WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/14 
8 December 2010 
 (10-6650) 
  
 
 
 
 
WTO ACCESSIONS 
 
2010 ANNUAL REPORT BY TH E DIRECTOR-GENERAL 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 This document has been prepa red under the Secretariat's own 
responsibility and without prejudice to the positions of Members and to 
their rights and obligations under the WTO  WT/ACC/14 
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  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ...................................................................................1  
II. 2010 DEVELOPMENTS..........................................................................................................2  
(i) Accession Working Parties:  An Overview of Activities........................................................2  
(ii) Working Party Chairpersons...................................................................................................3  
(iii) Engagement by Members.........................................................................................................3  
(iv) Transparency of the Accession Process ..................................................................................4  
(v) Technical Assistan ce and Outreach.........................................................................................5  
III. STATE OF PLAY IN ACCESSI ON WORKING PARTIES ...............................................7  
IV. LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES' ACCESSIONS.......................................................12  
V. TRADE PERFORMANCE OF RECENTLY  ACCEDED MEMBERS (RAMS).............14  
VI. CONCLUSION - OUTLOOK 2011 ......................................................................................20  
ANNEX 1 – Accession Working Parties ............................................................................................ 21 
ANNEX 2 – Value of Merchandise Trade and Year-on-Year Percentage Change:  1995-
2009 ........................................................................................................................... ...............22  
ANNEX 3 - Value of Trade in Commercial Services and Year-on-Year Percentage 
Change:  1995-2009............................................................................................................. ....23  
ANNEX 4 – Growth of Value of Merchandise Export of RAMs:  1995-2009 ................................24  
ANNEX 5 – Growth of Value of Mercha ndise Import of RAMs:  1995-2009 ................................25  
ANNEX 6 – Growth of Value of Exports in Commercial Services of RAMs:  1995-2009.............26  
ANNEX 7 – Growth of Value of Imports in Commercial Services of RAMs:  1995-2009 ............27   WT/ACC/14 
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  I. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 
1. This is my Second Annual Report on Accessions.  Over the past year, Members delivered 
strong messages on accessions.  These messages re volved around strengthening the Organization 
through expanded Membership, improving transparen cy, and according general attention to Acceding 
Least-Developed Countries (LDCs).  Members str essed the value of focused, top-quality technical 
assistance and outreach to Acceding Governments.  Recently Acceded Members (RAMs) were called 
upon to share their experience and best practices.  Furthermore, one of the core messages was that 
tangible results on accessions would send positive signals to the global economy in a period of 
fragility and uncertain growth. 
2. 2010 has seen very important progress on many accessions.  The Organization is on the 
threshold of concluding several accession nego tiations which should materialize next year. 
3. This year, measures were taken to enhance tran sparency.  Participation in the Informal Group 
on Accessions was expanded to make it more inclusive of the Membership.  I am pleased that RAMs are playing a more active role in the Informal Group on Accessions.  The increase in the number of 
Geneva-based Chairpersons has produced their more  direct engagement in the Working Parties.  
This is positive.  The Dialogue of Acceding LDCs  with Members was deep ened.  There has been 
constructive engagement by all parties to explore ways to accelerate LDCs' accessions.  To respond to 
the demand from Acceding Governments for greater inclusion, a newsletter service was established to provide information and to request feedback.  In ad dition, work is advanced on the establishment of 
an "Accessions Commitments Database", which when completed in early 2011, would assist 
Members and Acceding Governments to rapidly a nd efficiently retrieve "commitments", by 
"Member" and "accession topics", across all completed accessions. 
4. I invite Members to carefully review the Report that follows.  It details all aspects of this 
introduction.  A new angle, to which I would like to draw attention in th is Annual Report is the 
statistical analysis of the trade performance of RAMs in the period leading up and following their WTO accession. It is my response to regular repor ts of staff members that, at every technical 
assistance mission, they are confronted with questio ns regarding the trade benefits of WTO accession. 
5. I believe that the outlook for accessions in 2011 is positive.  Several accession negotiations 
are poised for conclusion.  I would urge Members and Acceding Governments to engage intensively 
to bring these to conclusion.  In doing so, I urge Members to focus on the contributions that would be 
possible from the WTO to the Fourth United Nations  Conference on the Least Developed Countries 
(UN LDC-IV) in Istanbul, in May 2011,  with regard to LDCs' accessions. WT/ACC/14 
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  II. 2010 DEVELOPMENTS 
(i) Accession Working Parties:  An Overview of Activities 
6. Currently, 30 Acceding Governments are in the process of WTO accession
1 (see Annex 1). 
Ten formal Working Party meetings were held in  2010.  These were:  Azerbaijan, The Bahamas, 
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lao PDR, Serbia (two me etings), Seychelles, Tajikistan and Yemen (two 
meetings).  Nine Informal Working Party Consu ltations/Meetings were held in 2010.  These were:  
Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation (five meetings), Samoa and Yemen (two meetings).  In the period 
under review, progress was registered, as follows:   
− the Working Party on the Accession of the Syrian Arab Republic was established; 
− the Working Party on the Accession of Seychelles resumed after a 12 year gap; 
− the Working Party on the Accession of The Bahamas resumed after a nine year gap; 
− a revised "Factual Summary of Points Raised" (hereafter "Factual Summary") was prepared 
for the Working Party on the Accession of Azerbaijan; 
− an "Elements of a Draft Report" was prepared  for the Working Party on the Accession of 
Lao PDR; 
− a revised "Elements of a Draft Report" was pr epared for the Working Party on the Accession 
of Tajikistan; 
− three Acceding Governments advanced their mu ltilateral negotiations through revisions of 
their "Draft Working Party Report" (Serbi a, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Yemen); 
− the Secretariat, under the authority of the Ch airman of the General Council, completed the 
technical update of the 2001 Draft Accession Pack age of the Government of Vanuatu.  This 
was circulated to Members on 3 November, pr eparatory to the reconvened Working Party on 
the Accession of Vanuatu in January 2011;  
− the Accession of the Russian Federation was advanc ed in four Informal Consultations by the 
Chairman of the Working Party on the Accession of the Russian Federation, on the basis of 
substantive inputs from the Russian Federation; 
− the General Council took note of the appointment of Chairpersons in three Accession 
Working Parties2 (Belarus3, Ethiopia4 and Samoa5); and 
                                                      
1 Accession negotiations evolve through the sequenced stages of:  (i) the Memorandum of the Foreign 
Trade Regime (MFTR); (ii) the Factual Summary of Poin ts Raised; (iii) the Draft Working Party Report; and 
(iv) the draft accession package.  The "Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime" is prepared by the acceding 
Government and contains the factual information on the trade regime needed for activating the Working Party process.  It is the basis for the examination of the acceding Government's foreign tr ade regime by Members.  
The next step in the multilateral process in terms of doc umentation is the preparation by the Secretariat of the 
"Factual Summary of Points Raised".  This informal document summarizes the discussions that have taken place in the Working Party.  The Factual Summary evolves into  the "Draft Working Party Report", which incorporates 
the specific terms of accession negotiated by Member s and the acceding Government.  In some cases, an 
"Elements of a Draft Report" is prepared as an interm ediate step between the F actual Summary and the Draft 
Report.  Bilateral market access negotiati ons evolve on a different track.  In  practice, these negotiations typically 
begin after the first meeting of the Working Party and are based on initia l market access offers by the acceding 
Government.  Bilateral negotiations lead to the preparation of Consolidated Draft Schedules on Goods and Services by the Secretariat.  The accession package (Draft Report, with annexed Draft Schedules on Goods and 
Services, and a Draft Protocol) is adopted by the Working Party and forwarded to the General Council. 
2 See General Council (Draft) Annual Report (2010) (document WT/GC/W/627).  The practice has 
emerged to appoint a Working Party Chairperson following the submission of the Memorandum on the Foreign 
Trade Regime and the first round of questions and replies.   
3 WT/GC/M/125, paragraph 111 (22 February). 
4 WT/GC/M/128, paragraph 88 (21 October). 
5 WT/GC/M/127, paragraph 97 (29 July).  WT/ACC/14 
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  − progress was reported by Members and the relevant Acceding Governments in Bilateral 
Market Access Negotiations in the Working Par ties for:  Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lao PDR, 
Samoa, Serbia and Yemen. 
(ii) Working Party Chairpersons 
7. In 2010, the role of Chairpersons of Workin g Parties became ever more critical to the 
effective functioning of the accession process.  Work ing Party Chairpersons became more effectively 
engaged through more meetings w ith the Acceding Governments, vi sits to Acceding Governments, 
briefings to the Informal Group on Accessions and more  intensive engagement with the Secretariat.  
Sixty per cent of the Chairpersons are now Geneva-based.6  There are eight vacancies7 for the 
Working Parties at the very initial stage, where Memoranda on Foreign Trade Regime have not been 
submitted.   
Figure 1:  Chairpersons of Accession Working Parties (Number) 
  
