WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
14 December 2010 
 
 (10-6724) 
Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries  
  
 
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BRUSSELS  PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR THE 
LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIE S FOR THE DECADE 2001-2010 
 
Report by the Director-General of the World Trade Organization
1 
 
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
 
 The international community, under the ausp ices of the United Nations framework, adopted 
the Brussels Programme of Action for the LDCs  for the decade 2001-2010 (BPOA), at the third 
United Nations Conference on Least-Developed Countri es, held in Brussels in 2001.  A decade later, 
the Fourth United Nations Conference on Least-D eveloped Countries (LDC-IV) will be held in 
Istanbul in May 2011, which will undertake an asse ssment of the results of the ten-year action 
programme contained in the BPOA, and will adopt new measures and strategies for the next decade. 
  As an input into the LDC-IV, this report has been prepared by the Director-General of the 
WTO under his own responsibility.  The report provides a factual analysis of the measures taken in 
the WTO over the past decade towards the attainment  of the goals and objectives set out in the BPOA, 
in particular under Commitment 5, entitled "Enha ncing the role of trade in development". 
  The report demonstrates that the WTO has ma de significant contributions to achieving the 
goals of the BPOA.  The trade-related objectives of the BPOA are an integral part of the WTO Work 
Programme for the LDCs which the Members ha ve been implementing since 2002.  The Doha 
Development Agenda (DDA) negotiati ons, which were launched only si x months after the adoption of 
the BPOA, have embraced the spirit and objectives of the BPOA with a view to beneficially integrating the LDCs into the global economy.  Fu rthermore, an increased focus on capacity building 
in the work of the WTO assists LD Cs to improve their trade capacity. 
 
 Since 2001, the trade performance of LDCs, as a group, has seen a gradual improvement.  The growth of LDC exports was higher than the wo rld average during 2000-2009.  The share of LDC 
exports in world merchandise trade reached clo se to 1 per cent in 2009 – nearly twice the level 
recorded a decade ago.  Though the overall share of LDCs in world trade in commercial services 
remained static around 0.4 to 0.5 per cent during th e period 2000-2009, trade in services has grown in 
importance for a number of LDCs.   In the DDA negotiations, WTO Members att ach special priority to addressing the 
marginalization of LDCs in international trade a nd to improving their effective participation in the 
multilateral trading system.  The Hong Kong Deci sion on duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market 
access for LDC products was a milestone in im proving the market access opportunities for LDC 
exports.  Most of the developed Members of the WTO provide close to 100 per cent DFQF market access to LDC products.  A number of developing countries, which are increasingly becoming key 
                                                     
 
1 The report, initially circulated as JOB/DEV/8, was considered at the 57th Session of the 
Sub-Committee on LDCs.  The present version of the report takes into account comments made by Members.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 2  
 
  trading partners of LDCs, have either adopted or are in the process of granting a significant degree of 
DFQF access to LDC products.   At the same time, LDCs are being accorded  a high degree of flexibility in all areas of 
negotiations ranging from agriculture to non-agriculture,  services, trade facilitati on, rules, etc., which 
is expected to help them pursue their developm ent objectives.  The LDCs are exempted from making 
any tariff reduction commitments, and are not exp ected to undertake any ne w commitments in the 
services negotiations.  In addition, WTO Members con tinue to respond to specific concerns of LDCs 
in the implementation of existing obligations (for in stance, the LDCs are granted additional transition 
periods to implement the TRIPS Agreement). 
 
 The WTO Secretariat has been attaching special priority to the LDCs in the delivery of its 
technical assistance and training programmes, esp ecially to strengthen human and institutional 
capacity in the LDCs.  During the period 2002-2009, on an average, the LDCs have been associated 
with 40 to 45 per cent of all trade-related technical as sistance (TRTA) delivered by the Secretariat.  In 
order to better assist the LDCs, a dedicated LDC Unit was established in the Secretariat in early 2003.  
The day-to-day support provided by this Unit and othe r parts of the Secretariat to the LDC delegations 
to the WTO in Geneva has helped to build a more informed participation of LDCs in the multilateral 
trading system and in their effective participation in the DDA negotiations.   The LDC Group, formed in 2001, has become an  active constituency over the years and today 
represents an important player in the decision- making process of the WTO.  Thirty LDCs were 
Members of the WTO in 2001.  Since then, three LD Cs (Cambodia, Cape Verde and Nepal) acceded 
to the WTO – although Cape Verde graduated from LD C status in December 2007, bringing the total 
number of LDC Members to 32.  A further 12 LDCs are in various stages of their accession process, representing 40 per cent of the total number of acceding governments to the WTO.  Greater efforts are 
being made to accelerate the accession of LDCs to the WTO.  The LDC Accession Guidelines, which 
were adopted in 2002, continue to  provide impetus to LDC accessions. 
  Recognizing the need to address the weakne sses in LDCs' trade capacity, the WTO has 
increased its collaboration with other institutions over  the last decade.  In fact, the Aid-for-Trade 
Initiative was launched in 2005 aiming at strengthe ning the supply-side capacity and trade-related 
infrastructure in developing countries, especially in the LDCs, through a strong global partnership.  
Today, LDCs are receiving increased Aid-for-Trade funding;  for example, in 2008, a quarter of 
Aid-for-Trade resources went to the LDCs.  The Enha nced Integrated Framework (EIF), which is the 
vehicle for the LDCs to access Aid-for-Trade fundi ng, is on the verge of covering all LDCs under its 
programme.  At present, 47 out of 49 LDCs ar e in different stages of the EIF process. 
 
 Notwithstanding the progress made in advancing the goals and objectives of the BPOA, it is 
important to acknowledge that a number of trade and development challenges remain.  LDC exports 
continue to be characterized by a concentra tion on a limited number of products, making them 
vulnerable to external shocks.  Supply-side constrai nts continue to be one of the major challenges for 
expansion of LDCs' trade.  The market access opportunities ha ve not been fully utilized, inter alia , 
due to certain non-tariff measures such as difficulty in  meeting rules of origin requirements.  Trade 
transaction costs are another area where immediate attention is warranted.  The international 
community should make concerted efforts to help  LDCs meet these challenges, including working 
towards an expeditious conclusion of the DDA.  The LDC-IV should build on the commitments made 
by the international community a decade ago fo r a strengthened rules-based multilateral trading 
system (MTS) that can advance LDC trade and thereby further the overarching goals of accelerating 
economic development and alleviating poverty in the LDCs.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 3 
 
 
  I. INTRODUCTION  
1. This report is prepared by the Director-General of the WTO under his own responsibility, as 
an input into the preparatory process for the LDC -IV which will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, in 
May 2011.  The note details the steps taken by the WTO in favour of LDCs during the decade of the 
BPOA, thereby contributing towards the attainment of the goals and objectives of the BPOA, in 
particular those included in Commitment 5 entitled "E nhancing the role of trade in development".  
The report builds on the information provide d in 2006 on the occasion of the Mid-Term 
Comprehensive Global Review of the implementation of the BPOA2, and other inputs provided 
periodically by the WTO Secretariat to the annual review of the implementation of the BPOA, held 
under the auspices of the UN General Assembly. 
2. Of the 49 countries designated by the United Nations as LDCs, 32 are WTO Members and a 
further 12 are in the process of acceding to the WTO.  The LDC WTO Members account for one fifth 
of the WTO Membership and therefore represent an important constituency in the WTO.  Members in 
the WTO recognize the vulnerabilities of the LDCs in the global economy and share the goal of beneficially integrating LDCs into the MTS.  As a result, LDCs continue to enjoy special focus in the 
WTO.  Measures taken in the WTO over the last d ecade have contributed significantly to achieving 
the goals of the BPOA, as well as the goals set out in the UN Millennium Declaration.  In fact, the 
BPOA and the DDA share the goal of building a strong global partnership with a view to accelerating 
economic development in the LDCs as well as to he lp them integrate beneficially into the global 
economy.  Progress in the implementation of the tr ade-related elements of the BPOA, which fall 
within the competence of th e WTO, are outlined below. 
II. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BRUSSELS PROGRAMME OF ACTION IN THE 
WTO 
3. The WTO is the global institution at  the centre of governing internati onal trade.  It is here that 
Members' implementation of WTO Agreements is monitored, their trade policies are reviewed and where disputes can be settled.  Further, the WTO provides a forum for negotiation of rules governing 
trade, and is a significant provider of TRTA and capacity building.   
4. The rules-based multilateral trading system em bodied in the WTO has created better trading 
conditions for over sixty years, cont ributing to a stable and secure c limate in international trade.  
WTO fosters an open, transparent and non-discrimin atory trade regime, ensuring smoother and freer 
flows of trade among its Members, thereby enhanci ng their economic growth and development.  The 
successive round of trade negotiations have greatly reduced impediments to trade.  The successful 
conclusion of the current Round of negotiations – the DDA – is expected to further create economic 
opportunities for all WTO Members, including the LDCs.  Moreover, the MTS has coped well with 
the strains placed on it by the unprecedented economic crisis experienced by the world since 2008.  
WTO's monitoring of trade policy measures has helped in resisting protectionist pressures and the imposition of new trade restrictions. 
A. 
THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA , COINCIDING WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF THE BRUSSELS 
PROGRAMME OF ACTION  
5. The year 2001 was an important year in the trajectory of trade and development policy.  It 
saw the launch of the implementation period of the BPOA as well as that of a new Round of 
multilateral trade negotiations at the WTO - th e DDA.  With the DDA and coinciding with the 
objectives of the BPOA, development concerns, especially those of LDCs, were for the first time 
placed at the heart of a multilateral Round of trade negotiations.  The emphasis placed on the 
                                                      
