   
  
WT/GC/256  
 
26 January  2023 
(23-0649) Page: 1/22 
   
 
GENERAL COUNCIL  
ANNUAL REPORT (202 2) 
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 report1, the General Council ha s held five regular meetings on 
23-24 February , 9-10 May, 25-26 July, 6-7 October  and 19 -20 December, 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 , WT/GC/M/ 201 and WT/GC/M/2022. 
 
The following subjects are included in the report3: 
 
1   REPORTS BY THE CHAIR OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND REPORTS 
BY THE DIRECTOR -GENERAL  ................................ ................................ ............................  3 
2   FOLLOW -UP TO OUTCOMES OF MINISTERIAL CONFERENCES  ................................ ...... 4 
2.1   Implementation Matters from MC12   ................................ ................................ ..............  4 
2.1.1    WTO Reform – Statement by the Chair   ................................ ................................ ....... 5 
2.1.2    Work Programme on Electronic Commerce – Statement by the Facilitator  ........................  6 
2.1.3    Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement - Report by the TRIPS 
Council   ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  6 
2.2   Implementation of the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Outcomes – Statements by the 
Chairperson ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  6 
3   WTO RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC  ................................ ................................ ............  7 
3.1   Reports   ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  7 
3.2   Intellectual Property, Transfer of Technology and Capacity Building for  
COVID -19 and Beyond – Statement by Brazil   ................................ ................................ ........  7 
3.3   Implementation of the Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the Pandemic and 
Preparedness for Future Pandemics – Commun ication from the African Group   ...........................  8 
4   TRIPS COUNCIL MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ...........................  8 
4.1   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   ................................ .............  8 
 
1 The annual report  of the General Council for 202 1 was circulated in WT/GC/2 42 including 
WT/GC/242/Add.1.  
2 To be issued.  
3 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/256  
 
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  4.2   Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement adopted on 17  June 2022 – 
document WT/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/Rev.1  ................................ ................................ .............................  8 
4.3   Annual Review of the Special Compulsory Li censing System – Paragraph 7 of the Annex to 
the Amended TRIPS Agreement and Paragraph 8 of the Decision on the Implementation of 
Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health – Report of the 
Council for TRIPS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  9 
5   WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ .......................  9 
5.1   Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Imposing Customs Duties on 
Electronic Transmissions – Request from India and South Africa  ................................ ...............  9 
5.2   Rejuvenation of Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Customs 
Duties on Electronic Transmissions – Request fro m India and South Africa  ................................ 10 
5.2.1    Consumer Protection in E -Commerce – Communication from India   ............................... 10 
6   WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORTS   ................................ ..........  10 
7   REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE BALI DECISION ON TRQ ADMINISTRATION –
DECISION ON PARAGRAPH 4 OF THE UNDERFILL MECHANISM   ................................ ..... 11 
8   THE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ASPECTS OF COTTON – STATEMENT BY THE 
DIRECTOR -GENERAL   ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 11 
9   DATE AND VENUE OF THE THIRTEENTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
AND VENUE OF THE FOURTEENTH SESSION – STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR   ....................  11 
10   TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ................................ ..........  12 
10.1   Statement by the Chair  ................................ ................................ ............................. 12 
10.2   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 Chai r  ............................... 12 
10.3   Review of Progress on Members' Proposals for MC12   ................................ .................... 12 
11   ACCESSION MATTERS  ................................ ................................ ..............................  14 
11.1   2021 Annual Report by the Director -General   ................................ ............................... 14 
11.2   Turkmenistan   ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 14 
12   WAIVERS ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  14 
12.1   Introduction of Harmonized System 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022 Changes into  
WTO Schedules of Tariff Concessions – Draft Decision   ................................ ........................... 14 
12.2   Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement   ................................ 14 
13   DERESTRICTION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATING MATERIALS –  
DRAFT DECISION   ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  15 
14   TRADE RELATED CHALLENGES OF THE LEAST -DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND WAY 
FORWARD – COMMUNICATIONS AND REQUEST FROM THE LDC GROUP  .........................  15 
15   IMMEDIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM IN 
PREPARATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL MC12 – COMMUNICATION FROM ARGENTINA; 
AUSTRALIA; BRAZIL; BRUNEI DARUSSALAM; CANADA; CHILE; COLOMBIA;  
COSTA RICA; DOMINICA; DOMI NICAN 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; THAILAND; TÜRKİYE;  
UKRAINE; UNITED KINGDOM; URUGUAY AND VANUATU  ................................ ................  16 WT/GC/256  
 
