WT/GC/W/856  
 
7 December  2022 
(22-9102) Page: 1/17 
General Council  
19-20 December 2022    
 
GENERAL COUNCIL  
DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT (202 2)1 
The present report has been prepared in pursuance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview of 
WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105).  
 
Since its previous annual report2, the General Council ha s held four regular meetings on 
23-24 February , 9-10 May, 25-26 July, and 6-7 October  and two special meeting s on 31 March and 
7 June . The minutes of these  meetings, which remain in the record of the General Council's work, 
are co ntained in documents WT/GC/M/1 96, WT/GC/M/1 97, WT/GC/M/19 8, WT/GC/M/19 9, 
WT/GC/M/200  and WT/GC/M/ 201.3 
 
The following subjects are included in the report4: 
 
1   REPORTS BY THE CHAIR OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND REPORTS 
BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  ................................ ................................ ............................  3 
2   IMPLEMENTATION MATTERS FROM MC12  ................................ ................................ .... 4 
3   IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON   ................................ ................................ ...............  5 
4   WTO RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC  ................................ ................................ ............  5 
4.1   Reports   ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  5 
4.2   Intellec tual Property, Transfer of Technology and Capacity Building for COVID -19 
and Beyond – Statement by Brazil  ................................ ................................ .......................  6 
5   TRIPS COUNCIL MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ...........................  6 
5.1   Status Report on the Considerations by the TRIPS Council on the "Proposal for a Waiver  
from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the Prevention, Containment and Treatment  
of COVID -19" – Statement by the Chair of the Council for TRIPS  ................................ .............  6 
5.2   Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement adopted on 17 June 2022 – 
document WT/MIN(22)/30 (Ministerial Decisio n on the TRIPS Agreement of 17 June 2022) – 
Request from South Africa, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan and Argentina on behalf of the  
Co-Sponsors of IP/C/W/669/Rev.1  ................................ ................................ ......................  7 
6   WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ .......................  7 
6.1   Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs Duties  
on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India and South Africa  ................................ ..........  7 
 
1 The final version of the report will also reflect any further meeting of the General Council to be held in 
2022 and items will be renumbered as necessary.  
2 The annual report  of the General Council for 202 1 was circulated in WT/GC/2 42 including 
WT/GC/242/Add.1.  
3 To be issued.  
4 In the meetings of the General Council in 2022, some Members delivered statements under one item 
covering several items , as reflected in the respective minutes . WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  6.2   Rejuvenation of Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Customs 
Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request fro m India and South Africa  ................................  8 
7   WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORTS   ................................ ............  8 
8   REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE BALI DECISION ON TRQ ADMINISTRATION –
DECISION ON PARAGRAPH 4 OF THE UNDERFILL MECHANISM   ................................ ....... 8 
9   TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ................................ ..............  9 
9.1   Statement by the Chair   ................................ ................................ .............................  9 
9.2   Reports from the Chair of the General Council, the Facilitator on the WTO Response to the 
Pandemic, the TRIPS Council Chair, the Relevant Negotiating Group Chairs dealing with MC12 
Deliverables, and Address from the Director -General and TNC Chair  ................................ .........  9 
9.3   Review of Progress on Members' Proposals for MC12  ................................ .....................  10 
10   ACCESSION MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ..............................  11 
10.1   2021 Annual Report by the Director -General   ................................ ..............................  11 
10.2   Turkmenistan  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  11 
11   WAIVERS ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  11 
11.1   Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement   ................................  11 
12   TRADE RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD – COMMUNICATIONS AND REQUEST FROM THE LDC GROUP   ........................  12 
13   IMMEDIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM IN 
PREPARATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL MC12 – COMMUNICATION FROM ARG ENTINA; 
AUSTRALIA; BRAZIL; BRUNEI DARUSSALAM; CANADA; CHILE; COLOMBIA;  
COSTA RICA; DOMINICA; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; ECUADOR; EL SALVADOR;  
EUROPEAN UNION; GUATEMALA; HONDURAS; HONG KONG, CHINA; ICELAND;  
ISRAEL; JAPAN; KAZAKHSTAN; KENYA; REPUBLIC OF KOREA; LAO PEOPLE'S 
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC; LIECHTENSTEIN; MEXICO; REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA; 
MONGOLIA; MONTENEGRO; MOROCCO; NEW ZEALAND; NORWAY; PANAMA; PERU; 
PHILIPPINES; QATAR; SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS 
TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; THAI LAND; TÜRKİYE ; 
UKRAINE; UNITED KINGDOM; URUGUAY AND VANUATU  ................................ ................  12 
14   INTRODUCTION OF A PAPER ON "LEGAL STATUS OF JOINT STATEMENT  
INITIATIVES AND THEIR NEGOTIATED OUTCOMES" – REQUEST FROM INDIA;  
SOUTH AFRICA AND NAMIBIA  ................................ ................................ ........................  13 
15   PROPOSED SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITA RY DECLARATION FOR THE TWELFTH  
WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE: RESPONDING TO MODERN SPS CHALLENGES –  
THE AFRICAN GROUP; ACP GROUP; ARGENTINA; AUSTRALIA; BELIZE; BRAZIL;  
BURKINA FASO; CABO VERDE; CANADA; CHILE; COLOMBIA; COSTA RICA; CÔTE 
D'IVOIRE; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; ECUADOR; EL SALVADOR; THE GAMBIA;  
GUATEMALA; HONDURAS; JAPAN; MALAYSIA; MEXICO; MONGOLIA; NEW ZEALAND; 
PANAMA; PARAGUAY; PERU; SENEGAL; SINGAPORE; TAJIKISTAN; TOGO; UKRAINE;  
THE UNITED STATES; URUGUAY; AND VIET NAM  ................................ ...........................  13 
16   STRENGTHENING THE WTO TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSIVITY – 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP; CUBA AND INDIA   ................................  13 
17   JOINT STATEMENT ON OPEN AND PREDICTABLE TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL  
AND FOOD PRODUCTS – REQUEST FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM  ................................ ... 14 
18   PROPOSED GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION ON PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE 
TRANSPARENCY AND IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
UNDER WTO AGREEMENTS – ALBANI A; ARGENTINA; AUSTRALIA; BRAZIL; CANADA; 
CHILE; COLOMBIA; COSTA RICA; THE EUROPEAN UNION; ICELAND; ISRAEL; JAPAN; 
REPUBLIC OF KOREA; LIECHTENSTEIN; MEXICO; REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA; 
MONTENEGRO; NEW ZEALAND; NORTH MACEDONIA; NORWAY; PARAGUAY; PERU;  
THE PHILIPPIN ES; SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; THAILAND; UNITED KINGDOM;  
THE UNITED STATES; AND URUGUAY   ................................ ................................ ............  14 
19   TRADE -DISRUPTIVE PRACTICES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS 
FOR THE WTO – COMMUNICATION FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION   ..........................  14 
20   LDC VIEWS ON WTO REFORM DISCUSSIONS AND PROPOSALS –                        
COMMUNICATION FROM CHAD ON BEHALF OF THE LDC GROUP  ................................ ..... 14 
21   COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  ................................ .... 15 
21.1   Reports and Recommendations   ................................ ................................ ................  15 
22   WTO PENSION PLAN  ................................ ................................ ...............................  15 
22.1   Election of Members and Alternate  ................................ ................................ ............  15 
22.2   Reports  ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  15 
23   ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS  ................................ ..... 15 
24   INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE UNCTAD/WTO – REPORT OF THE JOINT  
ADVISORY GROUP ON ITS 55TH SESSION  ................................ ................................ ..... 16 
25   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES   ................................ .......................  16 
26   ELECT ION OF CHAIRPERSON  ................................ ................................ ...................  17 
 