8. There were four Working Party Chairpersons' visits in 2010.  These were to the Acceding 
Governments of The Bahamas, Bela rus, Seychelles and Yemen.  The aims of these visits were to 
provide technical and policy advice to Acceding Gove rnments, respond to questions about benefits of 
WTO accession to different groups, raise awareness of the WTO and exchange views with authorities 
in Governments on their roadmaps for the WTO acc ession.  The Chairpersons were accompanied by 
WTO Secretariat staff. 
(iii) Engagement by Members 
9. There was a significant increase in the engagement by Members on accessions at the 
beginning of 2010.  Members intensified partic ipation in the Informal Group on Accessions. 
10. In 2009, the WTO Secretariat had initiated th e Members' Dialogue on LDCs' accessions.  
In 2010, this Dialogue was mainstreamed into the regular work of the Sub-Committee on LDCs' 
                                                      
6 The two Working Parties of Vanuatu and Andorra are special cases, therefore, the calculation was 
based on a total of 20 active accessions. 
7 See Annex 1. Special Vacancy 
(Vanuatu and 
Andorra), 2
Vacancy, 8
Geneva-based, 12Non-Geneva based,  
8 
Special Vacancy (Vanuatu and Andorra) Vacancy Geneva-based Non-Geneva based  WT/ACC/14 
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  accessions.  Discussions relating to LDCs' accessions were intensified and took place at several fora 
throughout the year.
 8 
11. At the February 2010 meeting of the General Council,  Gabon, on behalf of the Informal 
Group of Developing Countries, requested that the accession of developing countries be placed on the 
agenda of the meeting (Item 4).9  Members' interventions, under th is agenda Item, addressed the 
importance of accessions in enlarging and strengt hening the Multilateral Trading System and the 
necessity for technical assistance at all stages of the accession process.  Members reaffirmed 
the 2002 General Council Decision on  Accessions of LDCs and reiterated the importance of full 
implementation of the Guidelines.  This was consid ered essential to ensure the facilitation of LDCs' 
accessions.  It was noted that LDCs' accessions would assist the process of domestic reforms, to 
enable Acceding LDCs fully integrate into the Multilateral Trading System.  Gabon reiterated the 
usefulness of formulating best practices and ur ged Recently Acceded Members to share their 
accession experiences with Acceding Governments. 
12. At the October 2010 meeting of the General Council, Zambia, on behalf of the LDCs 
Consultative Group, made a statement under Item 5:  "Accession Priorities For 2010, in respect of 
LDCs".10  The LDCs called on Members to conclude th e Accessions of Vanuatu and Yemen in 2010, 
and provide support for the early accession of Samoa.   Members intervened to underscore the support 
for LDCs accession priorities.  Members' discussions  under this Item made evident their support for 
LDCs' accessions as part of the contributions th at the Organization could make to UN LDC-IV.  
Many reiterated the value of the accession process fo r domestic reforms and integration of LDCs into 
the trading system, particularly in this period of recovery and growth in the global economy.  
The 2002 Guidelines were re-affirmed, as were the priorities outlined in Paragraph 42 of the Doha 
Ministerial Declaration and Paragraph 59 of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration.  The LDCs 
Group requested that Item 5 be retained on the age nda for the December General Council.  They also 
requested Members to initiate the process of  setting accession priorities for 2011, based on the 
technical maturity of the accession dossiers.  
(iv) Transparency of the Accession Process 
13. Enhancing transparency has been a consiste nt message from the vast majority of the 
Membership.  This was also a key message from the WTO Ministerial Conference in 2009.  In the 
period under review, in response, several steps we re undertaken to improve transparency.  These 
revolved around the management of the Inform al Group on Accessions, the introduction of a 
newsletter service for Acceding Governments and increased briefings for WTO Groups. 
14. The Informal Group on Accessions11 became more active in 2010.  The Membership of the 
Informal Group was further expanded to ensure repr esentativeness and inclusiveness.  This expansion 
encompassed all regional coordinators.  There is  active participation of about 30 Members.  
The frequency of meetings has been increased with monthly periodicity.  There were nine12 meetings 
of the Group in 2010, compared to seven in 2009.  Consultations in the Informal Group are balanced, 
constructive, address specific Acceding Government concerns a nd are solution-oriented. Working 
Party Chairpersons were invited to report on vis its to Acceding Governments.  Furthermore, these 
                                                      
8 The Dialogue constitutes a contribution to implementing the goal set by WTO Ministers at Doha in 
2001 to "…facilitate and accelerate the negotiations with Acceding LDCs".  The Dialogue aims at fostering a 
better understanding of the priorities, concerns and challenges faced by Acceding LDCs and, at exploring 
possible practical solutions within the framework of  the 2002 Decision on the Accession of LDCs.   
9 WT/GC/126. 
10 Item 5 had been placed on the agenda at the request of the LDCs Consultative Group.  
11 Chaired by the Secretariat. 
12 21 January, 16 February, 13 April, 28 May, 23 July, 17 September, 14 October, 13 November and 
13 December.   WT/ACC/14 
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  reports served, inter alia , to fill the gap and improve the information flow, particularly in respect of 
Working Party meetings that meet intermittently.  There were Working Party Chair Reports on visits 
of The Bahamas, Belarus, and Seychell es to the Informal Group on Accessions. 
15. The Secretariat introduced a factual newslette r service in September 2010.  This service is 
addressed to Acceding Governments after each meeting of the Informal Group on Accessions.  
The newsletter service established a channel of communication with Acceding Governments to 
provide information and request feedback.  Info rmation provided is packaged to assist Acceding 
Governments with their preparati ons and planning for mee tings and negotiations associated with their 
accession. In addition, the Evolving Calendar of Accession Meetings, agreed by Members and the 
Secretariat, is now updated on a monthly basis a nd is shared with Acceding Governments, with 
request for their input. These measures are desi gned to enhance transparency and encourage 
interaction and partnership between A cceding Governments and WTO Members. 
16. Outreach with WTO Groups was increased.  The Secretariat met with the Arab Group, briefed 
Members in different formats and configuration a nd an accession module was added to the Secretariat 
presentations for the WTO Introduction Day for new de legates.  In discussions with the Arab Group, 
the Secretariat briefed the Group on the state- of-play in Arab and Middle East accessions.  
Delegations exchanged views on the accession process in the region and committed to remain actively 
engaged on accessions. The Arab Group gave support to the details of the programme of the Arab 
Regional Workshop on accessions, which was held be tween 28 to 30 September, in Abu Dhabi. 
17. In response to the demands of Members for improved transparency, the Secretariat has 
introduced Transparency Progress Reports on the techni cal state-of-play in the consolidation of the 
results of Bilateral Market Access Negotiations. 
(v) Technical Assistance and Outreach 
18. In the Doha Ministerial Declaration, Memb ers confirmed that "technical cooperation and 
capacity building are core elements of the de velopment dimension of the multilateral trading 
system."13  Accessions-related technical assistance has b een designed around several key elements.  
The starting point is to build capacity on accession s substance, process and procedures.  As the 
process advances, there are packag es for workshops with Parliamentarians, engagement with the 
media, raising awareness, and responding to questio ns on the value of WTO Membership.  Across the 
board, there are dedicated activities for private sector  support, in coordination with the International 
Trade Centre (ITC).  Although going beyond accessions support, Acceding Governments are now also forwarding requests for immediate post-accessi on support for the implementation of their 
commitments.  In 2010, for the first time, a sp ecific workshop was designed to assist an Acceding 
Government at the initial stage, to design its Memorandum of the Foreign Trade Regime. 
19. In 2010, Acceding Governments participated in 148 WTO technical assistance activities and 
benefited from 12 accessions-specifi c technical assistance activities. 
20. In the delivery of activities, national and regi onal seminars, workshops and technical missions 
were organized in 18 Acceding Governments.  Prior ity attention has been accorded to LDCs in the 
WTO Technical Assistance Plans.  "Geneva Weeks" have provided an opportunity to engage with 
non-resident delegations.  Several modalities were deployed in the delivery of capacity-building.  
These included:  technical missions, workshops, Working Party Chairpersons' visits, briefings, 
e-communication, university programmes and the recently established accessions newsletter.  
The e-training module on WTO accession has been found to be very useful by Acceding 
Governments.  This has been available on the we bsite since 2009.  A new and advanced version is 
                                                     
