WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/GC/142 
9 December 2011 
 (11-6399) 
  
 
  
GENERAL COUNCIL 
 
Annual Report (2011) 
 
  The present report has been prepared in pursu ance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview 
of WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105).   
 Since its previous annual report
1, the General Council has held fi ve meetings, on 22 February, 
3 May, 27 July, 26 October and 30 November 2011.  The minutes of these meetings, which remain 
the record of the General Council's work, are contained in documents WT/GC/M/130- 
WT/GC/M/1342. 
 
 The following subjects are included in the report: 
 
1.  Work under the Doha Work Programme ............................................................................... 4  
(a)  Trade Negotiations Committee – Reports ................................................................................... 4  
(b)  Work Programme on Small Economies - Reports ...................................................................... 4  
(c)  Work Programme on Special and Differential Treatment - Report by the Chairman of 
the Special Session of the Committee on Trade and Development ............................................ 6  
(d)  Aid for Trade ................................................................................................................. ............. 6  
(e)  The Development Assistance Aspects of Cotton - Periodic Report by the Director-
General ....................................................................................................................... ................. 7  
2.  China - Transitional Review under Section 18.2 of the Protocol of Accession to 
the WTO Ag reement ............................................................................................................. .... 7 
3.  Review of the exemption provided und er paragraph 3 of the GATT 1994 ......................... 8  
4.  Work Programme on E-commerce ......................................................................................... 9  
(a)  Effective participation of developing countries in electronic commerce as a means to 
combat poverty – Communication from Cuba, Ecuador and Nicaragua .................................... 9  
(b)  Review of Progress ............................................................................................................ ......... 9 
5.  Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration – Reports and 
recommendations ............................................................................................................... ....... 9 
6.  TRIPS Council matters ......................................................................................................... . 10 
                                                      
1 The annual report of the General Council for 2010 was circulated in WT/GC/131 and 
WT/GC/131/Corr.1. 
2 WT/GC/M/134 is to be issued. WT/GC/142 
Page 2  
 
  (a)  Review under Paragraph 8 of the Decision on  the Implementation of Paragraph 6 of 
the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS agreem ent and Public Health - Report of the 
Council for TRIPS ............................................................................................................. ....... 10 
(b)  Proposal for a Decision on an extension of  the period for the acceptance by Members 
of the Protocol amending the TRIPS Agreement ...................................................................... 10  
7.  Amendment to the procedures leading to the certification of HS 2007 changes ............... 11  
8.  Procedure for the introduction of Harmonized System 2012 changes to schedules 
of concessions using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) database .......................... 11  
9.  Accession matters ............................................................................................................. ....... 11 
(a)  Algeria ....................................................................................................................... ............... 11  
(b)  Bahamas ....................................................................................................................... ............. 11  
(c)  Lao PDR ....................................................................................................................... ............ 12  
(d)  Samoa ......................................................................................................................... ............... 12  
(e)  Vanuatu ....................................................................................................................... .............. 12  
(f)  WTO Accessions: 2011 Annual Report by the Director-General ............................................. 13  
10.  Waivers ....................................................................................................................... ............. 13  
(a)  Cape Verde – Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 and of the Agreement on 
Customs Va luation ............................................................................................................. ....... 13 
(b)  European Union – Request for a waiver on additional autonomous trade preferences 
granted by the European Union to Pakistan .............................................................................. 14  
(c)  Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions ................................................................................................................... ........... 14  
(d)  Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions ................................................................................................................... ........... 14  
(e)  Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff 
Concessions ................................................................................................................... ........... 14  
(f) 
Canada - CARIBCAN - Extension of waiver ........................................................................... 15  
(g)  European Union - Application of autonom ous preferential treatment to the Western 
Balkans - Extension of waiver ................................................................................................. . 15 
(h)  Review of waivers pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement ...................................... 15  
11.  Food Export Barriers and Humanitari an Food Aid by the World Food 
Programme (WFP) - Communication from the European Union ...................................... 16  
12.  Improving the Record of Notification s - Communication from the European 
Union ......................................................................................................................... ............... 17  
13.  The WTO Response to the Impact of the Food Crisis on LDCs and NFIDCs - 
Communication from the NFIDCs, African and Arab Groups .......................................... 17  
14.  Proposal for furthering work on reg ulatory measures in financial services - 
Statement by  Ecuador .......................................................................................................... .. 17 
15.  European Union's exports of out-of-quota sugar - Statement by Brazil ............................ 18  
16.  Eighth Ministerial Conference ............................................................................................... 1 8  WT/GC/142 
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  (a)  Statements by the Chairman .................................................................................................... . 18 
(i)  TRIPS non-violation complaints ............................................................................................... 20 
(ii)  E-commerce .................................................................................................................... .......... 20 
(b)  Election of Officers .......................................................................................................... ......... 20 
(c)  Attendance of observers from Government s and International Intergovernmental 
Organizations ................................................................................................................. ........... 21  
(i)  Request by the League of Arab States ....................................................................................... 22  
(d)  Request of Observer Status by Palestine to the Eighth Session of the Ministerial 
Conference .................................................................................................................... ............ 22  
(e)  Attendance of Non-Governme ntal Organizations ..................................................................... 22  
17.  Administrative Measures fo r Members in Arrears ............................................................. 23  
18.  WTO Pension Plan .............................................................................................................. .... 23 
(a)  Election of Chairman, Members and Alte rnates to the Management Board ............................ 23  
(b)  Annual Report ................................................................................................................. .......... 24 
(c)  Amendment of Article 30 of the Regula tions of the WTO Pension Plan ................................. 24  
19.  International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO ....................................................................... 24  
20.  Review of WTO activities ...................................................................................................... . 24 
21.  Appointment of officers to WTO bodies ............................................................................... 25  
(a)  Appointment of Chairs to the bodies listed in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the Annex to the 
Guidelines .................................................................................................................... ............. 25  
(b)  Chairmanships of the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture, the Special 
Session of the Committee on Trade and Envi ronment, and the Negotiating Group on 
Rules ......................................................................................................................... ................ 26  
(c)  Announcement by the Chairman pursuant to Paragraph 7.1(a) of the Guidelines .................... 26  
22.  Election of Chairperson ....................................................................................................... ... 27 
 WT/GC/142 
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  1. Work under the Doha Work Programme 
(a) Trade Negotiations Committee – Reports (WT/GC/M/130-WT/GC/M/134) 
1. Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the 
General Council to supervise th e overall conduct of the negotiati ons (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1).  In 
accordance with the Principles and Practices endor sed by the Trade Negotiations Committee at its 
first meeting in 2002 (TN/C/M/1), the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the General Council. 
2. At the General Council meetings in Februa ry, May, July, October and November the 
Director-General, as Chairman of the Trade Ne gotiations Committee, reported on each occasion on 
the TNC's activities since his previous report to the General Council.3 
3. At the February meeting, the representatives of Mexico; Dominican Republic (on behalf of 
the Informal Group of Developing Countries); Singa pore; Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the Recently 
Acceded Members (RAMs) Group); Indonesia (on behalf of ASEAN); Turkey; Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDC Group); Colombia; Kenya (on behalf of the African Group); Australia; Barbados (on 
behalf of the SVEs); Chile; Switzerland; Hong Ko ng, China; Korea; European Union; Zimbabwe; 
United States; and Japan spoke.  The General Counc il took note of the Director-General's report and 
of the statements. 
4. At the May meeting, the representatives of Peru  and China spoke.  The General Council took 
note of the Director-General's report and of the statements. 
5. At the July meeting, the representative of Colo mbia spoke.  The General Council took note of 
the Director-General's report and of the statement. 
6. At the October meeting, the representatives of Argentina; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; 
Peru; Dominican Republic (on behalf of the Inform al Group of Developing Countries); Cuba; and El 
Salvador spoke.  The General Council took note of the Director-General's report and of the 
statements. 
7. At the November meeting, the representatives of  Dominican Republic (also on behalf of the 
Informal Group of Developing Countries); Argentin a; Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the RAMs 
Group); El Salvador; Pakistan; Kenya (on behalf of  the African Group); Mauritius (on behalf of the 
ACP Group); Uruguay; Barbados (on behalf of the SVEs); Ecuador; Bangladesh (on behalf of the 
LDC Group); Burkina Faso (on behalf of the C- 4); Honduras; Peru; Cuba; European Union; and 
Plurinational State of Bolivia spoke.  The General Council took note of the Director-General's report 
and of the statements. 
(b) Work Programme on Small Economies - Reports (WT/GC/M/130-WT/GC/M/134) 
8. In 2002, the General Council took note of a framework and procedures for the conduct of the 
Work Programme on Small Economies, which had been agreed by Ministers at Doha 
(WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1, paragraph 35), under which th is Work Programme would be a standing item 
on the General Council's agenda and which al so provided that the Committee on Trade and 
Development (CTD) would report regularly to th e General Council on the progress of work in its 
Dedicated Sessions on this subject.  Ministers at Hong Kong instructed the CTD, under the overall 
responsibility of the General Council,  to continue the work in the Dedicated Session and to monitor 
progress of the small economies' proposals in the nego tiating and other bodies.  In 2006, on the basis 
                                                      
