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S/CSC/M/9 3 
 
24 October 2023 
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Committee on Specific Commitments    
 
 
REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2 OCTOBER 2023 
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
The Committee on Specific Commitments (CSC) held a meeting on 2 October 2023 opened by 
Mrs Xiaolin CHAI, Director of the Trade in Services and Investment Division , and chaired  by 
Mr Devabrata Chakraborty from Bangladesh (incoming Chair).   
 
The agenda for the meeting, contained in document WTO/AIR/CSC/ 22, was adopted.   
 
1  ITEM A - APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE   
1.1.  Following the departure of M r. Deepak P. Gopaul, Chairperson of the Committee on Specific 
Commitments (CSC), at the end of August 2023, the Chairperson of the Council for Trade in Services 
had conducted consultations on his successor. Mr Devabrata Chakraborty from Bangladesh had been  
proposed for election as the new Chairperson of the Committee on Specific Commitments for 2023.  
1.2.  The Committee then elected Mr Devabrata Chakraborty  from Bangladesh as its new 
Chairperson by acclamation. The meeting was thereafter chaired by Mr Chakraborty .  
1.3.  Before moving on to the substance of the meeting, the Chairperson d rew delegations' attention 
to the hybrid mode meeting format, asking those attending on -line to allow a few seconds of 
streaming to ensure that the statement s be heard in full . He also urged delegates, for the benefit of 
the interpreters, to speak at a reasonable and moderate pace and to provide a copy of their written 
statement to help ensure that interventions were properly conveyed and understood in the three 
languages.   
2  ITEM B - IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS  
2.1.  The Chairperson  recall ed that at previous meetings, the Committee had considered a proposal 
(S/CSC/W/73 ) from the delegation of Türkiye regarding implementation issues related to specific 
commitments and  Article II (MFN) on cross -border supply of road transport services under the GATS. 
More specifically, three is sues had been  raised for discussion: 1) the compatibility of imposing truck 
quotas with full market access commitments in Mode 1 on road transport services; 2) the 
understanding of "Unbound" in market access (MA) and "None" in national treatment (NT) with 
respect to cross border supply of road transport; and 3) the MFN obligation with respect to all 
measures affecting international road transport including truck quotas, passage fees, customs 
measures, etc. The Turkish delegation had also made a detailed pre sentation providing more clarity 
on its proposal with a view to helping Members better understand the issues raised.  
2.2.   At the previous meeting, as agreed, the representatives from the UNESCAP, the World Bank 
and the International Transport Forum (ITF) of OE CD had been  invited to present their work on 
cross-border road transport with a focus on the quota system, the core issue raised in the Turkish 
proposal. The purpose of these presentations was to facilitate further discussions on the Turkish 
proposal. The summary of the presentations was contained in the report of the last meeting 
(S/CSC/M/92 ).  
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  S/CSC/M/9 3 
 