 
13 WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1. WT/ACC/14 
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  being developed.  Tailor-made national activities were  designed for application and are reflected in 
the Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan 2010-2011.
14  National activities are undertaken 
in response to individual requests from Acceding Governments, based on their specific Technical 
Assistance needs. 
21. In cooperation with the Arab Monetary Fund  (AMF), a regional seminar on WTO Accessions 
for Arab and Middle-Eastern Governments was organized in September 2010.  The Workshop 
provided a platform for the eight Acceding Governments from the region to share accession experiences, identify challenges, and engage w ith AMF country economists and WTO Secretariat 
experts.  The understanding was to work intensiv ely with the eight Acceding Governments in a 
structured, staged workshop process to expeditious ly support their accession.  Outreach by the 
Secretariat has also included participation in events organized jointly with other organizations, such as 
the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), or with  other organizations, including the ITC and with 
UNCTAD in September 2010.  The Secretariat organi zed a briefing for UNCTAD staff on the status 
of all WTO accession processes.  In the year under review, the Secretariat continued to promote inter-agency partnerships with other organizations and specialized agencies providing support to 
Acceding Governments.   
22. A major challenge for Acceding Governments is building and sustaining stable coalitions for 
trade opening.  Interventions by multilateral institu tions, in partnership with WTO Members, provide 
support to Acceding Governments to address this cha llenge.  As part of the Secretariat technical 
assistance/outreach activities in 2010, the Secretaria t undertook a mission to Syria in August.  In 
accordance with the Secretariat's assistance to Ac ceding Governments in the initial stage of the 
accession process,
15 the mission to Damascus focused on sup porting the Syrian authorities in their 
preparation of the Memorandum on The Foreign Trade Regime, the promotion of WTO awareness within the Government and the assessment of further technical assistance needs.  This activity was the 
first workshop, designed by the Secretariat, to  assist an Acceding Government to prepare its 
Memorandum of the Foreign Trade Regime. 
23. Accession technical assistance/outreach missi ons were also undertaken in Lebanon 
(February 2010), Seychelles (March 2010), Ye men (March and September 2010), Vanuatu 
(March 2010), Antigua (April 2010), The Palestin ian Authority (June 2010), Belarus (June 2010), 
Samoa (June 2010), Seychelles (July 2010), The Bahamas (July 2010), The Syrian Arab Republic (August 2010), Vanuatu (September 2010), The Unite d Arab Emirates (September 2010), and Turkey 
(October 2010). 
                                                     
 
14 Pages 52 and 64 of document WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1 .  This Plan combines technical assistance 
per se with outreach. 
15 Paragraph 7 of Document WT/ACC/1:  "Technical assistance is provided by the Secretariat and may 
be provided by individual Members.   The Secretariat may be invited to examine the specific assistance 
requirements of the Applican t so as to elaborate its own plans for a ssistance and to coordinate them, to the 
extent possible, with similar assistance being provided by individual Members.  It is understood that the 
Secretariat would assist any Applicant that may so request in the technical preparation of its Memorandum and 
of subsequent documentation.  The Applicant should also avail itself, to the extent possible, of the training activities of the WTO as part of its pr eparation for accession negotiations and to  fully use its observer status, in 
particular, to follow meetings of other accession work ing parties and various WTO Councils and Committees."  WT/ACC/14 
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  III. STATE OF PLAY IN ACCESSION WORKING PARTIES16 
24. In 2010, Members became more active in the Informal Group on Accessions.  
They intensified engagement with the Secretaria t and continued to provide leadership. Members 
underscored that progress in individual accessions in  the multilateral work advanced on the basis of 
substantive inputs.  Progress equally depe nded on Bilateral Market Access Negotiations. 
25. In the period under review, a number of Working Parties were re-activated and there has been 
significant progress in several Working Parties.  Accession negotiations proceed on the basis of 
multilateral work via the Draft Working Party Report process; and, Bilateral Market Access 
Negotiations.17  Several accessions have advanced consid erably, approaching an advanced state of 
maturity.  However, some others have not progress ed as expected due to various factors, including 
domestic challenges, political choices, immediate post-conflict situations and natural disasters, 
amongst others. 
26. Afghanistan:   The Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime was submitted in March 2009.  
The replies to Members' questions on Afghanistan 's Memorandum were circulated in July 2010.  
The First Working Party meeting is envisaged for th e last week of January 2011.  The Working Party 
Chairperson has been in a round of intensive c ontacts with Afghan Authorities to activate this 
accession.  Bilateral Market Acce ss Negotiations have not begun. 
27. Algeria:   The Working Party has held ten meetings.  The last meeting was convened in 
January 2008.  Replies to Members' questions on the 2006 Draft Working Party Report have been received and circulated on 1 December 2010.  The Secretariat has begun to prepare a revised Draft 
Working Party Report.  Bilateral Market Access Negotiations are ongoing.  The next Working Party 
meeting will be convened after the appointment of a Chairperson. 
28. Andorra:
  The Working Party held its first mee ting in October 1999.  This accession process 
is inactive. 
29. Azerbaijan:   The Eighth Working Party meeting w as held in October 2010.  Multilateral 
discussions are proceeding on the basis of a revised Factual Summary.  The latest revision of the 
Factual Summary was circulated in August 2010.  Bilateral Agreements have  been concluded with 
six Members (Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mo ldova, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and 
Turkey).  Other bilateral negotiations are ongoing.  The next Working Party meeting will be convened 
when Azerbaijan submits inputs (replies to Members'  questions, a revised Legislative Action Plan and 
enacted legislation). 
30. The Bahamas:   The Working Party was established in  2001.  In April 2009, The Bahamas 
submitted its Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime .  Its replies to Members' questions on the 
Memorandum were circulated in April 2010.  The First Working Party was convened in 
September 2010.  Bilateral Market Access Negotia tions have begun with interested Members.  
The next Working Party meeting will be held after the necessar y inputs (replies to Members' 
questions, Legislative Action Plan, checklists/info rmation on agriculture, SPS/TBT and TRIPS) are 
submitted by The Bahamas. 
                                                      
16 WT/ACC/11/Rev.8.  Technical Note  on the Accession Process – Note  by the Secretariat:  State of 
Play and Information on Current Accessions.   
17 The only reference to concluded bilateral market access negotiations in this Report are those signed 
and deposited in the WTO Secretariat. WT/ACC/14 
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  31. Belarus:
  The Working Party has held seven meet ings.  The last formal Working Party 
meeting was in May 2005.  An in formal consultation took place in June 2009.  Contacts have been 
initiated by the Working Party Chairperson to prov ide impetus to this accession.  Multilateral work 
has proceeded on the basis of a 2007 Factual Summary .  One Bilateral Agreement has been deposited 
with the Secretariat (Cuba).  Bilateral Market  Access Negotiations are ongoing with 12 Members 
(Australia, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, Ecuador, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, 
Norway, Switzerland, the Separate Customs Te rritory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
("Chinese Taipei"), and the United States).  The Wo rking Party process was "s uspended" in light of 
the 9 June 2009 announcement on the formation of a Customs Union with Kazakhstan and the 
Russian Federation.  In April 2010, the Russian Federation submitted, on behalf of the three CU 
members, an Informal Note describ ing the Customs Union.  The three Delegations indicated that they 
would coordinate their accession ne gotiations, while keeping the format of their individual Working 
Parties.  Since March 2010, Belarus has submitted seve ral inputs (legislation, checklists and replies to 
Members' questions).  The Working Party Chairper son has been in contact with Members and the 
Acceding Government on the Accession of Belarus.  An informal Working Party meeting is envisaged 
in early 2011. 
32. Bhutan:   The Working Party has held four Working Party meetings.  The last Working Party 
meeting was held in January 2008.  Bhutan is e ngaged in Bilateral Market Access Negotiations with 
five Members (Canada, China, th e European Union, Japan and th e United States).  No bilateral 
agreement has been signed so far.  Multilateral wo rk has proceeded on the b asis of a Draft Working 
Party Report.  Bhutan is yet to submit comments on the Draft Working Party Report prepared by the 
Secretariat.  The next Working Party meeting will be convened when these comments are received. 
33. Bosnia and Herzegovina:   The Seventh Working Party meeting was held in February 2010.  
Multilateral discussions are proceeding on the basis of  a Draft Working Party Report, circulated in 
December 2010.  Bosnia and Herzegovina is engage d in Bilateral Market Access Negotiations with 
nine Members (Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, the European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea, 
Switzerland, Ukraine and the United States).  Bilate ral Agreements have be en concluded with two 
Members (Canada and Norway).  The Eighth Wo rking Party meeting has been scheduled for 
25 January 2011.  
34. Ethiopia:   The Working Party held its First Worki ng Party meeting in May 2008.  Inputs for 
holding the Second Working Party meeting have been  received.  In October, the General Council 
confirmed the appointment of the Working Party Chairperson, paving the way to hold a Working 
Party meeting in the near future.  The representative of Ethiopia made a statement at the 
General Council meeting.  Following contacts by the Working Party Chairperson and the Ethiopian Delegation to the October General Council, an unde rstanding has been reached to schedule the next 
meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Ethiopi a in the first half of 2011.  Bilateral Market 
Access Negotiations on Goods and Services will begin, once Ethiopia submits its initial Market 
Access offers. 
35. The Islamic Republic of Iran:
  The Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime was 
submitted in November 2009, after the establishment of its Working Party in 2005.  Members were 
invited to submit their questions to the Memora ndum by 18 January 2010.  The Chairman of the 
General Council is consulting on th e appointment of a Working Party Chairperson.  The First 
Working Party meeting should be convened afte r Iran responds to Members' questions and 
the Chairperson is appointed.  WT/ACC/14 
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  36. Iraq:   The Working Party has held two meetings.  The last meeting was held in April 2008.  
Following submission of outstanding inputs, the next Working Party meeting will be convened. 
Bilateral Market Access Negotiations  on Goods and Services will begin, once Iraq submits its initial 
Market Access offers. 
37. Kazakhstan:   The Working Party has held ten meetings.  The last meeting was convened in 
July 2008.  Multilateral work has proceeded on the basis of a Draft Working Party Report since 2005.  
The latest revision of this Draft Working Party Re port was circulated in June 2008.  It has been 
reported that Bilateral Agreements have been si gned with some WTO Members.  These have not yet 
been deposited with the Secretariat.  The Work ing Party process was "suspended" in light of the 
9 June 2009 announcement on the formation of  a Customs Union with Belarus and the 
Russian Federation.  In April 2010, the Russian Federation submitted, on behalf of the three CU 
members, an Informal Note describ ing the Customs Union.  The three delegations indicated that they 
would coordinate their accession ne gotiations, while keeping the format of their individual Working 
Parties.  The Delegation of Kazakhstan has been in steady contact with Working Party members and 
the Secretariat.  On the basis of these contacts, an  Agricultural Plurilateral for Kazakhstan, chaired by 
the Secretariat, was held on  6 December 2010 to  review and discuss the updated Supporting Tables 
on Domestic Support and Export Subsidies. 
38. Lao PDR:   The Sixth Working Party meeting was he ld in September 2010.  Multilateral work 
has proceeded on the basis of the "Elements of a Draft Working Party Report".  The Elements were 
circulated in August 2010.  Lao PDR is engaged in Bilateral Mark et Access Negotiations with eight 
Members (Australia, Canada, the European Union,  India, the Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei, 
Ukraine and the United States).  Bilateral Agreements  have been concluded w ith two Members (China 
and Japan).  The next Working Party meeting will be convened when Lao PD R submits inputs (replies 
to Members' questions, revised Legislative Action Plan , enacted legislation) for the preparation of the 
revised "Elements of a Draft Report". 
39. The Lebanese Republic:   The Seventh Working Party meeting was held in October 2009.  
Multilateral work has proceeded on the basis of a Draft Working Party Report since October 2008.  
The latest revision of the Draft Working Party Re port was circulated in October 2009.  Bilateral 
negotiations are ongoing with nine Members (Austr alia, Canada, Cuba, El Salvador, the European 
Union, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Ukraine, and the Un ited States).  No bilateral agreement has been 
concluded so far.  The next Working Party mee ting will be convened afte r the Lebanese Republic 
adopts outstanding WTO-related legislation, s ubmits the necessary inputs (replies to Members' 
questions, revised Legislative Action Plan), and the Secretariat revises the Draft Working Party 
Report. 
40. Montenegro:   The Working Party has held seven meetings.  The last meeting was in 
November 2008.  The latest revision of Montenegro 's Draft Working Party Report was circulated in 
January 2009.  The Draft Goods and Services Schedules were circulated in December 2008.  
Montenegro has signed eight Bilateral Agreements (Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, 
Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United States).   The final Working Party meeting will be 
convened to adopt Montenegro's draft accession pack age, as soon as the sole  remaining Bilateral 
Market Access Negotiation w ith Ukraine is concluded. 
41. The Russian Federation:   The Working Party has held 30 formal meetings.  The last of which 
was in March 2006.  Since then, work has advanced  on the basis of Informal Consultations by the 
Working Party Chairperson, of which there have be en 18.  The substance of multilateral negotiations 
have proceeded on the basis of the 2006 Draft Working Party Report (also referred to as a 
"Consolidation of Texts") and a series of inputs in July 2009, and July, September and October 2010.  
Negotiations are rapidly and constr uctively advancing.  Bilateral Market Access Negotiations were WT/ACC/14 
Page 10  
 