3 The Director-General's statements were subs equently circulated as JOB/GC/8, JOB/GC/9, 
JOB/GC/10, JOB/GC/13, JOB/GC/16 and JOB/GC/16/Corr.1.  WT/GC/142 
 Page 5 
 
 
  of a report by the Chair of the CTD in Dedicat ed Session, the General Council took note that 
Members would be pursuing the substan tive work under this work programme. 
9. At the General Council meeting in February, th e Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the 
CTD, reporting on developments in this area, said that proponents continued to follow developments 
in all areas under negotiation in the Doha Round a nd in the regular WTO bodies, with particular 
attention to those areas where SVEs sought flex ibilities - mainly Agriculture, NAMA, Services, 
Subsidies disciplines, Trade Facilitation and Fisheries Subsidies.  Another area of work important to 
the SVE proponents concerned Aid for Trade.  A workshop on SVE and Aid for Trade had been held 
as part of the 2010-2011 Aid-for-Trade Work Programme.   
10. The representatives of Barbados (on behalf of  the SVEs) and Maldives spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the report and of the statements. 
11. At the May meeting, the Chairman of th e Dedicated Session of the CTD, reporting on 
developments in this area, said that the SVEs had made new proposals in some of the Negotiating 
Groups.  Specifically, in the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture, they submitted a 
proposal on "Flexibilities in the Agricultural Moda lities on the Pillars of Domestic Support and 
Export Competition", and a proposal on the special sa feguard mechanism circulated as JOB/AG/17.  
On NAMA, El Salvador on behalf of the SVEs had submitted a document on Special and Differential 
treatment and the technical assistance concerns  in regard to Annex A of the NAMA text on 
Procedures for the Facilitation of Solutions to Non-Tariff Barriers.  In the Negotiating Group on 
Rules, the SVEs had submitted a revised proposal on additional flexibilities for SVEs under Article III 
of the draft Chair's text on Fisheries Subsidies.   In the Committee on Trade and Environment in 
Special Session, the SVEs had circulated a pr oposal on "Views of the Small and Vulnerable 
Economies on the Negotiation of Paragraph 31(iii) of  the Doha Ministerial Declaration".  In the 
Services Council's Working Party on Domestic Regulation, the SVEs had tabled a room document 
concerning paragraph 42 of the Chairman's draft text on time extensions for applying certain 
disciplines.  
12. The representative of Barbados (on behalf of  the SVEs) spoke.  The General Council took 
note of the report and of the statement. 
13. At the July meeting, the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the CTD, reporting on 
developments in this area, said that proponents continued to follow devel opments in all areas under 
negotiation in the Doha Round and in the regular WTO bodies.  The SVEs had also been following work related to Aid for Trade and were de fining a SVE Framework on Aid for Trade.  
14. The representative of Barbados (on behalf of  the SVEs) spoke.  The General Council took 
note of the report and of the statement. 
15. At the October meeting, the former Chair of th e CTD read out a report on behalf of the Chair 
of the CTD Dedicated Session.  The report said that Members had taken note of a further revision of a 
WTO Secretariat paper which compiled all the propos als made by SVEs in the negotiating groups and 
other WTO bodies since the launch of the DDA in 2001 (WT/COMTD/SE/W/22/Rev.6).  The CTD in 
Dedicated Session had also adopted its Report to the General Council on its activities since 2009 
(WT/COMTD/SE/7) for further transmission to the Eighth Ministerial Conference (MC8).  The SVEs proposed that the language which was agreed  in the report WT/COMTD/SE/7 concerning the 
recommendations for continuing the work programme, be  turned into a future Decision by Ministers 
at MC8. 
16. The representatives of Barbados (on behalf of th e SVEs) and El Salvador spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the report and of the statements. WT/GC/142 
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  17. At the November meeting, the Chairman of the Dedicated Session of the CTD, reporting on 
developments in this area, recalled that, in the CTD Dedicated Session's report to the General Council, 
Members had agreed that the General Council shou ld recommend to MC8 that Ministers reaffirm 
their commitment to the Work Programme on Sma ll Economies and take note of all the work 
conducted to date.  The report had been circulat ed as WT/COMTD/SE/7 and the draft decision that 
the General Council should forward to Ministers ha d been circulated as an addendum to the annual 
report.4 
18. The representative of Barbados (on behalf of  the SVEs) spoke.  The General Council took 
note of the report of the Chairman of the Dedi cated Session of the CTD and of the statement. 
(c) Work Programme on Special and Differential Tr eatment - Report by the Chairman of the 
Special Session of the Committee on Trade and Development (WT/CG/M/134) 
19. Ministers at Hong Kong instructed the Comm ittee on Trade and Development in Special 
Session to expeditiously complete the review of all the outstanding Agreement-specific proposals and 
report to the General Council, with clear recomm endations for a decision, by December 2006.  
Regarding the Category II proposals that had b een referred to other WTO bodies and negotiating 
groups, Ministers instructed these bodies to exped itiously complete the consideration of these 
proposals and report periodically to the General Counc il, with the objective of ensuring that clear 
recommendations for a decision were made no later than December 2006.  They also instructed the 
Special Session to continue to coordinate its effo rts with these bodies to ensure that this work was 
completed on time.  Ministers further instructed th e Special Session, within the parameters of the 
Doha mandate, to resume work on all other outstanding issues – including cross-cutting issues, the 
monitoring mechanism, and the incorporation of S& D treatment into the architecture of WTO rules – 
and to report on a regular basis to the General C ouncil.  In December 2006, the General Council took 
note that Members would be pursuing their consid eration of the outstanding Agreement-specific 
proposals both in the Special Session and in the ot her WTO bodies to which such proposals had been 
referred. 
20. At the General Council meeting in November, th e Chairman of the CTD in Special Session, 
reporting on progress in this area, including the status of work on the Category II proposals, said that 
Members seemed to be converging on major elemen ts of the Monitoring Mechanism.  However, 
further work was needed before negotiations on th e different elements of the Monitoring Mechanism 
could be concluded and consensus on Agreement-Sp ecific proposals developed.  He also reported 
intensive engagement amongst the Members to fi nalize possible elements for political guidance 
during the forthcoming Ministerial Conference and an nounced his intention to start consultations with 
Members in both formal and informal settings in early 2012.  
21. The representatives of Egypt and United States spoke.  The General Council took note of the 
report by the Chairman of the CTD in Special Sess ion in document TN/CTD/27 and of the statements. 
(d) Aid for Trade (WT/CG/M/132) 
22. At the July General Council meeting, the Dire ctor-General reported on the Third Global 
Review of Aid for Trade which had taken place on  18-19 July 2011.  He said that Members had 
emerged stronger from the two days of experience sharing, and now had an encouraging narrative, 
which recounted how they were building trade capaci ty, including in the long-term.  Members were in 
a better position for the results they had been able to showcase, and for mobilizing so many resources 
and expertise in the development and business communities.  Members had also debated the 
shortcomings of current approaches and practices,  both with regard to the allocation and the 
                                                      
4 See also paragraph 122, below.  WT/GC/142 
 Page 7 
 
 
  implementation of Aid for Trade.  On the way fo rward, he said that the focus of the new work 
programme should be on "Deepening Coherence".  Actions could include exploring how Aid for 
Trade could support areas such as services, standards and IP, and recognizing the intersection of the initiative with other areas that were essential to sustainable development, such as food security, 
gender empowerment, climate change adaptation or energy.  He also suggested that the following 
areas be examined: resource mobilization, mainstreaming, engaging the private sector, aid 
effectiveness, South-South coopera tion and regional integration. 
23. The representatives of Lesotho; Brazil; Domini can Republic; Ecuador; Bangladesh (on behalf 
of the LDC Group); Korea; Peru; Japan; European Union; Turkey; Honduras; United States; Canada; 
and Zimbabwe spoke.  The General Council took note  of the Director-General's report and of the 
statements. 
(e) The Development Assistance Aspects of Cotton - Periodic Report by the Director-General 
(WT/GC/M/134) 
24. In Paragraph 1.b of the 1 August 2004 Decisi on on the Doha Work Programme (WT/L/579), 
the General Council , inter alia , instructed the Secretariat to con tinue to work with the development 
community and to provide the Council with periodi c reports on relevant de velopments.  The Council 
also instructed the Director-General to consult w ith relevant international organizations, including the 
Bretton Woods Institutions, the Food and Agricultu re Organization and the International Trade 
Centre, to direct effectively existing programmes and any additional resources towards development 
of the economies where cotton had vital importan ce.  Ministers at Hong Kong reaffirmed the 
2004 mandate, and asked the Director-General to pr ovide updates at appropriate intervals to the 
General Council, while keeping the Sub-Comm ittee on Cotton fully informed of progress. 
25. At the General Council meeting in November, the Director-General introduced his Fourth 
Periodic Report on Cotton (WT/GC/137, WT/CFMC/DG/4, WT/MIN(11)/4), which focused on the 
"Development Assistance Aspects of Cotton", and mo re broadly on the Sectoral Initiative on Cotton.  
He highlighted the progress made, particularly  within the framework of "Cotton-Specific 
Development Assistance" and "Agric ulture and Infrastructure-Related Development Assistance".  He 
also reported that the Consultative Framewor k Mechanism was registering progress because a 
partnership had emerged between developed and developing count ry providers of development 
assistance, and the recipients of this assistance from the cotton proponent countries.  He also 
announced the revision of paragraph 8 of his repor t relating to the next update of the Table on 
Domestic Cotton Sector Reforms.  The update (WT/CFMC/21/Rev.3) had been issued on 
29 November on the basis of inputs submitted by the cotton proponents.   
26. The representatives of Brazil; China; India; Eu ropean Union; Austra lia; Burkina Faso (on 
behalf of the C-4); Pakistan; and Kenya (on behalf of the African Group) spoke.  The General Council 
took note of the statements and of the Director-Gen eral's report, which would be before Ministers for 
their consideration at the Ei ghth Ministerial Conference. 
2. China - Transitional Review under Section 18.2 of the Protocol of Accession to the WTO 
Agreement (WT/GC/M/134) 
27. At its November meeting, the General C ouncil conducted its final review of China's 
implementation of the WTO Agreemen t and the provisions of the Protoc ol of Accession.  In so doing, 
the General Council considered a communica tion from China (WT/GC/136), which provided 
information required under Sections I and III of Annex 1A of the Prot ocol of Accession, as well as 
reports of the subsidiary bodies on their respective reviews (G/L/977, S/C/37, IP/C/60, 
WT/BOP/R/103 and G/TBT/30).  WT/GC/142 
Page 8  
 
