of origin applicable to imports from Least developed countries (LDCs) 
under their respective preferential trade arrangements (PTA) using the template specified in 
Annex A.  
 
2. In addition to filling in the template in Annex A, preference -granting Members shall submit 
electronic or paper copies of the following documents. If these documents are already 
contained in a WTO document, preference -granting Members may provide the references of 
such documents.  
 
(a) The legislative texts in one of the official WTO languages containing the preferential 
rules of orig in applicable under a PTA granted under the Decision on Measures in 
Favour of Least -Developed Countries (Annex F of the Hong Kong Ministerial 
Declaration);  
 
(b) The full text of the administrative regulations concerning modalities for issuance, 
acceptance, ret rospective issuance and replacement of certificates of origin or any 
equivalent declarations to be made, including any requirements related to stamps 
to be used along with notification of stamps;  
 
(c) The full text and related administrative regulations of the  modalities for the proof of 
movement of the consignment of the goods from the beneficiary countries to 
preference -giving countries including transit through third countries; and  
 
(d) The full texts of the modalities of the verification procedures and related penalties.  
 
3. The purpose of this decision is to enhance transparency and better understanding of the 
rules of origin applicable for preferential import from least developed countries. These 
procedures do not affect Members' rights and obligations under the WTO Agreements in any 
way. 
 
4. The Decision shall be applied to all existing preferential rules of origin applicable for import 
from least developed countries and any modification in future as well as any future 
preferential trade arrangements introduced by a ny members for least developed countries.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 40 - 
 
 ANNEX A  
 
Template for Notification for Preferential Rules of Origin for Least -Developed Countries  
 
A. BASIC INFORMATION  
 
1) Notifying member: (Name of the Notifying Member);  
2) Date of entering into force of Rules of origin and any substantive modification thereof: (Insert 
date and link to relevant source, if available);  
3) Date of expiration of Rules of origin if applicable: (Insert date and link to relevant source);  
4) Title of the preferential scheme for which legislation  on Rules of origin is applicable;  
5) Authority(ies) granting the preferential treatment: (Insert which authority is granting the 
preferential treatment and link to relevant source); and  
6) National authorities in charge of Rules of origin administration: (Inser t which authority is entitled 
to administer the rules of origin with direct phone number and email address and link to relevant 
source).  
 
B. INFORMATION ON RULES OF ORIGIN  
 
I. BENEFICIARIES  
 
1) List of Beneficiaries: (Insert the link where the complete list o f beneficiaries can be found and 
modalities are found); and  
2) Eligibility: (Name the document, article/section where the eligibility criteria can be found and 
insert the specific related link).  
 
II. CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING SUBSTANTIAL TRANSFORMATION FOR ASS ESSING THE 
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN  
 
1) General criteria, if applicable for all products:  
 
(a) Definition of wholly obtained products;  
(b) Describe the criteria for not -wholly produced products; and  
(c) Insert the formula for calculating ad valorem percentage.  
 
2) Product specific  rules of origin where applicable:  
 
(a) Insert the link where the complete list of product specific rules of origin can be found; 
and 
(b) Insert the formula for calculating ad valorem percentage, when applied for product 
specific rule.  
 
3) Definition of non-originating material and originating material, if any;  
4) List of insufficient working process, if any;  
5) Rules for application of cumulation and related procedures (provide a narrative summary and a 
link, if appropriate), if any; and  
6) Any other information that member deems necessary (provide a link, if appropriate)  
 
III. DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS  
 
1) Certificate of origin and other proofs of origin:  
 
(a) Requirement for certificate of origin and/or any other proof of origin, if any: (Indicate 
whether there is any r equirement for issuance of certificate of origin and/or any other 
proof of origin);  
(b) Authority to be designated for issuance of certificate of origin: (Indicate whether 
government authority or private sector is to be designated for issuance the certificate of 
origin);  
(c) Prescribed form of Certificate of origin and/or any other proof of origin: (Attach 
prescribed form if applicable, and/or provide a link, if appropriate); and  
(d) Any other procedures applied for certificate of origin and/or any other proof of origi n, if 
any (provide a link, if appropriate).  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 41 - 
 
 
  
2) Direct shipment:  
 
(a) Rules applicable for direct shipment, if any;  
(b) Documentary requirement for proof of direct shipment including when the transport 
of consignment involves transit through one or more intermediate countries, if any.  
 
IV. VERIFICATION AND PENALTIES  
 
1) Procedure for verification of proofs of origin: (Name the document, article/section where 
provisions related to verifications can be found and/or insert the specific related link);  
2) Penalties for fraud and false declarations: (Name the document, article/section where provisions 
related to penalties can be found and/or insert the specific related link);  
3) Authorities and procedures for appeal in the case of dispute on verification;  
4) Requi rement for preserving the documents related to issuance of certificate of origin; and  
5) Any other relevant information.  
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 42 - 
 
 COMMITTEE ON BUDGET,  FINANCE AND ADMINIS TRATION  
 
 
 
ABSTRACT OF THE REPO RT ADOPTED BY THE GE NERAL COUNCIL ON 30  NOVEMBER  2017  
(Extract from WT/BFA/169 ) 
 
 
 
The Director -General is authorized to make budgetary expenditures of the Secretariat of the 
World Trade Organization for 2018  (CHF 189,624,000 , rounded ), and for the Appellate B ody and its 
Secretariat for 2018  (CHF 7,580,000 , rounded ) amounting to a rounded total of CHF 197,204,000.  
 
This expenditure is to be financed by contributions amounting to CHF 195,500,000 and 
miscellaneo us income estimated at CHF 1,704,0 00, rounded . 
 
The contributions of the Members shall be assessed in accordance with the attached scale of 
contributions. Contributi ons from Members in respect of the 2018 budget are considered as due and 
payable in full as at 1 January 2018.  
 
SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 2018  
(Minimum contribution of 0.015%)  
 
Member  CHF % 
Afghanistan  48,875  0.025%  
Albania  43,010  0.022%  
Angola  475,065  0.243%  
Antigua and Barbuda  29,325  0.015%  
Argentina  760,495  0.389%  
Armenia  37,145  0.019%  
Australia  2,680,305  1.371%  
Austria  1,931,540  0.988%  
Bahrain, Kingdom of  164,220  0.084%  
Bangladesh  316,710  0.162%  
Barbados  29,325  0.015%  
Belgium  3,692,995  1.889%  
Belize  29,325  0.015%  
Benin  29,325  0.015%  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  99,705  0.051%  
Botswana  76,245  0.039%  
Brazil  2,519,995  1.289%  
Brunei Darussalam  78,200  0.040%  
Bulgaria  308,890  0.158%  
Burkina Faso  29,325  0.015%  
Burundi  29,325  0.015%  
Cabo Verde  29,325  0.015%  
Cambodia  82,110  0.042%  
Cameroon  72,335  0.037%  
Canada  4,971,565  2.543%  
Central African Republic  29,325  0.015%  
Chad 43,010  0.022%  
Chile 760,495  0.389%  
China  19,237,200  9.840%  
Colombia  580,635  0.297%  
Congo  84,065  0.043%  
Costa Rica  144,670  0.074%  
Côte d'Ivoire  105,570  0.054%  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 43 - 
 
 
 Member  CHF % 
Croatia  220,915  0.113%  
Cuba 142,715  0.073%  
Cyprus  121,210  0.062%  
Czech Republic  1,391,960  0.712%  
Democratic Republic of the Congo  103,615  0.053%  
Denmark  1,503,395  0.769%  
Djibouti  29,325  0.015%  
Dominica  29,325  0.015%  
Dominican Republic  158,355  0.081%  
Ecuador  238,510  0.122%  
Egypt  496,570  0.254%  
El Salvador  76,245  0.039%  
Estonia  175,950  0.090%  
European Union1 0  0.000%  
Fiji 29,325  0.015%  
Finland  905,165  0.463%  
France  7,427,045  3.799%  
Gabon  66,470  0.034%  
The Gambia  29,325  0.015%  
Georgia  68,425  0.035%  
Germany  13,939,150  7.130%  
Ghana  160,310  0.082%  
Greece  637,330  0.326%  
Grenada  29,325  0.015%  
Guatemala  142,715  0.073%  
Guinea  29,325  0.015%  
Guinea -Bissau  29,325  0.015%  
Guyana  29,325  0.015%  
Haiti 29,325  0.015%  
Honduras  74,290  0.038%  
Hong Kong, China  5,233,535  2.677%  
Hungary  1,000,960  0.512%  
Iceland  62,560  0.032%  
India 4,480,860  2.292%  
Indonesia  1,769,275  0.905%  
Ireland  2,121,175  1.085%  
Israel  834,785  0.427%  
Italy 5,233,535  2.677%  
Jamaica  52,785  0.027%  
Japan  8,091,745  4.139%  
Jordan  166,175  0.085%  
Kazakhstan  615,825  0.315%  
Kenya  119,255  0.061%  
Korea, Republic of  5,913,875  3.025%  
Kuwait, the State of  682,295  0.349%  
Kyrgyz Republic  41,055  0.021%  
Lao People's Democratic Republic  31,280  0.016%  
Latvia  158,355  0.081%  
Lesotho  29,325  0.015%  
Liberia  29,325  0.015%  
Liechtenstein  64,515  0.033%  
Lithuania  316,710  0.162%  
Luxembourg  889,525  0.455%  
                                                
1 The European Union is not subject to contributions. Howe ver, its 28 Members are assessed individually. 
The total share of Members of the European Union represents 33.6% of the total assessed contributions for 2018.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 44 - 
 
 Member  CHF % 
Macao, China  248,285  0.127%  
Madagascar  29,325  0.015%  
Malawi  29,325  0.015%  
Malaysia  2,015,605  1.031%  
Maldives  29,325  0.015%  
Mali 31,280  0.016%  
Malta  136,850  0.070%  
Mauritania  29,325  0.015%  
Mauritius  58,650  0.030%  
Mexico  3,612,840  1.848%  
Moldova, Republic of  37,145  0.019%  
Mongolia  56,695  0.029%  
Montenegro  29,325  0.015%  
Morocco  347,990  0.178%  
Mozambique  68,425  0.035%  
Myanmar  103,615  0.053%  
Namibia  56,695  0.029%  
Nepal  41,055  0.021%  
Netherlands  5,778,980  2.956%  
New Zealand  457,470  0.234%  
Nicaragua  52,785  0.027%  
Niger  29,325  0.015%  
Nigeria  742,900  0.380%  
Norway  1,477,980  0.756%  
Oman  392,955  0.201%  
Pakistan  342,125  0.175%  
Panama  263,925  0.135%  
Papua New Guinea  66,470  0.034%  
Paraguay  113,390  0.058%  
Peru 418,370  0.214%  
Philippines  666,655  0.341%  
Poland  2,107,490  1.078%  
Portugal  778,090  0.398%  
Qatar  811,325  0.415%  
Romania  670,565  0.343%  
Russian Federation  4,236,485  2.167%  
Rwanda  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Lucia  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  29,325  0.015%  
Samoa  29,325  0.015%  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  2,455,480  1.256%  
Senegal  46,920  0.024%  
Seychelles  29,325  0.015%  
Sierra Leone  29,325  0.015%  
Singapore  4,762,380  2.436%  
Slovak Republic  764,405  0.391%  
Slovenia  304,980  0.156%  
Solomon Islands  29,325  0.015%  
South Africa  1,024,420  0.524%  
Spain  3,696,905  1.891%  
Sri Lanka  168,130  0.086%  
Suriname  29,325  0.015%  
Swaziland¶ 29,325  0.015%  
                                                
¶ In May 2018, Swaziland notified the WTO of its new name: Eswatini.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 45 - 
 