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  16   INTRODUCTION OF A PAPER ON "LEGAL STATUS OF JOINT STATEMENT  
INITIATIVES AND THEIR NEGOTIATED OUTCOMES" – REQUEST FROM INDIA;  
SOUTH AFRICA AND NAMIBIA   ................................ ................................ .......................  17 
17   PROPOSED SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY 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  ................................ ...........................  17 
18   STRENGTHENING THE WTO TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSIVITY – 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP; CUBA AND I NDIA   ................................  17 
19   JOINT STATEMENT ON OPEN AND PREDICTABLE TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL AND 
FOOD PRODUCTS – REQUEST FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM  ................................ ..........  18 
20   PROPOSED GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION ON PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE 
TRANSPARENCY AND IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH NOTIFICATION REQUIREMEN TS 
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; NORWA Y; PARAGUAY; PERU;  
THE PHILIPPINES; SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY 
OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; THAILAND; UNITED KINGDOM;  
THE UNITED STATES; AND URUGUAY  ................................ ................................ .............  18 
21   TRADE -DISRUPTIVE PRACTICES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS 
FOR THE WTO – COMMUNICATION FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION   ..........................  18 
22   LDC VIEWS ON WTO REFORM DISCUSSIONS AND PROPOSALS –  
COMMUNICATION FROM CHAD ON BEHALF OF THE LDC GROUP  ................................ ..... 18 
23   COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  ................................ .... 19 
23.1   Reports and Recommendations   ................................ ................................ .................. 19 
24   WTO PENSION PLAN  ................................ ................................ ...............................  19 
24.1   Election of Members and Alternate  ................................ ................................ .............. 19 
24.2   Reports  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 19 
25   ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS  ................................ ..... 19 
26   INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE UNCTAD/WTO – REPORT OF THE JOINT  
ADVISORY GROUP ON ITS 55TH AND 56TH SESSIONS  ................................ ....................  20 
27   REVIEW OF WTO ACTIVITIES  ................................ ................................ ..................  20 
28   APPOINTME NT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES   ................................ .......................  20 
29   ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON   ................................ ................................ ..................  22 
 
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 ; 
WT/GC/M/ 201 AND WT/GC/M/202 ) 
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 endorsed by the Trade Negotiations Committee at its 
first meeting in 2002 (TN/C/M/1), the TNC reports to each regular meeting of the Gener al 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 WT/GC/256  
 
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  representatives of  Barbados (CARICOM); Switzerland; Morocco; Panama (GRULAC); Argentina; 
Mexico; 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 s4 of the Director -General  and the negotiating groups Chairs , and of  the statements .5 
1.3.  At the May meeting, the Director -General, as TNC Chair, updated Members on developments 
in this area including on the Informal 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 report6 of the Director -General inc luding at the 4 May Informal TNC and Informal HODs 
meeting , and of the statements7 that day as well as those delivered at the 4 May Informal TNC and 
Informal HODs meeting .8 
1.4.  At the July meeting, this agenda item was taken up together with the agenda item on 
"Implementation Matters from MC12 Mandates".9 
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.10 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; Botswana; 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.  
1.6.  At the December  meeting, the Director -General, as TNC Chair, updated Members on 
developm ents in this area , including on the Formal TNC and Informal Heads of Delegation meeting 
on 30 November . At that meeting,  Members collectively t ook stock of work post -MC12, including on 
agriculture, fisheries subsidies, and development issues – where there had been retreats and other 
efforts amongst Members, and a meeting of the CTD SS.  Her report was circulated in document 
JOB/GC/326  and the 30 November meeting can be found in TN/C/M/43. The General Council took 
note of the report by the Director -General.  
2  FOLLOW -UP TO OUTCOMES OF MINISTERIAL CONFERENCES  
2.1  Implementation Matters from MC 12 (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 delegations11 taking the floor. The Director -General provided her report on 
 
