WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(05)/29 
18 December 2005 
 (05-6189) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Sixth Session Hong Kong, 13 - 18 December 2005 Original:   English 
 
  
G77 DECLARATION FOR THE SIXTH WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
13-18 DECEMBER 2005, HONG KONG, CHINA 
 
Communication from the Democratic Republic of Congo
 
   The following communication, dated 7 December 2005, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of the Democratic Republic of C ongo on behalf of the Group of 77 and China. 
 
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DECLARATION 
  
1. We, members of the Group of 77 and China, rea ffirm our commitment to the eradication of 
poverty worldwide, the promotion of sustained ec onomic growth, sustainabl e development and global 
prosperity for all, particularly through further development of trading and financial system, as 
provided in the Millennium Declaration, and rest ated in 2005 World Summit outcome by our Heads 
of State and governments. 
2. Acknowledging that trade is not an end in it self but a means to development, peace and 
security, we aspire to strengthening the multilatera l trading system in a manner that promotes 
development, and be responsive to the needs of developing countries. 
3. In this regard, we recall the commitment made  in the outcomes of the Second South Summit 
held from 12-16 June 2005 in Doha, Qatar, to st riving for an open, rule-based, predictable, non-
discriminatory and equitable multilateral trading sy stem, to allow developing countries adequate 
policy space and for the pursuit of their national de velopment policy objectives, while complying with 
their commitments and obligations undertaken. 
4. We emphasize the importance of strengtheni ng multilateralism in the face of growing 
protectionist tendencies from developed countries, which have a considerable bearing on the ongoing 
World Trade Organization negotiations. 
5. We emphasize that Regional Tr ade Agreements (RTAs) should complement the goals of the 
multilateral trading system, and in this context stress the importance of clarifying and improving disciplines and procedures under the existing provisions  of the WTO applying to RTAs, in accordance 
with paragraph 29 of the Doha Ministerial Declar ation taking into account the developmental aspects 
of RTAs. 
6. We reaffirm the commitment made at the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade 
Organization, and in the Decision of 1 August 2004  of the General Council, to place development at 
the heart of the Doha Work Programme. WT/MIN(05)/29 
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 7. We call for a renewed political commitment of  all countries to address the inherent 
asymmetries and inequalities in the international mark et place, the structural limitations, inadequate 
supply capacities and the vulnerabilities of devel oping countries to the external economic and 
financial environment and the pressures that arise th erein, and to put in place a development-oriented 
multilateral trading system, both in words and in ac tion. in order to ensure that all countries, 
particularly developing countries, can benefit. 
8. Mindful that the Doha Work Programme placed the economic interests and development 
needs of developing countries at its centre, we express strong disappointment over the missed 
deadlines and the lack of progress in the negotiations within the WTO, especially on issues of direct 
interest and economic value to developing countries,  and note with concern the contrast between the 
objectives laid out in the Doha Work Programme and the proposals by developed countries in key 
areas of interest to developing countries, which fail to  take into account their interests and needs;  and 
jeopardize the development objectives of the Doha Development Agenda. 
9. We call on the participants of the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference to expedite the Doha 
negotiations with an aim to the su ccessful conclusion of the Doha R ound.  We strongly believe that a 
successful conclusion of the Doha negotiations that is development friendly will not only significantly 
sustain the confidence of developing countries in th e multilateral trading system but will also in the 
long run benefit the developed countries by crea ting a balanced and inclusive global economic 
system. 
10. We emphasize that, while developing countri es are committed to undertaking their 
international obligations, these undertakings may impo se high costs, and that given the differences in 
the levels of development between developed and developing countries and the possibility of 
countries to assume obligations, it is imperative th at identical obligations are not forced on unequal 
participants.  We further emphasize to integrate th e development dimensions into international rule-
making and that the international community must re main sensitive to this and take into account the 
need for flexibility and national policy space for c ountries while assuming international commitments. 
11. We stress the importance for all countries of c onsistency between national trade policies and 
the multilateral trade agreements.  In this regard, we  reiterate our concern and call for the elimination 
of the continuing use of coercive economic me asures against developing countries, through, inter alia,  
unilateral economic and trade sanctions which are in c ontradiction with internati onal law, in particular 
new attempts aimed at extraterritorial application of domestic law, which cons titute a violation of the 
United Nations Charter and of WTO rules and re iterate the urgent need to eliminate them 
immediately. 
12. We note that the benefits of the existing multilateral trading system have to put the 
development dimension into the core of commitments.   In this sense, we reaffirm the commitment by 
our Heads of State and governments at the 2005 Wo rld Summit to expeditiously working towards 
