RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/W/252  
 
11 November 2019  
(19-7674) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Trade and Development    
 
 
DRAFT  
 
REPORT (201 9) OF THE COMMITTEE O N TRADE AND DEVELOPM ENT 
 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  This report covers the work of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) in 201 9. An 
overview is provided of the work of the CTD's Regular Session, the Dedicated Session on the 
Monitoring Mechanism on Special and Differential Treatment, the Dedicated Sessions on Regional  
Trade A greements and  Small Eco nomies, the CTD's work on Aid  for Trade, and the wor k of the 
Sub-Committee on Least Developed Countries.1 
2  REGULAR SESSION  
2.1.  The CTD in Regular Session held three formal meetings on 5 April (108th Session), 
28 June (109th Session)  [and 22 November 201 9 (110th Session) ]. The minutes of these meetings 
are contained in documents WT/COMTD/M/ 108, WT/COMTD/M/ 109 [and WT/COMTD/M/1 102], 
respectively.  
2.2.  Members agreed to continue to invite a number of intergovernmental organizations on an 
ad hoc meeting -by-meeting basis.  A full list of intergover nmental organizations with observer status 
in the Committee is contained in document WT/COMTD/W/22/Rev.8.  The CTD continues to have 
outstanding requests for observer status from the League of Arab States, the Organization of the 
Petroleum Exporting Countri es (OPEC), the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), the 
Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), the 
Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) and the Groupe de la Ban que Africai ne 
de Développement.  
2.3.  At the 10 8th Session, a briefing was provided by the Chairperson of Sub -Committee on Least 
Developed Countries – Ambassador Monique T.G. Van Daalen (Netherlands) – on the work of the 
Sub-Committee. At the same meeting, the Committee re-elected Ambassador  Van Daalen  as the 
Chair person  of the Sub -Committee for 201 9. Ambassador Chad Black man (Barbados ) was elected 
Chairman of the CTD.  
2.4.  Also, at the 108th Session, the Committee agreed to implement new document symbols for 
notifications and subsequent documentation relating to regional trade agreements (RTAs) and 
prefere ntial trade arrangements  (PTAs), so as to have a  document  structure  similar to th at used by 
the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  (CRTA) .  
2.5.  The principal  areas addressed by the CTD in Regular Session during the period covered in this 
report included the following:   
• Technical cooperation and training;  
• Market  access for developing and least developed countries;  
• Report of the Joint Advisory Group on the Inte rnational Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO;  
                                              
1 There were no meetings in 2019 of the CTD’s Dedicated Session on Preferential Trade Arrangements. 
The Special Session of the CTD, dealing with the issue of special and differential treatment, has its own 
reporting channel . 
2 To be issued.  WT/COMTD/W/252  
 
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  • Trade and development - work in the Committee on the basis of the Chairman's concluding 
statement from the Eighth Ministerial Conference (MC8);  
• Special and differential treatment in WTO Agreements and Decisions – note by the 
Secretariat:  
• Work Programme on Electronic Commerce;   
• Duty-free and quota -free (DFQF)  market access for least developed countries  (LDCs).  
 