  concluded with 56 Members.
18  In July 2006, a Member "re- opened Bilateral Market Access 
Negotiations with the Russian Federation".19 
42. The Accession of the Russian Federation is proceeding in the format of Informal 
Consultations by the Chairperson.  As part of this informal process, the Russian Federation has 
prepared and submitted revised sections of the Cons olidation of Texts.  These reflect changes on the 
trade regime of the Russian Federation, resulting from the formation of the Customs Union.  These 
submissions are being reviewed by Members in Informal Consultations by the Working Party 
Chairperson.  Three consultations have taken place in May, September and Oc tober.  Another round is 
envisaged for December.  On Bilateral Market Access, the Secretariat has proceeded with the 
consolidation of the Draft Goods Schedule, in  coordination with the Acceding Government.  
Secretariat-organized Plurilateral Meetings on Ag riculture have been held to develop supporting 
tables on the domestic support of the Russian Federation that will form part of the Draft Goods Schedule, and the relevant sections of the Draft Work ing Party Report.  A consolidated Draft Services 
Schedule was circulated to Members on 28 September. 
43. Samoa:
  The Working Party held its first meeti ng in March 2002.  Since then, work has 
proceeded on the basis of Informal Consultations.  The latest Informal Consultation took place in 
June 2010.  Multilateral work is proceeding on the basis of a revi sed Draft Working Party Report 
circulated in December 2010.  Bilateral Agreem ents have been concluded with seven Members 
(Australia, China, the European Union, Hondur as, Japan, New Zealand and Ukraine).  Samoa is 
engaged in Bilateral Market Acc ess Negotiations with two Members (Canada and the United States).  
The next meeting of the Working Party would be c onvened on 1 February 2011.  This LDC accession 
is in an advanced state of maturity. 
44. Serbia:   The Ninth Working Party meeting was held in October 2010.  Multilateral work is 
proceeding on the basis of a revised Draft Working Pa rty Report, circulated in  August 2010.  Bilateral 
protocols have been signed with Japan, Norway and Honduras, and Serbia is in the process of setting 
a date for signature with three Members (Canada, the European Union and the Republic of Korea).  
Bilateral Market Access Negotiations are ongoing with nine Members (Brazil, China, Ecuador, 
El Salvador, Panama, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States).  The next Working Party 
meeting would be convened when Serbia submit s the outstanding inputs (replies to Members' 
questions, revised Legislative Action Plan, enacted legi slation).  This accession is in an advanced state 
of maturity. 
45. Seychelles:   The Working Party held its first m eeting in 1997.  Seychelles submitted an 
updated Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime in  May 2009 to reactivate its accession process.  
On the basis of its Memorandum on the Foreign Trade Regime and its updated initial market access 
offers on goods and services, the Working Party pro cess was restarted with a formal meeting that took 
place on 22 November 2010. 
46. Sudan:   The Working Party has held two meetings.  The last meeting was held in March 2004.  
A Factual Summary was circulated informally in September 2004.  Bilateral Market Access 
Agreements have been concluded w ith four Members (Brazil, China, Jordan and Turkey).  No date 
has been fixed for the next Working Party meeting. 
                                                      
18 Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa 
Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, the EU, Guatem ala, Honduras, Hungary, 
the Dominican Republic, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia , New Zealand, Norway, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, 
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia , Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, 
Chinese Taipei, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United St ates, Uruguay, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 
and Viet Nam.   
19 WT/ACC/RUS/53.  WT/ACC/14 
 Page 11 
 
 
  47. Tajikistan:   The Working Party has held five meetings.  The Fifth Working Party meeting was 
held in November 2010.  At this meeting,  the S ecretariat was mandated to upgrade the "Elements of a 
Draft Working Party Report" (last circulated in October 2010) to a Draft Working Party Report, prior to the next Working Party meeting.  Tajikistan is engaged in Market Access Negotiations with 
11 Members (Australia, the European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the 
Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei , Ukraine and the United States).  One Bilateral 
Market Access Agreement has been concluded (China). 
48. Uzbekistan:
  The Working Party has held three meet ings.  The last Working Party meeting 
was convened in October 2005.  Uzbekistan su bmitted initial goods and services offers for the 
Bilateral Market Access Negotiati ons in September 2005.  The next  Working Party meeting will be 
convened when the outstanding inputs are submitted and a Working Party Chairperson is appointed. 
49. Vanuatu:   Accession negotiations were concluded in 2001 when the Working Party adopted 
its draft accession package.  Subsequently, the Vanua tu Authorities informed the Secretariat that they 
would need more time to consider the accession package before it could be forwarded to the 
General Council for adoption.  In 2008, Vanuatu signalled its interest in resuming the accession 
process and asked that the draft accessions pack age be updated.  Under the authority of 
the Chairperson of the General Council, the packag e was technically updated by the Secretariat and 
circulated to WTO Members in the re-convened Wo rking Party.  The re-convened Working Party is 
expected to meet in the last week of January 201 1 to consider the adoption and transmission of the 
updated package to the General Council for approval. 
50. Yemen:   The Eighth Working Party meeting was held in September 2010.  This will be 
followed-up by an Informal Meeting of the Workin g Party on 13 December 2010.  Multilateral work 
is proceeding on the basis of a revised Draft Work ing Party Report.  Yemen has concluded Bilateral 
Market Access Negotiations with (Australia, Cana da, China, the European Union, El Salvador, 
Honduras, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States).  Bilateral Market Access Negotiation 
is outstanding with Ukraine.  This LDC acce ssion is in an advanced state of maturity. 
51. Six Acceding Governments: the Union of th e Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, 
the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Sao Tomé and Principe, and the Syrian Arab Republic:   These are in the 
initial stages of their accession processes.  Their r espective Working Parties were established by the 
General Council between July 2004  and May 2010.  They have not  submitted their Memoranda on the 
Foreign Trade Regime. WT/ACC/14 
Page 12  
 