4 The Director -General's  report, and the reports of the Chairs of Negotiating Bodies were also circulated 
in JOB/GC/294 . 
5 The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Arab Group) su bsequently provided its statement which can be found in 
WT/GC/M/196.  
6 The Director -General's  report  was also circulated in JOB/GC/294 . 
7 Kenya subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/198.  
8 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 
(ACP); Malaysia; United Kingdom; P akistan; 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 Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation ); Nepal; 
Trinidad and Tobago; Chinese Taipei; Paraguay; Tunisia; The Gambia; Iceland; Guatemala and United States.  
9 See Paragraph 2.1. 
10 See also Footnote 52 and JOB/GC/318.  
11 The statements made on the 7 July Informal Heads 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 Africa; 
Nepal; Barbados (CARICOM); Japan; India; Nigeria; Chinese Taipei; Russian Federation; Vanuatu (Pacific WT/GC/256  
 
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  various related issues which was subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/315 and referred to her previous 
reports in do cuments JOB/GC/312 and JOB/TNC/104. The Chairs of the Committee on Agriculture in 
Special Session and the Negotiating Group on Rules then took the floor to update12 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, 
including (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 following -up on relevant Ministerial instructions from MC12. The representatives 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, Chin a; 
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 Ch air, the statement by the TRIPS Council Chair, and of the 
other statements.  
2.2.  At the October  meeting, the Chair recalled 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 discussion13 among Members had t aken 
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 (ACP); the 
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; Banglades h; 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.  
2.1.1   WTO Reform – Statement by the Chair  (WT/GC/M/202)  
2.3.  At the December  meeting, the Chair made a statement14 and recalled  his closing remarks at 
the Informal meeting on WTO reform  held in November15. He also update d Members  on efforts by 
other  WTO bodies , including  on the MC12 Declarations on the E mergency Response to Food 
Insecurity and on the WTO Response to the COVID -19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future 
Pandemics. The representatives of Djibouti; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); Cameroon 
(African  Group); the European Union; Vanuatu (Pacific Group); Kenya (ACP); Pakistan; China; the 
Russian Federation; Nigeria; the United Kingdom; Ecuador; Bangladesh; Malaysia; Japan; 
South  Africa; Tunisia; Paraguay; Mauritius; India; Singapore; the Philippines; Jama cia (CARICOM); 
Ukraine; Nepal; Chinese Taipei; Chile; Brazil; Canada; Costa Rica; the Republic of Korea; 
Guatemala; Argentina; Switzerland; Mexico; Australia; Norway; Panama (Article XII Members); 
Indonesia; Colombia; Chinese Taipei and Thailand  spoke. The  General Council took note of the 
Chair's statement and of the other statements.  
 
Group); Paraguay; Tunisia; Türki ye; El Salvador; Canada; The Philippines; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); P eru; 
Zimbabwe; New Zealand; United States; Chad (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.  
12 Their reports can be found in the annex of JOB/GC/315.  
13 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 Minut es of the October meeting and can 
be found in the Annex of WT/GC/M/201.  
14 The Chair's statement was also circulated in JOB/GC/329 . 
15 The Chair's closing remarks can be found in JOB/GC/325 . WT/GC/256  
 