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  2.3.  The Chair person  hoped that these presentations ha d helped Members gain a better 
understanding of cross -border road transport and related quota system and that the Committee was 
now in a better position to conduct a substantive discussion on the Turkish proposal.  
2.4.  The representative o f Türkiye  stated  that the major intent of his delegation's proposal as 
stipulated in document S/CSC/ W/73 was to draw attention to the permits and quotas applied by 
countries in road freight transportation, and in this context, to scrutinize Members’ commitments on 
road freight transportation. In Türkiye's view, if a country listed "none" in its schedule for MA and 
NT in road freight transportation (CPC 7123), that country should not be applying quotas or permit 
systems which were essentially quantitative restrictions, even if that country listed an MFN 
exemption for that sector. Therefore, MA and NT commi tments need ed to be better understood in 
road freight transportation services.    
2.5.  At the previous meetings since March 2022, various presentations ha d been made to the 
Committee, including a presentation by Türkiye as well as the presentations by UNESCAP, the World 
Bank, and the International Transport Forum (ITF). These presentations ha d contributed to the 
understanding of different applications of numerical restrictions to road freight transportation 
services and service providers. They had also helped ra ise awareness about the restrictiveness of 
these practices and possible contradictions with Members’ commitments in the sector.  However , 
there had been no  substantive discussions on relevant  commitments and the  implications of the 
quota system for commitme nts. In other words, the Committee had not  engage d in active 
discussion s on what the commitments on cross -border road freight transport should entail in view 
of the almost universal application of numerical restrictions  in the sector . At previous meetings,  
some M embers had noted  the complexity of the issue s involved , while others had raised concerns 
about going beyond the mandate of the Committee should commitments  be interpreted.  
2.6.  Referring to the  proposal contained in document S/CSC/ W/73, the representativ e of Türkiye  
stated that a possible second step  could be to  establish a formal "Understanding on Interpretation 
of Obligations in Cross -Border Supply of Road Freight Transport Services ". Should this be viewed 
positively  by Members , Türkiye  would be willing to contribute towards such an outcome, which could 
possibly constitute an instrumental reference document.  There had already been two documents 
issued by the WTO in the past on road transportation - one being S/C/W/60  dating  back to 1998; 
and the other being S/C/W/324  in 2010. Both documents dr ew attention to similar issues, and to 
the fact that the sector was predominated by the application of quotas through bilateral 
arrangements, which create d an asymmetrical regulatory  arena for international road freight 
transportation. On another point, the issue raised here was closely associated with the WTO Trade 
Facilitation Agreement as well as the rules on the “freedom of transit” ( GATT Article V).  
2.7.  Road freight transport service s would preserve its eminence for merchandise trade and the 
overall world economy in the foreseeable future. As one of the countries heavily relying on road 
freight transportation , Türkiye would like to see the international regulatory environment affectin g 
this sector to be efficient, predictable as well as free and fair as much as possible , in line with the 
vision and purpose of the GATS.   
2.8.  The discussions in the CSC provided an opportunity to draw attention to the problems in 
international road freight transport services in relation to the functioning of GATS.  Establishing a 
formal document entitled “Understanding on Interpretation of Obligations in Cross -Border Supply of 
Road Freight Transport Services” c ould be a way forward to continue  the dis cussion  in the CSC . Such 
a document could provide:  
i. an updated assessment on the current outlook of international road freight 
transportation services ; 
ii. a comparison of multilateral quota schemes with bilateral arrangements ; 
iii. an analysis or a depiction of the  scheduling methods by Members on international road 
freight transportation .  
2.9.  The Chairperson  stated that he would hold  consultations on how to proceed with this agenda 
item. He then suggest ed that the Committee take note of the statements made and revert to this 
item at the next meeting.  S/CSC/M/9 3 
 
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  2.10.   It was so agreed.   
3  ITEM C – CLASSIFICATION ISSUES  
3.1.  The Chairperson  recalled that at the previous meeting, the WTO Secretariat had made a 
presentation on the forthcoming Version 2 of the Handbook on the Measurement of Digital Trade. 
The presentation had highlighted the latest developments in the measurement of digital trade by 
the international statistical community with a focus on th e conceptual framework, trade in services , 
and related classification challenges. The report of the last meeting show ed that Members had a 
strong interest in this presentation and issues related to digital services.  
3.2.  The Chairperson  noted that in view of th e emergence of new classification issues, his 
predecessor  had encouraged Members to consider sharing experiences on how digital services, 
climate -related services , or renewable energy services were dealt with domestically in terms of data 
reporting and col lection. Thinking  this was a  very constructive suggestion , he invited delegates to 
comment.  
3.3.  Noting the methodologies used for collecting data on digitally ordered and digitally  delivered 
services , the representative of  the Philippines  asked whether  the Sec retariat had presented this 
Handbook within the context of the e -commerce work program me where t here was always a long 
debate on scope and definitions.  The Handbook concretely look ed at how statisticians and authorities  
were monitoring or tracking digital  transactions.  As a recommendation, p erhaps this analytical work 
could also  be presented within the context of the e -commerce work program discussions . 
3.4.  The representative of the Secretariat  stated that the  presentation given  to the Committee had 
focused on classification issues , though it had  also explained the methodology and some market 
trends . Should a presentation on the Handbook be requested in the context of  the e -commerce 
program me, the focus of the  request should be different.  
3.5.  The represe ntative of the Philippines  recall ed that the presentation at the last meeting of the 
CSC had focused on the conceptual  framework.  What he recommended was a future dedicated 
session in the context of the e -commerce work programme.  
3.6.  The representative of India thank ed the Secretariat for their presentation . Her capital was  
examining the details of the Handbook . She also thank ed the Secretariat for providing information 
on the technical assistance program me and the statistics capacity building by the four part ner 
organizations to assist the statistical  compilers around the world to develop digital trade statistics . 
She looked forward to the Chairperson's consultations.  
3.7.  The representative of China  also thanked the Secretariat  for their work on  the measurement 
of digital trade . He noted  the importance of this item  and fully underst ood the difficulty of the 
statistical work . The Secretariat's work and Members' efforts would provide a good basis for 
Members' need s in this regard . He hoped that goo d practice could be shared and that the Secretariat  
would provide  technical  support as usual.  This would  be useful work . 
3.8.  The Chairperson  stated that he would hold consultations on how to move forward the work 
under th is agenda item. He suggest ed that the C ommittee take note of statements made and revert 
to that item at the next meeting .  
3.9.  It was so agreed .  
4  ITEM D – SCHEDULING ISSUES   
4.1.  The Chairperson  recalled that his predecessor had drawn Members' attention to the APEC Model 
Schedule of Commitments for Environmental and Environmentally Related Services , which had been 
developed to assist APEC member economies to develop a schedule of commitments on 
environmental and environmentally related services based on the APEC Reference List of 
Environmental and Environmentally Related Services adopted by the APEC Group on Services in 
2021. He suggested that the Committee invite APEC to present its Model Schedule of Commitments 
for Environmental and Environmentally Related Services. His predecessor had rightly noted that this 
was an important initiative to make commitments on environmental services up to date as the entire S/CSC/M/9 3 
 