2.1  Technical Cooperation and Training  
2.6.  At the 109th Session, the Committee took note of the 2018 Annual Performance Report on 
Technical Assistance and Training (WT/COMTD/W/245). Accor ding to the report, further progress 
was registered in  2018 in the implementation of the 28 recommendations formulated in th e external 
evaluation of the WTO's technical assistance (TA). By the end of the year, 71% of the 
recommendations had been implemented, and the others were in progress. A total  of 
22,800  participants were train ed in 2018, representing an increase of  25% com pared to 2017.  This 
increase was mainly due to the 65% growth in participation in face -to-face activities . The Secretariat 
undertook 307 TA activities – which was an increase of 18% relative to 2017 – and participated in 
52 other TA -related activities. With regard to the evaluation of performance, the proportion of targets 
met reached its highest level since 20 15. Targets were met in 76% of cases, as compared to 57% 
on average during the 2015 -2017 period. Significant progress was also made in terms of data 
availability, as the proportion of indicators for which no data was available decreased progressively 
from 18% in 2016 , to 10% in 2017  and 4% in 2018.  [At the 110th Session, the Committee adopted 
the Biennial Technical Assis tance and Training Plan for 2020 and 2021 (WT/COMTD/W/248/Rev.1 ).] 
2.2  Market Access for Developing and Least Developed Countries  
2.7.  With regard t o RTAs, notifications under the Enabling Clause were made concerning 
agreements between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates (WT/COMTD/RTA1/N/1), Ecuador and 
Mexico (WT/COMTD/RTA3/N/1), Mexico and Paraguay (WT/COMTD/RTA4/N/1), Argentina and 
Mexico (WT/COMT D/RTA5/N/1), Cuba  and Mexico (WT/COMTD/RTA6/N/1) , Brazil and Mexico 
(WT/CO MTD/RTA7/N/1) , and the Plurinational State of Bolivia and Mexico (WT/COMTD/RTA8/N/1) . 
The Chairman kept the Committee updated in the course of the year on the contact maintained with  
the members of the Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) regarding the notifications 
submitted to the Secretariat in November 2018. The Committee was informed that the LAIA 
members had requested that the circulation of the notifications be suspend ed until further notice.  
2.8.   The RTA notifications concerning the Gulf Cooperation Council  (GCC)  Customs U nion and the 
India-Korea Agreement remained  on the agenda of the Reg ular Session . The communication from 
China, Egypt and India titled "Systemic and Specific Issues arising out of the Dual Notification of the 
GCC Customs Union" (WT/COMTD/W/175) also remained on the agenda.  A number of interventions 
were made on both substance and procedure. Divergent views were expressed on how to deal with 
the issues relating to the RTAs notified under both the Enabling Clause and GATT Article XXIV and 
their implications.   
2.9.  As regards PTAs, notifications were made under the Enabling Clause concerning the 
Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) schemes of the United Stat es (WT/COMTD/N/1/A dd.10 ), 
the Russian Federation (WT/COMTD/PTA1/N/1)  and Norway (WT/COMTD/N/6/Add.7) . 
2.3  Report of the Joint Advisory Group on the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO  
2.10.  The Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WT O (ITC) held 
its 53rd Session on 2 July 2019. The report on that meeting is contained in 
document  ITC/AG(LIII)/276. [Ambassador Terh i Hakala (Finland), the Chairperson  of the JAG, 
presented the report to the CTD at its 110th Session. The Committee took not e of the report and 
forwarded it to the General Council for adoption].  
2.4  Trade and D evelopment - Work in the Committee on the basis of the Chairman's 
Concluding Statement from the Eighth Ministerial Conference  
2.11.  At the Eighth Ministerial Conference (MC8), Ministers , inter alia , reaffirmed the positive link 
between trade and development and called for focused work in the CTD. Ministers called on Members WT/COMTD/W/252  
 