  IV. LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES' ACCESSIONS 
52. Presently, 12 of the 30 Acceding Governments are Least-Developed Countries.
20  In 2010, 
Members intensified their efforts with regard to LDCs' accessions.21  Priority was accorded through 
outreach, technical assistance, policy advice and suppor t.  Particular efforts were focused on LDCs' 
accessions at the initial stages of their process.  The LDC Consultative Group also reiterated the 
significance it attached to concluding the LD Cs' accessions of Samoa, Yemen and Vanuatu.  
The Group placed the item on LDCs' accessions on the agenda of the October General Council.  
Under this item, it stated the reas ons for facilitating LDCs' accessions.22  The Group underlined the 
contributions that LDCs' accessions would provide  to global economic recovery and growth by 
sending positive signals from the WTO at a time of un certainty.  It consider ed that LDCs' accessions 
would add to the contributions of the WTO to UN LDC-IV.  Furthermore, LDCs' accessions would 
reinforce the development dimension of the tradin g system and efforts by the Organization for the 
rapid integration of LDCs and other vulnerable economies. 
53. In 2009, the Dialogue with Acceding LDCs and WTO Members was initiated.  In 2010, this 
Dialogue was continued under the aegis of the Sub-Committee on LDCs.  The Dialogue was held on 
5 May 2010 on the margins of the "Geneva Week" to  facilitate the participation of non-resident 
Acceding LDCs.  A report of the Dialogue was presented at the 56th Session of the Sub-Committee in 
June 2010.23  The Dialogue deepened the engagement  on LDCs' accessions.  Members acknowledged 
the challenges experienced by Acceding LDCs and reaffirmed their commitment to facilitate and 
support LDCs in their accession negotiations, in particular, within the framework of the 
2002 LDC Guidelines.  Several points emerged in the ex change of views.  First, an increased level of 
transparency in 2009/2010 was welcomed.  The Dialogue was seen as symbolizing transparency 
improvements and the First Annual Report on WTO Accessions by the Director-General was also welcomed as a transparency measure.
24  LDCs stressed the value of sustaining the Dialogue with 
Members within the framework of the Sub-Committee on LDCs.  Second, the importance of technical 
assistance and outreach activities fo r Acceding LDCs was emphasized.  Assistance was needed at all 
stages of the process, including post-accession.  Acceding LDCs called for continued priority to be 
accorded to LDCs' accessions in the Bi ennial WTO Technical Assistance Plans25, in particular, for 
Acceding LDCs at an initial stage, such as Afghani stan, Liberia, Sao Tomé and Principe.  Third, 
flexibility in Bilateral Market Access Negotiati ons was at the centre of the Dialogue.  Acceding 
Governments reiterated the necessity of adequate  transition periods for the implementation of 
WTO Agreements, in accordance with the 2002 LDC Guidelines.  Finally, in the Dialogue, 
participating multilateral institutions described various  areas of assistance wi thin their competences.  
These were welcomed by the LDCs who underlined  the importance of trade-related multilateral 
intervention of relevant agencies.  Members, in cluding LDCs, welcomed the joint programme by the 
                                                      
20 Afghanistan, Bhutan, Comoros, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Lao PDR, Liberia, Samoa, Sao Tomé 
and Principe, Sudan, Vanuatu and Yemen. 
21 WTO Members and the Secretariat continued to build on the mandate in the Doha Ministerial 
Declaration to facilitate and accelerate the accession nego tiations of LDCs.  Work has been undertaken on 
LDCs' accessions as part of the WTO Work Programme for LDCs (WT/COMTD/LDC/11).  The adoption of the 
2002 General Council Decision on the Accession of LDCs (Guidelines) was a significant development 
(WT/L/508).  The Hong Kong Ministerial Declarati on also stressed the importance of facilitating and 
accelerating the accession negotiations of LDCs taking due  account of the Guidelines (WT/MIN(05)/DEC).  
Progress made on LDCs' accessions was highlighted in the Status Report to the Cancún Fifth Ministerial 
Conference (WT/MIN(03)/2) and in periodic reports to the Sub-Committee on LDCs.  Adherence to the Guidelines was also stressed at the Seventh Ministerial Conference in Geneva (WT/MIN(09)/18). 
22 See Item 5 of WT/GC/M/128.  
23 The (oral) report by the Chairman of the SCLDCs is available in WT/COMTD/LDC/M/56.   
24 WT/ACC/13. 
25 The TA Plan for 2010 – 2011 is contained in document WT/COMTD/W/170/Rev.1.  WT/ACC/14 
 Page 13 
 
 
  WTO-ITC-EIF, launched by the Director-General on 1 December 2009, focused on private sector 
support in Acceding LDCs. 
54. It was felt that the Dialogue should be sustai ned and could usefully revolve around several 
issues, including improving transparency, implemen tation of the 2002 LDC Guidelines, and technical 
assistance and outreach.  There were those who str essed the value of the systemic role of the 
Director-General.  It was also felt, that within  the framework of the Dialogue, which had been 
constructively mainstreamed into the work of  the Sub-Committee on LDCs, Acceding LDCs and 
Members should continue to creatively explore specifi c steps that could be taken to expedite LDCs' 
accessions.  In this vain, there were suggestions fo r Working Party Chairpersons to report to Members 
in the context of the Dialogue. WT/ACC/14 
Page 14  
 
  V. TRADE PERFORMANCE OF RECENTLY ACCEDED MEMBERS (RAMS) 
55. The WTO accession process has been an essential instrument in domestic reform for 
Acceding Governments.  In accession negotiations w ith Members, the common objective has been to 
agree to accession terms that would generate mutual  welfare gains for the Acceding Governments and 
Members, promote faster domestic growth and reinforce the rules and disciplines of the trading 
system.  Each Accession is adapted to respond to the needs of individual Acceding Governments.  
The initial review of the results so far indicates th at RAMs have performed better, grown faster in 
terms of trade performance in the post-accession period than in the period leading up to their WTO accession.  The facts also suggest that they have coped relatively better with external shocks.   
56. Twenty-five states or separate customs terr itories have acceded to the WTO pursuant to 
Article XII of the Marrakesh Agreement.  The ma jority of them are Governments of Developing 
Countries or separate customs territories.  They include three LDCs
26 and some transition and 
emerging economies. 
57. Following their WTO accessions, the internationa l trade of RAMs increased significantly.  
Figures 2 and 3 show that in the period from 1995 to  2009, the value of merchandise trade and trade 
in commercial services of RAMs grew at aver age annual rates of 13 per cent and 11 per cent 
respectively; much faster than the growth of  world merchandise and services trade at rates of 
7 per cent and 8 per cent respectively.  In the period between 199527 and 200828, the value of 
merchandise trade of RAMs rose by 500 per cent appr oximately, in contrast to world trade that 
increased by approximately 200 per cent (see Figure 2 and Annex 2). 
58. As shown in Figure 2, the merchandise trade growth of RAMs accelerated in 2002, following 
the most active period in the history of WTO accessi ons.  Nine RAMs joined in a period of less than 
24 months (from April 2000 to January 2002).29  Among these were Albania, China, Georgia and 
Lithuania, which continued to maintain an average annual growth rate of over 20 per cent in the five 
years following their accessions.30  Since 2002, another nine WTO accessions were completed, among 
them three LDCs.  In all cases, merchandise exports  of RAMs continuously outpaced world exports.  
Notably, even in the recent global economic and financial crisis, the decline in the value of 
merchandise exports of RAMs was smaller than that  of world exports.  For instance, relative to 
exports in 2008, total export value of RAMs dropped by 21 per cent, in contrast to the drop of world 
exports by 23 per cent, in 2009 (see Abnnex 4). 31 
                                                      
26 Cambodia, Cape Verde and Nepal.  Cape Verde concluded its accession negotiation as a LDC, but 
subsequently graduated from LDC status on 1 January 2008 (UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/59/210).  
27 The establishment of the World Trade Organization. 
28 Prior to the effects of the great recession  (Global economic and financial crisis). 
29 Albania, China, Croatia, Georgia, Jordan, Li thuania, Moldova, Oman and Chinese Taipei. 
30 Year-on-year percentage change. 
31 Year-on-year percentage change.  WT/ACC/14 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Figure 2:  Value of total merchandise trade of RAMs:  1995-2009 
(Index, 1995=100)  
0100200300400500600700
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 RAMs World
Source : WTO Statistics Database  
Figure 3: Value of total trade in commercial services of RAMs:  1995-2009 
(Index, 1995=100)  
050100150200250300350400450500
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009RAMs World
Source : WTO Statistics Database  WT/ACC/14 
Page 16  
 