  28. The representatives of China; United States; Eu ropean Union; Japan; Australia; Pakistan; 
Mexico; Cuba; Bolivarian Republic of Ve nezuela; Chile; and Zimbabwe spoke. 
29. The General Council took note of the statem ents and of the reports submitted by the 
subsidiary bodies on the conduct of their respective re views, and agreed that the final review by the 
General Council of China's implemen tation of the WTO Agreement and the provisions of its Protocol 
of Accession had been concluded. 
3. Review of the exemption provided under paragraph 3 of the GATT 1994 
(WT/GC/M/130, WT/GC/M/134) 
30. Paragraph 3(a) of GATT 1994 provides an exemption from Part II of GATT 1994 for 
measures under specific mandatory legislation – enacted by a Member before it becomes a contracting 
party to GATT 1947 – which prohibited the use, sale or  lease of foreign-built or foreign-reconstructed 
vessels in commercial applications between points in  national waters or waters of an exclusive 
economic zone.  On 20 December 1994, the United States invoked the provisions of paragraph 3(a) 
with respect to specific legislation that met the re quirements of that paragraph.  Paragraph 3(b) of 
GATT 1994 calls for a review of this exemption five years after the date of entry into force of the 
WTO Agreement – and thereafter every two years for as long as the exemption was in force – in order 
to examine whether the conditions which created th e need for the exemption still prevailed.  The 
General Council last considered this matter at its meeting in December 2009 at which it took note that 
under the two-yearly cycle provided for in paragr aph 3(b) of GATT 1994, the next review would 
normally be held in 2011. 
31. At the February General Council meeting, the Chairman drew attention to the annual report 
circulated by the United States in document WT/L/810  and WT/L/810/Corr.1.  For the purposes of the 
conduct of the review in 2011, he proposed that the Council proceed in a manner similar to that in 
2009, which had been based on a procedure agreed by the General Council in December 2002.  The 
comments and questions to the US submitted by inte rested delegations regarding the operation of the 
legislation under the exemption, together with th e United States' responses and the annual statistical 
report provided by the US under paragraph 3(c) of  GATT 1994 would form the basis for the current 
year's review.   This matter would be on the Age nda of subsequent General Council meetings in the 
course of 2011 as the Chairman deemed appropriate, or at the request of any Member.  The Council 
would also consider this matter again at its meeting in December 2011. 
32. The representatives of United States; European Union; Australia; Japan; Hong Kong, China; 
Korea; and China spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this 
item at a future meeting. 
33. At its November meeting, the General Counc il again considered the exemption provided 
under paragraph 3 of GATT 1994 for review.  The Chai rman drew attention to a questionnaire to the 
United States from Japan with regard to US legisl ation under this exemption (WT/GC/W/648) and to 
the United States' responses to Jap an's questions (WT/GC/W/651). 
34. The representatives of the United States; Austra lia; European Union; Japan; Norway; Hong 
Kong, China; and China spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements and also took note 
that the subsequent review under the two-yearly  cycle provided in paragraph 3(b) of GATT 1994 
would normally be held in 2013.  WT/GC/142 
 Page 9 
 
 
  4. Work Programme on E-commerce5 
(a) Effective participation of developing countries in electronic commerce as a means to combat 
poverty – Communication from Cuba, Ecua dor and Nicaragua (WT/GC/M/132) 
35. At the July General Council meeting, the Ch airman drew attention to the communication 
from Cuba, Ecuador and Nicaragua in document WT /GC/132 requesting that this item be placed on 
the agenda.  He also drew attention to the communication from these delegations in document 
WT/GC/W/635, G/C/W/650, WT/COMTD/W/179. 
36. The representatives of Cuba; Ecuador; Plurinati onal State of Bolivia; Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela; Nicaragua; Japan; Argentina; Switzer land; European Union; United States; Brazil; and 
Chinese Taipei spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements.   
(b) Review of Progress (WT/GC/M/132) 
37. In December 2009, at the Seventh Ministerial Conference, Ministers adopted a Decision on 
the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce (WT/L/782) which called, inter alia , for intensive 
reinvigoration of work under the Work Programme , and instructed the General Council to hold 
periodic reviews of the progress on the Work Progra mme in preparation for the following Ministerial 
Conference. 
38. At the July meeting, Deputy Director-General  Singh, who had been dealing with the Work 
Programme on behalf of the General Council Chai rman and his predecessors since 2005, reporting on 
work in this area, said that since May 2011 a number of initiatives under the Work Programme on 
Electronic Commerce had been undertaken.  In the c ontext of the Services Council, the Secretariat 
had produced a compilation of elements related to  the electronic supply of services (JOB/SERV/78).  
Additionally, the European Union and the United States had made a joint proposal (S/C/W/338), on 
trade-related principles to support the expansi on of information and communication technology 
networks and services and to enhance the developm ent of e-commerce.  Cuba, Ecuador and Nicaragua 
had made a joint submission, later co-sponsored by Bolivia,6 to the General Council, the Council of 
Trade in Goods and the Committee on Trade a nd Development, in triple-symbol document 
WT/GC/W/635, G/C/W/650, WT/COMTD/W/179, on th e Effective Participation of Developing 
Countries in Electronic Commerce as a Means to Combat Poverty.7  
39. The representatives of Australia and Switzerla nd spoke.  The General Council took note of 
the report by Deputy Director-General Singh and of the statements. 
5. Committee on Budget, Finance and Admini stration – Reports and recommendations 
(WT/GC/M/131-WT/GC/M/134) 
40. At its meetings in May, July, October and N ovember, the General Council considered reports 
by the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administ ration on its meetings of March (WT/BFA/123), 
June and July (WT/BFA/124 and WT/BFA/125) , October (WT/BFA/126), and October and 
November  (WT/BFA/128), respectively.  At each meeti ng, the Chairman of the Committee introduced 
the reports.   
                                                      
5 See also paragraph 119, below. 
6 The communication is contained in document WT/GC/W/635/Add.1, G/C/W/650/Add.1, 
WT/COMTD/W/179/Add.1. 
7 See also paragraph 35, above. WT/GC/142 
Page 10  
 
  41. At the May meeting, the representatives of Ch ina and Korea spoke.  The General Council 
took note of the statements, approved the Budge t Committee's specific recommendations in 
paragraphs 33, 34 and 37 of its report in document WT/BFA/123, and adopted the report. 
42. At the July meeting, the Director-General provi ded a brief update on the situation of Members 
subject to Administrative Measures and on the latest  steps undertaken in this respect.  He reported 
that, in just over two years, the number of Memb ers considered inactive under the Administrative 
Measures had gone down from eighteen to seven, i.e. by 60 per cent.  The General Council took note of the statement, approved the Budget Committee's specific recommendations in paragraphs 8 and 13 
of its report in document WT/BFA/125, and adop ted the reports in WT/BFA/124 and WT/BFA/125. 
43. At the October meeting, the representatives of Guatemala and El Salvador, and the Director-
General spoke. The General Council took note of the statements and adopted the report in document 
WT/BFA/126. 
44. At the November meeting, the representatives of Kenya and El Salvador spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the statements, and approve d the Budget Committee's specific recommendations 
contained in paragraphs 8, 14, 15, 26 through 31 a nd 35 of its report – including the draft Resolutions 
referred to in paragraphs 26 and 27.  The Gene ral Council adopted the draft Resolutions on the 
Expenditure of the WTO in 2012 and 2013 and the Wa ys and Means to Meet Such Expenditure, in 
paragraphs 26 and 27 of its repor t.  Finally, the General Council adopted the Committee's report in 
document WT/BFA/128 as a whole. 
45. The Director-General noted that by appr oving a zero nominal budget for 2012-2013, the 
Organization would be required to streamline its opera tions in order to be able to fully continue 
delivering on its mandates.  The General Council to ok note of the Director-General's statement. 
6. TRIPS Council matters (WT/GC/M/134) 
(a) Review under Paragraph 8 of the Decision on the Implementation of Para graph 6 of the Doha 
Declaration on the TRIPS agreement and Public  Health - Report of the Council for TRIPS 
and 
(b) Proposal for a Decision on an extension of the period for the acceptance by Members of the 
Protocol amending the TRIPS Agreement 
46. In August 2003, the General Council adopt ed a Decision on the Implementation of 
Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Ag reement and Public Health.  Paragraph 8 of that 
Decision provides that the TRIPS Council shall revi ew annually the functioning of the system set out 
in the Decision with a view to ensuring its e ffective operation, and shall annually report on its 
operation to the General Council.  In addition, in keeping with the August 2003 Decision, the General 
Council adopted, in December 2005, a Protocol  Amending the TRIPS Agreement, which was 
submitted to Members for acceptance and which, in accordance with Article X:3 of the WTO 
Agreement, would enter into force upon acceptance by two thirds of the Members.  The TRIPS Council at its meeting in October 2011 agreed to  submit to the General Council a proposal for a 
decision on a third extension of the period for the acceptance by Members of this Protocol. 
47. At the November meeting, the Chairman of the TRIPS Council introduced the report of that 
Council (IP/C/61) on its annual review of the Deci sion on the Implementation of Paragraph 6 of the 
Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public  Health, as well as a proposal for a Decision on 
a Third Extension of the Period for the Acceptance by Members of the Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement (IP/C/58).    WT/GC/142 
 Page 11 
 