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  2.1.2   Work Programme on Electronic Commerce – Statement by the Facilitator  
(WT/GC/M/202)  
2.4.  During the October  meeting, the Chair informed Members of his intention to appoint a 
Facilitator to assist him with future discussions under the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce. 
In that regard, he sent a communication on 28 October informing Members of the appointment  of 
H.E. Mrs. Usha Chandnee Dwarka Canabady (Mauritius) as the Facilitator on the E -commerce Work 
Programme and Moratorium.  
2.5.  At the December  meeting, the Facilitator updated Members on the work conducted since her 
appointment as Facilitator  including the dedicated discussion on 18 November and the small group 
consultations  and shared some thoughts on the work ahead.  Her statement was circulated in 
JOB/GC/330.  The representatives of Djibouti (LDCs); Fiji (Pacific Group); the United States; 
Indonesia; the European Union; Nigeria; Bangladesh; China; Norway; India; Japan; Switzerland; 
Nepal; Viet Nam; Ecuador; Chinese Taipei; the Russian Federation; the United Kingdom; 
New Zealand; Brazil; Peru; the Republic of Korea; Australia and Cambodia  spoke . The 
General  Council took note of the Facilitator's statement and of the other statements.  
2.1.3   Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement - Report by the 
TRIPS Council  (WT/GC/M/202)  
2.6.  At the December  meeting, t he TRIPS Council Chair presente d the TRIPS Council's report  in 
IP/C/95  recommending that the General Council extend the deadline on Paragraph 8 of the MC12 
TRIPS Decision . The  GC Chair  made a statement.  The representatives of South Africa; Nigeria; 
Pakistan; Cameroon (African Group); Ar gentina; Tunisia; Fiji (Pacific Group); Bangladesh; Djibouti 
(LDCs); Mozambique; Indonesia; the Maldives; Nepal; Paraguay; Mauritius; the Plurinational State 
of Bolivia; Switzerland; the European Union; the United Kingdom; Japan; Chinese Taipei; India; the  
United States  spoke. The item was suspended.  The Chair provided an update on the item and the 
representative of South Africa again intervened. When the General Council reverted to this item, the 
General Council agree d to the recommendation as put forward by the TRIPS Council to extend the 
deadline, and the General Council agree d to revert to the matter of the duration of such deadline at 
its next meeting.  The General Council also took note of the statements.  
2.2  Implementation of the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos A ires Outcomes – Statements by the 
Chairperson (WT/GC/M/196 ; WT/GC/M/198; WT/GC/M/200 ; WT/GC/M/ 201; AND 
WT/GC/M/202 ) 
2.7.  Since July 2014, the item on implementation of the Bali outcomes has been included on the 
General Council's agenda at the 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 the Nairobi and 
Buenos Aires outcomes were also provided under this item.  
2.8.  At the meetings in February , May, July, October  and December , the Chair reported on the work 
taking place in WTO regular bodies with respect to  the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Ministerial 
outcomes .16 
2.9.  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. 
2.10.   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.  
 
16 The Chair's statements were subsequently circulated in JOB/GC/2 95, JOB/GC/ 302, JOB/GC/ 317, 
JOB/GC/ 321 and JOB/GC/329 . WT/GC/256  
 
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  2.11.   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.  
2.12.   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 
Chair's report and of the statements .17   
2.13.   At the December  meeting, the representatives of Djibouti (LDCs); India; Nepal; Cambodia; 
South Africa; the European Union and Indonesia  spoke. The General Council took note of t he Chair's 
report and of the statements.  
3  WTO RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC  
3.1  Reports  (WT/GC/M/196 and WT/GC/M/198)  
3.1.  As a response to calls by Members , the then General Council Chair, Ambassador Dacio Castillo 
(Honduras)  had established  on 22 June 2021 a Facilitato r-led horizontal 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.  
3.2.  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; 
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  report18 and 
of the statements .19 
3.3.  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 report20, the statement of the Director -
General  and of the statements .21 
3.2  Intellectual Property, Transfer of Technology and Capacity Building for COVID -19 and 
Beyond – Statement by Brazil (WT/GC/M/198)  
3.4.  At the May meeting, the representative of Brazil presented its statement on this matter in 
document WT/GC/W/84522. The representatives of Türkiye; China; the United States; Thailand; 
Japan; Colombia; Ukraine; Argentina; South Africa; the United Kingdom; India; Guatemala; Egypt; 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Cameroon (African Group); Mauritius and Viet Nam spoke. Brazi l again 
 