 
 Member  CHF % 
Sweden  2,105,535  1.077%  
Switzerland  3,712,545  1.899%  
Chinese Taipei  3,378,240  1.728%  
Tajikistan  29,325  0.015%  
Tanzania  95,795  0.049%  
Thailand  2,390,965  1.223%  
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¶¶ 52,785  0.027%  
Togo 29,325  0.015%  
Tonga  29,325  0.015%  
Trinidad and Tobago  125,120  0.064%  
Tunisia  207,230  0.106%  
Turkey  2,017,560  1.032%  
Uganda  54,740  0.028%  
Ukraine  690,115  0.353%  
United Arab Emirates  2,936,410  1.502%  
United Kingdom  7,407,495  3.789%  
United States of America  22,251,810  11.382%  
Uruguay  121,210  0.062%  
Vanuatu  29,325  0.015%  
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of  664,700  0.340%  
Viet Nam  1,247,290  0.638%  
Yemen  89,930  0.046%  
Zambia  87,975  0.045%  
Zimbabwe  56,695  0.029%  
TOTAL  195,500,000  100.00%  
 
  
                                                
¶¶ In February 2019, the for mer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia notified the WTO of its new name: 
North  Macedonia.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 46 - 
 
 WAIVERS  
 In 2017 , the General Council granted the following waivers from obligations under the WTO 
Agreements.  
 
MEMBER(S)  TYPE  DECISION OF  EXPIRY  DOCUMENT(S)  
Argentina;  Chile  Introduction of 
Harmonized 
System 2002 
Changes into 
WTO Schedules 
of Tariff 
Concessions  30 November 
2017 31 December 
2018 WT/L/1026  
Argentina;  Brazil;  China;  
Dominican Republic;  
European  Union;  Malaysia;  
Philippines;  Switzerland;  
Thailand  Introduction of 
Harmonized 
System 2007 
Changes into 
WTO Schedules 
of Tariff 
Concessions  30 November 
2017 31 December 
2018 WT/L/1027  
Argentina;  Australia;  
Brazil;  Canada;  China;  
Colombia;  Costa  Rica;  
Dominican  Republic;  
El Salvador;  European 
Union;  Guatemala;  
Honduras;  Hong  Kong, 
China;  India;  Israel;  
Kazakhstan1;  Korea, 
Republic of;  Macao, China;  
Malaysia;  Mexico;  
New Zealand;  Norway;  
Pakistan;  Philippines;  
Russian  Federation2;  
Singapore;  Switzerland;  
Thailand;  Chinese  Taipei;  
United States  Introduction of 
Harmonized 
System 2012 
Changes into 
WTO Schedules 
of Tariff 
Concessions  30 November 
2017 31 December 
2018 WT/L/1028  
Argentina;  Brazil;  Canada;  
China;  Colombia;  Costa 
Rica;  Dominican Republic;  
El Salvador;  European 
Union;  Guatemala;  
Honduras;  Hong  Kong, 
China;  India;  Israel;  
Kazakhstan;  Korea, 
Republic of;  Macao, China;  
Montenegro;  New Zealand;  
Norway;   Pakistan;  
Paraguay;  Philippines; 
Russian Federation;  
Switzerland;  Thailand;  
Chinese  Taipei;  United 
States;  Uruguay  Introduction of 
Harmonized 
System 2017 
Changes into 
WTO Schedules 
of Tariff 
Concessions  30 November 
2017 31 December 
2018 WT/L/1029 , 
Add.1 , Add.2  
and Add.3  
For a list of waivers granted by the General Council in 2017, as well as waivers previously 
granted and still in force in 2017, see WT/GC/W /740. 
                                                
1 As Kazakhstan became a WTO Member on 30 November 2015 and assumed WTO rights and obligations 
on that date, the suspension of the application of the provisions of Articl e II for Kazakhstan will begin as of that 
date and not from its date of implementation of the HS2012 changes.  
2 As the Russian Federation became a WTO Member on 22 August 2012 and assumed WTO rights and 
obligations on that date, the suspension of the appli cation of the provisions of Article II for the Russian Federation 
will begin as of that date and not from its date of implementation of the HS2012 changes.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 47 - 
 
 
 WTO DISPUTE SETTLEME NT REPORTS , AND ARBITRATION AWA RDS AND DECISIONS  
2017 
The table below lists all the panel and Appellate Body reports adopted in 2017 as well as 
arbitration awards and decisions circulated in 2017. The full texts of the panel and A ppellate Body 
reports as well as the arbitration awards and decisions are published by the WTO in the WT/DS/  
series. The reports are also published by Cambridge University Press in the WTO Dispute Settlement 
Reports (DSR) series.  
 
SHORT TITLE  REPORTS, AWARDS AND DECISIONS  
Canada – Welded Pipe  Panel Report, Canada – Anti-Dumping Measures 
on Imports of Certain Carbon Steel Welded Pipe 
from the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu , WT/DS482/R  and 
Add.1 , adopted 25  January  2017 
China – Cellulose Pulp  Panel Report, China – Anti-Dumping Measures 
on Imports of Cellulose Pulp from Canada , 
WT/DS483/R  and Add.1 , adopted 22  May 2017 
EU – Fatty Alcohols (Indonesia)  Appellate Body Report, European Union – Anti-
Dumping Measures on Imports of Certain Fatty 
Alcohols from Indonesia , WT/DS442/AB/R  and 
Add.1 , adopted 29  September  2017 
EU – Fatty Alcohols (Indonesia)  Panel Report, European Union – Anti-Dumping 
Measures on Imports of Certain Fatty Alcohols 
from Indonesia , WT/DS442/R  and Add.1 , 
adopted 29  September  2017, as modified by 
Appellate Body Report WT/DS442/AB/R  
EU – Poultry Meat (China)  Panel Report, European Union – Measures  
Affecting Tariff Concessions on Certain Poultry 
Meat Products , WT/DS492/R  and Add.1 , 
adopted 19  April 2017   
Indonesia – Chicken  Panel Report, Indonesia – Measures Concerning 
the Importation of Chicken Meat and Chicken 
Products , WT/DS484/R  and Add.1 , adopted 
22 November  2017 
Indonesia – Import Licensing Regimes  Appellate Body Report, Indonesia – Importation 
of Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal 
Products , WT/DS477/AB/R , WT/DS478/AB/R , 
and Add.1 , adopted 22  November  2017 
Indonesia – Import Licensing Regimes  Panel Report, Indonesia – Importation of 
Horticultural Products, Animals and Animal 
Products , WT/DS477/R , WT/DS478/R , Add.1  
and Corr.1 , ado pted 22  November  2017, as 
modified by Appellate Body Report 
WT/DS477/AB/ R, WT/DS478/AB/R  
Russia – Pigs (EU)  Appellate Body Report, Russian Federation – 
Measures on the Importation of Live Pigs, Pork 
and Other Pig Products from the European 
Union , WT/DS475/AB/R  and Add.1 , adopted 
21 March  2017 
Russia – Pigs (EU)  Panel Report, Russian Federation – Measures on 
the Importation of Live Pigs, Pork and Other Pig 
Products from the European Union , 
WT/DS475/R  and Add.1 , adopted 
21 March  2017, as modified by Appellate Body 
Report WT/DS475/AB/R  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 48 - 
 