1  REPORTS BY THE CHAIR OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND REPORTS BY 
THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  (WT/GC/M/196 ; WT/GC/M/198 ; WT/GC/M/200 ; AND 
WT/GC/M/ 201) 
1.1.  Ministers at Doha established a Trade Negotiations Committee under the authority of the 
General Council to supervise the overall conduct of the negotiations (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1). In 
accordance with the Principles and Practices e ndorsed 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.  
1.2.  At the Februa ry meeting,  the Director -General, as TNC Chair, updated Members on 
developments in this area including  on the  Informal Heads of Delegation  meeting on 3 December 
where Members express ed their views on the way forward following the postponement of MC12 . The 
representatives of  Barbados (CARICOM); Switzerland; Morocco; Panama (GRULAC); Argentina; 
Mexic o; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); the European Union; Uruguay; Au stralia; Indonesia; South 
Africa; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Mauritius; Cameroon (African Group); Nigeria; Peru; Thailand; 
Jamaica (ACP); India; Kazakhstan  and Brazil  spoke.  The General Council took note  of the report s5 
of the Director -General  and the negotiating groups Chairs , and of the statements .6 
1.3.  At the May meeting, the Director -General, as TNC Chair, updated Members on developments 
in this area including on the Informa l TNC and Heads of Delegation meeting on 4 May to undertake 
a collective reflection on the MC12 preparatory process and how best to ensure a productive meeting 
in June.  Her report was circulated in document JOB/GC/300.  The representatives of Chad (LDCs); 
Cambodia; Sierra Leone; Indonesia; Argentina; Brazil and Peru spoke. The General Council took 
note of the report7 of the Director -General including at the 4 May Informal TNC and Informal HODs 
meeting , and of the statements8 that day as well as those deliv ered at the 4 May Informal TNC and 
Informal HODs meeting .9 
 
5 The Director -General's  report, and the reports of the Chairs of Negotiating Bodies were also circulated 
in JOB/GC/294 . 
6 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group) su bsequently provided its statement which can be found in 
WT/GC/M/196.  
7 The Director -General's  report  was also circulated in JOB/GC/294 . 
8 Kenya subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/198.  
9 The statements at the 4 May Informal TN C and Informal HODs Meetings by the following delegations 
are incorporated in the minutes of this meeting and can be found in the Annex of WT/GC/M/198 : Japan; 
Singapore; Cameroon (African Group); Brazil; Nigeria; Australia; Chile ( Structured Discussions on Investment 
Facilitation for Development ); Philippines; Mexico; India; European Union; Norway; South Africa; Barbados 
(CARICOM); Switzerland; Republic of Korea; Canada; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Chad (LDCs); China; Jamaica WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  1.4.  At the July meeting, this agenda item was taken up together with the agenda item on 
"Implementation Matters from MC12 Mandates".10 
1.5.  At the October  meeting, the Chair made a statement on the process of appointing the CoA SS, 
the NGR and the CTE SS Chairs.11 The Director -General, as TNC Chair, updated Members on 
developments in this area. Her report was circulated in JOB/GC/319. The representatives of the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group); Kazakhstan ; Australia; Samoa (Pacific Group); Cameroon 
(African Group); the European Union; the United Kingdom; Japan; Qatar; Nigeria; the Republic of 
Korea; the United States; Peru; Chile; Nicaragua; Iceland; Senegal; Pakistan; Indonesia; South 
Africa; Bot swana; Tanzania; and India spoke. The General Council took note of the report by the 
Director -General, of the Chair's statement and of the other statements.  
2  IMPLEMENTATION MATTERS FROM MC12  (WT/GC/M/200  AND WT/GC/M/201 ) 
2.1.  At the July meeting, the Chair recalled that a comprehensive discussion on this matter took 
place at the Informal Heads of Delegation meeting on 7 July convened by the Director -General and 
him – with forty -eight delegations12 taking the floor. The Director -General pr ovided her report on 
various related issues which was subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/315  and referred to her previous 
reports in documents JOB/GC/312 and JOB/TNC/104. The Chairs of the Committee on Agriculture in 
Special Session and the Negotiating Grou p on Rules then took the floor to update13 Members on 
their respective areas.  In his report, which was subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/316, the Chair 
informed Members of his intention to undertake consultations in September on a range of issues, 
includin g (i) WTO reform; (ii) e -commerce work programme and moratorium; and (iii) the venue 
and date of MC13.  The Chair of the TRIPS Council delivered a statement  on how the TRIPS Council 
has been follow ing-up on relevant Ministerial instructions from MC12. The r epresentatives of 
Norway; Cameroon (African Group); Brazil; Colombia; Malaysia; Guatemala; Australia; Türkiye; the 
Philippines; Chile; Switzerland; Kenya (ACP); Japan; the European Union; Botswana; Iceland; 
Argentina; India; Singapore; the United Kingdom; the Republic of Korea; Thailand; Tunisia; the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Bangladesh; Indonesia; Nepal; Guyana (CARICOM); Hong Kong, China; 
Mauritania (LDCs); Vanuatu (Pacific Group); South Africa; Peru; Panama; Nigeria; Ukraine; Sri 
Lanka; the United States;  Ecuador; Mauritius; Chinese Taipei; Mexico; Senegal; Pakistan; the 
Russian Federation; Canada ; and China spoke. The Director -General and the Chair of the Negotiating 
Group on Rules again intervened. The General Council took note of the reports of the Director -
General, the C hairs of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session and the Negotiating Group 
on Rules,  the General Council Chair, the statement by the TRIPS Council Chair, and of the other 
statements.  
2.2.  At the October  meeting, the Chair recalle d his report at the Informal General Council meeting 
on 4 October on his consultations on WTO Reform and on the E -Commerce Work Programme and 
Moratorium circulated in document JOB/GC/318 – where a discussion14 among Members had taken 
place thereafter. His full report was subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/320. The TRIPS Council Chair 
took the floor. The representatives of Morocco; Malaysia; Türkiye; Djibouti (LDCs); Antigua and 
Barbuda (OECS); Singapore; Cambodia; China; Sri Lanka; Norway; Jamaica; Kenya (AC P); the 
 
