. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/CTE/12 
14 October 2005 
 (05-4699) 
  
  
 
REPORT (2005) OF THE COMMIT TEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT 
 
 1. The Committee on Trade and Environment in Regular Session (CTE) held three meetings 
in 2005 under the chairmanship of Ambassador Naéla Gabr (Egypt) (February) and Ambassador 
Shree Baboo Chekitan Servansing (Mauritius) (July and October).
1 
2. The work of the CTE was organized in accordance with the mandate contained in 
Paragraph 32 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration (DMD).2  Particular attention was given to market 
access issues (Paragraph 32(i))3, the relevant provisions of the TRIPS Agreement (Paragraph  32(ii)), 
and labelling requirements for environmental purposes  (Paragraph  32(iii)).  The CTE also continued 
its analysis of the other items of its work progr amme.  Pursuant to Paragraph 33, Members discussed 
technical assistance, capacity building and enviro nmental reviews.  Unde r Paragraph 51, Members 
undertook to identify and debate the developmental and environmental aspects of the negotiations, in 
order to help achieve the objective of having su stainable development appropriately reflected.  
3. At the meeting of 22 February 2005, on Pa ragraph 32(i), regarding the effects of 
environmental measures on market access, Members considered how the CTE could move the 
discussion forward in a more structured way, and, more specifically, in the format of national 
experience sharing.  Regarding sector analysis, inputs were provided on the issue of illegal logging.  On Paragraph 33, with respect to environmental reviews and technical assistance, a number of 
delegations and observers informed the Committee of their recent activities (WT/CTE/GEN/17-19).  
Under Paragraph 51, there was general agre ement to hold a WTO Symposium on Trade and 
Sustainable Development within the Framework of Paragraph 51 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration 
on 10-11 October 2005.   
4. At the meeting of 6 July 2005, under Paragra ph 32(i), the CTE heard information regarding a 
Sub-regional Workshop on Environmental Require ments and Market Access for Electrical and 
Electronic Goods held in Thaila nd in May 2005, as well as a presentation on Key Findings of Recent 
Sector-focussed Activities of UNCTAD.  Discussions  were held subsequently, and a number of 
delegations believed that the CTE could reflect  on the results of and recommendations from the 
various workshops and case studies.  On sector anal ysis under Paragraph 32(i), the issue of illegal 
logging was discussed.  On other issues of its work programme, under Item 4 on transparency of trade 
measures used for environmental purposes, the CTE held discussions based on the Secretariat's note  
"Environmental Data Base for 2002" (WT/CTE/EDB/2) .  UNEP informed the CTE of the results of 
its recent Roundtable on Promoting Development and Su stainability in Fisheri es Subsidies Disciplines 
(WT/CTE/GEN/20).  On Paragraph 33, regarding e nvironmental reviews, de legations informed the 
CTE of their recent national activities.  Under Othe r Business, the Committee heard statements with 
respect to Brazil's concerns over the trade in used and retreaded tyres (WT/CTE/W/241). 
                                                     
 
1 The reports of the meetings are contained in documents WT/CTE/M/39-[41].  
2 Hereafter paragraph numbers refer to those of the Doha Ministerial Declaration. 
3 The full text of paragraph 32(i) reads:  "the ef fect of environmental measures on market access, 
especially in relation to developing countries, in partic ular the least-developed among them, and those situations 
in which the elimination or reduction of trade restrictions and distortions would benefit trade, the environment 
and development". WT/CTE/12 
Page 2  
 
 5. At the meeting of 11  October 2005, the Committee listened to statements concerning 
Paragraph 32(i) on the effects of environmental measures on market access, and Paragraph 32 (ii) on 
the TRIPS Agreement.  On Paragraph 33, Members held discussions with respect to environmental 
reviews, and the Secretariat informed the Committe e of its trade and environment technical assistance 
activities undertaken in 2005 and planned for the ye ar 2006.  Under Paragraph 51, discussions were 
held following a WTO Symposium on Trade and Sust ainable Development within the Framework of 
Paragraph 51 that had taken place prior to this me eting, and based on the updates from relevant WTO 
Divisions regarding the environment-related issues in the negotiations on Agriculture, Market Access 
for Non-agricultural Products, WTO Rules and on Services (WT/CTE/GEN/8/Suppl.1, 
WT/CTE/GEN/9/Add.1, WT/CTE/GEN/10/Suppl.1 and WT/CTE/GEN/11/Suppl.1 respectively).  
Moreover, the Committee adopted its 2005 Annual Report, and took note of the request from the 
Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countri es (OAPEC) for observer status in the Committee 
(WT/CTE/COM/11) and (WT/CTE/INF/6/Rev.2).  
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