 
  48. The representatives of European Union; Rwa nda; and Kenya spoke.  The General Council 
took note of the report of the TRIPS Council in document IP/C/61, and adopted the draft decision extending the time period for acceptance by Members of the Protocol amending the TRIPS Agreement to 31 December 2013 (WT/L/829). 
7. Amendment to the procedures leading to the certification of HS 2007 changes 
(WT/GC/M/134) 
49. At the November meeting of the General Council,  the Chairman drew attention to the draft 
decision contained in document G/MA/W/108 regardi ng proposed amendments to the procedures for 
the introduction of Harmonized System 2007 chang es to schedules of concessions using the CTS 
Database.  This draft decision had been forwar ded to the General Council for adoption by the 
Committee on Market Access through the Council fo r Trade in Goods, following its meeting in 
November. 
50. The General Council adopted the Decision (WT/L/830). 
8. Procedure for the introduction of Harmon ized System 2012 chan ges to schedules of 
concessions using the Consolidated Tari ff Schedules (CTS) database (WT/GC/M/134) 
51. At the November meeting of the General Council,  the Chairman drew attention to the draft 
decision contained in document G/MA/W/109 concerning a procedure for the introduction of 
Harmonized System 2012 changes to schedules of c oncessions using the CTS Database.  This draft 
decision had been forwarded to the General Counc il for adoption by the Committee on Market Access 
through the Council for Trade in Goods , following its meeting in November. 
52. The General Council adopted the Decision (WT/L/831). 
9. Accession matters 
(a) Algeria (WT/GC/M/134) 
53. In June 1987, the GATT 1947 Council established a Working Party to examine Algeria's 
request for accession to the General Agreement on Tari ffs and Trade.  Subsequently, in pursuance of a 
decision regarding requests fo r WTO accession adopted by the WTO General Council in 
January 1995 (WT/GC/M/1, Item 4(g)), the GA TT 1947 Accession Working Party was transformed 
into a WTO Accession Working Party. 
54. At the November meeting, the Chairman info rmed Members that, following consultations and 
in keeping with usual WTO practice, it had b een agreed that Ambassador Roux (Belgium) would 
serve as Chairperson of this Working Party,  replacing Ambassador Guillermo Valles Galmés 
(Uruguay).  The General Council took note of the statement. 
(b) Bahamas (WT/GC/M/131) 
55. In July 2001, the General Council established a Working Party to examine the request of the 
Bahamas for accession to the WTO Agreement. 
56. At the May meeting, the Chairman informed Members that, following consultations and in 
keeping with usual WTO practice, it had been agr eed that Mr Wayne McCook (Jamaica) would serve 
as Chairman of this Working Party, replacing Mr Peter Black (Jamaica).  The General Council took 
note of the statement. WT/GC/142 
Page 12  
 
  (c) Lao PDR (WT/GC/M/132) 
57. In February 1998, the General Council establishe d a Working Party to examine the request of 
Lao PDR for accession to the WTO Agreement. 
58. At the July General Council meeting, the Ch airman informed Members that following 
consultations and in keeping with usual WTO pr actice, it had been agreed that Ambassador Yi 
(China) would serve as Chairperson of this Working Party, replacing Dr. Zhang (China).  The General 
Council took note of the statement. 
(d) Samoa (WT/GC/M/130) 
59. In July 1998, the General Council established a Working Party to examine the request of 
Samoa. 
60. At the February meeting, the Chairman info rmed Members that following consultations and 
in keeping with usual WTO practice, it had been  agreed that Mr Oike (Japan) would serve as 
Chairperson of this Working Party, replacing Mr K itajima (Japan).  The General Council took note of 
the statement.   
(e) Vanuatu (WT/GC/M/131, WT/GC/M/133) 
61. In July 1995, the General Council established a Working Party to examine Vanuatu's request 
for accession to the WTO.  In October 2001, a Draf t Accession Package was ad opted by the Working 
Party.  However, at that time, Vanuatu requested mo re time to consider the package.  In 2008, in a 
letter to the Director-General, the Government of  Vanuatu signalled its interest in resuming and 
concluding its accession process and requested the update of its 2001 Draft Accession Package.  The 
Secretariat embarked on the technical update of the p ackage.  At the request of the Chairman of the 
General Council, Deputy Director-General Jara acted  on behalf of the General Council Chairman in 
this process and chaired the meetings of the re-convened Working Party.   
62. At the May meeting, the Chairman informed Members that the re-convened Working Party on 
the Accession of Vanuatu had adopted ad referendum  the draft accession package of Vanuatu, 
circulated in document WT/ACC/VUT/16, WT/A CC/VUT/16/Add.1 and WT/ACC/VUT/16/Add.2.  
Deputy Director-General Jara, who had chaired the re-convened Working Party on the Accession of 
Vanuatu, reported on this matter to the General Council.  The representative of Vanuatu (as an 
Observer) spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements. 
63. At the October meeting, the General Counc il considered the Report of the re-convened 
Working Party in documents WT/ACC/VUT/17, WT/ACC/VUT/17/Add.1 and 
WT/ACC/VUT/17/Add.2 for consideration and a doption, and the letter from the Deputy Prime 
Minister of Vanuatu, circulated as WT/ACC/VUT/18,  requesting that the tim e-limit for acceptance of 
15 July 2011 in paragraph 7 of the Draft Prot ocol be modified to 31 December 2011.   
64. Deputy Director-General Jara, who had ch aired the re-convened Working Party on the 
Accession of Vanuatu, spoke.   
65. The General Council approved the text of the Draft Protocol on the Accession of Vanuatu, 
with the modification to paragraph 7 mentioned ab ove, and, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the draft Decision on the Accession of Vanua tu as contained in the Appendix to the report of 
the Working Party.  The General Council then a dopted the report of the Working Party as a whole 
(WT/ACC/VUT/17, WT/ACC/VUT/17/Add.1 and WT/ACC/VUT/17/Add.2).  WT/GC/142 
 Page 13 
 
 
  66. The Chairman and the Director-General s poke, following which the representatives of 
Vanuatu (as an Observer); Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDC Group); Australia; Dominican Republic 
(also on behalf of the Informal Group of Developi ng Countries); United States; Barbados (on behalf 
of the SVEs); New Zealand; European Union; Pakist an; China; Japan; Chinese Taipei (on behalf of 
the RAMs Group); Canada; Nepal; India; Tunisia; Turkey; and Cuba spoke.  The representatives of 
Mexico (on behalf of GRULAC); Brazil; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Mauritania; Philippines; Tonga; 
Trinidad and Tobago; El Salvador; Argentina; Bo livarian Republic of Venezuela; Peru; and Hong 
Kong, China also wished to be placed on r ecord as welcoming and supporting the accession of 
Vanuatu.  The General Council took note of the st atements and of the expressions of welcome and 
support. 
(f) WTO Accessions: 2011 Annual Report by the Director-General (WT/GC/M/134) 
67. At the November meeting, the Chairman drew attention to the Director General's report on 
accessions in the triple symbol document WT/ACC/15 - WT/GC/135 - WT/MIN(11)/3. 
68. The Director-General said that 2011 had been  a good year for accessions.  The Organization 
was now on the verge of welcoming two new LDCs : Samoa and Vanuatu; and the Russian Federation 
to the WTO.  He also hoped that the negotia tions in the Working Party on the Accession of 
Montenegro would be concluded at its final Worki ng Party meeting.  The thematic focus of his 2011 
Report was on "Best Practices" in accession negotiations, the purpose of which was to assist and facilitate acceding governments in their WTO acce ssion engagement.  The Director-General also 
noted that 2011 had also marked progress in help ing the accession of LDCs and the recently adopted 
draft decision on LDC accession was an important step in that direction.
8 
69. The representatives of Dominican Republic (on be half of the Informal Group of Developing 
Countries); European Union; China; Kenya (on behalf of the African Group); Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the RAMs Group); Cuba; Hong Kong, Chin a; Australia; United States; Canada; Colombia; 
Iran (as an Observer); Yemen (as an Observer); and Algeria (as an Observer) spoke.   
70. The General Council took note of the statements and of the Director-General's report, which 
would be before Ministers for their consideration at the Eighth Session of the Ministerial Conference. 
10. Waivers
9 
(a) Cape Verde – Implementation of Article VII of GATT 1994 and of the Agreement on 
Customs Valuation (WT/GC/M/131) 
71. At its meeting in May, the General C ouncil considered a draft waiver decision 
(G/C/W/646/Rev.1) for Cape Verde on the implem entation of Article VII of GATT 1994 and of the 
Agreement on Customs Valuation.  The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the 
consideration of the draft decision by that Council.   
72. The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the Decision (WT/L/812). 
                                                      