 SHORT TITLE  REPORTS, AWARDS AND DECISIONS  
US – Anti-Dumping Methodologies (China)  Appellate Body Repo rt, United States – Certain 
Methodologies and Their Application to Anti -
Dumping Proceedings Involving China , 
WT/DS471/AB/R  and Add.1 , adop ted 
22 May 2017 
US – Anti-Dumping Methodologies (China)  Panel Report, United States – Certain 
Methodologies and Their Application to Anti -
Dumping Proceedings Involving China , 
WT/DS471/R  and Add.1 , adopted 22  May 2017, 
as modified by Appellate Body Report 
WT/DS471/AB/R  
US – Tax Incentives  Appellate Body Report, United States – 
Conditional Tax Incentives for Large Civil 
Aircraft , WT/DS487/AB/R  and Add.1 , ado pted 
22 September  2017 
US – Tax Incentives  Panel Report, United States – Conditional Tax 
Incentives for Large Civil Aircraft , WT/DS487/R  
and Add.1 , adopted 22 September 2017, as 
modified by Appellate Body Report 
WT/DS487/AB/R  
US – Tuna II (Mexico) (Article 22.6 – US) Decision by the Arbitrator, United States – 
Measures Concerning the Importation, 
Marketing and Sale of Tuna and Tuna Products 
– Recourse to Article 22.6 of the DSU by the 
United States , WT/DS381/ARB , 25 April 2017  
US – Washing Machines (Article 21.3(c))  Award of the Arbitrator, United States – Anti-
Dumping and Countervailing Measures on Large 
Residential Washers from Korea – Arbitration 
under Article 21.3(c) of the DSU , 
WT/DS464/RPT , 13 April 2017 
 
 
 
  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 49 - 
 
 
 OTHER DECISIONS, REPORTS AN D SELECTED DOCUMENTS  
NOT REPRODUCED* 
 
 
Ministerial Conference  
Presidential Declaration, Opening Ceremony  
of the Eleventh Ministerial Conference  ................................ ........................  WT/MIN(17)/53  
Establishment of the Working Party  
on the  Accession of South Sudan  ................................ ...... WT/MIN(17)/SR/6 , paras.  1.1-1.2 
Addres s by Mr Roberto Azevêdo, WTO Director -General, MC11 Closing Session, 
13 December  2017 ................................ ................................ ...................  WT/MIN(17)/74  
Implementation of the Trade -Related Aspects of Cotton,  
Progress Report by the Director General  ................................ .....................  WT/MIN(17)/12  
Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform Ministerial Statement  ................................ .........  WT/MIN(17)/54  
Joint Ministerial Statement, Declaration on the Establ ishment  
of a WTO  Informal Work Programme for MSMEs  ................................ .. WT/MIN(17 )/58/Rev.1  
Joint Ministerial Statement on Investment Facilitation for Development  .............  WT/MIN(17)/48  
Joint Ministerial Statement on Services Domestic Regulation  ............................  WT/MIN(17)/61  
Joint Statement on Electronic Commerce  ................................ .......................  WT/MIN(17)/60  
Summary Records  ................................ ...........................  WT/MIN(17)/SR/1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 
Trade in Food and Agricultural Products,  
Joint Statement of Undersigned Ministers  ................................ ....................  WT/MIN(17)/52  
Development  Assistance Aspects of Cotton, Eighth Periodic Report  
by the Director -General  ................................  WT/GC/187  – WT/CFMC/DG/8  – WT/MIN(17)/5  
WTO Accessions, 2017 Annual Report  
by the Director -General  ................................ .......WT/ACC/31  –WT/GC/189  – WT/MIN(17)/6  
 
 
General Council  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .......................  WT/GC/191  
Implementation of the Bali and Nairobi Outcomes,  Statements by the Chairman  ......................   
WT/GC/M/166 , Item 4 – JOB/GC/119 ,  
WT/GC/M/1 67, Item 2 – JOB/GC/1 25,  
WT/GC/M/1 68, Item 4 – JOB/GC/1 34,  
WT/GC/M/1 69, Item 2 – JOB/GC/1 46, 
 and WT/GC/M/1 70, Item 2 – JOB/GC/1 64 
Informal Open -ended M eeting at the Level of Heads of Delegation,  
Statements by the Chairman of the General Council  ......................  JOB/GC/151 , 154 and 157 
Informal Open -ended Meeting on the Work Programme on E -commerce,  
Statement by the Chai rman ................................ ................................ ............  JOB/GC/136  
Minutes of the Meetings of 27 and 28 February, 10 and 18 Ma y, 
26 July, 26 October, and 30  November 2017  ...............  WT/GC/M/166 , 167, 168, 169 and 170 
Waivers, 2017, Note by the Secreta riat ................................ ...........................  WT/GC/W/740  
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce , Report by the Chairman  ...................  WT/GC/W/739  
 
 
                                                