17 Djibouti (LDCs) subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  
18 The Chair's report was subsequently circulated in document JOB/GC/296.  
19 Australia subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/196.  
20 The Facilitator's report was subsequently circulated in document JOB/GC/303.  
21 Canada subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/198.  
22 See also JOB/GC/307.  WT/GC/256  
 
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  intervened. The Director -General then took the floor. The General Council took note of the 
statements.  
3.3  Implementation of the Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the Pandemic 
and Preparedness for Future Pandemics – Communication from the  African Group 
(WT/GC/M/202)23 
3.5.  At the December  meeting,  the representative of Cameroon (African Group)  presented the 
African Group's communication on this matter in document WT/GC/W/858 . The representatives of 
Nigeria; Tunisia; Kenya (ACP); Pakistan; South  Africa; Djibouti (LDCs); Jamaica; the 
European  Union; China; the United States; Switzerland; Bangladesh; India; Brazil; Indonesia; 
Chinese Taipei; the Russian Federation; the United Kingdom  and Singapore  spoke. Cameroon 
(African Group)  again intervened . The General Council took note of the statements.  
4  TRIPS COUNCIL MATTERS  
4.1  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 ) 
4.1.  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 .24  
4.2.  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 statements .25 
4.3.  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 European 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; Swit zerland; 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 Directo r-General and of the other statements.  
4.2  Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the T RIPS  Agreement adopted on 
17 June 2022 – document W T/MIN(22)/30 (Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS  Agreement 
of 17 June  2022) – Request from South Africa, India, Indones ia, Egypt, Pakistan and 
Argentina on behalf of the Co -Sponsors of IP/C/W/669/R ev.126 (WT/GC/M/200 and 
WT/GC/M/201)  
4.4.  At the July meeting, the representative of South Africa, on behalf of co -sponsors, made a 
statement on this matter including a reference to the indicative schedule proposed in document 
RD/IP/49. The representatives of Djibouti (LDCs); Cameroon (African Group); Pakistan; Kenya 
 
23 Under the agenda on the "Follow Up to Outcomes of Ministerial Conferences – MC12", the Chair made 
a brief update on efforts by relevant WTO bodies on the MC12 Declaration on  the WTO Response to the 
COVID -19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics . His statement was circulated in JOB/GC/329.  
24 See JOB/IP/ 55 and JOB/IP/57.  
25 Angola subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/196.  
26 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".  This matter was taken up at the 
December meeting under the agenda sub -item " Paragraph 8 of the Ministerial De cision on the TRIPS Agreement 
- Report by the TRIPS Council " as reflected in Paragraph 2. 6. WT/GC/256  
 
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  (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 the United States spoke. 
The Gener al Council took note of the statements .27  
4.5.  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; Singapore; 
Mexico; Nigeria; the European Union; Japan; China; the Russian Federation; Malays ia; 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 Repu blic of Venezuela; Botswana; Indonesia; 
Pakistan; and India spoke . The Director -General then took the floor. The General Council took note 
of the statements .28  
4.3  Annual Review of the Special Compulsory Licensing System – Paragraph 7 of the 
Annex to the Amen ded T RIPS  Agreement and Paragraph 8 of the Decision on the 
Implementation of Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the T RIPS  Agreement and 
Public Health – Report of the Council for TRIPS (WT/GC/M/202)  
4.6.  In August 2003, the General Council adopted a Decision on the Implementation of Paragraph  6 
of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and Public Health. Paragraph 8 of that Decision 
provided that the TRIPS Council should review annually the functioning of the system set out in the 
Decision with a  view to ensuring its effective operation and should annually report on its operation 
to the General Council. In addition, in keeping with the August 2003 Decision, the General Council 
adopted, in December 2005, a Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement, whi ch was submitted to 
Members for acceptance. In accordance with Article X:3 of the WTO Agreement, the Protocol entered 
into force on 23 January 2017, upon acceptance by two -thirds of the WTO Members . Both the 
amended TRIPS Agreement and the 2003 Decision pr ovided that the TRIPS Council should review 
annually the functioning of the system and should also report on its operation to the General Council.  
4.7.  At the December  meeting,  the General Council t ook note of the report of the TRIPS Council in 
document IP/C/9 4 and of the statement by the TRIPS Council Chair.  
5  WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE29 
5.1  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 ) 
5.1.  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; Sain t Vincent and the Grenadines 
(OECS); Chinese 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; T hailand and the European Union spoke . The 
General  Council took note of the statements.  
5.2.  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; Tr inidad and Tobago; 
the Russian Federation; Guatemala; Sri Lanka; the Philippines; Indonesia; Jamaica (ACP); Barbados 
 