2 The report is contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/13. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 4  
 
  development dimension illustrates recognition that tr ade can play a major role  in the promotion of 
economic development and in the alleviation of pove rty.  It underscores that there is a direct 
correlation between integration into the multilate ral trading system, embodied by the WTO and 
economic growth, and further between growth and poverty reduction.   
6. The DDA was launched in November 2001, six m onths after the launch of the BPOA.  In 
launching the DDA, and in line with Commitment 5 of the BPOA, which focuses on "Enhancing the 
role of trade in development", WTO Trade Ministers sought to integrate trade-related elements of the 
BPOA into the WTO's own work.  Consequently, the work of the WTO, both in ongoing DDA 
negotiations as well as in its regular work includ ing TRTA, accords special attention to LDCs, and 
has contributed significantly to ach ieving the goals of the BPOA.  
7. At the Doha Ministerial Conference, Trade Ministers committed themselves to "addressing 
the marginalization of least-developed countries in in ternational trade and to improving their effective 
participation in the multilateral trading system".
3  They reaffirmed the commitments in the BPOA and 
agreed to "to take into account, in designing its wo rk programme for LDCs, th e trade-related elements 
of the Brussels Declaration and Programme of Action,  consistent with the WTO's mandate, adopted at 
LDC-III".4  Shortly after Doha, WTO Members adopted the Work Programme for LDCs in February 
2002, signalling an important step in implemen ting the trade-related objectives of the BPOA.5  The 
trade-related elements of the BPOA have been ma instreamed in the Work Programme for LDCs, the 
first of its kind in the WTO.6  The implementation of the Work Programme has been a priority for the 
Sub-Committee on LDCs, the dedicated body for LDC issues in the WTO, as well as for the Director-General. 
III. PARTICIPATION OF LDC
S IN THE DOHA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA 
NEGOTIATIONS 
8. The BPOA recognizes that a transparent, non- discriminatory and rules-based multilateral 
trading system is essential for LDCs to reap the potential benefits of globalization.  The Doha 
Declaration echoes the same goals.  It is a unique op portunity for LDCs to integrate into the MTS and 
benefit from an expansion of global trade.  As a re sult, the LDCs are among the active participants in 
the ongoing DDA negotiations and have secured a number of significant decisions in favour of them.  
While the LDCs are expected to gain from all ar eas of negotiations under the DDA, some of the key 
developments are outlined below. 
A. DUTY -FREE AND QUOTA -FREE MARKET ACCESS FOR LDC S 
9. Commitment 5 of the BPOA calls on development partners to improve market access for 
LDCs by working towards the objective of DFQF ma rket access for all LDCs' exports.  This goal is 
also shared in the Millennium Development Goals.7  In 2001, Trade Ministers at the Doha Ministerial 
Conference also committed to the objective of prov iding DFQF market access to LDC products as 
well as to consider "additional me asures for progressive improvements in market access for LDCs".  
Since then, significant progress has been made in  improving market access opportunities for LDCs.   
                                                      
3 Paragraph 3 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, contained in document WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1. 
4 Paragraph 42 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration. 
5 WT/COMTD/LDC/11. 
6 The LDC Work Programme, inter alia , advances the following core  elements of the BPOA:  
(i) market access;  (ii) accession;  (iii) TRTA and capaci ty building;  and (iv) supp ort for diversification of 
LDCs' production and export base. 
7 As an official indicator of Goal 8 of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, the 
proportion of imports from developing and least-develo ped countries (excluding arms and oil) admitted to 
developed countries duty free is regularly monitored and reported by the international community.    WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 5 
 
 
  10. The BPOA generated the momentum for enhancing market access for LDC products.  In fact, 
a number of developed countries announced impr ovements in their pref erential market access 
schemes prior to, or at the time of the Brussels Conf erence.  Immediately prior to the Conference, the 
European Union adopted its "Everything But Arms " (EBA) initiative to grant DFQF market access to 
LDC products.  Also, the United States adopted the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in 
2000 improving market access for Sub-Saharan count ries, many of which are LDCs – which is 
currently valid until 30 September 2015. 
11. Since the launch of the DDA, the DFQF initia tive received further impetus when Australia 
(2004), Canada (2003), Iceland (2002), New Zealan d (2001), Norway (2002), Switzerland (2004) 
either adopted DFQF market access schemes or made additional improvements in existing systems on 
market access for LDC products.  
12. The objective of achieving DFQF market acces s was concretized through the Decision on 
DFQF market access for LDCs (hereafter the "DFQF Decision") taken at the Hong Kong Ministerial 
Conference in 2005.  The Decision as contained in Annex F of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration 
(WT/MIN(05)/DEC) includes a number of elements.  On e of the provisions of that Decision stipulates 
that developed countries shall, and developing countries declaring themselves in a position to do so, 
should provide DFQF market access on a lasting basi s, for all products originating from all LDCs by 
2008 or no later than the start of the implementati on period in a manner that ensures stability, security 
and predictability.  It was also agreed that tho se countries facing difficulties in doing so, shall provide 
DFQF market access for at least 97 per cent of products originating from LDCs.  
13. Since the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, e fforts have been made to operationalize the 
DFQF Decision.  In April 2007, Japan notified amendments to its GSP which resulted in the 
expansion of product coverage in compliance with the DFQF Decision.  Today, Japan provides DFQF 
access to 98 per cent of tariff lines, and by import valu e the coverage is over 99 per cent.  Similarly, 
Switzerland amended its existing GSP in 2007, and since September 2009 it has been providing 
DFQF market access to all products from all LDCs.  It may also be noted that since October 2009, 
with the full liberalization of the transition provisi ons for imports of rice and sugar, the EU's EBA 
scheme has also been granting DFQF market access to all products from all LDCs (except arms and 
ammunitions).   
14. Although the timeline provided for in the DFQF Decision implies that Members can 
implement the DFQF Decision as part of the Single Undertaking of the Doha Round, by the end of 
2009, nearly all developed countries had met the conditions set out in the DFQF Decision by 
providing DFQF market access to all or to at least  97 per cent of products originating from LDCs.  
The US, which provided duty-free access to 82.5 per cent in terms of its tariff line in 2008, has 
expressed its commitment to the implementation of the DFQF Decision as part of the Single Undertaking of the DDA.  The US has also con tinued to provide market access for Sub-Saharan 
African countries through the extension of the AGOA programme, as well as to the LDCs in the 
Caribbean Region (Haiti) through the Caribbean  Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA).  
15. Developing countries have also undertaken ma rket access schemes for LDCs providing a 
significant degree of DFQF market access to LDC pr oducts.  India, in April 2008, announced its Duty 
Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme for LDCs.  Th e scheme is envisaged to provide DFQF market 
access for all LDCs on 85 per cent of its tariff lines within a five-year time frame (2008-2013), covering 92.5 per cent of LDC exports to India.
8  In May 2009, Korea informed Members that it had 
been offering LDCs duty-free market access for 80 per cent of all nationa l tariff lines and was 
considering the expansion of its duty-free product coverage.9  At the Seventh WTO Ministerial 
                                                      
8 WT/COMTD/M/69. 
9 WT/GC/M/120. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 6  
 
  Conference held in December 2009, Brazil announ ced that it would grant DFQF market access to 
LDCs covering 80 per cent of all tariff lines by th e middle of 2010, and thereafter, the DFQF access 
for all tariff lines would be integrated over a period of  four years.  In addition, China informed that 
zero tariff treatment would be further phased-in fo r 95 per cent of products from African LDCs 
having diplomatic relations with China, st arting with 60 per cent of products in 2010.
10   
16. In order to continue to provi de legal cover for such preferential treatment provided by 
developing countries, WTO Members, in 2009, adopted the extension of the waiver concerning preferential tariff treatment for LDCs until 2019, whic h will continue to allow the developing country 
Members to provide preferential tariff treatment to products of LDCs without being required to extend 
the same tariff rates to like products of any other Members.
11  This is expected to further encourage 
developing countries to establish preferential sc hemes for LDCs and to further strengthen 
South-South cooperation in trade. In May 2009, the General Council also adopted, among others, a 
waiver for AGOA (WT/L/754).  The waiver which w ill remain valid until 30 September 2015, allows 
the US to provide duty-free treatment to eligible  products originating in beneficiary Sub-Saharan 
countries which include a large number of LDCs.  At  the same time, the General Council renewed the 
waiver concerning the CBERA (WT/L/753) until 31 December 2014, allowing the US to provide 
preferential tariff treatment to eligible products originating in designated beneficiary countries, 
including Haiti, which is a LDC. 
17. While there is evident progress, LDCs continue  to pursue the goal of attaining commercially 
meaningful market access for their products.  Th e LDC Group submitted a proposal to this effect 
where in order to meet the minimum 97 per cent be nchmark, they call on developed countries to 
provide DFQF market access in all tariff lines in  which positive duties are still applied to LDC 
existing exports, with a view to progressi vely achieving the 100 per cent coverage.12   
18. The WTO's Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) is undertaking annual reviews of 
the steps taken by Members to provide DFQF mark et access to the LDCs.  Since the adoption of the 
DFQF Decision in 2005, there have been four su ch annual reviews – 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 in 
the CTD.  In addition to this regular monitori ng, market access conditions for LDC exports are 
examined by the Sub-Committee on LDCs includi ng through annual reviews by the Secretariat.13   
- Preferential Rules of Origin 
 