  59. RAMs have also registered strong trade perform ance in terms of their expanded share of 
world merchandise trade.  In the period between 1995 to 2009, as shown in Figure 4 below, the share 
of world merchandise trade of RAMs doubled significantly from 6 to 12 per cent. 
Figure 4: RAMs' share of world merchandise trade:  1995-2009 
(Billion dollars and percentage)  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source :  WTO Statistics Database 
60. Figures 5A-5F illustrate the different levels  of merchandise export performance, from the 
respective year of accession of the 25 RAMs.32  While the majority of RAMs outperformed the 
overall world exports, exports from four RAMs c onsistently grew slower than world exports.33  There 
was also a number of RAMs, whose exports declin ed after their accessions, but picked up in the 
following years, see Annex 4 showing percentage changes.34 
                                                      
32 In order to show the statistical trend of indi vidual RAMs more clearly in Figures 5A-5F, the 
25 RAMs are grouped in six:  1) RAMs that became EU Members after their accessi ons; 2) RAMs that acceded 
before 2000; 3) RAMs  that acceded in 2000; 4) RAMs that acce ded between 2001 and 20 05; 5) RAMs that 
acceded after 2005; and, 6) RAMs that acceded as LDCs. 
33 Nepal, Panama, Chinese Taipei, and Tonga. 
34 Bulgaria, Ecuador, Kyrgyz Republic, and Mongolia. World, 
US $10,447, 
94%RAMs, 
US $695, 6%1995
RAMs, 
US $3,374, 
12%
World, 
US $25,108, 
88%2009 WT/ACC/14 
 Page 17 
 
 
  Figure 5A:  Value of merchandise exports of RAMs that became EU Members after their 
accessions: 1995-200935 
(Index, 1995=100)  
0100200300400500600700800900
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Bulgaria (96) Estonia (99) Latvia (99) Lithuania (01) World
Source : WTO Statistics Database  
Figure 5B: Value of merchandise exports of  RAMs that acceded before 2000:  1995-2009 
(Index, 1995=100)  
0100200300400500600
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Ecuador(96) Kyrgyz Republic (98) Mongolia (97) Panama (97) World
Source :  WTO Statistics Database  
                                                      
35 The years of accession are indicated in brackets on the chart legend of Figures 5A-5F. WT/ACC/14 
Page 18  
 
  Figure 5C:  Value of merchandise exports of RAMs that acceded in 2000:  1995-2009 
(Index, 1995=100)  
01002003004005006007008009001000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Albania (00) Croatia (00) Georgia (00) Jordan (00) Oman (00) World
Source : WTO Statistics Database 
Figure 5D:  Value of merchandise exports of RAMs that acceded between 2001 and 2005:  
1995-2009 
(Index, 1995=100)  
01002003004005006007008009001000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Armenia (03) China (01) FYR Macedonia (03)
Moldova (01) Chinese Taipei (02) World
Source :  WTO Statistics Database   WT/ACC/14 
 Page 19 
 
 
  Figure 5E:  Value of merchandise exports of RAMs that acceded after 2005:  1995-2009 
(Index, 1995=100)  
020040060080010001200
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Saudi Arabia (05) Tonga (07) Ukraine (08) Viet Nam (07) World
Source :  WTO Statistics Database  
61. Performance of the three LDC RAMs was mixe d (see Figure 5F).  Cambodia's merchandise 
exports grew much faster than world exports since 2000 and the trend was further accelerated, 
following the Accession of Cambodia to the WTO in 2004.  Export growth of Cape Verde experienced a jump in 2008, the year it joined th e WTO.  Cape Verde also achieved positive growth 
in the year following its accession, even in the mids t of the global economic and financial crisis in 
2008/2009.  For Nepal, its exports grew steadily af ter its accession in 2004, the pace of growth was 
slower than that of the other two LDCs. 
Figure 5F:  Value of merchandise exports of RAMs that acceded as LDCs:  1995-2009 
(Index, 1995=100)  
0100200300400500600
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Cambodia (04) Cape Verde (08) Nepal (04) World
Source : WTO Statistics Database  WT/ACC/14 
Page 20  
 
  VI. CONCLUSION - OUTLOOK 2011  
62. In 2010, Members intensified their engagement  with Acceding Governments, with the support 
of the Secretariat.  There was a strong push acro ss the board by Members to improve transparency 
levels.  Accession matters were discussed in sever al WTO Regular Bodies.  In these discussions, 
Members and Acceding Governments underlined th e value of accessions for reinforcing the 
rules-based system and enhancing global econom ic welfare.  The management of the accession 
process was improved with greater decisive engagement by Members, assisted by the Secretariat in the Informal Group on Accessions. 
63. In accordance with paragraph 42 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration and the 2002 General 
Council Decision on LDCs' accessions, I believe that  Members accorded priority to LDCs' accessions 
in 2010.  The Dialogue between Acceding LDCs  and WTO Members was continued in 2010.  
This Dialogue should be sustained in 2011 within  the framework of the LDC Sub-Committee.  I 
believe that this Dialogue would be seen as yi elding positive results, as LDCs' accessions are 
harvested, pursuant to Article XII negotiations  and taken into account the 2002 Guidelines.  
As Director-General, I shall continue to accord sp ecific importance to LDCs accession and exercise 
good offices whenever requested. 
64. There was a strong message from the vast ma jority of Members for transparency 
improvements.  This message em erged from the Seventh Ministerial Conference in 2009 and most 
recently, in the consideration of LDC Accession Pr iorities at the October 2010 General Council.  I 
believe that the most powerful transparency measu re would be full and effective participation and 
engagement by all Members in Working Parties.  I also believe that this engagement is well 
underway, which accounts for relatively improved leve ls of satisfaction being expressed by Members 
and Acceding Governments at this time.  To further improve transparency, in 2010, several steps were 
taken in this regard.  The regularity of meeti ngs of the Informal Group on Accessions was increased. 
A factual newsletter service was established for Acce ding Governments. Outreach was enhanced with 
different regional groupings. The Evolving Cale ndar of Accession Meeti ngs is now updated on a 
monthly basis and is shared with Acceding G overnments, with request for their input.  
As Director-General, I decided to continue with  this annual reporting on accessions, in light of the 
very strong support from Members, after the first Re port last year.  As you would have noted, this 
year's Report includes a new section on the Trade Performance of RAMs.  I invite Members to provide a feedback with suggestions for additiona l steps that could be taken in 2011 to further 
improve transparency on WTO accessions, buildin g on the above-mentioned steps already taken 
in 2010. 
65. Working Party Chairpersons became more system ically activist.  They drove their Working 
Parties, engaged with Members, undertook visits  to several Acceding Governments and were 
determined to produce results.  Three new Geneva-b ased Working Party Chairpersons were appointed 
in 2010.  Chairpersons continued to play a critical and systemic role for the effective functioning of 
the accession process.  The Secretariat would cont inue to assist Working Party Chairpersons for 
further enhanced coherence in accessions work in 2011. 
66. In 2010, outreach to WTO groups was intensif ied and Acceding Governments benefited from 
more than 140 technical assistance activities, incl uding a dozen of accession-related activities. Priority 
will need to continue to be acco rded to the delivery of indispensable, top-quality technical assistance 
to Acceding Governments. 
_______________ 
 