(ACP); Malaysia; Uni ted Kingdom; Pakistan; Thailand; New Zealand; Indonesia; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Sri 
Lanka; Colombia; Ukraine; Türkiye ; Uruguay; Egypt; Russian Federation; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); Peru; 
Panama (GRULAC, Article XII Members); Costa Rica ( Joint Initiativ e on Services Domestic Regulation ); Nepal; 
Trinidad and Tobago; Chinese Taipei; Paraguay; Tunisia; The Gambia; Iceland; Guatemala and United States.  
10 See Paragraph 2.1.  
11 See also Footnote 47 and JOB/GC/318.  
12 The statements made on the 7 July Informal He ads of Delegation meeting by Brazil; Botswana; 
Australia; Jamaica (ACP); Indonesia; Cabo Verde; Malaysia; Nicaragua; Cameroon (African Group); Switzerland; 
Singapore; China; Cambodia; Chile; Bangladesh; Mexico; Colombia; European Union; Ecuador; South Afri ca; 
Nepal; Barbados (CARICOM); Japan; India; Nigeria; Chinese Taipei; Russian Federation; Vanuatu (Pacific 
Group); Paraguay; Tunisia; Türki ye; El Salvador; Canada; The Philippines; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); Peru; 
Zimbabwe; New Zealand; United States; Cha d (LDCs); Costa Rica, Plurinational State of Bolivia; United Kingdom; 
Kazakhstan; Egypt; Uganda; Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Panama were included , at their request,  as 
part of the Minutes of th e July General Council meeting  and can be found in the  Annex of WT/GC/M/200.  
13 Their reports can be found in the annex of JOB/GC/315.  
14 The statements made on the 4 October Informal General Council meeting by Argentina; Australia; 
Brazil; Cameroon (African Group); Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Djibouti ; Egypt; European Union; Fiji; 
India; Jamaica (CARICOM); Japan; Kenya (ACP Group); Nicaragua; Nigeria; Peru; Philippines; Switzerland; 
United Kingdom and Zambia were incorporated , at their request,  in the Minutes of the October meeting and can 
be found in the Annex of WT/GC/M/201.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  United States; Cameroon (African Group); the European Union; Nepal; Colombia; Switzerland; 
Samoa (Pacific Group); South Africa; the Russian Federation; Canada; Nigeria; Chinese Taipei; 
Uganda; Ecuador; Thailand; Bangladesh; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; the United Kingdom; 
Indonesia; India; Japan; Mauritius; the Republic of Korea; Ukraine; and Peru spoke. The General 
Council took note of the Chair's statement, the statement of the TRIPS Council Chair and of the 
other statements.  
3  IMPLEMENTATION  OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – 
STATEMENTS BY THE CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/196 ; WT/GC/M/198; WT/GC/M/200 ; 
AND WT/GC/M/ 201) 
3.1.  Since July 2014, the item on implementation of the Bali outcomes has been included on the 
General Council's agenda at t he request of the Chair, to provide an update on the work taking place 
in the regular bodies which were directly working on the various Bali Decisions. After the Tenth and 
Eleventh Sessions of the Ministerial Conference, reports on the implementation of th e Nairobi and 
Buenos Aires outcomes were also provided under this item.  
3.2.  At the General Council meetings in February , May, July and October , the Chair reported on the 
work taking place in WTO regular bodies with respect to  the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires  Ministerial 
outcomes .15 
3.3.  At the February  meeting, the representative s of Canada; Pakistan; Chad (LDCs); Nepal; the 
European Union; India; South Africa; Cambodia; Indonesia and Uruguay  spoke . The General Council 
took note of the Chair's report and of the statement s. 
3.4.  At the May meeting, the representatives of India; Canada; South Africa; the European Union; 
Nepal; Switzerland; Indonesia; Pakistan and Chad (LDCs) spoke. The General Council took note of 
the Chair's report and of the statements.  
3.5.  At the July meeting, the representatives of the United States; Cameroon (African Group); 
India; Nepal; Indonesia; Nigeria; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Pakistan; Uruguay; and Bangladesh 
spoke. The General Council took note of the Chair's report and of the statements.  
3.6.  At the  October  meeting, the Director -General made a statement on the Aid for Trade Initiative. 
The representatives of  India; Cambodia; the European Union; South Africa; Cameroon (African 
Group); Australia; Indonesia; and Pakistan spoke. The General Council took note of the 
statements .16   
4  WTO RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC  
4.1  Reports  (WT/GC/M/196 and WT/GC/M/198)  
4.1.  As a response to calls by Members , the then General Council Chair, Ambassador Dacio Castillo 
(Honduras)  had established  on 22 June 2021 a Facilitator -led horizon tal and multilateral process  on 
the WTO Response to the Pandemic , under the auspices of the General Council . The Chair  had 
appointed Ambassador David Walker (New Zealand ), former Chair of the General Council,  to 
facilitate this process . Upon Ambassador Walker's departure, Ambassador Castillo , as the then Chair 
of the General Council , took over the process in December 2021 until the end of his term, and was 
appointed as Facilitator in March 2022.  
4.2.  At the Februar y meeting, the Chair updated Members on the process including on the Informal 
Open-Ended Meeting s and his consultations with delegations in various configurations . His reports 
had been circulated in documents JOB/GC/288, JOB/GC/289 and JOB/GC/291.  The repr esentatives 
of China; Pakistan; Türkiye ; Nigeria; Switzerland; Sri Lanka; Chinese Taipei; Brazil; the United 
Kingdom; Malaysia; Brunei Darussalam; the European Union; Chile; Cameroon (African Group); 
Bangladesh; Singapore; Barbados (CARICOM); Saint Vincent  and the Grenadines (OECS); Peru; the 
Russian Federation; Japan; Chad (LDCs); the Republic of Korea; India; Jamaica (ACP); Guatemala; 
 
15 The Chair's statements were subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/2 95, JOB/GC/ 302, JOB/GC/ 317 and 
JOB/GC/ 321. 
16 Djibouti (LDCs) subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  Tunisia; Nepal; Viet Nam; Morocco; Indonesia; Kenya; South Africa; the Philippines; Canada; 
Argentina; Thailand and Paragu ay spoke. The General Council took note of the Chair's  report17 and 
of the statements .18 
4.3.  At the May meeting, the Facilitator  updated Members on the process and referred to his reports 
on his consultations circulated in documents JOB/GC/298 and JOB/TNC/103.  The representatives of 
Barbados (CARICOM); Bangladesh; Argentina; Nigeria; Norway; Cameroon (African Group); Egypt; 
Peru; the Russian Federation; Pakistan; Indonesia; the European Union; Singapore; Ecuador; 
Guatemala; Chinese Taipei; Malaysia; Tunisia; Ca mbodia; Jamaica (ACP); Paraguay; Türkiye; China; 
Chad (LDCs); India; South Africa; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Sri Lanka; the United Kingdom; 
Chile; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Japan; and Switzerland spoke. The Director -General then took 
the floor . The General Council took note of the Facilitator's report19, the statement of the Director -
General  and of the statements .20 
4.2  Intellectual Property, Transfer of Technology and Capacity Building for COVID -19 and 
Beyond – Statement by Brazil (WT/GC/M/198)  
4.4.  At the May meeting, the representative of Brazil presented its statement on this matter in 
document WT/GC/W/84521. The representatives of Türkiye; China; the United States; Thailand; 
Japan; Colombia; Ukraine; Argentina; South Africa; the Unit ed Kingdom; India; Guatemala; Egypt; 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Cameroon (African Group); Mauritius and Viet Nam spoke. Brazil again 
intervened. The Director -General then took the floor. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
5  TRIPS COUNCIL MAT TERS  
5.1  Status Report on the Considerations by the T RIPS  Council on the "Proposal for a 
Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS  Agreement for the Prevention, Containment 
and Treatment of COVID -19" – Statement by the Chair of the Council for T RIPS  
(WT/GC/M /196  and WT/GC/M/198 ) 
5.1.  At the General Council meetings in February  and May, the TRIPS Council  Chair provided status 
report s on the "Proposal for a Waiver from Certain Provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the 
Prevention, Containment and Treatment of COVID -19" in document IP/C/W/669 and its addenda  
and revision .22  
5.2.  At the February  meeting, the representatives of the United King dom; Pakistan; Peru; South 
Africa; Mozambique; the Maldives; Nigeria; Norway; Nepal; Tunisia; the Plurinational State of 
Bolivia; Bangladesh; the Russian Federation; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS); Barbados 
(CARICOM); Cameroon (African Group); the  United States; Sierra Leone; Chad (LDCs); Mauritius; 
Indonesia; Brazil; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Japan; China; Namibia; India; Zimbabwe and the 
European Union spoke. The Director -General then took the floor . The General Council took note of 
the TRIPS Coun cil Chair's report and of the statements23. 
5.3.  At the May meeting, the representatives of China; Barbados (CARICOM); Nigeria; Bangladesh; 
Peru; Pakistan; Jamaica (ACP); Nepal; Norway; Cambodia; the Russian Federation;  Indonesia; 
South Africa; Tanzania; the Eu ropean Union; Cameroon (African Group); Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines (OECS); the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Brazil; Chad (LDCs); Paraguay; Argentina; 
Egypt; the United Kingdom; the Maldives; Thailand; Switzerland; New Zealand; Australia; Japan; 
Singapore; Guatemala; the United States; and India spoke. The Director -General then took the floor. 
The General Council took note of the report by the Chair of the Council for TRIPS, the statement 
made by the Director -General and of the other statements.  
 