19. Commitment 5 of the BPOA calls on developed pa rtners to simplify rules of origin that 
provide transparency and predictability in granti ng improved market access for LDCs.  This call was 
reiterated by WTO Ministers when agreeing to the DFQF Decision in 2005, stipulating the need to 
ensure that "preferential rules of origin applicab le to imports from LDCs are transparent and simple, 
and contribute to facilitating market access".  Purs uant to this, discussion on preferential rules of 
origin had been initiated in the WTO in 2006 with the submission of a proposal by the LDCs, which 
calls for an across-the-board rules of origin framewo rk, based on a percentage criterion of the value of 
local material.14  The LDCs are currently in the process of finalizing a revised proposal building on 
the one submitted in 2006.   
20. Since 2001, some developed countries have introduced reforms in their rules of origin, 
contributing to increased exports from LDCs.  For in stance, in 2003, Canada introduced new rules of 
origin requirements covering textile  and apparel products, which have resulted in an increase in the 
                                                      
10 WT/COMTD/M/77. 
11 WT/L/759. 
12 TN/CTD/W/31. 
13 The latest market access review is cont ained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/48. 
14 The LDC proposal on preferentia l rules of origin is contained in document TN/CTD/W/30.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 7 
 
 
  volume of imports from the LDCs to Canada.15  A number of LDCs in Africa have also been able to 
take advantage of the rules of origin  associated with the US AGOA scheme.  
21. The work on the reform of the EU's preferential rules of origin has been completed.  All GSP 
beneficiaries, including the LDCs, will be eligible to  access the relaxed rules of origin criteria which 
are expected to be implemented from January 2011 .  In parallel, the LDCs in the ACP region are 
negotiating specific rules of origin requirements in  the context of Economic Partnership Agreements 
(EPAs).   
22. The approach taken by preference-granting co untries in conferring origin has not been 
uniform.  For example, in order to ensure substan tial transformation,  some schemes (e.g. Canada and 
the EU) use a value-addition method, while some ot hers (e.g. Japan) mostly determine transformation 
on the basis of change of tariff classification.   
B. LDC S AND THE AGRICULTURE NEGOTIATIONS  
23. The DDA has embraced the BPOA's objective of securing a fair and market-oriented 
agricultural trading system.  Agriculture is th e backbone of many LDC economies, as the sector 
accounts for a large share of GDP in some cases up to 60 per cent, and an even bigger share of 
employment.  Agriculture remains the sector with th e greatest growth potential and the most direct 
route for reducing poverty.  A successful conclusion of the DDA agriculture negotiations will lead to 
the elimination of export subsidies as well as re ductions in domestic suppor t and thus represent the 
most promising avenue for substantive trade ga ins for the LDCs.  LDCs will enjoy substantial 
improvements in market access for their agricultural exports, in par ticular through the implementation 
of the DFQF Decision.  The DDA will also address the issue of tariff escalation improving export 
opportunities for higher value and processed products from LDCs.16 
24. The agriculture negotiations have also taken a flexible approach to allow LDCs space to 
pursue their development objectives.  For exampl e, the framework for establishing modalities in 
Agriculture stipulates that LDCs are not required to undertake reduction commitments.17  Another 
illustration of flexibility being considered for deve loping countries and LDCs is the possible use of 
the Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) to manage  the risk of sudden import surges or price 
declines.   
25. All LDCs are net food-importers and face chr onic food deficits.  The negotiations seek to 
ensure that disciplines developed in the ar ea of food aid do not limit the role of bona fide  international 
food aid.  Provisions are being contemplated to en sure that food aid does not have the effect of 
disrupting the domestic markets of the recipient countries, or of displacing commercial exports of 
other countries, or of being used as a disguised means to circumvent export subsidy commitments.  
The disciplines being developed will also allow the LDC governments to play their due role in the 
food aid operations. 
26. Another area of critical importance to the LDCs is Cotton to which WTO Members are also 
according special priority.  A Sub-Committee on Cott on was created in 2004 to deal with all trade 
distorting policies affecting the sector.  Member s have agreed to the objective of reducing 
trade-distorting domestic support for cotton production more ambitiously than under whatever general 
formula is agreed in the negotiations and that it should be implemented over a shorter period of time 
                                                      
15 See the Secretariat Note entitled "Options fo r Least-Developed Countries to Improve their 
Competitiveness in the Textiles and Clothing Busi ness" contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/37. 
16 The latest draft agriculture modalities text is contained in document TN/AG/W/4/Rev.4. 
17 WTO General Council Decision of 1 August 2004 ("the July Package"), contained in 
document WT/L/579. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 8  
 
  than generally applicable.  LDC cotton exports are to receive DFQF treatment by developed Members 
from the date of the implementation period of th e DDA.  WTO Members have also recognized the 
coherence between the trade and development asp ects of the cotton issue.  To scale up cotton 
development assistance, a consultative framework on  cotton was established in 2004 under which the 
Director-General of the WTO is coordinating with  the development community to mobilize resources 
towards the development of economies in which cotton plays a vital role.  This dual track – 
addressing simultaneously trade and development asp ects of cotton – has been a unique initiative in 
the WTO responding to the specific concerns of LDCs in a particular commodity.   
C. 
LDC S AND NON -AGRICULTURAL MARKET ACCESS  
27. The non-agricultural market access (NAMA) ne gotiations also offer promise of improved 
market access to LDCs.18  This will come, inter alia , through the implementation of the DFQF 
Decision as well as through the reduction or elimination of non-tariff barriers.  Like in the area of 
agriculture, the framework modalities for NAMA stipul ate that LDCs would not be required to apply 
the tariff reduction formula nor participate in the sectorial approach.19  LDCs are only expected to 
substantially increase their level of binding commit ments, which is voluntary in nature and where 
LDCs are the judge of the extent and level of bindings of their tariff lines.   
28. The NAMA negotiations continue to advance the implementation of the DFQF Decision.  In 
this regard, the latest draft NAMA modalities text provides for negotiations on a date for submitting information on the product coverage under the DFQF commitment for at least 97 per cent of products 
originating from LDCs.  In addition, the Nego tiating Group on Market Access would develop a 
monitoring procedure to review progress in the implementation of the DFQF Decision including in 
respect of rules of origin that would accompany the DFQF schemes.   
29. A majority of the LDCs are preference dependent .  As a result, the challenges LDCs may face 
from erosion of preference margins resulting from MF N tariff reductions have been recognized;  and 
solutions are being explored, including through l onger transition periods to delay the implementation 
of MFN tariff cuts on certain products vulnerable to preference erosion in the markets of the EU and 
the US, as well as through mech anisms such as the EIF and the Aid-for-Trade Initiative.
20 
30. The reduction or elimination of non-tariff barrier s (NTBs) is an integral part of the NAMA 
negotiations.21  In recent months the African Group in the WTO, the majority of whose members are 
LDCs, has shown an active interest in the NTB propo sals submitted in the negotiations.  It should be 
noted that the LDCs are part of the proponents of the horizontal proposal on procedures for facilitating solutions to NTBs.
22 
D. LDC S AND NEGOTIATIONS ON TRADE IN SERVICES  
31. The BPOA recognized the significant role that trade in services can play in promoting 
economic development in LDCs.  Commitment 5 of  the BPOA calls on development partners to 
remove restrictions and enhance market acces s opportunities for services exports from LDCs, as 
                                                      
18 The latest draft NAMA modalities text is contained in document TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3. 
19 The attention of Members is drawn to the loss of tariff revenue by countries such as Lesotho which is 
a member of a customs union with non-LDCs subject to the formula for tariff reduction.  Appropriate flexibility 
is being considered in this regard.    
20 Solutions are also being sought for LDCs which do not enjoy preferences for certain products which 
are of vital importance to them and which would be  disproportionately affected by the delay in the 
implementation of tariff cuts on those products. 
21 So far, 13 NTB textual proposals, including both horizontal as well as vertical proposals, have been 
submitted. 
22 TN/MA/W/88 and TN/MA/W/106/Rev.1.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 9 
 
 
  provided for in relevant WTO Agreements, in areas of  export interest to them.  At the WTO, the DDA 
too, emphasizes the need for increased  participation of LDCs in services trade.  WTO Ministers in 
Doha mandated that services negotiations should be conducted with a view to promoting the 
economic growth of all trading partners and th e development of developing and least-developed 
countries.   
32. Accordingly, the Special Session of the Council for Trade in Services, in September 2003, 
adopted modalities for the special treatment of LD Cs in the services negotiations, which provide 
maximum flexibility to LDCs in undertaking commitments.23  One key aspect of these modalities is 
that it asks Members to give priority in providing effective market access to sectors and modes of supply of export interest to LDCs.  At the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, WTO Members agreed 
to the full and effective implementation of these modalities, including by developing appropriate 
mechanisms for according special priority to sectors a nd modes of supply of export interest to LDCs.  
The LDCs have pursued implementation of this pr ovision, with current negotiations focussing on the 
possible adoption of a waiver from the MFN oblig ations of the General Agreement on Trade in 
Services, thereby allowing Members to grant prefer ential market access to LDC services and service 
suppliers.  It is hoped that with the adoption of th is waiver, the opportunities for LDCs in services 
trade would be further enhanced. 
33. In the course of the current round of multilate ral trade negotiations, LDCs have collectively 
identified only one mode of supply of export interest  to them, namely mode 4 (presence of natural 
persons supplying services).  The LDC plurilate ral proposal essentially seeks access for four 
categories of natural persons de-linked from comme rcial presence:  independent professionals;  
business visitors; contractual service suppliers; and others.  The categories identified under "others" 
include:  (i) installers and "servicers";  (ii) forei gn-based self-employed transport services providers or 
foreign personnel of carriers/vessels under a foreign fl ag;  and (iii) graduate trainees.  This request 
from LDCs also proposes common definitions for each  of these categories;  identifies the main 
barriers to be tackled and the general access conditi ons to be provided;  and also addresses other 
regulatory concerns (e.g. transparen cy;  qualification procedures).   
34. Domestic regulation negotiations in services are also taking into account LDC interests.  
These negotiations deal with development of disci plines on licensing and qualifications requirements 
as well as procedures and technical standards, in ac cordance with Article VI.4 of the GATS.  For 
example, the request from LDCs to be excluded fro m the requirement to impl ement these disciplines, 
owing to weaknesses in their regulatory capacity, is being taken into account.  However, owing to the 
systemic importance of domestic regulation, and its  role in underpinning utilization of market access 
commitments, LDCs are urged to apply these discip lines to the extent compatible with their special 
economic situation and their development, trade and financial needs.  Furthe rmore, negotiations have 
also called for technical assistance to LDCs, incl uding for developing and st rengthening institutional 
and regulatory capacities to regulate the supply of ser vices and to implement these disciplines as well 
as assisting LDC service suppliers to meet the relevant requirements a nd procedures in export 
markets. 
E. 
LDC S AND NEGOTIATIONS ON TRADE FACILITATION  
35. Commitment 5 of the BPOA calls on development partners to assist LDCs in removing 
procedural and institutional bottlen ecks that increase trans action costs, including through efforts to 
improve efficiency, efficacy and transparency by the implementation of trade facilitation measures.  
LDCs fully recognize the potential gains, including  from a competitiveness standpoint, of simplifying 
                                                      