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  to fully operationalize the mandate of the CTD as a focal point for development work. The Committee 
contin ued its discussions in the course of 201 9 on the outstanding proposals for work under the MC8 
mandate. One proposal – by Barbados, Belize, China, Cuba, Ecuador, India and the African Group 
(WT/COMTD/W/208) – is for the CTD to report on development -related activities and development 
issues raised in other WTO bodies. The other remaining proposal – by China, Cuba, Ecuador, India 
and the African Group , and contained in document WT/COMTD/W/192  – is for the CTD to make a 
recommendation for the parties to RTAs to  submit their notification and information requirements 
jointly. The Chairman encouraged continued engagement among Members in order to make progress 
on these proposals.  
2.5  Special and Differential Treatment Provisions in WTO Agreements and Decisions – 
Note by the Secretariat  
2.12.  At the 108th Session, the Committee considered  an updated Secretariat report on special and 
differential treatment  provisions in the WTO Agreements and Decisions  (WT/COMTD/W/239 ). This 
report was  prepared in the context of the proposal f rom Ecuador for the Secretariat to periodically 
update its paper on this subject (WT/COMTD/W/204/Rev.1), which the Committee agreed to at its 
97th Session . At the 109th Session, the Committee agreed that th e report would be updated at least 
once every two years.  
2.6  Work Programme on Electronic Commerce  
2.13.  Under the item concerning the Work Programme on E -Commerce , Members’ attention was 
drawn to the Ministerial Decision of 13 December 2017 on the Work Programme on E-Commerce 
(WT/MIN(17)/65 – WT/L/1032). The Chairman informed Members that, although there were no 
proposals from Members to consider in the CTD, a number of delegations had indicated their interest 
in this area. Chad, on behalf of the LDC Group, emphasize d the need to pursue discussions and 
reinvigorate  the Work Programme on E -Commerce , in order to take into account  the LDCs' needs 
and realities.  
2.7  Duty -Free and Quota -Free Market Access for LDCs  
2.14.  An item concerning DFQF  market access for LDCs was listed on t he agendas of the 108th, 
109th [and 110th] Sessions. The Committee was informed of some updates with respect to the 
provision of DFQF market access fo r LDCs. The LDCs stressed the importance of DFQF market access, 
as well as the need for technical assistance to make the best possible use of the preferences granted . 
[At the 110th Session, the Committee conducted its annual review o f the steps taken to provide 
DFQF market access to LDCs. It was once again not possible for the Secretariat to issue its report 
on Members' DFQF market access for LDCs, as mandated in the Bali Ministerial Decision 
(WT/MIN(13)/44 – WT/L/919), because of divergent views among some Members on the scope and 
coverage of the report. ] 
3  DEDICATED SESSION ON  THE MONITORING MECH ANISM O N SPECIAL AND 
DIFFERENTIAL TREATME NT 
3.1.  The Dedicated Session on the Monitoring Mechanism (MM) on Special and Differential 
Treatment held two formal meetings during 201 9, on 28 June  [and on 22 November ], both chaired 
by Ambassador  Chad  Blackman  (Barbados ). The minutes of these meetings are contained in 
documents WT/COMTD/MMSDT/M/ 11 [and WT/COMTD/MMSDT/M/ 123], respectively. At the 
June Session, the  Chairman noted that, according to the Decision establishing the MM 
(WT/MIN(13)/45  - WT/L/920), the monitoring of  special and differential provisions is to be 
undertaken on the basis of written inputs or submissions made by Members, as well as on the basis 
of reports from other WTO bodies to which submissions by Members could also be made. He 
observed in this regard that there were still no written submissions in the MM. He also referred to 
paragraph 12 of the Decision  establishing the MM, which states that " The Mechanism shall be 
reviewed three years after its first formal meeting, and thereafter as necessary, taking  into account 
its functio ning and evolving circumstances" . It was recalled  in this regard  that delegations had 
expressed different perspectives on the question of the review . He indicated that he wished to do 
                                              