* For most categories, the documents are l isted in the alphabetical order of their titles.  
Notificat ions by the Director -General as WTO Depositary are not referenced. These depositary notifications 
are available in the WT/Let/  document series, and are compiled in relation to each WTO agreement in the Status 
of WTO Legal Instruments  publication . 
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 50 - 
 
 Dispute Settlement Body  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .......................  WT/DSB/74  
Indicative List of Governmental  and 
Non-governmenta l Panelists  ............  WT/DSB/44/Rev.37 , Rev.38 , Rev.39 , Rev.40  and Rev.41  
 
 
Trade Policy Review Body  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .....................  WT/TPR/407  
Overview of Developments in the International Trading Environment , 
Annual Report by the Director -General,  
(Mid-October 2016 to Mid-October 2017)  ................................ .....................  WT/TPR/OV/20  
 
 
Trade Policy Reviews  
Belize  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... WT/TPR/M/353  
See also WT/TPR/G/353  and WT/TPR/S/353  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  ................................ ................................ ...... WT/TPR/M/363  
See also WT/TPR/G/363  and WT/TPR/S/363  
Brazil  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... WT/TPR/M/358  
See also WT/TPR/G/358  and WT/TPR/S/358  
Cambodia ................................ ................................ ................................ . WT/TPR/M/364  
See also WT/TPR/G/364  and WT/TPR/S/364  
European Union  ................................ ................................ ........................  WT/TPR/M/357  
See also WT/TPR/G/357  and WT/TPR/S/357  
Iceland  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... WT/TPR/M/361  
See also WT/TPR/G/361  and WT/TPR/S/361  
Jamaica  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... WT/TPR/M/359  
See also WT/TPR/G/359  and WT/TPR/S/359  
Japan  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... WT/TPR/M/351  
See also WT/TPR/G/351  and WT/TPR/S/351  
Mexico  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... WT/TPR/M/352  
See also WT/TPR/G/352  and WT/TPR/S/352  
Mozambique  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/TPR/M/354  
See also WT/TPR/G/354  and WT/TPR/S/354  
Nigeria  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... WT/TPR/M/356  
See also WT/TPR/G/356  and WT/TPR/S/356  
Paraguay  ................................ ................................ ................................ . WT/TPR/M/360  
See also WT/TPR/G/360  and WT/TPR/S/360  
Sierra Leone  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/TPR/M/303  
See also WT/TPR/G/303  and WT/TPR/S/303  
Switzerland an d Liechtenstein  ................................ ................................ ..... WT/TPR/M/355  
See also WT/TPR/G/355  and WT/TPR/S/355  
Western African Economic and Monetary Union  (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire,  
Guinea -Bissau,  Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo)  ................................ ...........  WT/TPR/M/362  
See also WT/TPR/G/362  and WT/TPR/S/362  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 51 - 
 
 
  
 
Council for Trade in Goods  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ..........................  G/L/1204  
Updating of the Listing of Notification Obligations  
and the Compliance Therewith as Set Out in  
Annex  III of the Report of the Working Gr oup 
on Notification Obligations and Procedures  ................................ . G/L/223/Rev.24  and Rev.25  
Work Programme  on Electronic Commerce,  
Report by the Chairperson ................................ ................................ .....................  G/C/59  
 
 
Committee on Agriculture  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1194  
Compliance with Notification Obligations,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ..... G/AG/GEN/86/Rev.27 , Rev.28  and Rev.29  
Export Subsidies, Export Credits, Export Credit Guarantees  
or Insurance Programmes, International Food Aid and  
Agricultural Exporting State Trading Enterprises,  
Background Docum ent by the Secretariat  .........  G/AG/W/125/Rev.6  and G/AG/W/125/Rev.7  
Improvement  of the Submission of Notifications,  
Documentation guide, Note by the Secretariat ................................ ...... G/AG/W/112/Rev.4  
Monitoring and Review of Members' Obligations  
Established under the Bali Decision on TRQ  Administration,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ..............  G/AG/W/169  
 
 
Committee on Anti -Dumping Practices  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ...... G/L/1193  – G/ADP/24  
 
 
Committee on Customs Valuation* 
Annual Report  of the Committee on Customs Valuation (2017)  ...............................  G/L/1199  
Annual Report  of the Independent Entity (2017)  ................................ ...................  G/L/1191  
Information on the Application of the Decisions on the Treatment of Interest Charges in the  
Customs Value of Imported Goods and on the Valuation of Carrier Media Bearing Software 
for Data Processing Equipment,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ... G/VAL/W/5/Rev.27  and G/VAL/W/5/Rev.28  
Status of Notifications of National Legislation on Customs Valuation and Responses to the 
Checklist of Issues, Note by the Secretariat  ........................  G/VAL/W/232/Rev.6  and Rev.7  
Twenty -third Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation  
of the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994  ....................  G/L/1198  
Notifications under Article 5 of the Agreement  
on Preshipment Inspection  ............................  G/PSI/N/1/Rev.2/Add.4  and G/PSI/N/1/Rev.3  
Preshipment  Inspection, Note by the Secretariat  .........................  G/VAL/W/63/Rev.20  and 21 
 
 
Committee on Import Licensing  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1187  
 
                                                
* Including issues relating to preshipment inspection.  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 52 - 
 
  
Committee on Market Access  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1190  
Factual Report on the Status of Renegotiations  
under Article XXVIII of the GATT 1994,  Report by the Secretariat,  ..........  G/MA/W/123/Rev.1  
Introduction of Harmonized System 1996 Changes  to Schedules of C oncessions  
of 64 Members  Using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database,  
Periodic Report by the Secretariat  ......................  JOB/MA/41/Rev.5 , Rev.6 , Rev.7  and Rev.8  
Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 Changes  to Schedules of Concessions  
Using the  Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) Datab ase, 
Periodic R eport  by the Secretariat  ...............  JOB/MA/42/Rev.19 , Rev.20 , Rev.21  and Rev.22  
Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 Changes  to Schedules of Concessions  
Using the  Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database,  
Periodic Report by the Secretariat  .............  JOB/MA/104/Rev.14 , Rev.15 , Rev.16  and Rev.17 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 Changes  to Schedules of Concessions  
Using the  Consolidated  Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database,  
Periodic Report by the Secretariat  ................................ ........ JOB/MA/129 , Rev.1  and Rev.2  
Quantitative Restrictions, Factual Information on Notifications Received,  
Report by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ... G/MA/W/114/Rev.1  
Situation of Schedules of WTO Members, Note by the Secretariat  ..............  G/MA/W/23/Rev.13  
Status  of Notifications under the Decision on Notification Procedure  
for Quantitative Restrictions (G/L/59/Rev.1), Report by the Secretariat  ..............  G/MA/QR/5  
Status of Submissions to the Integrated Data Base (IDB),  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ...................  G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.45  and Rev.46  
Transposition  of Members' CTS files to the HD 2012 nomenclature : Notes on methodology, 
Amendment to "simplification"  ................................ ..............................  G/MA/330/Add.1  
 