23 TN/S/13. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 10  
 
  customs procedures and reducing costs and time in the clearance of goods, especially in the case of 
the 16 landlocked LDCs.
24   
36. In July 2004, as part of the Framework Decision, WTO Members agreed to commence 
negotiations on Trade Facilitation with a goal to clarify and improve relevant aspects of GATT Articles V (freedom of transit), V III (fees and formalities connected w ith importation and exportation) 
and X (publication and administration of trade regulations).
25  The Decision recognizes the 
importance of special and differential treatment (S&D) for developing and least-developed Members, 
especially related to the extent and timing of ente ring into commitments, which would be related to 
their implementing capacities.  More specifically, Members agreed that LDC Members would "only be required to undertake commitments to the extent  consistent with their individual development, 
financial and trade needs or their administrative and institutional capabilities".
26   
37.  The modalities for negotiations on trade facilita tion encourage Members to assess their trade 
facilitation needs and priorities.  The importance of  such assessments was reit erated in the Hong Kong 
Ministerial Declaration.  In response, the WTO Se cretariat in cooperation with other organizations 
(IMF, OECD, UNCTAD, World Bank and WCO) la unched a programme to provide technical 
assistance to WTO Members and Observers, upon re quest, to conduct a national self-assessment of 
their individual trade facilitation needs and priorities.   Focus is on the different proposals tabled in the 
negotiations (i.e. on how to clar ify and improve GATT Articles V, VIII and X) and is based on a 
Self-Assessment Guide for the Negotiations on Tr ade Facilitation, developed jointly by these 
organizations.  As of October 2010, 33 LDCs had conducted such assessments.  
38. In addition to the regular technical assist ance and capacity-building activities on trade 
facilitation conducted by the WTO Secretariat at national and regional level, support has been 
provided in the form of funding capital-based expert s to attend meetings of  the Negotiating Group on 
Trade Facilitation in Geneva.   
39. While the LDCs, as a group, have not tabled any proposal specific to the three Articles under 
the trade facilitation negotiations, several LDCs  have co-sponsored proposals teaming up with 
developed and developing countries.  Examples incl ude:  (i) a proposal by Rwanda, together with 
Paraguay and Switzerland, on improving and clarifying  the provisions of GATT Article V with a view 
to expediting the movement of goods in transit;27  (ii) a proposal by Uganda, with the US, on the 
prohibition of requirement of consular transactions, including consularization related fees and charges 
in connection with the importation of goods;28  and (iii) a proposal by the Solomon Islands, with 
Barbados, Cuba, Fiji and Papua New Guinea, on regi onal approaches to trade facilitation, including 
on the establishment of Enquiry Points.29   
40. At the group level, LDC engagement in the tr ade facilitation negotiations has largely focused 
on S&D treatment, including on technical assistance a nd capacity building.  In July 2007, the LDC 
Group, jointly with the African Group, ACP Gr oup and the Core Group of Developing Countries, 
submitted a proposal on technical assistance and capacity-building support linked to the 
implementation of trade facilitation obligations.30  Of special concern to the LDCs is the potential cost 
implications and their ability to effectively impl ement the disciplines that may be agreed in the 
                                                      
24 Landlocked LDCs are:  Afghan istan, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, 
Chad, Ethiopia, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia. 
25 The modalities for the negotiations on Trade Facilita tion are included in Annex D of the Framework 
Agreement, contained in document WT/L/579.   
26 Paragraph 3 of Annex D of the Framework Agreement is contained in document WT/L/579. 
27 TN/TF/W/39, TN/TF/W/119, TN/TF/W/133. 
28 TN/TF/W/22, TN/TF/W/86, TN/TF/W/104. 
29 TN/TF/W/129/Rev.1. 
30 TN/TF/W/147.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 11 
 
 
  negotiations.  WTO Members and the Secretariat seek to respond to the concerns of LDCs, including 
through the Framework Decision of 2004.  
F. SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT  
41. Commitment 5 of the BPOA calls  on development partners to implement "in full and as a 
matter of priority, the special and differential meas ures in favour of LDCs as contained in the Final 
Act of the Uruguay Round".  In addition, it calls fo r new measures for LDCs to be considered as part 
of future multilateral trade negotiations.  WTO Minist ers in Doha reaffirmed that provisions for S&D 
were "an integral part of the WTO Agreements", and took note of the concerns expressed regarding 
their operation in addressing specific constraints faced  by LDCs.  Moreover, they agreed that "all 
special and differential treatment provisions shall be reviewed with a view to strengthening them and 
making them more precise, effective and operational".31  
42. Since Doha, the LDCs submitted around 25 proposals to the Special Session of the 
Committee on Trade and Development.32  In the run-up to the Cancún Ministerial Conference in 
September 2003, a total of 88 proposals submitte d by various developing Members including LDCs 
were classified into three broad categories.  Tw enty-eight of these (Agreement-specific proposals) 
were agreed to in principle at that time.  Th is package of 28 proposals remains to be adopted. 
43. Progress was made in particular with regard to LDCs when at the Hong Kong Ministerial 
Conference in 2005, WTO Ministers agreed to fi ve LDC Agreement-specific proposals.  These are 
contained in Annex F of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration, and fall on mainly three WTO legal 
instruments:  (i) the Understanding in Respect of Waivers of Obligations under the GATT 1994;  
(ii) the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures;  and (iii) the Decision on Measures in 
Favour of LDCs.   
44. Since the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference,  the work of the Special Session of the 
Committee on Trade and Development has continue d discussions on some Agreement-specific 
proposals and on the scope, structure and terms of reference of the Monitoring Mechanism on S&D 
provisions.   
45. At their Ministerial meeting in Maseru (2008), LDC Ministers called for the establishment of 
a simple, practical and efficient monitoring mechanism that compliments other existing and proposed monitoring mechanisms, allowing for a regular revi ew of the implementation and effectiveness of 
S&D provisions in the existing agreements in lin e with paragraph 44 of the Doha Ministerial 
Declaration as well as provisions that will result from the current Round of negotiations (WT/L/719).   
G. 
TRADE -RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS   
46. The flexibility of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 
(TRIPS) and the linkages between TRIPS and access to medicines are of critical importance to the 
LDCs.  Commitment 5 of BPOA contains several provi sions on transfer of technology which is also a 
key issue for the LDCs in the WTO.  In the past de cade, a number of actions have been taken at the 
WTO to address the needs and concerns of LDCs in the area of TRIPS.  
47. The need for technology to support production processes as well as develop industrial 
capacity is a challenge for many LDCs.  In th is regard, LDCs have sought more effective 
implementation and operationaliza tion of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, which requires 
developed countries to "provide incentives to enterp rises and institutions in th eir territories for the 
                                                      
31 Paragraph 44 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration. 
32 The LDC proposals submitted in 2002 are cont ained in documents TN/CTD/W/4 and Add.1. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 12  
 
  purpose of promoting and encouraging technology tr ansfer to least-developed country Members in 
order to enable them to create a sound and viable technological base".  At the Doha Ministerial Conference, as part of the Decision on Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns, WTO Ministers agreed that the TRIPS Council would "put in pl ace a mechanism for ensuring the monitoring and full 
implementation of the obligations".  Pursuant to this Decision, in February 2003, the TRIPS Council 
adopted a Decision on "Implementation of Article  66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement", which requires 
developed country Members to s ubmit annual reports on actions take n or planned in pursuance of 
their commitments under Article 66.2.
33  The Decision also puts in  place a mechanism for ensuring 
the monitoring and full implementation of  the obligations under Article 66.2. 
48. Since the adoption of the Decision, the TRIP S Council has conducted several such annual 
reviews, based on reports from deve loped countries.  In addition, since 2008, the WTO Secretariat has 
been organizing workshops on an annual basis in  order to achieve a better understanding of the 
operation of Article 66.2 and to establish a dial ogue between LDC benefi ciaries and donors.  
49. In recognition of the particular requests of LDCs for maximum flexibility in the 
implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, in particular laws and regulations in order to enable them to 
create a sound and viable technological base, the TRIPS Agreement accorded a transition period of 
ten years (i.e. until the end of December 2005) for LDCs to implement provisions contained in the 
Agreement.34  In November 2005, WTO Members agr eed to extend the transition period until 
1 July 2013.35  This Decision thus allows the LDCs an ex tra transition period to delay the application 
of the TRIPS Agreement.   
50. The November 2005 Decision also called on LDCs to provide information on their individual 
priority needs for technical and financial cooperati on in order to assist them in taking steps necessary 
to implement the TRIPS Agreement.  Pursuant to  this provision, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, 
Tanzania and Uganda submitted their needs as sessments to the TRIPS Council between 2007 and 
2010.36  Uganda and Sierra Leone translated their needs assessments into na tional capacity-building 
assistance programmes and Tanzania plans to do the same.37  Moreover, the WTO Secretariat has 
organized several workshops, including national and regional ones, as well as in Geneva, to enable 
LDCs, developed countries and specialized instituti ons to exchange views and share experiences, 
including on the examination of ways to make u se of existing mechanisms such as the EIF and the 
wider Aid-for-Trade Initiative.38  
51. LDCs have stressed the importance of applying  the TRIPS Agreement in a manner supportive 
of their right to protect public health, including  access to medicines for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, 
Malaria and other epidemics which continue to pl ague the lives of their population.  The Doha 
Ministerial Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health adopted in November 2001, 
ensured that the TRIPS Agreement is to be interp reted in a way that it protects public health and 
promotes access to medicines for all.39  The Declaration exempted LDCs from providing patent 
protection for pharmaceutical products until 1 January 2016.  This was given legal effect through a 
                                                      