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  world was gearing up for the environmental and sustainability cause. He agree d with his predecessor 
that this was an area where th e Committee c ould do some work. He noted that  some Members had 
already responded to his predecessor's suggestion positively  at the last meeting .  
4.2.  The representative of Australia  stated that his delegation support ed the proposal, noting that 
APEC include d 21 diverse economies from across the development  spectrum.  APEC represent ed 
more than 2.9 billion people and over 60% of global GDP and the APEC Environmental  Services 
Initiative ha d been quite useful in considering  how to promote  trade in environmental services . 
4.3.  The representative of India reiterated her delegation's previous  comments , noting  that APEC 
was not a n observer of this Committee.  It might  not be advisable to invite APEC to make the 
presentation on this to pic. Instead, any APEC member c ould present on this issue . She looked 
forward to consultations by the Chair on this issue .  
4.4.  The representative of Canada  stated that her delegation  was strongly supportive of advancing 
work in the WTO in the area of environm ental services, including through TESSD  and other services -
focused WTO bodies . Part of Canada's  important work on advancing environmental services  in the 
WTO include d strengthening Members'  collective  understanding of this complex and evolving sectoral 
space which  was critical to global  transition  to a net -zero carbon economy.  Bringing in outside 
perspectives from valuable external partners , such as APEC was an important  part of this.  APEC ha d 
done some work in this are a through the development of the APEC Reference List  of Environmental 
and Environmental Related Services in 2021 . Thus, Canada would certainly support the 
Chairperson's suggestion to invite APEC to present the APEC  Model Scheduled Commitments for 
Environme ntal and Environmental Related Services at the next meeting of the Committee on Specific 
Commitments .  
4.5.  The representative of the Philippines  echoed the statements delivered by Australia and Canada . 
His delegation  would look  forward to the presentation of t he APEC Secretariat on ongoing work in 
this area . 
4.6.  The representative of the United Kingdom  supported the  statements by Australia, Canada, and 
the Philippines  on environmental services . Making progress on this very important topic at the WTO 
was a priority for the U nited Kingdom , and the presentation from the APEC Secretariat would 
certainly  help deepen Members'  understanding of this very complex and interesting topic . Her 
delegation  would  support the Chairperson's  suggestion to invite APEC to present the Model Schedule  
of Commitments for Environment al and Environmental ly Related  Services . 
4.7.  The representative of the European Union  supported the idea to invite APEC to present its 
Model Schedule of Commitments  for Envi ronmental and Environment ally R elated Services . Her 
delegation  viewed the APEC Model Schedule as a useful instrument to guide countries that want ed 
to take deeper commitments for environmental services in their bilateral or regional trade  
agreements . Her d elegation  saw value in hearing a presentation on that in more  detail from APEC 
in this Committee . 
4.8.  The representative of China  echoed other colleagues' support for  the idea to invite APEC to  
make the presentation . China  thought this would be  useful . 
4.9.  The Chairperson  stated that he would hold consultations on how to move forward the work 
under that agenda item. He suggested that the Committee take note of statements made and revert 
to that item at the next meeting.  
4.10.   It was so agreed .  
5  ITEM E – FUNCTIONI NG OF THE COMMITTEE IN THE CONTEXT OF WTO REFORM  
5.1.  The Chairperson  recalled that this agenda item had been initiated by his predecessor. An issue 
in the debate on WTO reform that was particularly relevant to this Committee was how to strengthen 
the work of W TO regular bodies, improve transparency under the existing agreements, and enhance 
WTO's monitoring and deliberation functions. As the new Chairperson, he had learned from the 
Terms of Reference of th is Committee that its primary function was to "oversee t he implementation 
of specific commitments". He had also learned that th at function ha d not been as well fulfilled as it S/CSC/M/9 3 
 