 
Committee on Rules of Origin  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1188  
Report (2017) of t he Committee on Rules of Origin to the General Council  
on Preferential Rules of Origin for Least Developed Countries  ...............................  G/RO/85  
Twenty Third Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation  
of the Agreement on Rules of Origin, Operation of the Agreement  
on Rules of Origin, Background Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ........  G/RO/86  
Status of Notifications of Preferential Rules of Origin for LDCs  
and Preferential Import Data, Note by the Secretariat  .. G/RO/W/163/Rev.1 , Rev.2  and Rev.3  
Utilization Rates under Preferential Trade Arrangements  for 
Least  Developed C ountries under the LDC Duty Scheme , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ...............................  G/RO/W/168  and Rev.1  
 
 
Committee on Safeguards  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ...... G/L/1192  – G/SG/145  
 
 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1202  
Annual Report on the Implementation of Article 6 of the Agreement  
on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Note by the Secretariat  ..............  G/SPS/GEN/1552  
Annual Report on the Procedure to Monitor the Process of  
International Harmonization, Note by the Secretariat  ...............................  G/SPS/GEN/1550  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 53 - 
 
 
 Annual Report on the Use of the Procedure to Encourage and Facilitate  
the Resolution of Specific Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues  
among Members in Accordance with Article 12.2 (G/SPS/61),  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ........  G/SPS/GEN/1573  
Overview Regarding the Level of Implementation  
of the Transparency Provisions of the SPS  Agreement,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ..............................  G/SPS/GEN/804/Rev.10  
Review of the Operatio n and Implementation of the SPS Agreement , 
Report Adopted by the Committee  ................................ ................................ ... G/SPS/62  
Specific Trade Concerns, Note by the Secretariat  .............................  G/SPS/GEN /204/Rev.17  
Update on the Operation of the Standards and Trade Development Facility , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ .....................  G/SPS/GEN/1538 , 1558, 1581 
 
 
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  
Annex VII(b) of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures,  
Updating  GNP Per Capita for Members Listed in Annex VII(b) as Foreseen  
in Paragraph 10.1 of the Doha Ministerial Decision and in Accordance with  
the Methodology in G/SCM/38, Note by the Secretariat  .........................  G/SCM/110/Add.14  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .... G/L/1195  – G/SCM/150  
Notification Requirements under the Agreement on Subsidies and  
Countervailing Measures, Background Note by the Secretariat  ..............  G/SCM/W/546/Rev.8  
 
 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1203  
Decisions and Recommendations Adopted by the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to 
Trade Since 1 January 1995, Note by the Secretariat  ................................  G/TBT/1/Rev.13  
Twenty -Third Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation of the TBT Agreement , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ..................  G/TBT/40  
 
 
Committee on Trade Facilitation  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1201  
 
 
Committee on Trade -Related Investment Measur es 
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .....G/L/1197  – G/TRIMS/7  
Notifications under Article 6.2 of the TRIMs Agreement  
of Publications in which TRIMs May be Found  ................................ .... G/TRIMS/N/2/Rev.27  
 
 
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology 
Products  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1200  
Status  of Implementation, Note by the Secretariat  ................................ .........  G/IT/1/Rev.56  
 
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 54 - 
 
 Working Party on State Trading Enterprises  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ...... G/L/1196  – G/STR/18  
Status of Notifications  Submitted by WTO Members under Article XVII:4( a) 
of the GATT 1994 and Paragraph 1 of the Understanding on the Interpretation  
of Article XVII of the GATT 1994  ................................ ............................  G/STR/16  and 17 
 
 
Council for Trade in Services  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ............................  S/C/53  
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, Re port by the Chairman  .............................  S/C/52  
 
 
Committee  on Specific Commitments  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ......................  S/CSC/23  
 
 
Committee  on Trade in Financial Services  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .......................  S/FIN/32  
 
 
Working  Party on GATS Rul es 
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ....................  S/WPGR/28  
 
 
Working  Party  on Domestic Regulation  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .....................  S/WPDR/20  
 
 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ............................  IP/C/80  
Annual Review of the Special Compulsory Licensing System,  
Report to the General Council  ................................ ................................ ...............  IP/C/79  
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce,  Report by the Chair person  ........................   IP/C/77  
 
 
Other Regular WTO B odies  
 
Committee on Balance -of-Payments Restrictions  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ................  WT/BOP/R/115  
Notifi cation under Paragraph 9 of the Understanding on the  
Balance -of-Payments Provisions of the GATT 1994,  
Communication from Ecuador ................................ ................................ .... WT/BOP/N/84  
Report on the Consultations with Ecuador  ................................ ....................  WT/BOP/R/114  
 
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 55 - 
 
 
 Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ...................  WT/BFA/170  
Reports  of Meetings (2017)  ............  WT/BFA/161 , 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168 and 169 
 
 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .....................  WT/REG/27  
Implementation  of the RTA transparency mechanism – 
Background Note by the Secretariat  ..............................  WT/REG/W/114 , 117, 120 and 123 
List of RTAs Which Have Appeared in Factual Presentations  
and Have Not Yet Been Notified to the WTO   ..................  WT/REG/W/115 , 116, 119 and 122 
Regional T rade Agreements Subject to I mplementation  Reports,  
Updated as of 13 February 2017  ................................ ..............................  WT/REG/W/113  
 