33 IP/C/28. 
34 TRIPS Article 66.1. 
35 IP/C/40. 
36 Contained in documents IP/C/W/546 for Bangladesh, IP/C/W/548 and Add.1 for Rwanda, 
IP/C/W/499 for Sierra Leone, IP/C/W/552 for Tanzania, and IP/C/W/500 for Uganda. 
37 Contained in documents IP/C/W/510 for Uganda and IP/C/W/523 for Sierra Leone. 
38 The Secretariat note entitled "LDC Members' Prio rity Needs Assessments:   The Aid-For-Trade 
Initiative and the Enhanced Integrated Framework" contained in document IP/C/W/544. 
39 WT/MIN(01)/DEC/2.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Decision of the TRIPS Council40, and another Decision of the Ge neral Council that waived the 
exclusive marketing rights provisions of Article 70.9 for the same period.41   
52. Ministers in Doha also recognized the problem of countries with insufficient or no 
manufacturing capacities in the pharmaceutical sect or in making effective use of compulsory 
licensing, and  instructed the TRIPS Council to d ecide on how to ensure that countries unable to 
produce pharmaceuticals domestically can obtain suppli es of copies (generics) of patented drugs from 
other countries.  In particular, as Article 31(f) of  the TRIPS Agreement provides that products made 
under compulsory licensing must be "predominantly fo r the supply of the domestic market", some 
expressed concerns that this could limit the amount of  drugs that could be exported to countries in 
need of these drugs.  In order to solve this  problem, the WTO General Council adopted on 30 
August 2003 a Decision that waives in certain ci rcumstances Articles 31(f) and (h) of the TRIPS 
Agreement.42  Furthermore, since the 2003 waivers were  an interim solution, in December 2005, 
WTO Members agreed to amend the TRIPS Agreement by making it a permanent solution for countries with insufficient or no manufacturing capac ity such as LDCs to obtain cheaper generic 
versions of patented medicines.
43  The amendment will come into fo rce when two thirds of the WTO 
Members notify their acceptance to it. 
IV. ACCESSION  OF LDC S 
53. Commitment 5 of the BPOA calls for the streamlining of WTO accession requirements to 
ensure that the accession process is more effectiv e, less onerous and tailored to LDCs' specific 
economic conditions.  It further calls on WTO Memb ers to exercise restraint in seeking concessions 
from LDCs in their accession negotiations.  Echoing th e spirits of the BPOA, at the Doha Ministerial 
Conference in 2001, WTO Ministers stressed the im portance of concluding accession negotiations, in 
particular those of LDCs, "as quickly as possible"  and agreed to work to "facilitate and accelerate 
accession negotiations with acceding LDCs".   
54. At the time of the Doha Ministerial Confer ence, no LDCs had been able to accede to the 
WTO since the organization's establishment in 1995 .  The LDCs considered that cumbersome and 
time-consuming procedures as well as lack of clear and objective rules and disciplines for accession 
negotiations posed serious difficulties for LDCs seeking accession.  Acceding LDCs therefore sought a more streamlined process of accession, under terms c onsistent with their development, financial and 
trade needs, as well as the ability to take on commitm ents that are not higher than those existing for 
LDC Members.   
55. Since 2001, concrete progress has been made  to facilitate and accelerate accession 
negotiations for LDCs.  Pursuant to calls made at the Doha Ministerial Conference, WTO Members 
adopted the Guidelines on LDC Accession in December 2002.
44  The Decision calls for LDCs' 
accessions to be facilitated and accelerated through si mplified and streamlined procedures with a view 
                                                      
40 IP/C/25. 
41 WT/L/478. 
42 WT/L/540 and Corr.1.  The Decision contains three waivers: (i) a waiver of the obligation of an 
exporting Member under Article 31(f) of the TRIPS Agreem ent to the extent necess ary for the purposes of 
production and export of the needed pharmaceutical products to those count ries that do not have sufficient 
capacity to manufacture them;  (ii) a waiver of the obligation under Article 31(h) of the TRIPS Agreement on 
the importing country to provide adequate remuneration to the right holder in situations where remuneration in 
accordance with Article 31(h) is being paid in the exporting Member for the same products;  and (iii) a waiver 
of the obligation under Article 31(f) of the TRIPS Agreemen t on any developing country or LDC that is party to 
a regional trade arrangement at least half of the curren t membership of which is ma de up of countries presently 
on the UN list of LDCs. 
43 WT/L/641. 
44 The guidelines are contained in document WT/L/508. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 14  
 
  to concluding the negotiations as quickly as possi ble, and sets out guidelines with respect to:  
(i) market access;  (ii) WTO rules;  (iii) th e process;  and (iv) TRTA and capacity building. 
56. These Guidelines provided new impetus to LDC accession, resulting in the adoption of the 
accession packages for Cambodia and Nepal by WTO Me mbers at the Fifth Ministerial Conference 
held in Cancún, Mexico, in September 2003.  They  became the first two LDCs to complete their 
accession under Article XII of the WTO Agreement.  In December 2007, Cape Verde concluded its 
accession negotiation before its graduation from the LDC status and became a full Member in July 2008.
45  Other LDCs at varying stages of the accessi on process have also been assisted by these 
Guidelines.  Today, 12 LDCs are in various st ages of their accession process representing 40 per cent 
of the total number of acceding governments to the WTO – Afghanistan, Bhutan, Comoros, Ethiopia, 
Equatorial Guinea, Lao PDR, Liberia, Samoa, Sa o Tome and Principe, S udan, Vanuatu and Yemen.46 
57. The accession of LDCs receives special atte ntion in the Sub-Committee on LDCs, which 
through the WTO Work Programme for the LDCs regularly monitors the accession of LDCs and 
implementation of the LDC Accession Guidelines, as well as serves as a forum where acceding LDCs 
and Members exchange views and share experiences.  Progress made on LDCs' accessions was 
highlighted in periodic reports to the Sub-Committee on LDCs. 47   
58. The WTO continuously makes efforts to improve its engagement with LDCs' accessions.  
Greater priority is accorded through outreach, tec hnical assistance, policy advice and support.  Since 
2009, regular dialogues are held between acceding LD Cs and WTO Members to deepen engagement 
on LDCs' accessions and to build on efforts for strengthened transparency.48  The process of 
engagement between Members and LDCs was also reinforced at the Roundtable on LDCs' accessions 
hosted by Cambodia in September 2009.49 
59. The 2002 LDC Accession Guidelines continue to provide the framework for accession 
discussions of LDCs in the WTO.  The accession procedures and arrangements have been streamlined by the Secretariat, in consultation with Members,  to ensure that accession does not become onerous 
for the LDC acceding governments.  Technical assistan ce is being delivered to the acceding LDCs on 
a priority basis.
50  Among others, the Secretariat has assist ed in the establishment of WTO Reference 
Centres in ten of the 12 acceding LDCs.  Most LDCs  in the process of accession have joined the EIF 
or are currently seeking to be included in the pr ogramme.  The preparation of the Diagnostic Trade 
Integration Studies (DTIS) has been found to stimul ate domestic debates on trade reform reinforcing 
the potential synergy between the EIF and the a ccession process.  Concretely, LDCs have the 
possibility to use the diagnostics phase of the EIF in  support of trade reform and mainstreaming trade 
policy into their national developmen t strategies and to request financial support for assistance to their 
accession process.   
60. Despite efforts to facilitate the accession of LDCs, their accession process is subject to a 
number of challenges including human and institution al capacity constraints.  The WTO Members as 
well as the Secretariat recognize these difficulties.  The good offices of the Director-General, periodic 
(annual) reports on LDC accessions, regular dialogue s on LDC accessions including the review of the 
                                                      