   WT/ACC/14 
 Page 21 
 
 
  ANNEX 1 
Accession Working Parties  
No. Government Date Working Party Established WP Chairperson 
Names 
1. Afghanistan 13 December 2004 H.E. Mr. Boudewijn J. van Eenennaam  
(Netherlands) 
2. Algeria 17 June 1987 Vacant 
3. Andorra 22 October 1997 H.E. Mr. Benedikt Jónsson  
(Iceland) 
4. Azerbaijan 16 July 1997 H.E. Mr. Walter Lewalter  
(Germany) 
5. Bahamas 18 July 2001 H.E. Mr. Peter C. Black  
(Jamaica) 
6. Belarus 27 October 1993 H.E. Mr. Bozkurt Aran  
(Turkey) 
7. Bhutan 6 October 1999 H.E. Dr. Wolfgang Petritsch  
(Austria) 
8. Bosnia Herzegovina 15 July 1999 H.E. Dr. István Major  
(Hungary) 
9. Comoros, Union of the 9 October 2007 Vacant 
10. Equatorial Guinea 5 February 2008 Vacant 
11. Ethiopia 10 February 2002 H.E. Dr. Steffen Smidt  
(Denmark) 
12. Iran 26 May 2005 Vacant 
13. Iraq 13 December 2004 H.E. Mr. Omar Hilale  
(Morocco) 
14. Kazakhstan 6 February 1996 H.E. Mr. Hannu Himanen  
(Finland) 
15. Lao People's Democratic 
Republic 19 February 1998 Dr. Zhang  Xianchen 
(China) 
16. Lebanese Republic 14 April 1999 H.E. Mrs Laurence Dubois-Destrizais  
(France) 
17. Liberia 18 December 2007 Vacant 
18. Libyan Arab Jamahiriya  27 July 2004 Mr. Victor Echevarría Ugarte  
(Spain) 
19. Montenegro 15 February 2005 H.E. Mr. Andrej Logar  
(Slovenia) 
20. Russian Federation 16 June 1993 H.E. Mr. Stefán Jóhannesson  
(Iceland) 
21. Samoa 15 July 1998 H.E. Mr. Shinichi Kitajima  
(Japan) 
22. Sao Tomé and Principe 26 May 2005 Vacant 
23. Serbia 15 February 2005 H.E. Mrs. Marie-Claire Swärd Capra  
(Sweden) 
24. Seychelles 11 July 1995 Ms. Hilda Ali Al-Hinai  
(Oman) 
25. Sudan 25 October 1994 Vacant 
26. Syria 4 May 2010 Vacant 
27. Tajikistan 18 July 2001 H.E. Mr. Clyde Kull  
(Estonia) 
28. Uzbekistan 21 December 1994 H.E. Mr. Sung-Joo Lee  
(Republic of Korea) 
29. Vanuatu* 11 July 1995 Working Party concluded 
30. Yemen 17 July 2000 H.E. Mr. Hartmut Röben  
(Germany) 
* The final Working Party on the Accession of Vanuatu was held on 29 October 2001.   
  WT/ACC/14 
Page 22 ANNEX 2 
Value of Merchandise Trade and Year- on-Year Percentage Change:  1995-2009  
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 
Value      695      733       796      749      806   1,032   1,013   1,163   1,495   1,978   2,400   2,900   3,515  4,197   3, 374  RAMs 
Year-on-year 
percentage 
change   5.6% 8.5% -5.9% 7.7% 28.0% -1.9% 14.9% 28.5% 32.3% 21.3% 20.9% 21.2% 19.4% -19.6% 
 Value  10,447  10,947   11,328  11,182  11,633  13,180  12,673   13,234  15,447  18,786  21,342  24,547  28,280  32,590  25,108   World 
Year-on-year 
percentage 
change   4.8% 3.5% -1.3% 4.0% 13.3% -3.8% 4.4% 16.7% 21.6% 13.6% 15.0% 15.2% 15.2% -23.0% 
Source :  WTO Statistics Database 
  
   WT/ACC/14
 Page 23ANNEX 3 
Value of Trade in Commercial Services and Year-on-Year Percenta ge Change:  1995-2009  
(Billion dollars and percentage) 
    1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 
Value 121  133  152 145 153 170 173 194  224 284 332 398 504 578 460  RAMs 
Year-on-year 
percentage 
change   9.8% 13.7% -4.5% 5.3% 11.3% 1.9% 12.0% 15.8% 26.4% 17.1% 19.9% 26.4% 14.8% -20.5% 
Value 2,354  2,502  2,588 2,653 2,760 2,937 2,958 3,156  3,613 4, 341 4,842 5,455 6,508 7,339 6,426  World 
Year-on-year 
percentage 
change   6.3% 3.4% 2.5% 4.0% 6.4% 0.7% 6.7% 14.5% 20.2% 11.5% 12.7% 19.3% 12.8% -12.4% 
Source:  WTO Statistics Database 
  
  WT/ACC/14 
Page 24 ANNEX 4 
Growth of Value of Merchandise Export of RAMs:  1995-2009  
(Year-on-year percentage change) 
RAMs Year of Accession 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004  2005 2006 2 007 2008 2009 
Albania 2000 42% 5% -34% 49% 69% -27% 19% 11% 32% 35% 9% 21% 35% 26% -20% 
Armenia 2003 25% 7% -20% -5% 5% 27% 17% 47% 36% 5% 35% 1% 17% -8% -34% 
Bulgaria 1996 34% -9% 1% -13% -7% 22% 5% 12% 32% 32% 18% 28% 23% 21% -27% 
Cambodia 2004 74% -25% 14% 9% 41% 23% 8% 28% 10% 32% 10% 14% 16% 15% -3% 
Cape Verde 2008 60% 63% 8% -29% 10% 0% -9% 5% 21% 18% 17% 17% -7% 66% 10% 
China 2001 23% 2% 21% 1% 6% 28% 7% 22% 35% 35% 28% 27% 26% 17% -16% 
Croatia 2000 6% 3% -14% 13% -5% 3% 5% 5% 26% 30% 9% 18% 19% 14% -26% 
Ecuador 1996 13% 21% 1% -20% 6% 11% -5% 8% 23% 25% 30% 26% 13% 29% -26% 
Estonia 1999 41% 13% 41% 11% -7% 27% 5% 8% 30% 6% 30% 26% 14% 13% -27% 
FRY Macedonia 2003 11% -5% 8% 6% -9% 11 % -12% -4% 23% 23% 22 % 18% 40% 19% -32% 
Georgia 2000 -3% 32% 21% -20% 25% 36% -2% 9% 33% 40% 34% 8% 32% 21% -24% 
Jordan 2000 24% 3% 1% -2% 2% 4% 21% 21% 11% 26% 11% 21% 10% 39% -20% 
Kyrgyz Republic 1998 20% 23% 20% -15% -12% 11% -6% 2% 20% 24% -7% 18% 43% 45% -12% 
Latvia 1999 32% 11% 16% 8% -5% 8% 7% 14% 27% 39% 29% 19% 35% 22% -25% 
Lithuania 2001 33% 24% 15% -4% -19% 27% 20% 19% 31% 30% 27% 20% 21% 38% -31% 
Moldova 2001 32% 7% 10% -28% -26% 2% 20% 13% 23% 25% 11% -4% 28% 19% -18% 
Mongolia 1997 33% -10% 34% -19% -2% 18% -3% 1% 18% 41% 22% 45% 22% 34% -25% 
Nepal 2004 -5% 12% 5% 17% 27% 34% -8% -23% 17% 17% 12% -3% 5% 8% -28% 
Oman 2000 9% 21% 4% -28% 31% 56% -2% 1% 4% 14% 40% 15% 14% 53% -30% 
Panama 1997 7% 0% 16% 8% 5% 5% 6% -7% 2% 9% 8% 7% 6% 7% -29% 
Saudi Arabia 2005 17% 21% 0% -36% 31% 53% -12% 6% 29% 35% 43% 17% 11% 33% -40% 
Chinese Taipei 2002 20% 4% 5% -9% 10% 22% -17% 7% 11% 21% 9% 13% 10% 4% -20% 
Tonga 2007 0% -21% -9% -20% 63% -31% -25%  116% 21% -15% -33% -4% -11% 11% -26% 
Ukraine 2008 27% 10% -1% -11% -8% 26% 12% 10% 28% 42% 5% 12% 28% 36% -41% 
Viet Nam 2007 34% 33% 27% 2% 23% 25% 4% 11% 21% 31% 22% 23% 22% 29% -10% 
World  19% 5% 3% -2% 4% 13% -4% 5% 17% 22% 14% 15% 16% 15% -23% 
Source:  WTO Statistics Database 
  
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 Page 25ANNEX 5 
Growth of Value of Mercha ndise Import of RAMs:  1995-2009  
(Year-on-year percentage change) 
RAMs Year of Accession 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004  2005 2006 2 007 2008 2009 
Albania 2000 18% 31% -31% 30% 37% -6% 22% 13% 24% 24% 13% 17% 37% 25% -13% 
Armenia 2003 71% 27% 4% 1% -11% 10% -1% 13% 30% 6% 33% 22% 49% 35% -25% 
Bulgaria 1996 23% -10% -3% 0% 11% 19% 11% 9% 37% 33% 26% 28% 29% 23% -37% 
Cambodia 2004 60% -10% -1% 10% 36% 22% 8% 11% 10% 25% 23% 21% 14% 20% -18% 
Cape Verde 2008 21% -7% 0% -3% 8% -7% 2% 18% 27% 23% 2% 24% 38% 10% -14% 
China 2001 14% 5% 3% -1% 18% 36% 8% 21% 40% 36% 18% 20% 21% 18% -11% 
Croatia 2000 41% 6% 17% -9% -6% 1% 16% 17% 33% 17% 12% 16% 20% 19% -31% 
Ecuador 1996 15% 3% 16% 13% -46% 23% 44% 20% 4% 23% 25% 18% 15% 34% -19% 
Estonia 1999 54% 27% 38% 8% -14% 23% 4% 12% 36% 5% 23% 31% 17% 2% -37% 
FRY Macedonia 2003 16% -5% 9% 8% -7% 18% -19% 18% 16% 27% 10% 17% 39% 31% -26% 
Georgia 2000 15% 75% 37% -6% -34% 21% 6% 6% 43% 62% 35% 48% 42% 21% -31% 
Jordan 2000 9% 16% -4% -7% -3% 24% 6% 4% 13% 42% 28% 10% 18% 24% -17% 
Kyrgyz Republic 1998 65% 61% -15% 19% -29% -8% -16% 26% 22% 31% 17% 56% 40% 69% -25% 
Latvia 1999 46% 28% 17% 17% -7% 8% 10% 15% 29% 36% 23% 33% 33% 5% -40% 
Lithuania 2001 55% 25% 24% 3% -17% 13% 16% 21% 27% 26% 26% 25% 26% 27% -41% 
Moldova 2001 27% 27% 9% -13% -43% 33% 15% 16% 35% 26% 30% 18% 37% 33% -33% 
Mongolia 1997 61% 9% 4% 7% 2% 20% 4% 8% 16% 27% 16% 25% 43% 71% -41% 
Nepal 2004 15% 5% 21% -26% 14% 11% -6% -4% 24% 10% 18% 9% 24% 16% -1% 
Oman 2000 9% 8% 10% 12% -18% 7% 16% 6% 8% 29% 2% 23% 45% 44% -16% 
Panama 1997 4% 11% 8% 13% 3% -4% -12% 1% 3% 16% 16% 16% 42% 32% -14% 
Saudi Arabia 2005 20% -1% 4% 4% -7% 8% 3% 3% 14% 28% 26% 17% 29% 28% -20% 
Chinese Taipei 2002 21% 0% 11% -8% 6% 26% -23% 5% 13% 32% 8% 11% 8% 10% -27% 
Tonga 2007 12% -3% -3% -5% 6% -4% 4% 22% 5% 12% 15% -4% 23% 17% -4% 
Ukraine 2008 44% 14% -3% -14% -19% 18% 13% 8% 36% 26% 25% 25% 35% 41% -47% 
Viet Nam 2007 40% 37% 4% -1% 2% 33% 4% 22% 28% 27% 15% 22% 40% 29% -15% 
World  19% 5% 3% -1% 4% 14% -4% 4% 17% 22% 13% 15% 15% 15% -23% 
  