3 To be issued.  WT/COMTD/W/252  
 
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  what he could to help Members find a way forwar d, and that he would reach  out to delegations 
informally. [Discussion on these issues continued at the November session. ]  
4  DEDICATED SESSION ON  REGIONAL TRADE A GREEMENTS  
4.1.  [The 10th Dedicated Session on Regional Trade Agreements was held on 22 November 201 9, 
and was chaired by Ambassador  Chad Blackman (Barbados). The general minute s of the meeting 
are contained in document WT/COMTD/RTA/M/ 10.4 The Committee considered three agreements , 
as per the provisions of the 14 December 2006 General Council Decision on a Transparency 
Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements (WT/L/671) . The three agreements considered were: the 
Partial Scope Agreement between El Salvador and Ecuador (Goods)  (WT/COM TD/RTA2/N/1, 
WT/COMTD/RTA2/1, WT/COMTD/RTA2/2 )5; the Framework Agreement for establishing a Free Trade 
Area between India and Thailand (Goods) (WT/COMTD/RTA9/N/1, WT/COMTD/RTA9/1, 
WT/COMTD/RTA9/2)6; and the Free Trade Agreement between Southern Common Mark et 
(MERCOSUR) and Egypt (Goods) (WT/COMTD/RTA10/N/1, WT/COMTD/RTA10/1, 
WT/COMTD/RTA10/2 ) 7] 
5  DEDICATED SESSION ON  SMALL ECONOMIES   
5.1.  In 201 9, the CTD in Dedicated Session held two formal meetings on the Work Programme on 
Small Economies. The meetings were chaired by Ambassador Chad Blackman (Barbados ). The 
minutes of these meetings are contained in documents WT/COM TD/SE/M/3 8 and 
WT/COMTD/SE/M/ 39.8 At the 38th Dedicated Session  on 29 April, the Committee considered a 
communication from the Group of Small, Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) concerning the outcome of 
the work on challenges Small Economies experience in their efforts to reduce trade costs , particularly 
in the area of trade facilitation (WT/COMTD/SE/W/38). Presentations were also made by the WTO 
Secretariat concerning the vulnerability of Small Economies to natural disasters and the impact on 
trade, and by the Common Fund for Commodities on  Small Economies’ trade in commodities. At the 
39th Dedicated Session on 1 November, the Committee took note of an update to the Secretariat 
compilation paper on the Work Programme on Small Economies (WT/COMTD/SE/W/22/Rev.9). The 
SVE Group introduced its proposal for a Ministerial Decision  on the Work Programme on Small 
Economies  (WT/COMTD/W/39) , and additionally proposed that an in -depth discussion on the 
challenges faced by Small Economies in attracting investments take place in the early part of 2020. 
As it was not possible to come to a decision o n these two proposals at the meeting , it was determined 
that further  informal discussions among Members would be required in order to make progress.   
6  AID FOR TRADE  
6.1.  The CTD held its 45th, 46th, and 47th sessions on Aid for Trade in 2019, on 6 February, 21  May, 
and 5 November, respectively. At each session, Members reviewed the implementation of the 2018 -
2019 bi ennial work programme which was  finalized at the 42nd Session of the CTD Aid for Trade  on 
7 May 20189. The CTD Aid-for-Trade  meetings were chaired by Ambassador Diego Aulestia (Ecuador) 
in February , the Secretariat in May and Ambassador Chad Blackman (Barb ados) in November. The 
minutes of the meetings are contained in documents WT/COMTD/AFT/M/45, WT/COMTD/AFT/M/46 
and WT/COMTD/AFT/M/4710, respectively. The 2019 Global Review  (GR) of Aid for Trade, the 
centrepiece of the biennial work programme, was held on 3–5 July. At the General Council meeting 
of 25 September, the Director -General provided his report on the Review11 to which Members 
provided comments.  
6.2.  During the year, the CTD also organized four dedicated thematic Aid-for-Trade workshops  on 
(i) Sustainable Development and the Green Economy ; (ii) Connectivity and Digital Skills 
                                              
4 To be issued.  
5 The minutes relating to the consideration of this agreement are contained in docu ment 
WT/COMTD/RTA 2/M/1 (to be issued).     
6 The minutes relating to the consideration of this agreement are contained in document 
WT/COMTD/RTA9/M/1  (to be issued).     
7 The minutes relating to the consideration of this agreement are contained in document 
WT/COMTD/RTA 10/M/1.    
8 To be issued.  
9 WT/COMTD/AFT/ W/75 . 
10 To be issued.  
11 WT/GC/M/179 . WT/COMTD/W/252  
 