45 Cape Verde graduated from the LD C status effective 1 January 2008. 
46 As of October 2010, there are 30 countries in the pro cess of accession to the WTO. 
47 The latest Note prepared by the Secretar iat on accession for the Sub-Committee on LDCs is 
contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/44.   
48 The 2009 dialogue report is contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/15.  The report of the 
dialogue held in 2010 can be seen in document WT/COMTD/LDC/M/56. 
49 The Roundtable Statement is contained in document WT/MIN(09)/1. 
50 For example, the ITC, jointly with the WTO and the EIF Secretariat, is implementing a programme 
for acceding LDCs specially aimed at increasing the u nderstanding of the private sector of the business 
implications of WTO Membership.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 15 
 
 
  implementation of the 2002 LDC Accession Guidelin es and reports by the LDC Working Party Chairs 
are expected to further advan ce the LDC accessions in the WTO.51  
V. INTEGRATION  OF LDC S INTO  THE  MULTILATERAL  TRADING  SYSTEM  
61. Commitment 5 of the BPOA calls for actions  to assist LDCs in developing human and 
institutional capacities for effective negotiations and informed participation in the multilateral trading 
system, in order that LDCs reap maximum benefits from it.  At the Doha Ministerial Conference, 
WTO Ministers reiterated their commitment to address the marginalization of LDCs in international 
trade and improve their participation in the multilate ral trading system.  They also confirmed that 
technical cooperation and capacity building were "cor e elements of the development dimension of the 
multilateral trading system".  
62. The LDCs have stressed the importance of technical assistance and capacity building as a 
core need in their efforts to full y and effectively integrate into the MTS.  While their needs are many, 
LDCs have sought assistance in particular:  (i) to implement the WTO Agreements in order to 
exercise their rights and to exploit trade opportunities;   (ii) to strengthen their negotiating capacities;  
(iii) to mainstream trade into th eir poverty reduction strategies and national development plans;  and 
(iv) to address their supply-side constraints and diversify their export base.52  Moreover, they have 
called for a substantial increase in funding for techni cal assistance and capacity building for LDCs in 
the form of new and additional resources.     
63. The WTO Secretariat, under the guidance of the Director-General, has accorded special 
attention to the needs and concerns of LDCs' partic ipation in the MTS.  This is reflected through, inter 
alia;  creation of a dedicated LDC Unit in the WT O Secretariat;  day-to-day support provided to the 
WTO LDCs' Consultative Group;  priority accorded in the delivery of WTO technical assistance and 
training;  and partnership arrangements with other institutions to meet trade capacity building needs 
including supply-side challenges of LDCs.53   
64. The LDC Unit was established in February 2003 wi th a view to bringing coherent attention 
and approaches to LDC issues within the WTO S ecretariat.  Housed within the Development 
Division, the Unit is the focal point for LDC issu es in the Secretariat, serving dedicated bodies for 
LDCs such as the Sub-Committee on LDCs and the WTO LDCs' Consultative Group.  It also services 
the African Group (many of whose Members are also LDCs), as well as represents the WTO at the EIF governing bodies.  The LDC Unit also provides TR TA with a special focus on issues of interest 
and concern to LDCs. 
65. The WTO LDCs' Consultative Group was establishe d in 2001, to coordi nate the position of 
LDCs across all WTO issues.  It provides a forum for LDC delegations to meet and articulate their 
positions to pursue common interests.  The Group,  which brings together all LDC Members and 
Observers in the WTO, has a rotating Coordinator elected from among its members.  The Coordinator advances LDC interests in the negotiations as well as in the regular work of the WTO and also 
represents the Group in key negotiating processes.  Today, the LDC Group is one of the more active 
groups in the WTO.  Most of the LDC proposals su bmitted in the negotiations have emerged from the 
work of this Group, which also plays a leading ro le in preparing the LDC Trade Ministers meetings 
which set out the broad parameters for LDCs participation in the MTS.
54  The increased level of 
                                                      
51 The 2009 annual report by the Director-Gen eral is contained in document WT/ACC/13. 
52 Based on LDC Ministerial Declarations, the latest of which is in WT/MIN(09)/2. 
53 The Secretariat prepared a note on "Enhancing the Participation of LDCs in the Multilateral Trading 
System", contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/30. 
54 The last LDC Ministerial meeting was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 2009.  The Dar es Salaam 
Declaration is contained in document WT/L/772. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 16  
 
  participation of the LDCs in the WTO, despite capaci ty constraints, is encouraging and bodes well for 
the further integration of LDCs into the MTS. 
A. 
WTO TRADE -RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING  
66. The BPOA underlined the importance of human and institutional capacities for effective and 
informed participation of LDCs in trade negotiations .  In line with this, since the Doha Ministerial 
Conference, LDCs have been accorded priority in  the delivery of WTO training, technical assistance 
and capacity building.  The aim is to assist benefi ciaries in "adjusting to WTO rules and disciplines, 
implementing obligations and exercising the rights of membership, including drawing on the benefits 
of an open, rules-based multilateral trading system ".  Not only is this confirmed by the numbers, 
i.e. the frequency with which LDCs have been asso ciated with TRTA activities as set out in the WTO 
Annual and Biennial Technical Assistance and Traini ng Plans, but also through the design of specific 
products of WTO's assistance.55  
67. TRTA products delivered by the WTO include:  (i) general technical assistance and training 
(e.g. eTraining courses, Geneva-based and region al trade policy courses);  (ii) specialized and 
advanced technical assistance and training (e.g. na tional and regional technical assistance activities);  
and (iii) academic support for training and capacity building.  In addition, assistance designed to 
address LDCs' specific needs and concerns includes, inter alia,  "Geneva Week" (see paragraph 72), 
trainee and internship programmes, the Referen ce Centres, and support provided during Trade Policy 
Reviews.  Financial support is also provided to LDCs  to participate in WTO Ministerial Conferences.   
68. The LDCs are accorded priority in the delivery of WTO training and technical assistance. The 
Secretariat has allocated three national activities to  each LDC per year (upon request by the individual 
LDC), compared to two for other developing countri es.  These national activities are in addition to the 
regional activities where LDCs are also invited to attend.  In addition, the Secretariat organizes short regional seminars around a specific WTO-related subject matter.   
69. As a result of ever increasing demands on the WTO Secretariat for TRTA over the past 
decade, the Secretariat, through its Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC), has 
substantially enhanced its capacity to design and deli ver an effective programme of capacity-building.  
This has reinforced the capacity of the ITTC to interact with beneficiarie s in all regions and has 
enhanced the WTO's coordinating role of trade-re lated capacity-building activities in its field of 
competence and responsibility, i.e. with regard to  the better understanding of Member's rights and 
obligations within the MTS and strengthening their institutional capacities to deal with all the 
challenges emerging from it.  These capacity-buildi ng efforts are part of a larger objective and 
broader initiatives in the context of Aid for Trade. 
70. Between 2002 and 2009, the number of TRTA activities delivered by the WTO Secretariat 
reached between 450 and 500 activities per year.  For example, the Secretariat undertook a total of 
459 technical-assistance activities in 2009;  the LDCs we re associated with nearly 50 per cent of all 
TRTA conducted in 2009. 
71. The WTO's recently adopted approach of progressive learning involves the three-step 
sequencing of training products in order to improve  the delivery of TRTA, with a view to gradually 
and progressively moving to higher levels of l earning.  The implementation of this progressive 
learning approach has continued and strengthened, with  particular attention being paid to the needs of 
LDCs.  Online Introduction Courses are now being used systematically as a prerequisite for 
participation in the Regional Trade Policy Courses (TPC) of 12 weeks which the Secretariat has been 
                                                     
 
55 The latest Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan 2010-11 is contained in document 
WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 17 
 
 
  organizing in five different regions - the Caribbean , English-speaking Africa, French-speaking Africa, 
Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America and in Ge neva-based advanced thematic courses, as well as 
in the Geneva-based Trade Policy Courses of 12 week s (which, in line with the progressive learning 
strategy, have been redesigned as Advanced TPC s (ATPCs) from 2010 onwards).  LDC participants 
have the additional opportunity to qualify for these higher levels of WTO training through two 
three-week Geneva-based Introduction Courses per y ear, designed exclusively for LDCs.  Moreover, 
participation of LDCs in the WTO eTraining onlin e course programme has strengthened considerably.  
For example, the number of participants from LDCs rose from 269 in 2008 to 838 in 2009, which 
corresponds to a 212 per cent increase over a year.  The percentage of LDC participants among the 
total number of eTraining participants was multiplie d by two in 2009, reaching a 21 per cent share.  
From 2007 to 2009, all LDCs benef ited from the online course programme and participated at least in 
one online activity.   
72. "Geneva Week" is organized twice a year.  The target audience is WTO Members and 
Observers that do not have Geneva representation.  In order to ensure that non-residents are kept 
abreast of developments in the WTO, the main objec tives of the Geneva Week are to brief participants 
on the state of play of work in the WTO and provide an opportunity for them to be involved in the 
work of WTO bodies during their stay.  In add ition to the organization of Geneva Week, the 
Secretariat regularly sends briefing notes and news summaries to non-resident delegations.   
73. The Secretariat provides a number of trainee a nd internship programmes with the objective of 
building human capacities of developing and l east-developed countries.  LDCs are the main 
beneficiaries of different components of the WTO Internship Programme.  The Netherlands Trainee 
Programme (NTP), launched in 2005, is aimed at providing junior public officials from LDCs and 
other low-income countries with the opportunity to l earn about matters dealt with by the organization, 
from within Secretariat.  Of the  total of 73 N TP trainees selected between 2005-10, 52 were from the 
LDCs.  The WTO Mission Internship Programme (MIP) has a similar objective as the NTP, but 
trainees are based in their Geneva-based missions to  the WTO.  The MIP is primarily geared towards 
LDCs and specifically for Missions which have limi ted human resources to deal with WTO matters.  
The programme helps the Geneva based Missions to pa rticipate more actively in the daily activities of 
the WTO.  The programme now accommodates some 15 in terns per year, with priority being given to 
the LDCs.  Of the total of 69 officials who have  so far benefited from the programme since its 
inception in 2003, 34 come from LDCs.  Furthermor e, the WTO funds interns to assist the rotating 
coordinator of regional groupings, includi ng of the WTO LDCs' Consultative Group.   
74. The LDCs have also been receiving special pr iority under the Reference Centre programme, 
which is designed for Members to have better acces s to WTO-related information, documentation as 
well as training materials.  Beneficiaries are provi ded with IT equipment, books, CDs, DVDs and any 
relevant WTO related documentation, full access to  WTO databases, publications and training 
materials on WTO Agreements.  Usually located in the trade ministries and in the headquarters of 
regional and sub-regional organizations, there are currently 155 Reference Centres installed in 
109 countries, of which 55 are located in 47 LDCs.   In addition, the Reference Centres can be used for 
the e-training programme.  LDCs' participation in such programmes has been a challenge due to weak 
or fluctuating levels of intern et connectivity in the LDCs.   
75. Increasingly, Trade Policy Reviews (TPRs) have performed a technical assistance function 
for LDC Members of the WTO.  While the TPR Me chanism provides a valuable forum for achieving 
transparency in, and understanding of, trade policies and practices of Members, the reviews also aim 
at (i) improving LDCs understanding of the WT O Agreements, enabling better compliance and 
integration into the MTS;  (ii) enhancing interac tion between government agencies, also facilitated by 
the reviews;  and (iii) identification and prioritizati on of capacity-building needs, as the Secretariat, in 
consultation with the LDC Member concerned, incl udes a section on needs and priorities of TA and 
Aid for Trade, with a view to feeding this into  the planning of WTO TRTA activities, as well as WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 18  
 