 
Consi deration  of RTAs  
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Korea and India 
(Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........................  WT/REG286/M/1  
See also WT/REG286/  
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area Concluded as a part of the  
Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine  
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG353/M/1  
See also WT/REG353/  
Free Trade Agreement between China and the Republic of Korea  
(Goods and Services ) ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG370/M/1  
See also WT/REG370/  
Free Trade Agreement between Georgia and the Russian Federation  
(Goods)  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/REG118/M/1  
See also WT/REG118/  
Free Trade Agreement between Iceland and the Faroe Islands  
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG243/M/1  
See also WT/REG243/  
Free Trade Agreement between Mexico and Panama  
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG374/M/1  
See also WT/REG374/  
Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Colombia  
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG375/M/1  
See also WT/REG375/  
Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Viet Nam  
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG371/M/1  
See also WT/REG371/  
Free Trade Agreement between the Russian Federation and Azerbaijan  
(Goods)  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/REG317/M/1  
See also WT/RE G317/ 
Interim Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union  
and the ESA States (Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles And Zimbabwe)  
(Goods)  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/REG307/M/1  
See also WT/REG307/  
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 56 - 
 
  
Committee on Trade and Development  
Annual Performance Report on Technical Assistance and Training, 2016 ..... WT/COMTD/W/225  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ................  WT/COMTD/96  
Assessment of the Advanced Trade Policy Course by the WTO Secr etariat  .. WT/COMTD/W/228  
Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan 2018 -19 .................  WT/COMTD/W/227/Rev.1  
Participation of Devel oping Economies in the Global Trading System,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ..... WT/C OMTD/W/230  
 
 
Consideration  of RTAs  
Free Trade Agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations  
(ASEAN) and India (Goods)  ................................ ............  WT/COMTD/RTA/M/8 , Item B(ii)  
See also WT/COMTD/RTA/8/  
 
 
Sub-Committee  on Least -Developed Countries  
Market Access for Products and Services of Export  
Interest to Least Developed Countries,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/65  and Rev.1  
 
 
Aid-for-Trade  Initiative  
Aid for Trade Global Review 2017, Promoting Trade,  
Inclusiveness and Connectivity for Sustainable Development,  
Summary Report  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/COMTD/AF T/W/74  
Aid-for-trade Monitoring Exercise, Joint Communication by the WTO and OECD Secretariats, 
Aid For Trade Global Review 2017, "Promoting Trade, Inclusiveness and Connectivity  for 
Sustainable Development"  ................................ ...................  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/70/Rev.1  
 
 
Committee on Trade and Environment  
Annual report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ......................  WT/CTE/24  
Environmental Database for 2014 , Note by the Secretariat  ............  WT/CTE/EDB/14  and Add.1  
Environmental Database for 2015 , Note by the Secretariat  ............  WT/CTE/EDB/15  and Add.1  
Matrix on Trade Measures Pursuant to Selected Multilateral Environmental Agreements,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ..... TN/TE/S/5/Rev.6  – WT/CTE/W/160/Rev.8  
 
 
Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ................  WT/WGTDF/16  
Expert group meeting on trade finance on 29 March 2017,  
Informal  Report by the Secretariat,  ................................ .......................  WT/WGTDF/W/84  
 
 
Working Group  on Trade and T ransfer of Technology  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ ................  WT/WGTTT/19  
 
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 57 - 
 
 
 Accessions  
List o f Current Accession Working Parties  ................................ ... WT/ACC/17/Rev.5  and Rev.6  
List of WTO Accessions Working Party Chairpersons  ..................  WT/ACC/18/Rev.11  and Rev.12  
WTO Accessions, 2017 Annual Report  
by the Director -General  ................................ .......WT/ACC/31  –WT/GC/189  – WT/MIN(17)/6  
 
 
Appellate  Body  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .........................  WT/AB/28  
 
 
Trade Negotiations Committee  
Report by the Director -General at the I nformal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 23 February 2017  ...............................  WT/GC/M/166 , Item 1 and Annex 2 – JOB/GC/118  
Report by the Director -General at the Informal Heads of Delegation  Meeting  
on 8 May 2017  ................................ .............................  WT/GC/M/167 , Item 1 and Annex 1  
Report by the Direc tor-General at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ .......................  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 4 – JOB/GC/135  
Report by the Director -General at the Inf ormal Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ ...... WT/GC/M/168 , Item 1 and Annex 1 – JOB/TNC/61  
Report of the Director -General at the Infor mal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 24 October 2017  ................................ .................  WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2  – JOB/GC/145  
Report of the Director -General at the Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 28 November 2017  ................................ ................  WT/GC/M/170 , Item 1 – JOB/TNC/66  
Statement by the Chairperson of the Eleventh Session  of the Ministerial Conference  
at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ .......................  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 2 – JOB/TNC/62  
Minutes of the Meeting on 28 November 2017  ................................ .......................  TN/C/M/38  
 
 
Committee on Agriculture in Special Session  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 8 May 2017  ................................ ................................ ...........  WT/GC/M/167 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotia tions Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ .....................  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 1 – JOB/AG/108  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 24 October 2017  ................................ ...............  WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2 – JOB/GC/145   
Report by the Chairperson to the Trade Negotiations C ommittee  ...................  TN/AG/37/Rev.1  
Special Agricultural Safeguard, Note by the Sec retariat  .............................  TN/AG/S/29/Rev.1  
State of Play in the Agriculture Negotiatio ns by the Chair person  .........................  JOB/AG/109  
Summary Report of the Thirty -Sevent h Forma l Special Session  ..........................  TN/AG/R/24  
 
 WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 58 - 
 
 Cotton  
 
Sub-Committee on Cotton  
Cotton,Background Paper s by the Secretariat  ...............  TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.6  and Add.1  – 
TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.6  and Add.1 , and 
TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.7 , Add.1  and Add.2  – 
TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.7 , Add.1  and Add.2  
 
 
Director -General's  Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton  
Evolving Table  on Cotton Development  Assistance  ............  WT/CFMC/6/Rev.22  and Rev.23  
 