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  Development ;  (iii) the Findings of the Aid for Trade  monitoring and evaluation exercise in 
preparation for the Aid for Trade  at a Glance publication ; and  (iv) MSMEs and Access to Finance . A 
report of each workshop was presen ted in the corresponding CTD meeting.  
6.3.  At the CTD A id for Trade  45th Session,  the European Union  provided details on its A id-for-Trade  
strategy and Progress Report. The U nited States  updated the Committee on the Commercial Law 
Programme. The World Bank Group (WBG) discussed its trade strategy and announced the launch 
of the 2020 World Development  Report . The United Nations Industrial Development Organization 
(UNIDO) updated the Commit tee on its Programme for Country Partnership. The European Bank for 
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) highlighted its A id-for-Trade  activities and financing. The 
United States and Nepal provided an overview of their recently completed Trade Policy Revi ews 
(TPRs). The Enhanced Integrated Framework  (EIF) reported on its progress in LDCs. The 
United States spoke about the Standards Alliance. Australia announced that their A id-for-Trade  
support represented around AUD  1 billion a year. Japan highlighted its cooperation with African 
countries though the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The ITC 
provided examples of its numerous initiatives. Several Members commented and praised the efforts 
of the donor institutions that had spoken.  The Chair discussed administrative matters in relation to 
the 2019 Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) exercise.  
6.4.  At the CTD A id for Trade  46th Session, the Secretariat provided an overview of preparations for 
the 2019 G R. The STDF gave an update on its activ ities. Kenya and Ecuador provided an update on 
their recently completed TPR s. The EIF shared highlights on new investments, partnerships and 
funding prospects. Tanzania, Mali, Mozambique, and Togo thanked the EIF and quoted some of the 
successes their coll aboration with the Executive Secretariat had helped to deliver. 
The Russian  Federation highlighted some of the aid provided to developing countries which 
amounted to USD  1.2 billion in 2018. Tanzania and Mali thanked Russia for the support provided in 
many  areas over several decades. The U nited States reported on the Standards Alliance and Côte 
d'Ivoire thanked the U nited States  for the support it had provided under the framework. Mali 
underscored the importance of this type of cooperation. Vanuatu requested information and offered 
support for the U nited States  to organize such A id-for-Trade  events in the Pacific region too . Nepal 
recalled that the fundamental objective of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative, when launched, was to 
support developing countries, and particularly the LDCs, to build their limited infrastructure and 
strengthen their supply -side capacity. The United Nations De partment for Economic and Social 
Affairs (UNDESA) and the United  Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 
proceeded to the Geneva launch of the 2019 Financing for Sustainable Development Report.  
6.5.  The 2019 Aid for Trade GR took place on 3 -5 July on "Supporting Economic Diversification and 
Empowerment" . On 25 September, a report of the conference was presented to the G eneral Council  
by the Director -General.12 The GR allowed some 1,500 people, including a Prime Minister, a Vice -
President, over 30 Min isters and Heads of international organizations, to participate in 84 sessions. 
With 2.5 million views, the GR also gathered significant interest online. Eleven publications were 
launched or presented at the Review including the flagship "At a Glance" publ ication authored jointly 
with the OECD with over 500 pages of analytical work on diversification and empowerment.  Topics 
discussed other than the core theme of "Supporting Economic Diversification and Empowerment" 
addressed areas such as LDC graduation, tr ade and peace, standards, sustainability, tourism  and 
e-commerce. Many of the sessions had taken a regional or group perspective on those issues. One 
theme that ran through many sessions was that of women's economic empowerment. A session on 
Diversificatio n and the Blue Economy was also held. Remarks at the Closing Plenary highlighted 
appreciation of the organization of the GR , and there were constructive suggestions for elements of 
possible focus in future Aid for Trade work.  
6.6.  At the CTD Aid for Trade  47th Session,  the WBG presented its activities, strategy and recently 
published reports including the 2020 World Development Report "Trading fo r Development in the 
Age of Global Value Chains" . Chad, on behalf of the LDCs , welcomed work done under the 2018 -2019 
Aid for Trade Work Programme and encouraged Members, donors and international organizations to 
pursue their efforts towards increasing the  integration of LDC economies into the multilateral trading 
system. Canada and North Macedonia provided a report pursuant to their recently completed TPRs. 
The EIF updated the Membership on recent progress made in trade mainstreaming in the LDCs , 
which Cha d and Mali praised. The STDF  also provided a report of their activities. China announced 
that the 8th China RoundTable on WTO accessions would take place on 4-6 December 2019 in 
                                              