17 The Chair's report was  subsequently circulated in document JOB/GC/296.  
18 Australia subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/196.  
19 The Facilitator's report was subsequently circulated in document JOB/GC/303.  
20 Canada subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/198.  
21 See also JOB/GC/307.  
22 See JOB/IP/ 55 and JOB/IP/57.  
23 Angola subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/196.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  5.2  Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the T RIPS  Agreement adopted on 
17 Jun  2022 – document W T/MIN(22)/30 (Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS  Agreement 
of 17 June 2022) – Request from South Africa, India, Indonesia, Egypt, Pakistan and 
Argentina on behalf of the Co -Sponsors of IP/C/W/669/R ev.124 (WT/GC/M/200 and 
WT/GC/M/201)  
5.4.  At the July meeting, the representative of South Africa, on behalf of co -sponsors, made a 
statement on this m atter including a reference to the indicative schedule proposed in document 
RD/IP/49. The representatives of Djibouti (LDCs); Cameroon (African Group); Pakistan; Kenya (ACP 
Group); Antigua and Barbuda (CARICOM); Barbados; Argentina; Switzerland; Indonesia;  
Bangladesh; the United Kingdom; Peru; Norway; Nepal; the Maldives; Sri Lanka; the European 
Union; Malaysia; Japan; Chile; the Republic of Korea; Colombia; Brazil; the Plurinational State of 
Bolivia; Angola; Egypt; Zimbabwe; China; Singapore; India; and th e United States spoke. The 
General Council took note of the statements .25  
5.5.  At the October  meeting, the representative of South Africa, on behalf of co -sponsors, made a 
statement on this matter.  The representatives of Argentina; Switzerland; Bangladesh; Sin gapore; 
Mexico; Nigeria; the European Union; Japan; China; the Russian Federation; Malaysia; Cameroon 
(African Group); Antigua and Barbuda (CARICOM); the Philippines; Kenya (ACP); Sri Lanka; the 
Maldives; the Plurinational State of Bolivia; Nepal; Jamaica;  Egypt; Peru; the Republic of Korea; 
Chinese Taipei; Djibouti (LDCs); the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; Botswana; Indonesia; 
Pakistan; and India spoke . The Director -General then took the floor. The General Council took note 
of the statements .26  
6  WORK P ROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE27 
6.1  Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs 
Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India  and South Africa  (WT/GC/M/196  
and WT/GC/M/198 ) 
6.1.  At the February  meeting, the representative of India made a statement on this matter. The 
representatives of  Barbados (CARICOM); South Africa; Sri Lanka; Nepal; Nigeria; Jamaica (ACP); 
Chad (LDCs); Cameroon (African Group); Indonesia; China; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 
(OECS); Ch inese Taipei; Japan; Argentina; the Republic of Korea; New Zealand; Canada; Vanuatu 
(Pacific Group); Hong Kong, China; Australia; Pakistan; Georgia; the United Kingdom; the United 
States; Mexico; Ecuador; Singapore; Thailand and the European Union spoke . The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
6.2.  At the May meeting, the representative of South Africa made a statement on this matter. The 
representatives of Nepal; Nigeria; Pakistan; Tanzania; the European Union; Trinidad and Tobago; 
the Russian Federati on; Guatemala; Sri Lanka; the Philippines; Indonesia; Jamaica (ACP); Barbados 
(CARICOM); Hong Kong, China; Côte d'Ivoire ; Ukraine; Chinese Taipei; Ecuador; Japan; Benin; 
Paraguay; the Republic of Korea; Brazil; China; the United Kingdom; Chad (LDCs); Kazak hstan; 
Peru; Singapore; the United States; India; and Australia spoke. The General Council took note of 
the statements .28 
 
24 The TRIPS Council Chair made statements on this matter in July and October, under his  own 
responsibility, under the agenda item "Implementation Matters from MC12".  
25 Botswana and Canada subsequently provided their statements which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  
26 Canada and Brazil subsequently provided their statements which can be found in WT/GC/M/201.  
27 The Chair reported on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce  in February and May under the 
agenda item " Implementation of the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Outcomes – Statement by the Chairperson " 
and in July and October under the agenda item "Implementation Matters from MC12".  These reports can also be 
found in documents JOB/GC/295, JOB/GC/302, JOB/GC/316, and JOB/GC/320.  See also Paragraph 9. 9 
concerning the "Review of Members Proposals for MC12" that took place at the Special Gen eral Council Meeting 
on 7 June (WT/GC/M/199).  
28 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS) subsequently provided its statement which can be found in 
WT/GC/M/198.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  6.2  Rejuvenation of Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on 
Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request from India and South Africa 
(WT/GC/M/201)  
6.3.  At the October  meeting, the representative of India made a statement on this matter. The 
representatives of Sri Lanka; Antigua and Barbuda (CARICOM); Indonesia; the United States; 
Cameroon (African Group); the European Union; the Russian Federation; South Africa; Japan; Cabo 
Verde; Jamaica; Switzerland; Pakistan; Brazil; Panama; the United Kingdom; Singapore; and the 
Republic of Korea spoke. The Director -General and the Chair then took the floor. The General Council 
took note of the statements .29  
7  WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORT S ( WT/GC/M/196 ; 
WT/GC/M/198 ; WT/GC/M/200 ; AND WT/GC/M/201 ) 
7.1.  At the February  meeting,  the CTD Chair recalled the draft decision on the work programme 
was yet to be formally adopted  by the Ministerial Conference  and indicated his intention  to consult 
and hold a dedicated session on  how to progress in their work ahead of MC12 . The Director -General 
and the representatives of Guatemala (SVEs); Barbados (CARICOM); Vanuatu (Pacific Group) ; Fiji; 
Mauritius; Sri Lanka; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS); and the Maldives spoke . The General 
Council took note of the report of the Chair of the CTD , the statement of the Director -General  and 
of the other statements . 
7.2.  At the May meeting, the C TD Chair referred to the proposal of the SVE Group suggesting that 
work on integrating small economies into the post COVID -19 economy should advance, even if the 
draft Decision ha d as yet  not been formally adopted by Ministers  and called on Members to cont inue 
to engage to frame responses to the trade -related issues identified for the fuller integration of SVEs 
into the multilateral trading system. The representatives of Guatemala (SVEs); Saint Vincent and 
the Grenadines (OECS); Barbados (CARICOM); the Mald ives; Sri Lanka; Trinidad and Tobago; Cabo 
Verde; Vanuatu; Ecuador; and Guyana spoke. The General Council took note of the report of the 
Chair of the CTD and of the statements.  
7.3.  At the July meeting, the CTD Chair welcomed the MC12 Decision on the Work Prog ramme on 
Small Economies in document WT/MIN(22)/25 – WT/L1136, recalled that the Committee had  agreed  
in May  to a proposed outline  by the SVE Group, of a background document by the Secretariat on the 
topic of "integrating small economies into the post COVI D-19 economy: effects of the pandemic, 
challenges and opportunities"  and noted that a dedicated session would be convened once the 
document had been finalized. The Director -General took the floor. The representatives of Guatemala 
(SVEs); Barbados; Kenya (A CP); Trinidad and Tobago (CARICOM); the Maldives; Brazil; Vanuatu 
(Pacific Group); and Ecuador spoke. The General Council took note of the report of the Chair of the 
CTD, the statement by the Director -General and of the other statements.  
7.4.  At the October  meeting, the CTD Chair updated Members on the preparations of a Secretariat 
paper on the mandated topic "integrating small economies into the post COVID -19 economy: effects 
of the pandemic, challenges and opportunities" and reiterated that a meeting of the de dicated 
session would be convened once the document had been finalized. The representatives of Guatemala 
(SVEs); Sri Lanka; Cameroon (African Group); Samoa (Pacific Group); Kenya (ACP); Jamaica 
(CARICOM); Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); and Ecuador spoke. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
8  REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE BALI DECISION ON TRQ ADMINISTRATION –
DECISION ON PARAGRAPH 4 OF THE UNDERFILL MECHANISM  (WT/GC/M/197)  
8.1.  At MC9, Ministers had adopted the Decision on Tariff Rate Quota Administration  
(WT/MIN(13)/39 – WT/L/914) which also required the Committee on Agriculture to review and 
monitor the implementation of Members' obligations established under the Decision. The issue of 
the future operation of paragraph 4 of the Underfill Mechanism was ma ndated to be taken up during 
the Review exercise.  
 