8 See also paragraph 122, below. 
9 A list of waivers granted by the General Council in  2011, as well as waivers previously granted and 
still in force in 2011, is contained in document WT/GC/W/652. WT/GC/142 
Page 14  
 
  (b) European Union – Request for a waiver on a dditional autonomous trade preferences granted 
by the European Union to Pakistan (WT/GC/M/131) 
73. At its meeting in May, the Chairman referred to  a request for a waiver by the European Union 
in document G/C/W/640 on additional autonomous trade preferences to Pakistan, which had been 
considered by the Council for Trade in Goods.  In  accordance with Article IX:3 of the Marrakesh 
Agreement, the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods made a statement on the consideration of 
this matter by that Council.   
74. The representatives of European Uni on; Pakistan; and China spoke.  
75. In light of the Goods Council Chair's statement and the request by the Goods Council 
reflected therein, the Chairman proposed that th e General Council agree to  allow the Goods Council 
to continue consideration of the request from the European Union and to report back to the General 
Council once it had completed this work.  The Gene ral Council took note of the statements and so 
agreed. 
(c) Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 chang es into WTO Schedules of Tariff Concessions 
(WT/GC/M/134) 
76. At its November meeting, the General Council c onsidered draft waiver decision contained in 
G/C/W/653/Rev.1, which had been made in connection with the introduction of HS2002 changes into 
WTO schedules of tariff concessions.  The Chairman read out a statement on behalf of the Chairman 
of the Council for Trade in Goods reporting on c onsideration of this matter by that Council.   
77. The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the draft Decision (WT/L/832). 
(d) Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 chang es into WTO Schedules of Tariff Concessions 
(WT/GC/M/134) 
78. At its November meeting, the General Council considered a draft waiver decision contained 
in G/C/W/654/Rev.1, which had been made in c onnection with the introduction of HS2007 changes 
into WTO schedules of tariff concessions.  The Chai rman read out a statement on behalf of the 
Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reporting on consideration of this matter by that Council. 
79. The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the draft Decision (WT/L/833). 
(e) Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 chang es into WTO Schedules of Tariff Concessions 
(WT/GC/M/134) 
80. At its November meeting, the General C ouncil considered a waiver request on the 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 Changes into WTO Schedules of Tariff Concessions in 
document G/C/W/655/Rev.2.  The Chairman read out a statement on behalf of the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reporting on consid eration of this matter by that Council. 
81. The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the draft Decision (WT/L/834).  WT/GC/142 
 Page 15 
 
 
  (f) Canada - CARIBCAN - Extension of waiver (WT/GC/M/134) 
82. At its November meeting, the General Council considered the request by Canada for an 
extension of its current waiver for CARIBCAN (G /C/W/657) to extend the duty-free treatment to 
eligible imports of Commonwealth Caribbean c ountries benefiting from the provision of CARIBCAN 
until 31 December 2013.  The Chairman read out th e statement on behalf of the Chairman of the 
Council for Trade in Goods reporting on consid eration of this matter by that Council. 
83. The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the draft Decision (WT/L/835). 
84. The representatives of Barbados; Trinidad a nd Tobago; and Jamaica spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the statements. 
(g) European Union - Application of autonomous pr eferential treatment to the Western Balkans - 
Extension of waiver (WT/GC/M/134) 
85. At its November meeting, the General Council considered a draft wavier decision by the 
European Union to provide preferential treatment  to the Western Balkans until 31 December 2016, 
contained in document G/C/W/658/Add.1.  The Chai rman read out the statement on behalf of the 
Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reporting on consideration of this matter by that Council. 
86. The General Council took note of the report a nd, in accordance with the Decision-Making 
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), 
adopted the draft Decision (WT/L/836). 
(h) Review of waivers pursuant to Article IX :4 of the WTO Agreement (WT/GC/M/132, 
WT/GC/M/134) 
87. Under Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement "[a]ny  waiver granted for a period of more than 
one year shall be reviewed by the Ministerial Conf erence not later than one year after it is granted, 
and thereafter annually until the waiver terminates." 
88. At its July meeting, the General Council cons idered the following waivers for review under 
Article IX:4: 
(i) LDCs – Article 70.9 of the TRIPS Agreement with respect to pharmaceutical products, 
granted on 8 July 2002 until 1 January 2016 (WT/L/478) 
(ii) Preferential tariff treatment for least-d eveloped countries, granted on 27 May 2009 until 
30 June 2019 (WT/L/759) 
(iii) European Union – Preferences for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and 
Montenegro, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, granted on 28 July 2006 until 
31 December 2011 (WT/L/654, WT/L/814) 
(iv) European Union – Application of autonomous p referential treatment to  Moldova, granted on 
7 May 2008 until 31 December 2013 (WT/L/722, WT/L/815) 
(v) Mongolia – Export duties on raw cashmere, grant ed on 27 July 2007 until 29 January 2012 
(WT/L/695) WT/GC/142 
Page 16  
 
  (vi) United States – Former Territory of the Pacific Islands, granted on 27 July 2007 until 
31 December 2016 (WT/L/694, WT/L/816) 
(vii) United States – Caribbean Basin Economic R ecovery Act, granted on 27 May 2009 until 
31 December 2014 (WT/L/753, WT/L/817) 
(viii) United States – African Growth and Opport unity Act, granted on 27 May 2009 until 
30 September 2015 (WT/L/754, WT/L/818 and WT/L/818/Corr.1) 
(ix) United States – Andean Trade Preference Act, granted on 27 May 2009 until 
31 December 2014 (WT/L/755, WT/L/819 and WT/L/819/Corr.1) 
89. In doing so, the General Council considered reports on implementation of the respective 
waivers submitted by the European Union (WT/L/814, WT/L/815) and the United States (WT/L/816, 
WT/L/817, WT/L/818 and WT/L/818/Corr.1, WT/L/819 and WT/L/819/Corr.1).   
90. The representatives of Barbados (on behalf of CARICOM Members); Trinidad and Tobago; 
Jamaica; Saint Lucia (on behalf of the Members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States 
(OECS)); European Union; Plurinational State of  Bolivia; Dominican Republic; Bolivarian Republic 
of Venezuela; Kenya (on behalf of the African Group); Ecuador; Cuba; Brazil; Peru; United States; 
Nicaragua; and Lesotho spoke.  The General Council took note of the above-mentioned reports and of 
the statements. 
91. At its November meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review 
under Article IX:4: 
(i) Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for rough diamonds, granted on 15 December 2006 
until 31 December 2012 (WT/L/676) 
(ii) Canada - CARIBCAN , granted on 15 De cember 2006, from 1 January 2007 until 
31 December 2011 (WT/L/677, WT/L/828) 
(iii) Cuba - Article XV:6 of GATT 1994, granted on 15 December 2006 until 31 December 2011 
(WT/L/678, WT/L/826) 
92. In doing so, the General Council considered reports on implementation of the respective 
waivers submitted by Canada (WT/ L/828) and Cuba (WT/L/826).  
93. The General Council took note of the above-mentioned reports.   
11. Food Export Barriers and Humanitarian Food Aid by the World Food Programme 
(WFP) - Communication from the European Union (WT/GC/M/134) 
94. At the November General Council meeting, the representative of the European Union 
introduced the communication in document WT/GC/138,  co-sponsored by Australia, Canada, Chile, 
Costa Rica, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, 
Switzerland and Turkey.  The communication called for a political guidance commitment by all WTO Members at MC8 to remove food export rest rictions for food purchased for non-commercial 
humanitarian purposes by the World Food Programme (W FP) with a view to facilitate the work of the 
WFP in delivering food in emergency situations.   
95. The representatives of Norway; Canada; Mexico; Switzerland; Thailand; Australia; Mauritius; 
Turkey; Korea; Colombia; Chile; Hong Kong, China;  Chinese Taipei (on behalf of the RAMs Group);  WT/GC/142 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Malaysia; Jamaica; Plurinational State of Bolivia ; Japan; China; Costa Rica; United States; India; 
Indonesia; Fiji; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Argentin a; Israel; Pakistan; El Salvador; Singapore; 
Barbados; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Braz il; Cuba; Trinidad and Tobago; and South Africa 
spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements.   
12. Improving the Record of Notifications - Communication from the European Union 
(WT/GC/M/134) 
96. At the November General Council meeting, the representative of the European Union 
introduced the communication in document WT/GC/139 and WT/GC/139/Add.1, which called for a 
political statement at MC8 on the importance of impr oving the adherence to notification obligations 
as a means to enhance transparency.  The communica tion suggested a yearly discussion in the General 
Council on notifications in a cross-cutting, horizont al fashion based on committee work and, notably, 
the overview information contained in the TPRB A nnual Overview report.  It also recommended a 
report to the Ninth Ministerial Conference on progress achieved until then.   
97. The representatives of Mexico; Switzerland; Australia; Chinese Taipei; Japan; Hong Kong, 
China; Canada; Chile; Norway; New Zealand; Korea;  Colombia; Costa Rica; India; Singapore; China; 
Brazil; United States; and South Africa spoke.  Th e General Council took note of the statements. 
13. The WTO Response to the Impact of the Food Crisis on LDCs and NFIDCs - 
Communication from the NFIDCs, African and Arab Groups (WT/GC/M/134) 
98. At the November General Council meeting, the representative of Egypt introduced the 
proposal from the NFIDCs, African and Arab Gr oups to establish a WTO Work Programme to 
mitigate the impact of food market prices and vol atility on LDCs and NIFDCs (WT/GC/140/Rev.1).  
The proposal suggested that the elements of th e Work programme be agreed by WTO Members 
themselves and that the General Council, via the Committee on Agriculture, establish the work 
programme and report on progress by the Ninth Ministerial Conference.   
99. The representatives of Kenya (on behalf of th e African Group); Jordan; Dominican Republic; 
Honduras; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Peru; Mauritius; Jamaica; Au stralia; El Salvador; Turkey; 
Pakistan; Cuba; Plurinational State of Bolivia;  Eu ropean Union; Barbados; Bolivarian Republic of 
Venezuela; United States; Nigeri a; Japan; Cameroon; Brazil; Argentina; and Uruguay spoke.  The 
General Council took note of the statements. 
14. Proposal for furthering work on regulatory  measures in financial services - Statement 
by Ecuador (WT/GC/M/134) 
100. At the General Council meeting in November, the representative of Ecuador brought to the 
attention of the General Council a proposal it ha d made in the Committee on Trade in Financial 
Services on 31 October (S/FIN/W/80). The propo sal had received wide support amongst Members 
and, although some members belie ved its inclusion in the outcome document of the Eighth Ministerial 
Conference was not necessary, it was on the agenda of the Committee on Trade in Financial Services 
for 2012.  It was also noted that, as the proposal was discussed in the last regular session of the 
Committee on Trade in Financial Services, it could not be included in the annual report of that 
Committee, nor in the annual report of the Council for Trade in Services. 
101. The representatives of Plurinational State of Bolivia; Cuba; Argentina; Turkey; Barbados; 
Chile; Dominican Republic; and El Salvador spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements. WT/GC/142 
Page 18  
 