12 WT/GC/M/179  WT/COMTD/W/252  
 
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  Moscow. Japan shared the outcome of the TICAD 7 meeting , which helped to mobil ize an overall 
USD 20 billion in the previous three years. The I TC announced its 19th World Export Development 
Forum to be held at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 
18-22 November  2019. Chad, Mali and Colombia commended the ITC on its action and effectiveness.  
6.7.  The CTD  Chairman  addressed process matters for Members to reach an Aid-for-Trade  Work 
Programme for 2020 -2021 in time for the first G eneral Council  of 2020. Inclusivity and 
empowerment, digital connectivity  and green growth  were strong topics that had emerged from the 
GR. Canada, the European Union  and China welcomed the Chair 's statement and  expressed their 
readiness to engage in a constructive process.  
 
7  SUB-COMMITTEE ON LEA ST DEVELOPED COUNTRI ES 
7.1.  In 201 9, the Sub -Committee on Least Developed Countries (hereafter the Sub -Committee) 
held t hree formal meetings on 25 March  (85th Session) , 12 July (86th Session)  and 6 November 
(87th Session) , chaired by Ambassador  Monique T.G. Van Daalen (Netherlands). The minutes of the 
meetings are contained in documents WT/COMTD/LDC /M/85, WT/COMTD/LDC/M/86 and 
WT/COMTD/LDC/M/8713, respectively. The Sub -Commit tee took up the following subjects pursuant 
to the WTO Work Programme for the LDCs (WT/COMTD/LDC/11/Rev.1): (i) market access for LDCs; 
(ii) trade -related technical assistance and capacity -building initiatives for LDCs; and (iii) accession 
of LDCs. The Sub -Committee further considered a briefing by the Secretariat on the EIF -WTO project 
on LDC graduation . The delegation of the Central African Republic was the Coordi nator of the LDC 
Group until the end of March, and spoke on behalf of the Group at the meetin g on 25 March. Starting 
from April,  the delegation of Chad acted as the LDC Coordinator . 
7.1  Market Access for LDCs  
7.2.  At the 8 5th Session, the Secretariat provided an update on trends in LDC trade and market 
access, including the utilization of preferences by LD Cs, building on the Secretariat's 2018 LDC 
market access Note (WT/COMTD/LDC/W/66) . The LDCs called for further analysis to better 
understand the factors behind the non -utilization of preferences . At the same session, the delegation 
of the European Union provide d a briefing relating to the mid -term evaluation of its GSP  scheme , in 
particular the  Everything but Arms (EBA) preferences for the LDCs.  The LDCs expressed appreciation 
for the preferences granted by the European Union.  
7.3.  At the 8 6th Session, the Secretariat provided an update on work relating to the utilization of 
preferences granted to LDCs. Members welcomed the ongoing analytical work of the Secretariat  in 
this regard . The LDCs expressed keen interest to comprehend possible supply -side and de mand -side 
factors that condition the utilization of preferences.  
7.4.  At the 8 7th Session, the Secretariat provided a report on the annual review of developments in 
preferential rules of origin for LDCs, which had taken place in the Committee on Rules of Origin  
(CRO) on 17 -18 October 2019 (G/RO/89). The LDCs welcomed the progress made in the notifications 
of rules of origin requirements as well as the collaboration of Members in the analytical work carried 
out in the CRO. At the same session, the Sub -Committee c onsidered the Secretariat 's 2019 LDC 
market access Note (WT/COMTD/LDC/W/67). Members commended the Secretariat for the Note and 
engaged in an in -depth discussion o n the LDCs' trade deficit, services trade statistics and preference 
utilization. The LDCs cal led on Members to make further progress  in the  implementation of decisions 
taken in favour of the LDCs to facilitate  market access.  
7.2  Trade -related Technical Assistance and Capacity -building Initiatives for LDCs  
7.5.  At the 8 5th Session, the Executive Secretariat of the EIF provided an update on EIF activities, 
including the Programme's new Strategic Plan (2019 -2022) as well as progress made in the 
mobilization of resources . Both LDCs and donors  welcom ed the progress made and exp ressed 
support for the Programme.  
7.6.  At the 8 6th Session, t he Secretariat reported on WTO TA provided to the  LDCs , noting that 
LDCs were associated with 62% of all TA activities  in 2018 . The LDC s reiterated the need for the 
                                              