29 Canada subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/201.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  8.2.  At the March  special meeting, the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture reported on this 
matter. The representatives of India; the Philippines; Egypt; China; the Republic of Korea; Paraguay; 
Costa Rica; Chi le; Malaysia; Ukraine; the Russian Federation; the European Union; South Africa; the 
United Kingdom; Guatemala; Australia; Barbados; Argentina; the United States; Nigeria; Norway; 
Japan; Uruguay; Iceland; Georgia; Chinese Taipei; Switzerland; Canada; New Z ealand ; and the 
Russian Federation  spoke. The Chair also spoke . The General Council then adopted30 the draft 
decision contained in G/AG/32/Add.1.  
9  TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE  
9.1  Statement by the Chair (WT/GC/M/196  and WT/GC/M/198)  
9.1.  At the February  meeting, the Chair  reported on his  consultations on a range of MC12 -related 
issues including on how to proceed with work on the WTO response to the pandemic; how to proceed 
on the substantive issues under the General Council, including the Outcome Document; and on 
reconvening MC12 , and on the  Informal Meeting of the General Council on 25 January . His report 
had been circulated in JOB/GC/289 . The Director -General then spoke.  The General Council agree d 
that MC12 was reconvened in  the week of 13 June 2022, with exact dates to be defined31, and took 
note of the Chair's statement and of the other statement s.32 
9.2.  At the May meeting, the Chair recalled that he had reported to Members at the 4 May Informal 
TNC/HODs meeting on the main tak eaways from his recent consultations held in April, and his report 
had been circulated in JOB/TNC/103. In particular , he had reported on  a range of MC12 related 
matters, including: the type and structure of a possible Ministerial outcome document; the 
organization of work at the Conference, including the format of the plenary session; possible 
thematic sessions, including a general session focusing on the "Challenges facing the Multilateral 
Trading System".  The representatives of Ukraine; China; Namibia; Cameroon (African Group); 
Nepal; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS); South Africa; Thailand; the United Kingdom; 
Jamaica (ACP); Canada; India; Kenya; Egypt; the United States; Brazil; the European Union ; Japan; 
the Republic of Korea; Mauritius; Nigeria; and Guyana spoke. The General Council took note of the 
Chair's statement and of the other statements.  
9.2  Reports from the Chair of the General Council, the Facilitator on the WTO Response 
to the Pandemic, th e TRIPS Council Chair, the Relevant Negotiating Group Chairs dealing 
with MC12 Deliverables, and Address from the Director -General and TNC Chair 
(WT/GC/M/199)  
9.3.  At the June special General Council meeting, the Chair recalled that work had continued 
intensive ly in the negotiating bodies, in dedicated processes and in the TRIPS Council. He noted that 
it was essential to urgently go back to work in the various areas to finalize outcomes for the 
Conference. The reports and updates from Chairs during that meeting were aimed to  allow Members 
to assess what was required from the WTO membership – particularly, of delegations in Geneva – 
in the few days that were left ahead of MC12.  The Chair, the Facilitator on the WTO Response to the 
Pandemic, the TRIPS Council Char,  the Chair of the Negotiating Group on Rules, the Chair of the 
Committee on Agriculture in Special Session, the Chair of the Council for Trade in Services in Special 
Session, and the Director -General and TNC Chair reported on their respective areas. The Ge neral 
Council took note of the GC Chair's report as well as of the report of the Director -General and that 
of the other Chairs and Facilitator. The General Council further took note that work was continuing 
in the immediate next few days and that any resul ts from that work would be in front of Ministers 
at MC12.  
 
30 The decision was subsequently circulated in document WT/L/1132 . 
31 At the Informal General Council meeting on 28 March, based on his consultations, the Chair noted that 
"it is foreseen that the Conference begins with a short opening ceremony on Sunday, 12 June, in the afternoon, 
without a debate, and then moves on to business from 13 until 15 June. " See  also JOB/GC/297.  
32 At the request of the delegations of Chad (LDCs), Nepal and Paraguay, the statements sent to the 
Secretariat are incorporated in the minutes of th e February General Council meeting under this agenda item and 
can be found in Annex 1 of document WT/GC/M/196 . WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  9.3  Review of Progress on Members' Proposals for MC12 (WT/GC/M/199)  
9.4.  At the June special General Council meeting, a number of Members provide d updates with 
respect to proposals in different areas, including on their efforts as to whether they had been able 
to generate convergence around those proposals.  
9.5.  The representative of Guatemala, on behalf of co -sponsors, updated Members on the 
discussion s on the Proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration for the Twelfth WTO Ministerial 
Conference: Responding to Modern SPS Challenges in document WT/MIN(22)/W/3. The 
representatives of Senegal; Jamaica (ACP); the European Union; Argentina; Uruguay; Came roon 
(African Group); Norway; Tajikistan; Guatemala; the Philippines; Viet Nam; Malaysia; and Nigeria 
spoke. The Chair said that Members should be in a position to submit this proposal for adoption to 
the Ministerial Conference, pending the confirmation of  two delegations, which he invited to contact 
him as soon as possible, and noted that he would report to Ministers accordingly at the Opening 
Session. The General Council took note of the statements.33 
9.6.  The representative of Brazil presented its communicati on in document JOB/GC/310 which 
contained an MC12 proposal on the frequency of Ministerial Conferences. The representatives of 
Nigeria; South Africa; the United States; the European Union; and Kazakhstan spoke. The Director -
General then took the floor. The  Chair noted that further discussion on this proposal was needed. 
The General Council took note of the statements.  
9.7.  The representatives of Bangladesh (Focal Point for LDC Graduation) and Chad (LDCs) updated 
Members on the LDC proposals related to "a smooth transition package in favour of Members 
graduating from the LDC category" including document WT/GC/W/829. The representatives of 
Senegal; the United States; China; and the European Union spoke. The Chair noted that work was 
still continuing on this issue a nd that Members were ready to continue this discussion in a 
constructive and cooperative spirit. The General Council took note of the statements.34 
9.8.  The representative of Indonesia, on behalf of co -sponsors, introduced their submission in 
WT/MIN(22)/W/4 on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes. The representatives of 
Jamaica; Egypt; Cameroon; China; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; South Africa; Australia; and India 
spoke. The Director -General then took the floor. The Chair noted that this was an issue that required 
further work and further discussion among Members. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  The representative of Brazil introduced its submission in WT/MIN(22)/W/5 on Public 
Stockholding for Food Security Purposes. The representatives of Uruguay; the United States; Mexico; 
Paraguay; the United Kingdom; and Argentina spoke. The Chair noted that work still needed to be 
done to achieve convergence on that important issue and that the discussion would continue. The 
Gener al Council took note of the statements.  The representative of Sri Lanka introduced its proposal 
regarding a Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the Food Security Crisis in 
WT/GC/W/848. The representatives of Pakistan and India spoke. The General  Council took note of 
the statements.  The representatives of Brazil; Sri Lanka; and Uruguay again spoke on this proposal 
as well as those on public stockholding for food security purposes. The Director -General and the 
Chair of the CoA SS then took the floo r. The General Council took note of the statements.  
9.9.  The representative of Switzerland , on behalf of co -sponsors,  made a statement on the 
e-commerce work programme and moratorium  and referred to their submission subsequently 
circulated in WT/MIN(22)/W/10 . The representative of India  referred to the Chair's statement noting 
that its proposal subsequently circulated in WT/MIN(22)/W/9 was also in consideration. The Chair 
noted that both drafts would be put forward to the Ministerial Conference. The representat ives of 
the European Union; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the United Kingdom; South Africa; and Barbados 
(CARICOM) spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.35 
 
33 See also Paragraphs 15.1 and 15.2 concerning th e "Proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration 
for the Twelfth W TO Ministerial Conference: Responding to Modern S PS Challenges ". 
34 See also Paragraphs 12.1 to 12.4 concerning the " Trade Related Challenges of the Least -Developed 
Countries and Way Forwar d – Communications and Request from the LDC Group ". 
35 The Chair reported on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce in February and May under the 
agenda item " Implementation of the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Outcomes – Statement by the Chairperson " 
and in July and October under the agenda item "Implementation Matters from MC12". These reports can also be WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  10  ACCESSION MATTERS  
10.1  2021 Annual Report by the Director -General  (WT/GC/M/19 6) 
10.1.  At the February  meeting, the Director -General  presented the 20 21 Annual Report on WTO 
Accessions (WT/ACC/ 40 – WT/GC/ 243) and reported the sustained level of accession activities in 
2021 as well as the focused on acceding LDCs and the underlying challenges they faced . The 
representative of the Russian Federation spoke. The General Council took note of the Annual Report 
on Accessions and of the statements .36 
10.2  Turkmenistan (WT/GC/M/196)  
10.2.  At the February  meeting, the General Council agreed to establish the Working Par ty to 
examine the request for accession of  Turkmenistan  in document WT/ACC/TKM/1, with standard 
terms of reference and composition as the Chair read out in the meeting. The representative of 
Turkmenistan (Observer) addressed the General Council. The Direct or-General and the 
representatives of Kazakhstan; Türkiye ; the United States; Panama (Article XII Members); Mongolia 
(LLDCs); China; the Russian Federation; the Republic of Korea; India; Morocco; Japan; Tajikistan; 
the European Union; Cameroon (African Gro up); Kyrgyz Republic; Chad (LDCs); the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia (Arab Group); Singapore; Jamaica (ACP); Cambodia; and Uzbekistan (Observer – 
Informal Group of Acceding Governments) spoke . The General Council took note of the statements.  
11  WAIVERS  
11.1  Review of Wa ivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  (WT/GC/M/ 200) 
11.1.  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 Conference not later than one year after it is granted,  
and thereafter annually until the waiver terminates."  
11.2.  At the July meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review under 
Article IX:4:  
a. Least -Developed Country Members – Obligations under Article 70.8 and Article 70.9 of 
the TRIPS A greement with respect to Pharmaceutical Products, granted on 
30 November  2015 until 1 January 2033 (WT/L/971)  
b. Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds, granted on 26 July 2018 
through 31 December 2024 (WT/L/1039)  
c. Canada – CARIBCAN, granted  on 28 July 2015 until 31 December 2023 (WT/L/958, 
WT/L/1 146) 
d. European Union – Application of autonomous preferential treatment to the Western 
Balkans – granted on 28 July 2021 until 31 December 2026 (WT/LL/1114, WT/L/1147)  
11.3.  In doing so, the General Council considered  report s on implementation of the waiver in 
document s WT/L/1 146 and WT/L/1147 . The representatives Canada; Barbados; and Bahamas 
(CARICOM – Observer) spoke. The General Council took note of the report s contained in document s 
WT/L/ 1146 and  WT/L/1147 , and of the statements.  
 