 
Committee on Trade  and Development in Special Session  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Heads of Del egation Meeting  
on 8 May 2017  ................................ ................................ ...........  WT/GC/M/167 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairpers on at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 October 2017  ...... WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2  – JOB/GC/145  
Report by the Chairperson to the Trade Negotiations Committee  ..........................  TN/CTD/32  
Report by the Committee on Trade and Development in Dedicated Session  
to the General Council  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/COMTD/SE/10  
Work Programme on Small Economie s, 
Compilation Paper by the Secretariat  ................................ ...... WT/COMTD/SE/W/22/Rev.8  
Challenges and Opportunities Experienced by Small Economies  
in Their Efforts to Reduce Trade Costs,  
Particularly in the Area of Trade Facilitation,  
Background Note by the Secretariat  ................................ .................  WT/COMTD/SE/W/34  
 
 
Committee on Trade  and Environment in Special Session  
Matrix on Trade Measures Pursuant to Selected  Multilateral Environmen tal Agreements,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ..... TN/TE/S/5/Rev.6  – WT/CTE/W/160/Rev.8  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Heads of Delegatio n Meeting  
on 8 May 2017  ................................ ................................ ...........  WT/GC/M/167 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 October 2017  ...... WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2  – JOB/GC/145  
Report by the Chairperson to the Trade Negotiations Committee  .............................  TN/TE/24  
 
 
Council for Trade in Services in Special Session   
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 8 May 2017  ................................ ................................ ...........  WT/GC/M/167 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 October 2017  ...... WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2  – JOB/GC/145  
Report by the Chairperson to the Trade Negotiations Committee  ..............................  TN/S/41  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 59 - 
 
 
  
 
Working Party on Domestic Regulation  
Report by the Chairperson to the Council for Trade in Services  
(Special Session)  ................................ ................................ .......................  S/WPDR/21  
 
 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in Special Session  
Multilateral System of Notification and Registration of Geographical Indications  
for Wines and Spirits, Report by the Chairperson  ................................ ................  TN/IP/25  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 8 May 2017  ................................ ................................ ...........  WT/GC/M/167 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July  2017 ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade  Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 October 2017  ...... WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2  – JOB/GC/145  
 
 
Dispute Settlement Body in Special Session  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 8 May 2017  ................................ ................................ ...........  WT/GC/M/167 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 24 October 2017  ................................ ...............  WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2  – JOB/GC/145  
Reports by the Chairpersons to the Trade Negotiations Committee  .... TN/DS/29  and TN/DS/30  
 
 
Negotiating Group on Market Access  
Oral Report by  the Chairman of the Negotiating Group on Market Access  
to the Informal TNC and Heads of Delegation Meeting  ................................ ... JOB/TN/MA/6  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 8 May 2017  ................................ .....................  WT/GC/M/167 , Annex 1 – JOB/TN/MA/3  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ ...................  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 1 – JOB/TN/MA/4  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 October 2017  ...... WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2  – JOB/GC/145  
Report by the Chairperson to the Trade Negotiations Committee  ............................  TN/MA/31  
 
 
Negotiating Group on Rules  
Fisheries Subsidies, Compilation Matrix of Textual Proposals Rece ived to Date  .... TN/RL/W/273  
Fisheries Subsidies, Working Documents on: Prohib ited Subsidies Relating to IUU Fishing, 
Overfished Stocks, Overcapacity, Capacity -Enhancing Subsidies, and Overfishing; 
Notifications and Transparency; and Special and Differential Treatment,  
Communication from the Chairperson  ................................ ................  TN/RL/W/274/Rev.2  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 8 May 2017 ................................ ................................ ...........  WT/GC/M/167 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee Meeting  
on 25 July 2017  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/GC/M/168 , Annex 1  WT/BISD/2017  
 
- 60 - 
 
 Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 October 2017  ...... WT/GC/M/169 , Annex 2  – JOB/GC/145  
Report by the Chairperson to the Trade Negotiations Committee  ..........  TN/RL/28  and Suppl.1  
 
 
Committees under the Plurilateral T rade Agreements  
 
 
Committee on Government Procurement  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .........................  GPA/145  
Communication from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¶, 
Application for Accession to the Agreement on Government Procurement  ...............  GPA/143  
Compilation of Exchanges among Parties on Responses to SME Questionnaire  
Pursuant to P aragraph  3.2(c) of the Committee's Decision  
on a Work Programme on SMEs, Note by the Secretariat  ...............  GPA/WPS/SME/38/Rev.1  
Compilation of Submissions Pursuant to Paragraph 3 of the Committee's Decision  
on a Work Programme  on Exclusions and R estrictions in Parties' Annexes,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ............................  GPA/WP S/EXCS/11/Rev.1  
Compilation of Submissions Received Pursuant to Paragraph 3  
of the Committee's Decision on a Work Programme  
on the C ollection  and Reporting of Statistical Data,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ............................  GPA/WPS/STAT/11/Rev.1  
Report by the Secretariat, Key Take -Aways from the Committee's Symposium  
on Sustainable Procureme nt ................................ ................................ ..........  GPA/W/341  
Work Programme on Sustainable Procurement,  
List of Relevant Mea sures and Policies,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ .........  GPA/WPS/SP/11  
 
 
Committee on  Trade  in Civil Aircraft  
Annual Report  (2017)  ................................ ................................ ....... WT/L/1016  – TCA/13  
 
 
Other  
Informal Dialogue on I nvestment Facilitation  for Development  
Informal Open -ended Meeting at the Level of Heads of Delegation,  
Statement by the Coordinator of the Informal Dialogue  
on Investment Facilitation for Development  ................................ ...................  JOB/GC/163  
 
 
Informal Group of Friends of MSMEs  
Informal Open -ended Meeting at the Level of Heads of Delegation,  
Statement by the Coordinator of the Group of Friends of MSMEs at the WTO ...... JOB/GC/162  
 
 
__________  
                                                
¶ In February 2019, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia no tified the WTO of its new name: 
North  Macedonia.