13 To be issued.  WT/COMTD/W/252  
 
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  WTO to cover local costs associated with organizing national activities in LDCs.  At the same session , 
the Secretariat of the STDF briefed the Sub -Committee on its activities  and projects mainly 
benefitting the LDCs. It was  highlight ed that LDCs were benefitting from 59% of project  preparation 
grants.  The LDC s underlined  the importance of building their supply -side capacity as well as SPS 
infrastructure.  
7.3  Accession of LDCs  
7.7.  At the 87th Session, the Secretariat provided a report on the status of eight ongoing LDC 
accessions (Bhutan, Comoros, Ethiopia, Sao Tomé and Principe, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan  and 
Timor -Leste)  as well as on experience -sharing activities facilitated by the Secretariat.  The LDC s 
highlighted the impo rtance of TA in the LDC accession process , and called on Members to intensify 
their efforts towards concluding ongoing LDC accessions.  
7.4  LDC Graduation  
7.8.  At the 8 6th Session, the Secretariat brief ed Members  on the EIF -WTO project on LDC graduation 
which was la unched in March 2019. The project , which responded to a request from the LDC Group,  
aimed to help 12 LDCs which are on the path towards graduation to be better prepared to address 
graduation -related challenges. Members welcomed the project and looked forwa rd to the findings of 
this work.  
7.5  Other Matters Considered by the Sub -Committee  
7.9.  At the 85th Session, the Coordinator of the LDC Group briefed Members on the Third 
South -South Dialogue on LDCs and Development, held in Chavannes -de-Bogis, Switzerland, on 
7 December 2018. The delegation of China thanked the Secretariat for its support in organizing this 
activity and reiterated their commitment to the LDCs. The LDC Coordinator also provided a report 
on the LDC Retreat  titled " Perspectives on LDC Participation in WTO Work on the Road to MC12 " 
held in Montreux, Switzerland, on 2 March 2019. The participation of the WTO Director -General as 
well as the Heads of UNCTAD and ITC was acknowledged with particular appreciation.  
7.10.  At the same session u nder Other Business, t he representative of UNIDO briefed Members on 
its ongoing work under the G20 Initiative on "Supporting Industrialization in Africa and LDCs".  
7.11.  At the 86th Session,  under Other Business, the Chairperson provided Members with a briefing 
on her visits to a num ber of LDCs (Rwanda, November 2018; Bangladesh and Nepal, May 2019). 
The LDCs expressed appreciation for the Chairperson's efforts to enhance her knowledge and 
understanding of the LDC probl ematique on  the ground.  
7.12.  At the 87th Session,  under Other Business,  the representative of the Russian Federation 
briefed Members on the Russia -Africa Summit and Economic Forum which was held under the theme 
"For peace, security and development" in Sochi, Russia, 23 -24 October 2019.  
 
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