  15. European Union's exports of out-of-quota sugar - Statement by Brazil (WT/GC/M/134) 
102. At the General Council meeting in November, the delegation of Brazil drew attention to 
concerns about the recent decision by the European Un ion to authorize exports of 700,000 tons of out-
of-quota sugar for crop year 2011-2012. 
103. The representatives of Australia; European Un ion; Thailand; and Colombia spoke.  The 
General Council took note of the statements. 
16. Eighth Ministerial Conference 
(a) Statements by the Chairman (WT/GC/M/130- WT/GC/M/134)  
104. At the February General Council meeting, the Chairman recalled that the Eighth Ministerial 
Conference (MC8) would take place in Geneva on th e dates fixed by the Council at its October 2010 
meeting, i.e. 15-17 December 2011.  During the c ourse of consultations, there had been convergence 
on the following points.  First, Members would continue  to be guided by the "FIT" principle, i.e. Full 
participation, Inclusiveness, and Transparency.  Second, MC8 should be centred around Plenary 
Sessions in which all Ministers could participate eq ually.  Third, MC8 would need to be a lean and 
economical event, in view of the budgetary and physical space constraints.  Finally, his successor 
would continue the consultations w ith Members in order to develop the more detailed parameters of 
MC8.  The General Council took note of the statement. 
105. At the May meeting, the Chairman announced, inter alia , his intention to continue 
consultations with Members, as announced by his pr edecessor, on both the practical aspects of the 
Conference and its substantive agenda and report b ack to the full membership on the progress of his 
consultations as appropriate .  The General Council took note of the statement. 
106. At the July meeting, the Chairman said10 that he had continued c onsultations on MC8.  The 
Chairman highlighted , inter alia,  the consensus on two organizing principles: the FIT principle and  
the "gentleman's agreement", which meant that any Member pursuing an issue for decision, but not 
achieving consensus on it six weeks before the Ministerial, i.e. 2 November, would not insist on putting the item on the Conference Agenda.  Members ha d also recognized that three issues had to be 
taken up at MC8 under existing mandates: the moratorium on e-commerce duties, the moratorium on 
TRIPS non-violation complaints and the overview of WTO activities.  He would continue his 
consultations, with the aim of completing the "big picture" of the substantive agenda. 
107. The representatives of Brazil; Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDC Group); European Union; 
Dominican Republic (on behalf of the Informal Group of Developing Countries); Honduras; China; 
and Japan spoke.  The General Counc il took note of the statements.   
108. At the October meeting, the Chairman repor ted on his consultations and on an informal 
meeting of the General Council at the level of H eads of Delegation at which he had reported on the 
areas in which convergence had emerged.11  He announced that he would be further intensifying his 
consultations in the coming days. 
109. The representatives of Dominican Republic (on be half of the Informal Group of Developing 
Countries); Bangladesh (on behalf of the LDCs);  Honduras; Colombia; European Union; India; 
Brazil; and Turkey spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements. 
                                                      
10 The Chairman's statement was ci rculated in document WT/GC/133. 
11 The Chairman's statement at the informal meeti ng of the General Council at the level of Heads of 
Delegation was circulated in document JOB/GC/12.  WT/GC/142 
 Page 19 
 
 
  110. At the November meeting, the Chairman reporte d on the intensified consultative process that 
he had conducted jointly with the Director-General  on the themes of the Importance of the MTS and 
the WTO; Trade and Development; and the DDA.  The Chairman introduced the document containing the possible elements of political guidance in doc ument JOB/GC/15 and JOB/GC/15/Corr.1, stressing 
that consensus could only be so with the agreement of the whole Membership.  He also stressed that 
these points were intended to form the first part of  the Statement by the Chair of the Ministerial 
Conference.  The Chair's statement would be comp lemented by a second part, which would provide a 
factual summary of what the Chair would hear in  terms of the Ministers' discussions at the 
Conference.  
111. The representatives of Cuba; Israel; Japan; Ma laysia (also on behalf of ASEAN); Bolivarian 
Republic of Venezuela; Plurinational State of Bolivia, Zimbabwe; Peru; Ecuador; Honduras; Brazil; 
Mexico; Jamaica; El Salvador; Colombia (also on  behalf of Chile); Argentina; and Dominican 
Republic spoke.   
112. The Chairman spoke.  He also suggested th at that any delegation who could not join 
consensus on the document, should advise him by 1 D ecember at 18:00.  If no objection was raised by 
that time, the General Council would consider that  there was consensus on these elements and would 
forward them as an official document to the Chai rman of the Ministerial Conference for him to 
include, as agreed, as a consensus part of his stat ement.  The General Council took note of the 
statements and so agreed.
12 
113. The Chairman also reported on his consultations on the proposal presented by the Arab Group 
on "Improving the Guidelines for Granting Observer Status to Intergovernmental Organizations in the 
WTO" in document WT/GC/W/643.  The consultati ons had shown agreemen t on launching a process 
to consider this issue.  Therefore, he proposed th at he, as Chairman of the General Council, initiated a 
process of consultations on this issue after the Mini sterial Conference.  He also proposed to report to 
the February meeting of the General Council abou t progress in these consultations and to ask his 
successor to continue this process as appropriate.  
114. The General Council took note of the statement and so agreed. 
115. Finally, the Chairman addressed some organizational matters.  He said that there would be 
four periods available for Working Sessions spread  over two days (16 and 17 December).  Ministers 
should take up in their discussions the three main  themes that had been considered for political 
guidance, as follows: (i) the Importance of the MTS and the WTO; (ii) Trade and development; and (iii) the DDA.  He trusted this was acceptable to delegations. 
116. Furthermore, the Chairman recalled that, as a ma tter of course, and in line with its Rules of 
Procedure, MC8 should take up two issues related to the organization of the Ninth Ministerial 
Conference (MC9): the date and venue of MC9 and the election of officers for that Conference.  The Chairman proposed that Ministers refer these issu es to the General Council for it to address them 
during the next two years.  He trusted th at this was acceptable to delegations.   
117. The General Council also considered the questio n of the appointments of the Chairs of 
Negotiating Bodies.  In line with the agreement reached at the First meeting of the TNC, these 
appointments were to be reviewed at each Session of the Ministerial Conference.  The Chairman proposed that Ministers request the General Council to  take this matter up in the February slate of 
                                                      
12 In line with the procedure agreed, on 1 Decembe r 2011 the Chairman fo rwarded the document 
WT/MIN(11)/W/2 to the Chairman of the Eighth Ministerial Conference for inclusion as the consensus part of 
his statement. WT/GC/142 
Page 20  
 
  names exercise for appointment of officers to regu lar bodies.  He trusted this was acceptable to 
delegations. 
118. The General Council took note of the Chairman's statement. 
(i) TRIPS non-violation complaints (WT/GC/M/134) 
(ii) E-commerce
13 (WT/GC/M/134) 
119. At the November meeting, at the suggestion of  the Chairman, the General Council considered 
the sub-items on TRIPS non-violation and situa tion complaints and E-Commerce in documents 
IP/C/59/Add.1 and WT/GC/W/645, respectively, togeth er with the other Decisions which had recently 
been submitted to the General Council for fo rwarding to the Ministerial Conference. 
120. The Chairman of the TRIPS Council and Deputy- Director General DDG Singh, who had been 
dealing with the work programme on E-commerc e on behalf of the General Council Chairman, 
reported on their work in these areas.   
121. The representatives of Ecuador; Cuba; European Union; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; 
United States; Chinese Taipei; and Paraguay spoke.  The General Council took note of the statements 
and agreed to forward these reports and the draft te xts for decision by Ministers which they contained 
to the Ministerial Conference. 
122. Under this Item, the Chairman drew attention to  the draft Decisions that had been agreed in 
various WTO subsidiary bodies: (i) the report of the Committee on Trade and Development in 
Dedicated Session and the text for action by Ministers (WT/COMTD/SE/7/Add.1);14 (ii) the text on 
the extension of the transition period for Least-d eveloped Countries under Article 66.1 of the TRIPS 
Agreement contained in the report of the TRI PS Council submitted to the General Council with a 
recommendation to forward it to the Ministerial Conf erence (IP/C/59/Add.2); (iii) the report of the 
Sub-Committee on LDCs to the General Council which contained the draft decision on LDC 
Accession and the recommendation that it be forwarded to the Ministerial Conference (WT/COMTD/LDC/19); and (iv) the draft decision on the LDC services waiver contained in the report by the Chairman of the Council for Trade in Services in Special Session (TN/S/37).  The 
Chairman suggested that the General Council agr ee to forward the above-mentioned reports and the 
draft texts for decision by Ministers contained therein to the Ministerial Conference. 
123. The General Council took note of the statement and so agreed.  
124. The Chairman also noted that the results of the 4th appraisal of the Trade Policy Review 
Mechanism in document WT/MIN(11)/6, had been  forwarded by the Trade Policy Review Body 
directly to the Ministerial Conference, in line with  its mandate.  This document also contained agreed 
language for Ministerial action. 
(b) Election of Officers (WT/GC/M/134) 
125. At the November meeting, the Chairman, on the basis of his consultations, proposed that the 
General Council elect the following presiding officers for the Eighth Session: 
                                                      