found in documents JOB/GC/295, JOB/GC/302, JOB/GC/316, and JOB/GC/320.  See Paragraphs 6.1 to 6.3 on the 
"Work Programme on Electronic Commerce".   
36 See Paragraph 10.2 for the list of other delegations who intervened on the two accession -related items.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  12  TRADE RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD  – COMMUNICATIONS AND REQUEST FROM THE LDC GROUP  (WT/GC/M/196 ; 
WT/GC/M/198; WT/GC/M/200 ; AND WT/GC/M/201)37 
12.1.  At the February  meeting,  the representat ive of  Chad (LDCs) presented the LDC Group's 
communication s in documents WT/GC/W/806 , WT/GC/W/ 807, and WT/GC/W/829. The 
representatives of Angola; Bangladesh  (LDC Focal Point on Graduation) ; Nepal; Jamaica (ACP); 
Vanuatu (Pacific Group); the United States;  Cambodia; China; South Africa; the Philippines; the 
European Union; Nigeria; Japan; Cameroon (African Group); the Republic of Korea and India spoke. 
The Director -General then took the floor. Chad (LDCs) intervened again. The Chair then made a 
statement. T he General Council took note of the statements.  
12.2.  At the May meeting, the representatives of  Chad (LDCs) and Bangladesh (LDC Focal Point on 
Graduation) updated Members on the communication s in documents WT/GC/W/806 , WT/GC/W/ 807 
and WT/GC/W/829. The representatives of China; Cambodia; Cameroon (African Group); Senegal; 
Nepal; Tanzania; the United States; Angola; the European Union; Jamaica (ACP); Togo; the Republic 
of Korea; Nigeria; South Africa; India; Vanuatu; Japan; the Unite d Kingdom; Canada; and the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia spoke. Chad (LDCs) and Bangladesh (LDC Focal Point on Graduation) again 
intervened. The Director -General then took the floor. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
12.3.  At the July meeting, the repre sentatives of Djibouti (LDCs) and Bangladesh (LDC Focal Point 
on Graduation)  updated Members on the communications in documents WT/GC/W/806, 
WT/GC/W/807 and WT/GC/W/829 . The representatives of Angola; Kenya (ACP); Cambodia; Nepal; 
South Africa; Senegal; Va nuatu (Pacific Group); Nigeria; the United Kingdom; Norway; the European 
Union; the United States; India; Pakistan; Indonesia; China; Australia; Japan; Brazil; Botswana; 
and Egypt spoke. Bangladesh (LDC Focal Point on Graduation) again intervened. The Dire ctor-
General and the Chair then took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements .38   
12.4.  At the October  meeting, the representatives of Djibouti (LDCs) and Bangladesh (LDC Focal 
Point on Graduation) presented the LDC Group's revised proposal in  document WT/GC/W/807/Rev.1. 
The representatives of Angola; Pakistan; Cambodia; Nepal; Cameroon (African Group); Norway; the 
United Kingdom; Nigeria; the United States; the European Union; Kenya (ACP); India; Switzerland; 
South Africa; Singapore; New Zeala nd; Japan; China; the Republic of Korea; Cabo Verde; Indonesia; 
Brazil; Australia; and Canada spoke. The Director -General and the Chair then took the floor. The 
General Council took note of the statements.  
13  IMMEDIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE MULTILATERAL TRADI NG SYSTEM IN 
PREPARATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL MC12 – COMMUNICATION FROM ARGENTINA; 
AUSTRALIA; BRAZIL; BRUNEI DARUSSALAM; CANADA; CHILE; COLOMBIA; COSTA RICA; 
DOMINICA; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC; ECUADOR; EL SALVADOR; EUROPEAN UNION; 
GUATEMALA; HONDURAS; HONG KONG, CH INA; ICELAND; ISRAEL; JAPAN; KAZAKHSTAN; 
KENYA; REPUBLIC OF KOREA; LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC; LIECHTENSTEIN; 
MEXICO; REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA; MONGOLIA; MONTENEGRO; MOROCCO; NEW ZEALAND; 
NORWAY; PANAMA; PERU; PHILIPPINES; QATAR; SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; T HE 
SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; THAILAND; 
TÜRKİYE ; UKRAINE; UNITED KINGDOM; URUGUAY AND VANUATU ( WT/GC/M/196 )  
13.1.  At the February  meeting, the representative of Vanuatu, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
presented their communic ation in document WT/GC/W/841/Rev.1 .39 The representatives of the 
Dominican Republic; Ukraine; Uruguay; Costa Rica; Brazil; Mexico; Australia; Canada; Guatemala; 
the United Kingdom; Switzerland; Chinese Taipei; Brunei Darussalam; Mongolia; Peru; Japan; the  
Russian Federation; Nigeria; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Colombia; India; the Philippines; 
Paraguay; Kenya; New Zealand; Sierra Leone; Türkiye ; South Africa; Singapore; the Republic of 
Korea and China spoke. Vanuatu again intervened. The General Cou ncil took note of the statements.  
 