  matching this with the EIF process.  In recognition of the TPR's role in enabling LDCs to increase 
their understanding of the WTO Agreements, efforts ar e made to complete their reviews on a priority 
basis.  Out of the 32 LDC Members of the WTO, all but one have been reviewed or are scheduled to 
be reviewed by 2012.
56   Preparation of reviews of LDCs is responding more systematically to 
technical-assistance needs.  Since 2000, the TPR  process for LDCs has included a two-to-four-day 
seminar on the WTO, in particular on the TPR exerci se and the role of trade in economic policy.   
B. WTO'S COOPERATION WITH OTHE R PARTNER INSTITUTIONS  
76. The WTO's core mandate is to conduct trad e negotiations, monitor implementation of its 
Agreements, review trade policies, adjudicate dis putes, as well as provide TRTA.  Given its mandate, 
the WTO cannot, on its own, meet the full spectru m of LDC trade and development challenges in 
integrating into the MTS.  One such challenge is associated with LDCs' weaknesses in overcoming 
supply-side constraints.57  In recognition of these needs, the WTO increased its collaboration with 
other multilateral institutions equippe d with appropriate technical e xpertise and financial resources.   
The Aid-for-Trade Initiative was launched in 2005 to  help developing countries and LDCs to build 
trade capacity with a view to expanding their trad e.  The Integrated Framework (IF) for LDCs was 
enhanced to become the EIF and facilities such as the Standards and Trade Development Facility 
(STDF) were created to assist LDCs improve their trade capacity.   
(i) Aid for Trade 
77. The BPOA underlines the need for strengthening supply-side capacity in LDCs to integrate 
better into the global economy through the provisi on of financial, technical and other forms of 
assistance to increase trade flows from LDCs.  Th e Aid-for-Trade Initiative, launched by WTO 
Ministers at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference in 20 05, is an effort to this effect, in particular to 
build the supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastructure to expand trade from developing 
countries and LDCs and thereby to benefit from th e WTO Agreements and more broadly to expand 
their trade.58  
78. WTO's role in the Aid-for-Trade Initiative is th at of advocacy, analysis and debate, using its 
convening power and monitoring functions to mob ilize Aid-for-Trade financing, to highlight the 
needs of its Members and Observers, and to showcase effective implementation.  Since the launch of 
this Initiative, WTO has facilitated two Global Re views of Aid for Trade (2007 and 2009).  The 
Initiative has succeeded in raising awareness about th e support developing c ountries, in particular 
LDCs, need to overcome the barriers that constrai n their ability to benefit from trade expansion.  
Partner countries have raised the profile of trade in their development strategies.   
79. Aid-for-Trade flows have been increasing strong ly in real terms since the launch of the 
Initiative in 2005.  At the 2009 Global Aid for Tr ade Review, the OECD reported on a 21 per cent 
increase in real terms for 2007 compared to the 2002 -2005 baseline.  In 2008 Aid for Trade grew by 
another 35 per cent.  This brings the total increase to 62 per cent compared to the baseline period.  
The total amount of Aid for Trade provided attain ed US$41.7 billion in 2008.   LDCs have received 
most of this increase.  In 2008, Aid for Trade to LDCs was US$10.5 billion, or 25 per cent of the total 
flows.  
80. In their meetings in 2008 and 2009, LDC Trade Ministers considered the importance of the 
Aid-for-Trade Initiative in trade-related capacity building overcoming supply-side constraints and 
                                                      
56 Myanmar is the only LDC whose TPR is yet to be scheduled.   
57 The characteristics of LDCs' supply-side constraints, and how WTO in partnership with other 
institutions is addressing these constraints, are de scribed in documents WT/COMTD/LDC/W/33 and Add.1. 
58 WT/AFT/1.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 19 
 
 
  infrastructure development and fac ilitating integration of LDC economies in regional and global trade.  
They called on development partners to provide a dditional and predictable resources, over and above 
the EIF resources.  Following the conclusion of the second Global Review of Aid for Trade in 2009, they also urged to expeditiously move from commitment to implementation. 
81. The Aid-for-Trade Initiative is maturing.  Th e existing coordination and delivery mechanisms 
are providing more and better Aid for Trade.  The partner countries, including the LDCs, are 
mainstreaming trade into their national and regiona l development strategies.  Greater emphasis is 
being attached to the effective implementation of Aid-for-Trade projects.  The activities in this area 
are now being carried out on the basis of a Work Programme (2010-2011), which inter alia  is 
preparing the groundwork for the Third Global Review of Aid for Trade scheduled for July 2011.
59 
82. The focus of the Third Global Review of Aid for Trade is on outcomes and impact.  
Accordingly, in preparation thereof, a call for case stories was launched.  The objective of the call is 
to probe deeper into Aid-for-Tra de objectives, challenges and pro cesses to acquire better knowledge 
about outcomes and impacts of Aid for Trade through th e submission of case stories.  Case stories are 
well suited to offer a large group of stakeholders an  opportunity to share experiences about what is 
working (or not) at the national and regional level,  why it is working (or not) and what improvements 
are needed.  Case stories submitted provide an impor tant source of information for the Aid for Trade 
at a Glance publication 2011 and the Third Global Review of Aid for Trade.   
83. A number of activities meant to benefit LDCs are being undertaken in the run-up to the Third 
Global Review of Aid for Trade. The implementati on of North South Pilot Aid-for-Trade Programme 
involves a number of LDCs (Democratic Repub lic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, 
Zambia).  The programme fosters regional integrati on and contributes to stimulating economic growth 
in Eastern and Southern African region.  In the Asian region, the Asian De velopment Bank's Regional 
Technical Group (RTG) meets periodically to develop and implement a medium-term work 
programme on Aid for Trade.  The RTG will assist in the selection of best practices of the implementation of trade-related capacity-building projects and the impact they are having on the 
development objectives of the beneficiary countries. 
(ii) Enhanced Integrated Framework 
84. The BPOA calls for effective and expeditious implementation of the IF for trade-related 
assistance to LDCs.  In this regard, it calls on LDCs to strengthen their efforts to integrate trade into 
national development policies and encourages deve lopment partners to make new and additional 
contributions to the IF Trust Fund.  At the Doha  Ministerial Conference in 2001, Ministers reiterated 
their high priority to the effective implementation of the IF and their endorsement of the IF as a viable 
instrument for LDCs' trade development.  They hi ghlighted the importance of contributing to reducing 
LDCs' supply-side constraints and recognized the ur gent need to make the IF more effective and 
timely in addressing the trade-related development needs of LDCs.   
85. At the Hong Kong Ministerial Conferen ce in 2005, WTO Members endorsed the 
enhancement of the IF, which comprises three elem ents:  (i) provide increased, predictable, and 
additional funding on a multi-year basis;  (ii)  strengthen the IF in-country, including through 
mainstreaming trade into national development plan s and poverty reduction strate gies;  more effective 
follow-up to Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTISs) and implementati on of action matrices; 
and achieving greater and more effective coordina tion amongst donors and IF stakeholders, including 
beneficiaries;  (iii) improve the IF decision-making and management structure to ensure an effective 
and timely delivery of the increased financial resources and programmes.   
                                                     
 
59 The Work Programme is contained in document WT/COMTD/AFT/W/16. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 20  
 
  86. The EIF became operational in July 2009 with the first approvals of projects submitted for 
funding out of the new EIF Trust Fund.  All beneficiaries of the IF are automatically beneficiaries of the EIF.  Thus, while work continued during the d ecade to make the Enhanced IF operational, further 
progress was also made in implementing the on-going activities started under the IF.    
87. Therefore, in line with the BPOA and subsequent  LDC Trade Ministers' calls, the IF has been 
enhanced to become a more r esults-focussed, accountable and responsive programme.  There is a 
keen focus on country ownership, greater coor dination and commitments from all EIF partners, 
stronger national and global governance structures a nd additional financial r esources to match LDCs' 
demands.  
88. During the past decade , LDC Trade Ministers in nearly all of their Ministerial meetings and 
ensuing Declarations since 2001, have focussed on the need to strengthen the IF.  It is illustrative of 
the LDCs' recognition of the important role which th e EIF plays in their development.  Some of the 
issues LDC Ministers highlight are the need to a ddress LDCs' supply-side constraints and need to 
support diversification of LDCs' pr oduction and export bases.  The LDCs have called for an increase 
in resources of the EIF multi-donor Trust Fund. 
89. An important aspect of the EIF process is the pr eparation of a DTIS to identify constraints to 
overall competitiveness and supply chains and sectors of greatest export potential.  The DTIS includes an Action Matrix – a list of trade priorities – for be tter integration into the global trading system, as 
well as a write-up on the LDC's strategy for EIF im plementation, and executing this strategy.  
Integrating the trade priorities into the Poverty Re duction Strategy Papers (P RSP) or other national 
development plans feeds them into the LDCs' di alogue with their donors such as the Consultative 
Groups and Round Tables.  This in turn facilitat es the generation of the bulk of necessary funding 
(Aid for Trade) for the prioriti es resulting from the EIF process.  
90. During the decade spanning the BPOA, fundi ng levels have risen significantly, as EIF 
partners show greater levels of commitment to  it, with resources secured for the EIF multi-donor 
Trust Fund totalling US$182.5 million as of Octobe r 2010 out of the US$250 million pledged at the 
EIF donor pledging Conference in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2007.  So far 23 donors support the 
mechanism.  Over US$100 million has now been tran sferred to the Trust Fund.  Forty-seven LDCs 
are at different stages of their process, 37 of which have completed their DTIS.
60  LDCs have started 
to benefit from Tier 1 projects which aim at strengthening the institutional capacity in LDCs to manage the EIF process on the ground and thus ma instream trade into their national development 
strategies.  Tier 2 projects address priorities identifie d by the LDCs, through the DTISs.  In the decade 
under review, LDCs also benefited from funds of th e old IF Trust Fund, which included around US$1 
million per country.   
91. To assist the LDCs in using the EIF to the fu ll, an Executive Secretariat (ES), led by an 
Executive Director (Mrs. Dorothy Tembo, who started her functions in October 2008) has been established.  This Secretariat is administrativel y housed within the WTO, but is operationally 
independent.  The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) plays an active role as EIF's 
Trust Fund manager.   
                                                     