13 See also the Item on Work Programme on E-Commerce. 
14 See also paragraph 17, above.  WT/GC/142 
 Page 21 
 
 
  Chairperson: H.E. Mr Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga (Nigeria) 
Vice-Chairs: H.E. Mr Johann Schneider-Ammann (Switzerland) 
  H.E. Mr Mustapa Mohamed (Malaysia) 
   H.E. Mr Stephen Cadiz (Trinidad and Tobago). 
 
126. The General Council so agreed. 
(c) Attendance of observers from Government s and International Intergovernmental 
Organizations (WT/GC/M/133, WT/GC/M/134) 
127. At the October meeting of the General Council, the Chairman suggested that the attendance of 
observers from Governments and IGOs be taken up separately.  With regard to attendance of 
observers from Governments, he recalled that he suggested in his consultations that the General 
Council repeat its past practice.  This meant that  Governments with Observer status at the Seventh 
Ministerial Conference would be invited to the Eighth Ministerial Conference.15  I n  l i g h t  o f  t h e  
convergence around his suggestion which had been a pparent in his consultations, the Chairman 
proposed that the General Council take note of his st atement and agree to follow the procedure he had 
outlined.  The General Council so agreed. 
128. With regard to International Intergovernment al Organization (IGOs), the Chairman recalled 
that he had suggested in his consultations that th e General Council repeat its past practice.  Thus, 
IGOs with Observer status at the Seventh Minist erial Conference would be invited to the Eighth 
Ministerial Conference.  In line with the Guidelin es for Observer Status for IGOs in Annex 3 of the 
General Council's Rules of Procedure, the only ex ception to this would be any IGO which had not 
attended the Seventh Ministerial Conference.  An y new requests would be considered on a case-by-
case basis in the usual way, al so in line with the Guidelines.16  In the light of the convergence around 
his suggestion in the consultations which he had just mentioned, the Chai rman proposed that the 
General Council take note of his statement and ag ree to follow the procedure he had outlined.   
129. The representative of the Kingdom of Saudi  Arabia (on behalf of the Arab Group)17 and the 
Chairman spoke.  
130. The General Council took note of the statements a nd that it would revert to this matter at a 
later point.   
131. In light of the procedure he had just set out, the Chairman informed Members that a request 
for observer status at MC8 had been received from th e League of Arab States, which currently did not 
have observer status in any WTO body.  He proposed  that the General Council proceed in exactly the 
same way that it had in the past with regard to requests from IGOs for observer status at Ministerial 
Conferences.  Accordingly, he proposed that, unl ess any objection was received by the Secretariat 
from any Member by 15 November 2011, the League of Arab States be granted observer status to MC8.  As in the past, he would inform the General Council at its next meeting of the status of this 
                                                      
15 The list of the Observer Governments invited to the Seventh Ministerial Conference can be found in 
document WT/MIN(09)/INF/6/Rev.1 under Category II.   
16 The list of the Observer IGOs invited to the Seventh Ministerial Conference can be found in 
document WT/MIN(09)/INF/6/Rev.1 under Category III.   
17 At the request of the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its statement and the letter to which 
the statement referred were subsequen tly circulated in document WT/GC/134. WT/GC/142 
Page 22  
 
  request.  For transparency purposes, delegations woul d have an opportunity at that meeting to discuss 
this request.  He trusted that th is was acceptable to delegations.
18 
132. The General Council took note of the Chairman's statement. 
133. At the November meeting, the Chairman recalled that the General Council had agreed to 
revert to this matter at its next meeting.  In Oc tober, he had proposed that the General Council should 
follow past practice with respect to  the attendance of Observers from  IGOs.  From his consultations 
on this matter, it appeared that ther e was no consensus on this approach. 
134. The General Council took note of the statement. 
(i) Request by the League of Arab States (WT/GC/M/134 )19 
135. At the General Council meeting in November, the Chairman recalled that, at the General 
Council meeting on 26 October, he had informed de legations that a request by the League of Arab 
States for Observer Status at the Eighth Ministerial Conference had been received.  Since then, written 
communications had been received from two Members stating that they were not in a position to agree to this request, as he announced in a fa x to all Members on 16 November, and there was 
therefore no consensus to grant the request from the League of Arab States at this stage. 
136. The representatives of Saudi Arabia (on behalf of the Arab Group); Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait; 
Qatar; Plurinational State of Bolivia; Cuba; Turk ey; and Pakistan spoke.  The General Council took 
note of the statements. 
(d) Request of Observer Status by Palestine to the Eighth Session of the Ministerial Conference 
(WT/GC/M/133, WT/GC/M/134) 
137. At the October meeting, the Chairman informed Members that a request for observer status at 
MC8 had been received from Palestine and circul ated in document WT/L/822.  He was currently 
undertaking consultations on this requ est and intended to revert to it at the following General Council 
meeting. 
138. The General Council took note of the Chairman's statement.  
139. At the November meeting, the Chairman drew  the Council's attention to the request by 
Palestine for observer status at the Eighth Mi nisterial Conference in document WT/L/822 and 
proposed that the Council agree to grant the request. 
140. The representatives of Dominican Republic (on be half of the Informal Group of Developing 
Countries); China; Ecuador; Cuba; Chile; Argentina;  Plurinational State of Bolivia; Brazil; Bolivarian 
Republic of Venezuela; Paraguay; Sri Lanka; and Jo rdan spoke.  The General Council took note of the 
statements and so agreed. 
(e) Attendance of Non-Governmental  Organizations (WT/GC/M/133) 
141. At the October meeting, the Chairman recalled that for all previous Ministerial Conferences, 
attendance of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) had been governed by a procedure which 
had been agreed by the General Council in July 1996.   This procedure was as follow:  (i) a limited 
number of accredited NGO representatives were allowed to attend only the Plenary Sessions of the 
                                                      
18 See also paragraph 135, below. 
19 See also paragraph 131, above.  WT/GC/142 
 Page 23 
 
 
  Conference, without the right to speak;  (ii) appli cations from NGOs to be registered were accepted 
on the basis of Article V, paragraph 2 of the WT O Agreement, i.e. NGOs "concerned with matters 
related to those of the WTO"; and (iii) a deadline was established for the registration of NGOs that 
wished to attend the Conference. 
142. The Chairman proposed that the General Counc il continue to follow the procedures he had 
just read out, with a deadline for registration fixe d at 11 November.  The General Council took note of 
the statement and so agreed. 
17. Administrative Measures for Members in Arrears (WT/GC/M/130-WT/GC/M/134) 
143. At its meeting in May 2006, the Genera l Council approved a recommendation from the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration w ith regard to revised Administrative Measures 
for Members in Arrears (WT/BFA/86) under which, inter alia , at each meeting of the General Council 
the Chairman of the Budget Committee would provide information with regard to which Members were under Administrative Measures in Categories II through IV, and the General Council Chairman 
would request Members in Categories III and IV to inform him before the next Council meeting as to 
when the payment of arrears might be expected. 
144. At the General Council meetings in Februa ry, May, July, October and November, the 
Chairman of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Ad ministration provided in formation with regard 
to which Members were under Administrative Me asures in Categories II through IV.  Also in 
pursuance of the revised Administrative Measures, the General Council Chairman requested Members 
in Categories III and IV to inform him before th e next meeting of the Council as to when their 
payment of arrears might be expected.20  The General Council took note of the statements. 
18. WTO Pension Plan 
(a) Election of Chairman, Members and Alternat es to the Management Board (WT/GC/M/130, 
WT/GC/M/131, WT/GC/M/133) 
145. Article 4(a) of the Regulations of the WTO Pension Plan provides, inter alia , for the election 
by the General Council of a Chairman, four members and four alternates to the Management Board of 
the Pension Plan, each for a three-year term.   
146. At the February General Council meeting, the Chairman, in a communication circulated to 
delegations in document WT/GC/W/630, indicated that two members previously elected to the 
Management Board by the General Council were no longer available to serve on the Board, and that it 
was therefore necessary for the Council to decide on their replacement.  Accordingly, he proposed 
that the General Council elect Mr Ken Schagrin (U nited States) and Mr Marhijn Visser (Netherlands) 
to serve as members on the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan for the remainder of the 
Board's term, i.e. until May 2011. 
147. The General Council took note of the statement and so agreed.   
148. At the May meeting, the Chairman recalled that the term of office of the current membership 
of the Management Board would expire on 7 May.  Following consultations on this matter, he had 
circulated document WT/GC/W/632, in which he proposed the names of representatives who had 
kindly agreed to have their names put forward fo r election as chairman, members and alternates.   
                                                      