37 See also Paragraph 9. 7 concerning the  "Review of Members Proposals for MC12" that took place at 
the Special General Council Meeting on 7 June (WT/GC/ M/199).  
38 Canada subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  
39 Further revisions of this document can be found in WT/GC/W/841/Rev.2, WT/GC/W/841/Rev.3 and 
WT/GC/W/841/Rev.4.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  14  INTRODUCTION OF A PAPER ON "LEGAL STATUS OF JOINT STATEMENT INITIATIVES 
AND THEIR NEGOTIATED OUTCOMES" – REQUEST FROM INDIA ; SOUTH AFRICA  AND 
NAMIBIA  (WT/GC/M/196 AND WT/GC/M/198 ) 
14.1.  At the February  meeting, the representativ e of India, on behalf of co -sponsors, presented 
their communication in document WT/GC/W/819/Rev.1. The representatives of Bangladesh; South 
Africa; Nepal; the Republic of Korea; Japan; the European Union; Namibia; the Philippines; 
Indonesia; Australia; Chi le; Chinese Taipei; Malaysia; Nigeria; Costa Rica; Norway; Singapore; the 
United Kingdom; the United States and Paraguay spoke. India again intervened. The General Council 
took note of the statements.  
14.2.  At the May meeting, the representative of India, on behalf of the co -sponsors, presented their 
communication  in document WT/GC/W/819/Rev.1. The representatives of Nepal; Costa Rica; 
Bangladesh; Nigeria; Namibia; the Russian Federation; Malaysia; Pakistan; South Afri ca; Egypt; 
Guatemala; and Brazil spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.   
15  PROPOSED SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY DECLARATION FOR THE TWELFTH WTO 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE: RESPONDING TO MODERN SPS CHALLENGES  – THE AFRICAN 
GROUP; ACP GROUP; ARGEN TINA; AUSTRALIA; BELIZE; BRAZIL; BURKINA FASO; CABO 
VERDE; CANADA; CHILE; COLOMBIA; COSTA RICA; CÔTE D'IVOIRE; DOMINICAN 
REPUBLIC; ECUADOR; EL SALVADOR; THE GAMBIA; GUATEMALA; HONDURAS; JAPAN; 
MALAYSIA; MEXICO; MONGOLIA; NEW ZEALAND; PANAMA; PARAGUAY; PERU ; SENEGAL; 
SINGAPORE; TAJIKISTAN; TOGO; UKRAINE; THE UNITED STATES; URUGUAY; AND VIET 
NAM  (WT/GC/ M/196 AND WT/GC/M/198 )40 
15.1.  At the February  meeting, the representative of Ecuador, on behalf of the co -sponsors, updated 
Members  on their proposal in document WT/GC/W/835/Rev.1 – G/SPS/GEN/1758/Rev.10 . The 
representatives of the European Union; Mauritius; Mongolia; Jamaica (ACP); Nigeria; Cameroon 
(African Group); the United States and the Russian Federation spoke. The General Council took note 
of the statements .41  
15.2.  At the May meeting, the representative of Mexico, on behalf of the co -sponsors, updated 
Members on their proposal in document WT/GC/W/835/R ev.2 - G/SPS/GEN/1758/R ev.11. The 
representatives of Morocco; Malaysia; Mauritius; Tajikistan; Côte d'Ivoire ; Chin a; Colombia; the 
European Union; the Russian Federation; Jamaica (ACP); Cameroon (African Group); Norway; 
Egypt; Guatemala; Bangladesh; and the United States spoke. The General Council took note of the 
statements .42 
16  STRENGTHENING THE WTO TO PROMOTE DEVELOP MENT AND INCLUSIVITY – 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP; CUBA AND INDIA  (WT/GC/M/196 AND 
WT/GC/M/200)  
16.1.  At the February  meeting, the representative of India, on behalf of the co -sponsors, presented 
the revised joint submission in document WT/GC/W/778/Rev .4. The representatives of South Africa; 
Cameroon (African Group); the United States; Cuba; Jamaica (ACP); China; Canada; Australia; Saint 
Vincent and the Grenadines and the United Kingdom spoke. The Director -General then took the 
floor. The General Counci l took note of the statements.  
16.2.  At the July meeting, the representative of Cameroon (African Group), on behalf of the co -
sponsors made a statement on the revised joint submission  in document WT/GC/W/778/Rev.5. The 
representatives of South Africa; Pakistan; New Zealand; Nepal; Bangladesh; India; Cuba; China; 
the European Union; Indonesia; Egypt; the United Kingdom; and the Plurinational State of Bolivia 
spoke. The General Council took note of the statements .43  
 
40 See also Paragraph  9.5 concerning the "Review of Memb ers' proposals" that took place at the Special 
General Council meeting held on 7 June 2022 (WT/GC/M/199).   
41 Colombia and India subsequently provided their statements  which can be found in WT/GC/M/196.  
42 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS) subsequently  provided its statement which can be found in 
WT/GC/M/198.  
43 Botswana and Canada subsequently provided their statements which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  17  JOINT STATEMENT ON OPEN AND PREDICTABLE TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD 
PRODUCTS – REQUEST FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM (WT/GC/M/198)  
17.1.  At the May meeting, the representative of the United Kingdom, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
presented a joint statement in document WT/GC/248. The represent atives of Ukraine; Norway; 
Nigeria; Japan; Ecuador; Mexico; Iceland; New Zealand; Uruguay; Guatemala; Canada; 
Switzerland; China; the United States; Brazil; Cameroon (African Group); Chinese Taipei; the 
European Union; Barbados (CARICOM); the Republic of K orea; Singapore; Colombia; Jamaica (ACP); 
Paraguay; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS); South Africa; Mauritius; Costa Rica; Tanzania; 
Peru; India; Egypt; the Russian Federation; Georgia; Indonesia; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab 
Group); and Austra lia spoke. The United Kingdom again intervened. The Director -General then took 
the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
18  PROPOSED GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION ON PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE 
TRANSPARENCY AND IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH NOTIFICATION REQU IREMENTS 
UNDER WTO AGREEMENTS – ALBANIA; ARGENTINA; AUSTRALIA; BRAZIL; CANADA; 
CHILE; COLOMBIA; COSTA RICA; THE EUROPEAN UNION; ICELAND; ISRAEL; JAPAN; 
REPUBLIC OF KOREA; LIECHTENSTEIN; MEXICO; REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA; MONTENEGRO; 
NEW ZEALAND; NORTH MACEDONIA;  NORWAY; PARAGUAY; PERU; THE PHILIPPINES; 
SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, 
KINMEN AND MATSU; THAILAND; UNITED KINGDOM; THE UNITED STATES; AND URUGUAY  
(WT/GC/M/198 AND WT/GC/M/200)  
18.1.  At the May meeting, the representat ive of the United States, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
presented their communication in document  JOB/GC/204/R ev.9 – JOB/CTG/14/R ev.9. The 
representatives of the Republic of Korea ; Japan; the European Union; Uruguay; Barbados 
(CARICOM); Iceland; Colombia; Chinese Taipei; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS); 
Guatemala; the Philippines; Thailand; Peru; South Africa; Jamaica (ACP); Switzerland; Mexico; 
Singapore; Montenegro; Viet Nam; Brunei Darussalam; Pakistan; Brazil; Bangladesh; India; 
Indonesia; the R epublic of Moldova; Vanuatu; and Morocco spoke . The United States again 
intervened. The General Council took note of the statements.  
18.2.  At the July meeting, the representative of the United States, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
presented the revised communica tion in document JOB/GC/204/R ev.11 – JOB/CTG/14/R ev.11. The 
representatives of China; Ukraine; Cameroon (African Group); Barbados (CARICOM); Sri Lanka; the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Senegal; Brunei Darussalam; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); South Africa; 
Nigeria;  Nicaragua; India; Bangladesh; Chile; Indonesia; Brazil; Switzerland; Kenya; Uruguay; the 
European Union; the Republic of Korea; Australia; Japan; Egypt; the United Kingdom; Canada; the 
Philippines; Singapore; Peru; and Mexico spoke. The United States agai n intervened. The General 
Council took note of the statements .44 
19  TRADE -DISRUPTIVE PRACTICES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS 
FOR THE WTO – COMMUNICATION FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION  (WT/GC/M/198)  
19.1.  At the May meeting, the representative of the Russia n Federation presented its 
communication in document WT/GC/245. The representatives of the European Union; Canada; 
Australia; New Zealand; Norway; the United Kingdom; Iceland; Switzerland; Japan; Chinese Taipei; 
the United States; the Republic of Korea; Uk raine; Cuba; the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; and 
Belarus (Observer) spoke. The Russian Federation again intervened. The General Council took note 
of the statements.  
20  LDC VIEWS ON WTO REFORM DISCUSSIONS AND PROPOSALS – COMMUNICATION 
FROM CHAD ON BEHALF  OF THE LDC GROUP (WT/GC/M/198)  
20.1.  At the May meeting, the representatives of Chad (LDCs) and Cambodia (LDC Focal Point on 
WTO Reform), on behalf of the LDC Group, presented their revised communication in document 
JOB/GC/223/Rev.1. The representatives of Bang ladesh; Nepal; Jamaica (ACP); the European Union; 
Chile; China; New Zealand; India; Canada; Norway; the United Kingdom; Brazil; Indonesia; South 
 