 
60 The group of 37 countries which have validated their DTISs are:  Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, 
Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic , Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo,  
Djibouti, East Timor, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea,  Lao PDR, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, 
Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tomé and Principe, Senegal, 
Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, and Zambia.  The preparation of the DTIS is on-going in nine countries:  Afghanista n, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Guinée Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, 
Samoa, Togo and Tuvalu.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 21 
 
 
  92. An important element of the EIF is its Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (M&E 
Framework).  The M&E Framework is  expected to promote accountability of achievements of the EIF 
objectives through implementation, monitoring and ev aluation of the activities, processes, outputs and 
performance of all the partners involved in the EIF.  In addition, it will promote provision of 
feedback - and knowledge - sharing on results and less ons learnt among EIF partners and use this as a 
basis for decision-making and project manageme nt.  The Framework operates at the programme, 
country and project levels. 
93. There are hopeful indications that the EIF is attaining its objectives.  According to replies 
received to the Aid-for-Trade Questionnaire in preparation of the second Aid-for-Trade Global 
Review in 2009,  most LDCs use the EIF as the vehicle to mainstream trade into their national 
development strategies, coordinate and oversee the entire national trade agenda, use the DTIS as the 
platform to reflect the government trade strategy  and generate Aid for Tr ade funds over and above 
those available from the EIF Trust Fund61.  Moreover, for the majority of respondents, the EIF Focal 
Point/Committee is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the entire trade agenda.  Of interest is 
also that the vast majority of respondents confirmed that trade-related priorities are included in their 
national dialogue with donors.  The EIF has truly become an Aid-for-Trade partnership in action for 
LDCs.    
(iii) The Standards and Trade Development Facility 
94. The STDF directly responds to an LDC concern, also expressed in the BPOA, relating to lack 
of capacity in standards and quality control.  LD C concerns herein range from inability to meet 
standards, lack of infrastructure to  ensure quality control and conform ity with international standards, 
and lack of participation in international sta ndard-setting organizations.  The STDF, formally 
established in August 2002, is a global programme in sanitary a nd phytosanitary (SPS) capacity 
building and technical cooperation established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the 
United Nations (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the World Bank, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WTO.  The ma in objective is to assist developing countries, 
especially LDCs, enhance their expertise and capac ity to analyze and implement international SPS 
standards, improving their human, animal and plant health situation, and hence their ability to gain 
and maintain market access.  In particular, the STD F seeks to add value to short-term bilateral efforts 
by providing project preparations grants (PPG) and supporting projects in developing countries, in 
particular in LDCs and other low-income economies , with a target of at least 40 per cent of the 
Facility's resources devoted to these countries.   
95. Since its inception, the STDF has approved 42 PPGs and 46 projects, as of August 2010.  Of 
these, 26 PPGs and 15 projects have exclusively benefited LDCs.
62  One important feature of the 
STDF is that the Facility has consistently operated in synergy with other initiatives, Aid for Trade and 
the EIF. 
VI. CONCLUSION 
96. During the past decade, work in WTO has contri buted significantly to achieving the goals of 
the BPOA.  Members and the Secretariat of the WTO have prioritized implementation of BPOA's Commitment 5 in the work of the organization.  This has come through the progress made in the DDA 
negotiations;  through the regular work of the orga nization, in particular through the implementation 
of the WTO Work Programme for the LDCs;  thro ugh its technical-assistance activities where LDCs 
are continuously given special priority and, in collaboration with other development partners.  An 
                                                     
 
61 Joint OECD/WTO Publication "Aid for Trade at a Glance, 2009". 
62 The latest overview of STDF is cont ained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/47. WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
Page 22  
 
  increased focus on capacity-building work, including the Aid-for-Trade Initiative, the EIF and STDF  
assist LDCs to improve their trade capacity and to integrate better into the global economy.   
97. During the past decade, LDCs have seen a gr adual improvement of their share in world 
merchandise trade.
63  In 2009, LDC exports accounted for nearly 1 per cent of world merchandise 
trade up from a share of only half of one per cent when the BPOA was adopted in 2001.  The share of 
LDCs in commercial services has also marginally  improved from 0.4 per cent in 2001 to 0.5 per cent 
in 2008.  Market access opportunities for LDCs ha ve also significantly improved during the last 
decade with developed trading partners of LDCs a dopting or improving their preferential schemes for 
LDCs, which has helped attain DFQF market acces s for LDC products – a shared goal of the UN and 
WTO Membership.  The developing countries have  also extended their cooperation to LDCs, 
including through adopting improved market access sch emes for LDCs.  At the same time, LDCs are 
provided enhanced flexibility to implement multilate ral trade rules so as to help them pursue 
economic and trade policies conduciv e to their development.   
98. The past decade has also witn essed the emergence of an active LDC Group in the WTO.  The 
LDCs' Consultative Group in the WTO has matured si nce its formation in 2001 and today represents a 
formidable Group in the decision-making process of the WTO.  This Group also plays a key role in 
preparing the LDC Trade Ministers meetings held every alternate year, if not each year.  This reflects the growing human and institutional capacity in the LD Cs to effectively take part in the multilateral 
trading system. 
99. While the DDA negotiations are yet to be concl uded, WTO Members have already agreed to 
a number of flexibilities for the LDCs which will help them benefit from trade and realize their 
development objectives.  The LDCs are exempted from making any tariff reduction commitments in 
the goods negotiations.  Nor are they expected to  undertake any new commitments in the services 
negotiations.  In other areas of negotiations, for ex ample Trade Facilitation, LDCs are only expected 
to assume obligations consistent with their i ndividual development needs.  These decisions and 
flexibilities are intended to allow 'good policy space' to the LDCs to pursue trade and other economic 
policies which they deem to be conducive to their development. 
100. Since the launch of the DDA, the WTO Secretar iat has increased its institutional support to 
the LDCs, including through the establishment of a de dicated LDC Unit in early 2003.  There has also 
been an increased provision of TRTA and capacity bu ilding to the LDCs.  On an average, during the 
period 2002-2009, LDCs were associat ed with 40 to 45 per cent of all TRTA delivered by the WTO 
Secretariat.  The WTO Secretariat has increased its cooperation with other part ner institutions to help 
build supply-side capacity and trade-related infrastru cture in the LDCs.  The Aid-for-Trade Initiative, 
which was launched to help developing countries a nd LDCs leverage large-scale funding to benefit 
from market openings in the WTO, is maturing by degrees.  The EIF, which is the vehicle for the 
LDCs to access Aid-for-Trade funding, is providing th e necessary resources to help LDCs mainstream 
trade into their national development plans and to  holistically address their trade capacity building 
needs. 
101. Despite the progress made, LDCs are yet to fully integrate into the global economy.  Most of 
the LDCs continue to rely on a limited range of  export products as well as on a limited number of 
markets.  While individual trade performances am ong the LDCs could be attributed to a mix of 
domestic and external factors, concerted efforts fro m the international community remain important.  
An expeditious conclusion of th e DDA negotiations is essential for consolidating the progress made 
so far in the negotiations, including on issues of in terest to the LDCs.  The end of distortions in 
agriculture,  improved and predictable market acces s for all LDC products or simplified procedures 
                                                     
 
63 A detailed account of the trends in LDC trade covering the period 2000-2008/09 is provided in the 
Secretariat note contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/48.  WT/COMTD/LDC/17 
 Page 23 
 
 
  for trade can only be fully realized with the conclu sion of the DDA.  One of  the major challenges for 
LDCs remains that of addressing supply-side constr aints.  The momentum created by conclusion of 
the Doha Round would be pivotal in rallying intern ational support towards mechanisms that assist 
LDCs in overcoming their produc tion and supply bottlenecks so as to better utilize market access 
opportunities.   
102. In carrying out its activities, WTO ensures that the development dimensions of trade and in 
particular addressing the marginalization of LDCs in in ternational trade is central to the work of this 
organization.  The WTO, its Members and the Secret ariat are continuing to make positive efforts to 
help LDCs benefit from world trade and to integr ate better into the global economy.  The LDC-IV 
should build on the commitments made by the international community a decade ago for a 
strengthened rules-based MTS that can advan ce LDC trade and ultimately accelerate economic 
development as well as alleviate poverty in the LDCs.  
 
 
__________