20 See also paragraph 42, above. WT/GC/142 
Page 24  
 
  149. The General Council agreed to the election of  the candidates whose names were listed in 
document WT/GC/W/632 to serve in these positions on the Pension Plan Management Board for a 
three-year term. The Decision was circulated in document WT/L/813. 
150. At the October meeting, the Chairman, in a communication circulated to delegations in 
document WT/GC/W/640, indicated that a member and an alternate previously elected to the 
Management Board by the General Council were no longer available to serve on the Board, and that it 
was therefore necessary for the Council to decide on their replacement.  Accordingly, he proposed 
that the General Council elect Ms Trudy Witbreuk (Australia) to serve as  member and Ms Annie 
Ouellet (Canada) to serve as alternate on the Mana gement Board for the remainder of the Board's 
term, i.e. until May 2014.21  The General Council so agreed.  
(b) Annual Report (WT/GC/M/133) 
151. At the October meeting, the Chairman of th e Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan 
introduced the Annual Report of the Management Board for 2010 (WT/L/820).  The General Council 
took note of the Annual Report and of the statement. 
(c) Amendment of Article 30 of the Regulations  of the WTO Pension Plan (WT/GC/M/133) 
152. At the October meeting, the Chairman of th e Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan 
introduced the Amendment of Article 30 of the Regu lations of the WTO Pension Plan circulated in 
document WT/GC/W/637 concerning the incorpora tion of a provision for the non-concurrence of 
allowances for child's benefit.  The General Council took note of the statement and approved the 
amendment to the WTO Pension Plan Regulations as set out in document WT/GC/W/637. 
19. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (WT/GC/M/132) 
153. At its July meeting, the General Council consid ered a report of the Joint Advisory Group of 
the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO on its Forty-fourth Session (ITC/AG(XLIV)/238).  
The Chairman recalled that, in keeping with cust omary practice, this report had been considered 
initially by the Committee on Trade and Development at  its meeting on 21 June.  The Chairman of the 
Committee on Trade and Development reported on the Committee's consideration of the report.   
154. The representatives of Jamaica and Canada spoke.  The General Council took note of the 
statements and adopted the report of the Joint Advisory Group. 
20. Review of WTO activities (WT/GC/M/134) 
155. At its November meeting, the General Counc il considered annual reports for 2011 from WTO 
bodies that had been drawn up in pursuance of the Decision concerning procedures for an annual 
overview of WTO activities and for reporting under the WTO in document WT/L/105. 
156. The Chairman of the Committee on Government Procurement spoke. 
157. The General Council took note of the statement. 
158. The representative of China spoke.  The General Council took note of the statement, adopted 
the report of the Committee on Trade and Developm ent in document WT/COMTD/74, took note of 
the reports of other WTO bodies, including the re ports of the bodies under the Plurilateral Trade 
Agreements, in documents WT/DSB/54 and WT/D SB/54/Add.1, WT/TPR/284, G/L/978, S/C/36, 
                                                      
21 The Decision was then circul ated in document WT/L/824.  WT/GC/142 
 Page 25 
 
 
  IP/C/59 and IP/C/59/Add.2, WT/CTE/18, WT/BOP/R/104, WT/BFA/127, WT/REG/21, 
WT/WGTDF/10, WT/WGTTT/13, GPA/110 and WT/L/827, and agreed to forward the reports to the 
Eighth Ministerial Conference.   
159. The General Council then adopted the draft Annual Report for 2011 of the General Council 
(WT/GC/W/647), on the understanding that the Secret ariat would make the necessary adjustments to 
it as to include matters considered at that meeting,  and agreed to forward it to the Eighth Ministerial 
Conference. 
21. Appointment of officers to WTO bodies 
(a) Appointment of Chairs to the bodies listed in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the Annex to the 
Guidelines (WT/GC/M/130) 
160. At the General Council meeting in February, th e Chairman recalled that, in accordance with 
the Guidelines for Appointment of Officers to WTO Bodies (WT/L/510), he and his colleagues, 
Mr Agah (Nigeria), the serving Chair of the Dis pute Settlement Body and Mr Matus (Chile), the 
former Chairman of the General Council, had conduct ed consultations with de legations on a slate of 
names for the appointment of Chairs to the bodies lis ted in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the Annex to the 
Guidelines.  On the basis of these consultations , there was a consensus on the following slate of 
names: 
General Council H.E. Mr Yonov Frederick AGAH (Nigeria) 
Dispute Settlement Body H.E. Mrs Elin Østebø JOHANSEN (Norway) 
Trade Policy Review Body H.E. Mr Mario MATUS (Chile) 
Council for Trade in Goods H.E. Mr Jüri SEILENTHAL (Estonia) Council for Trade in Services H.E Mr ERWIDODO (Indonesia) Council for TRIPS H.E. Mr Federico A. GONZÁLEZ (Paraguay) 
Committee on Trade and 
  Development H.E. Dr Anthony Mothae MARUPING (Lesotho) 
Committee on Balance-of- 
  Payments Restrictions H.E. Mr Hisham M. BADR (Egypt) 
Committee on Budget, Finance  
  and  Administration Mr Pasi-Heikki VAARANMAA (Finland) 
Committee on Trade and  
  Environment H.E. Mrs Hiswani HARUN (Malaysia) 
Committee on Regional Trade  
  Agreements Mr François RIEGERT (France) 
Working Group on Trade, Debt and  
  Finance Mr Martin GLASS (Hong Kong, China) 
Working Group on Trade and  
  Transfer of Technology H.E. Mrs Marion Vernese WILLIAMS (Barbados) 
 
161. Appointments for these bodies would be for one year , in keeping with the general rule in the 
Guidelines.  These appointments would be made fo rmally by the WTO bodies concerned at their WT/GC/142 
Page 26  
 
  subsequent meetings in 2011.  The General Council took note of the statement and of the consensus 
on the slate of names for the appointment of officers.   
162. The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods and the General Council Chairman on 
behalf of the Chairperson of the Services Counc il spoke.  The General Council took note of the 
statements.   
(b) Chairmanships of the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture, the Special Session of 
the Committee on Trade and Environment, and the Negotiating Group on Rules (WT/GC/M/132, WT/GC/M/133) 
163. At the July meeting, the Chairman reported th at consultations were proceeding regarding the 
appointment of successors to Amb. Walker (New Ze aland), Chairman of the Special Session of the 
Committee on Agriculture, and Amb. Teehankee (Ph ilippines), Chairman of the Special Session of 
the Committee on Trade and Environment, who had bot h been recalled to their capitals to take up 
other appointments.  The General Council took note of the statement.  
164. At the October meeting, the Chairman said that  his consultations on the chairmanships of the 
Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture, th e Special Session of the Committee on Trade and 
Environment, and the Negotiating Group on Rules22 had shown a consensus among Members on the 
appointment of the following Chairs:   
Special Session of the Committee on 
Agriculture Amb. John Adank (New Zealand) 
Special Session of the Committee on Trade 
and Environment Amb. Hiswani Harun (Malaysia) 
Negotiating Group on Rules Am b. Wayne McCook (Jamaica) 
 
165. These appointments would be made formally at  the next formal meeting of each of the 
respective bodies.  The representatives of Mexico (a lso on behalf of GRULAC) and Colombia spoke.  
The General Council took note of the statements.  
(c) Announcement by the Chairman pursuant to  Paragraph 7.1(a) of the Guidelines 
(WT/GC/M/134) 
166. At the November meeting, the Chairman said that in accordance with the Guidelines for the 
Appointment of Officers to WTO bodies in documen t WT/L/510, he would be starting the selection 
process for the appointment of chairpersons to th e WTO bodies in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Annex 
to the Guidelines.  In accordance with paragraph 7.1( a), he would be assisted in this process by the 
serving Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement Body, Amb. Johansen (Norway), Amb. Gero (Canada), 
and Amb. Matus (Chile), former Chairmen of the General Council. 
167. The General Council took note of the statement. 
                                                      
22 In a fax dated 23 September sent to all Members, the Chairman noted that he had been informed that 
Ambassador Dennis Francis (Trinidad and Tobago), Chairman of the Negotiating Group on Rules, had also been 
recalled to capital.  It was therefore necessary to include this appointment in the consultations.  WT/GC/142 
 Page 27 
 
 
  22. Election of Chairperson (WT/GC/M/130) 
168. At the February Council meeting, the Chairman, as the outgoing presiding officer of the 
General Council, made a brief statement. 
169. The General Council then unanimously elected Mr Agah (Nigeria) to the Chair. 
170. The Director-General, the newly-elected Chai rman, and the representatives of Mauritius (on 
behalf of the ACP Group); Jamaica (on behalf of GRULAC); Indonesia (on behalf of ASEAN); 
Kenya (on behalf of the African Group); Barbados  (on behalf of the SVEs); United States; and 
Dominican Republic (on behalf of the Informal Gr oup of Developing Countries) spoke.  The General 
Council took note of the statements. 
_________