44 Djibouti (LDCs) subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  Africa; Japan; Nigeria; the Republic of Korea; Thailand; Singapore; and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
spoke. Chad  (LDCs) again intervened. The General Council took note of the statements.  
21  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  
21.1  Reports and Recommendations (WT/GC/M/1 98; WT/GC/M/200 ; and 
WT/GC/M/ 201) 
21.1.  At the May meeting, the CBFA Chai r introduced the CBFA report in document WT/BFA/ 202 
including the Committee's recommendation . The General Council approved the Committee's specific 
recommendation in paragraph 7.10 of the report contained in WT/BFA/202, took note of the CBFA 
Chair's stateme nt and adopted the CBFA report . 
21.2.  At the July meeting, the CBFA Chair introduced the CBFA report s in documents WT/BFA/203 
and WT/BFA/204. The Director -General took the floor. The General Council took note of the 
statements of the CBFA Chair and of the Direct or-General and adopted the two CBFA reports.  
21.3.  At the October  meeting, the CBFA Chair introduced the CBFA report in document WT/BFA/205. 
The General Council took note of the statement of the CBFA Chair and adopted the CBFA report.  
22  WTO PENSION PLAN  
22.1  Election o f Members and Alternate (WT/GC/M/198 and WT/GC/M/200)  
22.1.  At the May meeting, the General Council elected Mrs. Wendy Teresa Goico Campagna 
(Dominican Republic), to serve as Member, and Mrs. Brigitte Lueth (Austria), to serve as Alternate 
on the Board for the r emainder of the term, i.e., until July 2023.  
22.2.  At the July meeting, the General Council elected Mr. Leong Darryl (Singapore) to serve as 
member on the Board for the remainder of the term, i.e., until July 2023.  
22.2  Reports (WT/GC/M/ 201) 
22.3.  At the October  meeting,  the Chair of the WTOPP Management Board presented to the General 
Council the 202 1 Annual Report of the World Trade Organization Pension Plan and the 20 21 Report 
of the Independent External Auditor which could be found in documents WT/L/11 50 and W T/L/11 49, 
respectively. The representative of the United States spoke. The Chair then took the floor. The 
General Council took note of the reports , of the WTOPP Management Board Chair's statement  and 
of the other statements . 
23  ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEM BERS IN ARREARS (WT/GC/M/1 96; 
WT/GC/M/1 98; WT/GC/M/ 200; AND WT/GC/M/ 201) 
23.1.  In October 2012, the General Council approved a recommendation from the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration regarding revised Administrative Measures for Members in 
arrear s, as contained in WT/BFA/132, Annex I. These new revised Measures entered into force on 
1 January 2013. These Measures required that at the end of each meeting of the General Council, 
the Chair of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration should  provide information with 
regard to which Members and Observers were under Administrative Measures; and, the General 
Council Chair would request Members and Observers in Categories II and III to inform the Secretariat 
as to when the payment of arrears migh t be expected.  
23.2.  At the General Council meetings in February , May, July and October45, the Chair of the 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration provided information with regard to which 
Members were under Administrative Measures and the Chair request ed Members and Observers in 
Categories II and III  to inform the Secretariat as to when the payment of arrears might be expected . 
The representative of Cuba spoke at the July meeting.  The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
 
45 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the March, May, July and October meetings.  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  24  INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENT RE UNCTAD/WTO – REPORT OF THE JOINT ADVISORY 
GROUP ON ITS 5 5TH SESSION  (WT/GC/M/19 8) 
24.1.  At the May meeting, the General Council considered a report of the Joint Advisory Group on 
the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO on its Fifty -Fifth Session (ITC/AG(L V)/284), which had 
been considered initially by the Committee on Trade and Development at its meeting on 2 5 March  
where it had been presented by the Chair of the Joint Advisory Group, Ambassador Paul Bekkers  
(Netherlands) . The CTD Chair m ade a statement on the Committee's consideration of the report. 
The representatives of Guatemala (SVEs); Tajikistan; the Republic of Korea; Chile; Ukraine; 
Cameroon (African Group); Nigeria; Tanzania; Chad (LDCs); the Russian Federation; the Gambia; 
and th e International Trade Centre (Observer) spoke. The Director -General then took the floor. The 
General Council took note of the CTD Chair's statement and of the other statements and adopted 
the report of the Joint Advisory Group.  
25  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO W TO BODIES (WT/GC/M/ 196 AND WT/GC/M/200 ) 
25.1.  At the February  meeting,  the Chair recalled in accordance with the Guidelines for Appointment 
of Officers to WTO Bodies approved by the General Council in 2002 (WT/L/510), and the related 
practical steps to improve t heir implementation (JOB/GC/22), he, together with the Chair of the 
Dispute Settlement Body, Ambassador Didier Chambovey (Switzerland), had conducted 
consultations on a slate of names for the appointment of Chairpersons to WTO regular bodies listed 
in Grou ps 1, 2, 4 and 5 in the Annex to the Guidelines. Responding to the call by Members to begin 
the process early, allow sufficient time for consultations and ensure transparency at all stages, they 
had begun the process in early December 2021, and consultatio ns had continued over a period of 
approximately five weeks. In line with the practical steps, they had consulted regularly with the 
coordinators of the four broad regional groups, namely: (i) Africa, (ii) Asia and the Pacific; (iii) 
developed countries, an d (iv) Latin America and the Caribbean – and had remained available 
throughout for any individual delegation wishing to consult with them. In particular, they had met 
with group coordinators five times since on 9 and 15 December, and 13, 24 and 25 January.  He had 
also reported on the process at the Special Session of the General Council on 15 December and at 
the Informal Meeting of the General Council on 25 January and  had sent t hree communications  to 
Members on this matter on 17 December , 25 January,  and 1 6 February .  
25.2.  The full slate of names for the WTO regular bodies in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 resulting from the 
consultations read as followed : 
General Council  
 H.E. Mr. Didier Chambovey (Switzerland)  
 
Dispute Settlement Body  
 H.E. Dr.  Athaliah Lesiba Molokomme 
(Botswana)  
 
Trade Policy Review Body  
 H.E. Mr. Angel Villalobos ( México ) 
 
Council for Trade in Goods  
 H.E. Mr.  Etienne Oudot De Dainville (France)  
 
Council for Trade in Services  
 H.E. Kemvichet Long (Cambodia)  
Council for TRIPS  
 H.E. Dr. Lansana Gberie (Sierra Leone)  
Committee on Trade and Development  
 H.E. Mrs. Usha Dwarka -Canabady (Mauritius)  
Committee on Balance -of-Payments 
Restrictions  
 H.E. Mr. Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel  
(Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)  
 
Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration  
 H.E. Dr. Bettina Waldmann (Germany)  WT/GC/W/856  
 
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  Committee on Trade and Environment  
 H.E. Mr. Simon Manley (United Kingdom)  
 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
 H.E. Mr. Taeho Lee (Republic of Korea)  
 
Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance  
 H.E. Mr. Donatas Tamulaitis  
(Lithuania)  
 
Working Group on Trade and Transfer of 
Technology  
 H.E. Mr. Luis Chuquihuara Chil ( Perú) 
 
25.3.  The General Council took note of the Chair's  statement and of the consensus on the slate of 
names  for the appointment of officers in the WTO bodies . The Chairs of the CTG and CTS  then made 
statement s on the consultations on the Chairmanships of the subsidiary bodies of the two Councils 
in accordance with the relevant guidelines. The representative s of Botswana; Cameroon (African 
Group); Kazakhstan; Jamaica (ACP); India; Thailand; Panama (GRULAC and Article XII Members); 
Mauritius; Chad (LDCs); Nigeria; the Philippines; Türkiye ; China; the Dominican Republic; Chile; 
Indonesia; Guatemala; Chinese Taipei;  Nepal; South Africa; Japan; Sierra Leone; Honduras; 
Bangladesh; Hong Kong, China; Sri Lanka; Singapore; Malaysia and Colombia  spoke. The General 
Council took note of the statements.  
25.4.  At the July meeting46, the Chair made a statement on the  process to appoint a Chair of the 
Committee on Agriculture in Special Session. The Director -General, as TNC Chair, took the floor. The 
General Council took note of the statements.47  
26  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/1 90) 
26.1.  At the February  meeting, the Chair,  H.E. Mr. Dacio Castillo  (Honduras ), as the outgoing 
presiding officer of the General Council, made a statement. The General Council then unanimously 
elected H.E. Mr. Didier Chambovey  (Switzerland ) to the Chair.  
26.2.  The Director -General and  the newly  elected Chair spoke. The General Council took note of the 
statements .48 
__________  
 
46 This item was taken up under "Other Business".  
47 At the October meeting, the Chair provided a brief update on the process of appointment of a new Chair 
for the Committee on  Agriculture in Special Session, as well as for the Negotiating Group on Rules and the 
Committee on Trade and Environment in Special Session under  the agenda item on the " Report by the Chair of 
the Trade Negotiations Committee and Report by the Director -General. See Paragraph 1.5, Footnote 11 and 
JOB/GC/318.  
48 See Paragraph 15. 3 for the list of delegations who took the floor to pay tribute to the outgoing Chair of 
the General Council.