WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/6 
27 November 2009 
 (09-5985) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original: English 
 
  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE GROUP OF  
RECENTLY ACCEDED MEMBERS (RAMS) 
 
  The following communication, dated 26 November 2009, is being circulated at the request of 
the Delegation of the Separate Customs Territory of  Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on behalf of 
the Group of Recently Acceded Members. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
 Developments in world trade are posing various  challenges to the multilateral trading system 
and the functioning of the WTO.  The DDA negotiations  are currently at an extremely important stage 
and a major collective effort by all WTO Members is  required in order to conclude the Doha round as 
soon as possible. 
  As we are moving to the final phase of nego tiations, the group of Recently Acceded Members 
(RAMs) recalls the unique position of RAMs as Memb ers that have undertaken extensive market 
access commitments at the time of their accession.  As mandated in Paragraph 58 of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration, we urge Members to rec ognize and give full and proper consideration to the 
special situation of RAMs, and to provide appropr iate special treatment accordingly.  The RAMs’ 
position on particular aspects is as follows: 
 
 Timely completion of the DDA 
 
 
 We are convinced that an acc elerated, substantial and balanced completion of the Doha 
Round will make a significant contribution to the r ecovery and subsequent growth of the global 
economy, and establish a more sustainable, developm ent-oriented international trading regime.  We 
also believe that the conclusion of the Round w ill strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading 
system, promote trade as an engine for growth, and open up new opportunities for all Members.  
 It is essential that the modalities for the impl ementation of special and differential treatment 
of LDCs in the services negotiations should be comp leted and put into effect as soon as possible, in 
compliance with the instructions of Ministers at the Sixth Session of the Ministerial Conference in 
Hong Kong.  
  Our recommendation is that negotiations on the remaining issues be completed by building on 
what has been achieved to date, respecting the mandates agreed by the whole Membership and certain 
basic principles favouring developing Members, su ch as less-than-full reciprocity, and special and 
differential treatment.  This requires all Members to  make efforts to maintain the level of ambition 
and to narrow down their differences while consid ering the development elements of the Round.  
Only then will we have a realistic chance of concluding this Round in the shortest possible time, or at 
least by the end of next year.  
 WT/MIN(09)/6 
Page 2  
 
   Special treatment needed for the RAMs
 
  For the Doha Round to successfully deliver a fa ir and balanced outcome with substance, it is 
essential that Members give due consideration to th e special needs of developing countries, and to 
LDCs in particular, as well as to the extensive commitments already made by RAMs at the time of their accessions.  The RAMs continue to face difficulti es, especially in the form of adjustments having 
to be made to their domestic industries. 
 
 We note that Ministers in Hong Kong recognized  "the special situation of recently-acceded 
Members who have undertaken extensive market ac cess commitments at the time of accession”, and 
stated that “[t]his situation will be taken into account in the negotiations". 
  Members should reaffirm these commitments at the Seventh Session of the Ministerial Conference. 
 
 We urge Members in this final stage of the DDA negotiations to take account of the 
substantial contributions already made by the RAMs. Members should also ensure market access 
opportunities for RAMs, and to provide flexibiliti es for RAMs in the Doha Round.  Having 
recognized the current negotiation texts serve a good basis to seek convergence, RAMs should not be 
required to undertake further market access commi tments that will jeopardize the balance between 
Members in this Round. 
  The negotiating process must respect the principle of F.I.T.
 
 
 The most urgent task now is to turn the political  will that exists today into real substance as 
we enter the final phase of negotiations.  The principl e of F.I.T. (Full participation, Inclusiveness and 
Transparency) must be respected throughout.  Bilate ral and/or plurilateral processes may be needed to 
give an extra push to the Round, but because the multilateral process must be the driving force, all 
Members should always be thoroughly briefe d immediately following such meetings. 
 
 Restraining the spread of protectionism  
  Due to the efforts of Members to tackle the most severe financial crisis since the 1930s, there 
are now signs of the world economy stabilizing and trade beginning to pick up.  
 While there may have been concerns about a return to protectionism, the WTO’s monitoring 
mechanism is playing an important role. However, continuous and systematic efforts, including the 
monitoring mechanism plus the exercise proposed for providing deeper analysis, need to be 
maintained to assess and tackle protectionism in any of its forms.    Enhancing the WTO’s cooperation with ot her relevant international organizations
 
 
 We recognise the importance of coopera tion between WTO and other international 
organisations to address global issues. Cooperation sh ould focus on exchange of information on issues 
related to the respective mandates of each organisation.   
 Expediting the accession process
 
  The accession of new Members to the WTO , including developing countries and in particular 
LDCs, as well as separate customs territories, continues to broaden the scope of trade covered under 
WTO disciplines. Universal membership of the WTO is a critical factor in the establishment of a 
strong rules-based trading system.   
  WT/MIN(09)/6 
 Page 3 
 
 
   We therefore call for the accession process for developing countries and in particular LDCs, 
as well as separate customs territories,  to be based on technical evaluations over political 
considerations, to be clear and expeditious, including through the fu ll and effective implementation of 
the 2002 General Council Decision on the A ccession of the Least-Developed Countries. 
 
__________