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Page 26 ANNEX 6 
Growth of Value of Exports in Commercial Services of Rams:  1995-2009  
(Year-on-year percentage change) 
RAMs Year of Accession 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004  2005 2006 2 007 2008 2009 
Albania 2000 19% 31% -58% 59% 206% 69% 15% 12% 26% 44% 16% 28% 30% 26% 0% 
Armenia 2003 118% 181% 29% 22% 10% 1% 38% -2% 13% 63% 24% 18% 20% 11%   
Bulgaria 1996 14% -5% -4% 35% 0% 21% 0% 2% 35% 36% 10% 20% 23% 23% -11% 
Cambodia 2004 129% 47% -2% 16% 67% 46% 22% 15% -9% 46% 35% 17% 21% 7%   
Cape Verde 2008 46% 14% 20% -5% 28% 5%  20% 20% 31% 16% 15 % 43% 30% 23% -9% 
China 2001 13% 12% 19% -3% 10% 15% 9% 20% 18% 34% 19% 24% 33% 20% -12% 
Croatia 2000 -16% 44% 25% -1% -6% 9% 20% 14% 54% 9% 6% 9% 15% 22% -20% 
Ecuador 1996 7% -7% 0% -1% 8% 17% 1% 3% -1% 16% 0% 2% 16% 10% -9% 
Estonia 1999 71% 27% 20% 12% 1% -2% 8% 6% 31% 28% 14% 9% 25% 18% -15% 
FRY Macedonia 2003     -16% 17% 68% 17% -32% 11% 63% 19% 14% 19% 37% 24% -19% 
Georgia 2000       88% -39% -5 % 45% 24% 13% 21% 27 % 24% 22% 18% -1% 
Jordan 2000 9% 8% -6% 5% -7% -5% -13% 25% -1% 20% 9% 27% 16% 29% -3% 
Kyrgyz Republic 1998 20% -20% 27% 45% 4% -5% 33% 58% 14% 41% 21% 50% 86% 35%   
Latvia 1999 10% 56% -8% 7% -8% 11% 3% 5% 22% 18% 22% 22% 40% 23% -16% 
Lithuania 2001 50% 63% 30% 7% -1% -3% 9% 27% 28% 30% 26% 17% 11% 20% -26% 
Moldova 2001 336% -28% 58% -9% -15% 23% 3% 29% 12% 39% 20% 16% 35% 35% -23% 
Mongolia 1997 37% -9% 16% 49% -2% 1% 48% 64% 13% 62% 24% 18%       
Nepal 2004 12% 15% 17% -46% 5% -10% -26% -37% 57% 18% -24% -7% 35% 46%   
Oman 2000   13% 44% 6% 9% 34% 0% 8% 12% 28% 39% 25% 21%   
Panama 1997 11% 7% 9% 16% -1% 12% 0% 14% 12% 10% 16% 24% 24% 18% -7% 
Saudi Arabia 2005 4% -20% 54% 11% 14% -11% 5% 3% 10% 2% 91% 25% 13%     
Chinese Taipei 2002 14% 8% 5% -2% 2% 17% -1% 9% 7% 11% 0% 13% 7% 11% -10% 
Tonga 2007 66% 35% 1% -24% -16% -27% 25% 3% 20% -5% 42% -25% 17%     
Ukraine 2008 4% 69% 3% -21% -1% -2% 3% 18% 9% 49% 19% 21% 26% 27% -23% 
Viet Nam 2007 67% 4% 13% 3% -5% 8% 4% 5% 11% 18% 8% 22% 18% 18% -18% 
World  13% 7% 4% 3% 4% 6% 0% 8% 15% 21% 12% 13% 20% 12% -13% 
  
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 Page 27ANNEX 7 
Growth of Value of Imports in Co mmercial Services of RAMs:  1995-2009  
(Year-on-year percentage change) 
RAMs Year of Accession 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004  2005 2006 2 007 2008 2009 
Albania 2000 -23% 37% -31% 29% 28% 172% 2% 33% 31% 35% 33% 18% 22% 25% 0% 
Armenia 2003 28% 146% 22% 21% -4% -3% 8% 13% 22% 59% 23% 16% 29% 23%   
Bulgaria 1996 3% -3% -7% 21% 5% 13% 14% -8% 39% 33% 5% 21% 34% 22% -24% 
Cambodia 2004 37% 15% -13% 18% 33% 12% 6% 8% 16% 18% 26% 20% 17% 6%   
Cape Verde 2008 83% 14% 5% 30% 31% -13% 17% 21% 33% 6% 4% 20% 18% 22% -8% 
China 2001 56% -9% 24% -5% 17% 16% 9% 18% 19% 31% 16% 21% 29% 22% 0% 
Croatia 2000 12% 22% 16% -5% 11% -13% 8% 24% 24% 19% -5% 4% 10% 18% -13% 
Ecuador 1996 7% -6% 12% 1% -6% 7% 14% 12% 1% 20% 10% 9% 10% 16% -11% 
Estonia 1999 27% 25% 24% 25% 2% 5% 9% 14% 27% 25% 27% 14% 22% 11% -25% 
FRY Macedonia 2003     -11% -24% 12% 15% -2% 5% 39% 31% 9% 3% 37% 30% -19% 
Georgia 2000       35% -33% -3% 7% 40% 10% 24% 33% 18% 27% 32% -22% 
Jordan 2000 16% -3% -8% 28% -6% -2% 4% 7% 4% 17% 25% 16% 17% 18% -7% 
Kyrgyz Republic 1998 182% 28% -32% 2% -12% -5% -16% 19% 9% 39% 31% 59% 27% 71%   
Latvia 1999 6% 213% -9% 13% -12% 8% -3% 4% 33% 27% 32% 27% 37% 18% -32% 
Lithuania 2001 72% 40% 33% -4% -8% -12% 2% 31% 38% 30% 26% 24% 33% 26% -30% 
Moldova 2001 159% -19% 23% -1% -11% 13% 3% 24% 10% 24% 18% 17% 30% 31% -18% 
Mongolia 1997 -1% 24% -7 % 42% -2% 12% 26% 32% -5% 100% -6% 10%       
Nepal 2004 5% -23% -8% -13% 7% -4% 6% 13% 12% 46% 13% 15% 47% 17%   
Oman 2000 9% 35% 17% 22% -9% 3% 8% -1% 37% 23% 0% 24% 25% 26%   
Panama 1997 2% -5% 25% -3% -9% -1% -4% 19% 0% 13% 25% -5% 23% 23% -18% 
Saudi Arabia 2005 -3% 45% 14% -40% 9% 16% -35% 0% 11% 39% 78% 50% 56% 8%   
Chinese Taipei 2002 12% 3% 2% -4% 0% 10% -8% 2% 4% 20% 5% 1% 8% 0% -15% 
Tonga 2007 25% -30% 67% -32% 0% -38% 29% 16% 44% 13% -3% 13% -13%     
Ukraine 2008 -13% 22% 40% 12% -10% 13% 22% -1% 27% 55% 13% 23% 29% 43% -32% 
Viet Nam 2007 57% 16% 37% 0% -3% 7% 4% 9% 10% 17% -6% 14% 33% 17% -20% 
World  13% 5% 3% 2% 4% 7% 1% 6% 14% 19% 11% 12% 19% 13% -12% 
 
 
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