implementing the development dime nsions of the Doha Work Pr ogramme, and call upon our trading 
partners to make positive efforts to ensure that developing countries, especially the least developed 
among them, secure a share in the growth of worl d trade commensurate with the needs of their 
economic development. 
13. We stress the importance of an open, transparen t, inclusive, democratic and more orderly 
process and procedures for the effective functioning  of the multilateral trading system, including in 
the decision-making process, so as to enable devel oping countries to have their vital interests duly 
reflected in the outcome of trade negotiations. 
14. Bearing in mind the lack of progress on implemen tation issues, we reiterate the need for full 
and faithful implementation and the redress of ex isting imbalances arising from the Uruguay Round  WT/MIN(05)/29 
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 Agreement, which is an important step towards conf idence building and restori ng the credibility of the 
multilateral trading system and therefore must be meaningfully resolved, with urgency. 
15. We wish to stress once again that special and differential treatment, for developing countries 
is an integral part of all WTO Agreements and must be taken into account in all aspects of the 
negotiations.  We urge that further progress be made  to fulfil the mandate contained in paragraph 44 
of the Doha Ministerial Declaration and in the 1 August 2004 Decision of the General Council, that 
all S&D provisions be reviewed with a view to  strengthening them and making them more precise, 
effective and operational.  WTO Agreements shou ld address developmental needs of developing 
countries, particularly LDCs, in a more meaningf ul and effective manner.  We call upon developed 
countries to urgently undertake positive measures to respond to the development, and trade needs of 
developing countries, taking into consideration their s upply-side constraints, and shall take fully into 
account the special and differential treatment, incl uding through less than full reciprocity in reduction 
commitment for developing countries. 
16. We emphasize that it is essential to adopt appropriate measures to bridge the development 
divide including the technological gap between th e developing and developed countries and to work 
towards arrangements that facilitate the processes of technology transfer. 
17. We highlight that the work of examination of  the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement 
and the CBD shall continue on the basis of paragra ph 19 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, and the 
progress made in the Council for TRIPS to date and as appropriate take into account the latest 
discussions considered by other forums related to this issue. 
18. The Integrated Framework (IF) remains a viable  mandate for delivering coordinated trade and 
trade-related technical assistance to LDCs but  needs to be strengthened.  Strengthening the 
effectiveness of it would require, inter alia,  a significant resource increase, with a view to building up 
supply-side capacity, technological and physical infr astructure that would support diversification of 
LDCs production and export base.  The IF trus t fund requires adequate funding and greater 
transparency in its implementation, including the b asis for selecting beneficiary countries.  We also 
reiterate that the JITAP should be strengthened a nd expanded to a larger gr oup of African and other 
developing countries, with adequate funding. 
19. We reiterate that agriculture remains a fundamental and key sector for the overwhelming 
majority of WTO Members' economies specially for developing countries and that the successful 
conclusion of the Doha Work Progr amme negotiations depends largely on the success of agriculture 
negotiations.  A good outcome in the agriculture ne gotiations would provide the necessary impetus for 
progress in the other negotiating areas, which are also key to the successful conclusion of the Round. 
20. We emphasize that the modalities on agricultu re and NAMA should substantially improve 
market access opportunities for products of export interest to developing countries and the level 
playing field.  However, due regard should be given to the need for appropriate policy space for 
developing countries to pursue policies in a manner  consistent with thei r respective needs and 
concerns at different levels  of economic development. 
21. We reaffirm the need for WTO Members to find positive measures to address the negative 
impact of the erosion of preferences arising out  of the ongoing market access negotiations, including 
agriculture and non-agricultural market access negotiations. 
22. We underscore the need to give a positive consid eration to the trade-related issues pertaining 
to special products (SP), and special safegua rd mechanism (SSM) and the commodity sector. 
23. We urge our partners to im prove substantially and in co mmercially meaningful manner 
services offers, particularly on sectors and modes of supply of export interest to developing countries, WT/MIN(05)/29 
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 especially Mode 4 at all levels of skill.  We reaffi rm that any complementary approach to the services 
negotiations should be compatible with the GAT S and the negotiating guidelines.  We further 
emphasize that an outcome of services negotiations shall not erode flexibilities or negate the policy 
space of developing countries. 
24. We call for concrete and urgent response to be  given to the commitment to address cotton 
issues ambitiously, expeditiously and specifically, including through the adoption of a fast track, 
front-loading approach to eliminating trade measu res affecting cotton and providing development 
package to cotton producers. 
25. We recognize the serious adverse impact that long-term decline and sharp fluctuations in 
prices of primary commodities have on the po pulations of commodity dependent exporting 