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  should have been. As a matter of fact, the Committee ha d become inactive in the last few years with 
very limited engagement by Members. In th at context, Members m ight wish to consider how to 
improve the functioning of this Committee.  
5.2.  The representative of India stated that her delegation's  ideas were not exact ly specific to the 
question that the Chairperson  had raised about how to reinvigorate  this Committee in terms of the 
substance, but were more general , regarding  the facilitation of  this Committee 's work . The WTO 
would  complete 30 years of its functioning o n 31 December  2024, post the signing of the Marrakesh 
Agreement . As this Organization enter ed its 30th year as the central pillar of the global multilateral 
trading  system, Members  had a collective opportunity to demonstrate their continued commitment  
to the work of the WTO, thereby strengthening its effectiveness . To this end, India had already 
proposed to galvani ze the collective resolve of th e Organization behind an initiative dubbed "30 for 
30", which was a Member -led effort to bring at least 30 operational improvements to the WTO , 
before the Organization complete d 30 years . The Organization would be able to showcase these 
incremental yet collectively very significant  transformational changes upon completi on of 30 years 
of its existence . The WTO b odies, including this Committee, c ould benefit from the operational 
efficiency  improvements through interventions which might  include technology adoption, cross -
pollination  of best practices amongst the WTO bodies , and adapting the working conventions in a  
way that benefit ed the delegates in Geneva and the capitals on a day -to-day basis . India thank ed 
the Secretariat for having prepared document S/C/W/433 , the comparison matrix of  the current 
functioning of the CTS and the CSC . India noted that the matrix had reflected some of India's  
suggestions for easily doable  practices for the CTS and the CSC, including the yearly work plan, 
annotated agenda, and more timely issuance of  minutes of meetings . India urged Members to 
consider other suggestions made in its submission . Particular attention was drawn to India's 
sugges tion to institute an annual LDC experience -sharing, where LDCs could present the gains made 
from the problem space, which could become inputs for the ongoing improvements to the multilateral 
trading system. India noted that  the WTO contribute d, with other international organi zations , to 
various studies . However, Members d id not play any role in selecting the topics , the identification of 
agencies  for the stud ies, the need for any such stud ies, or their analysis . These studies and the 
reports often contain ed only select ed views and were released as faits accompli s and th us creat ed 
distortions . India stood ready to engage constructively on this issue .  
5.3.  The representative of the United Kingdom  stated that the reform of this Committee and other 
committees across the WTO was key to the heart of the WTO reform agenda . In this context, the 
United Kingdom  had submitted to the Council for Trade in Services  a paper (S/C/W/452 ) entitled  
"Improving the Functioning of the Council for Trade in Services and its Subsidiary Bodies ". Ideas in 
the submission  could be carried across into the work of this Committee and other subsidiary bodies.  
The United Kingdom  looked forward to discussing further with Members and to taking part in the 
Chairperson's consultations . 
5.4.  The Chairperson  stated that he would hold cons ultations on how to move forward the work 
under that agenda item. He suggested that the Committee take note of statements made and revert 
to that item at the next meeting.  
5.5.  It was so agreed .  
6  ITEM F - OTHER BUSINESS  
6.1.  No intervention was made under that item.  
6.2.  The meeting was adjourned.  
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