developing countries, and underscore the need to  effectively address the trade-related issues 
pertaining to the commodity sector in WTO negotiations. 
26. We urge our trading partners to fully comp ly with the Modalities for Negotiating on Trade 
Facilitation.  We urge develope d country partners to increase fi nancial resources for enhancing 
technical cooperation and capacity-building suppor t in this area during and after the negotiations, 
including support for infrastructure development. 
27. We emphasize the importance of the strengthening  and attainment of the universality of the 
WTO membership and, in this context, call for accelerating the accession process without political 
impediments, in an expeditious and transparent manner and with fu ll observance of the principles of 
special and differential treatment for developing coun tries in particular LDCs applying to the WTO.  
Currently 29 countries, overwhelming number of which are amongst developing countries are 
negotiating their accessions to the WTO.  Acceding developing countries need to be assured of terms 
and conditions that comply with their development needs. 
28. We recognize the extensive commitments undertak en by the Recently Acceded Members to 
the World Trade Organization, and urge all WTO Members to extend the necessary flexibilities 
requested by those countries to balance the outcome of this round of negotiations. 
29. We are deeply concerned by the continued marginalization of the LDCs in the global 
economy and the continued deterioration of their economic and social conditions in spite of the 
commitments made by development partners at the Third UN Conference on LDCs in May 2001.  
Recalling those commitments we urge the develope d countries and relevant organizations of the 
UN system, including the Bretton Woods institutions  to increase concerted efforts and adopt speedy 
measures for meeting, in timely manner, the goals a nd targets of the Brussels Programme of Action in 
favour of the LDCs for the decade 2001-2010. 
30. We also urge all developed countries to imme diately grant bound duty-free, quota-free market 
access for all products from least devel oped country exports with simple, realistic and flexible rules of 
origin adapted to industrial profile of beneficiary LDCs. 
31. We underscore the mandate to examine issues re lating to the trade of small and vulnerable 
economies, as recognized in paragraph 35 of the Doha  Ministerial Declaration and reaffirmed in the 
General Council Decision of 1 A ugust 2004.  We urge WTO Members to address and adopt specific 
trade-related measures to ensure the fuller integr ation of small, vulnerable economies into the 
multilateral trading system. 
32. We urge WTO and its Members to enhance their cooperation with the United Nations 
Conference on Trade and Development as the focal poi nt within the United Nations System for the 
integrated treatment of trade and development a nd the interrelated issues of finance, technology, 
investment and sustainable development.  WT/MIN(05)/29 
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 33. We take note of current work on enhanc ing coherence and complementarity among the 
Bretton Woods institutions and the WTO, whose policies and obligations should be mutually 
supportive in promoting the development objective of the MTS, especially those of developing 
countries, with a view to ensuring policy cons istency, improved coordi nation on technical and 
financial assistance, reduction of the debt burden and eradicating poverty.  To this end, the imposition 
of cross conditionalities or additional cond itions on governments shall be avoided. 
34. We consider that developing countries continue  to be constrained among others by limited 
technical and institutional capacities to fully adapt th eir national laws and fulfil their obligations as 
required and take full advantage of the provisions of the multilateral trade agreements.  We urge 
developed country Members of the WTO to fulfil th eir obligations and undertakings with regard to 
capacity-building, and other technical assistance s upport to developing and le ast developed countries 
in letter and spirit.  There is a need to enhan ce and ensure the provision of necessary resources on a 
predictable and regular basis.  We call for st rengthening technical assistance and capacity-building 
activities of WTO, UNCTAD and other international agencies of United Nations and other relevant 
organizations, particularly in respect to trade negotiations. 
35. In this regard, we welcome the support provide d by our developed count ry partners on trade-
related technical assistance and capacity-building a nd the recent engagement of discussion on aid for 
trade, as an additional financial mechanism to st rengthen supply-side and infrastructure capacity, 
diversification of trade in developing countries, pa rticularly LDCs and address adjustment challenges 
and costs for their effective integration into the multilateral trading system. 
36. We emphasize that each country has the sove reign right to determine its own development 
priorities and strategies and that technical assistan ce should not be subject to any conditionality. 
37. We, the Group of 77 and China, reiterate our commitment to constructively engage in the 
negotiations for the success of the Ministerial Confer ence with the aim of reducing barriers to trade 
among nations and making the trading system more development-focused, in the spirit of cooperation 
and development solidarity.  We strongly call upon our developed country partners  to fully engage in 
the negotiations showing political will to realiz e the successful and balanced outcomes of the 
Conference and of the Doha negotiations by the end of 2006, and to reaffirm their political 
commitment made in Doha to foster a new spirit of  international cooperation based on the principle of 
shared benefits but differentiated responsibilities. 
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