27 Botswana and Canada subsequently provided their statements which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  
28 Canada and Brazil subsequently provided their statements which can  be found in WT/GC/M/201.  
29 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.  At the December meeting, the 
Facilitator reported on this matter under the agenda sub -item " Work Programme on Electronic Commerce – 
Statement by the Facilitator ". Her report can also be found in document JOB/GC/330.  See also Paragraph  10.9 
concerning the "Review of Members Proposals for MC12" that took place at the Special General Council Meeting 
on 7 June (WT/GC/M/199).  WT/GC/256  
 
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  (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); Kazakhstan; 
Peru; Singapore; the United States; India; and Australia spoke. The General Council took note of 
the statements .30 
5.2  Rejuvenation of Work Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on 
Customs Duties on Elect ronic Transmissions – Request from India and South Africa 
(WT/GC/M/201  and WT/GC/M/202 ) 
5.3.  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 Uni ted 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 .31 
5.2.1   Consumer Protection in E-Commerce – Communication from India  (WT/GC/M/202)  
5.4.  At the December  meeting, the General Council took up th e item on "Rejuvenation of Work 
Programme on Electronic Commerce and Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions 
– Request from India and South Africa " together with this sub-item item concerning  "Consumer 
Protection in E -Commerce – Communication from India (WT/GC/W/857 )". The representative of 
South Africa  made a statement on this matter. The representatives of  Djibouti (LDCs); Kenya (ACP); 
Jamaica; Bangladesh; Indonesia; Sri Lanka; Pakistan; Nigeria; Thailand; Singapore and Indi a spoke. 
The General Council took note of the statements.  
6  WORK PROGRAMME ON SMALL ECONOMIES – REPORT S ( WT/GC/M/196 ; 
WT/GC/M/198 ; WT/GC/M/200 ; WT/GC/M/201  AND WT/GC/M/202 ) 
6.1.  At the February  meeting,  the CTD Chair recalled the draft decision on the work programme 
was yet to be formally adopted  by the Mini sterial 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 . 
6.2.  At the May meeting, the CTD 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 continue 
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 Gren adines (OECS); Barbados (CARICOM); the Maldives; 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.  
6.3.  At the July meeting, the CTD Chair welcomed the MC12 Decision on the Work Programme 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 "int egrating small economies into the post COVID -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 representati ves of Guatemala 
(SVEs); Barbados; Kenya (ACP); 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.  
6.4.  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 
 
30 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS) subsequently provided its statement which can be found in 
WT/GC/M/198.  
31 Canada subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/201.  WT/GC/256  
 
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  of the pandemic, challenges and opportuniti es" and reiterated that a meeting of the dedicated 
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 
report of the Chair of the CTD and of the statements.  
6.5.  At the December  meeting, the CTD Chair informed Members that the Secretariat paper on the 
mandated topic "integrating small ec onomies into the post COVID -19 economy: effects of the 
pandemic, challenges and opportunities" was entering the final phase of preparation and was 
expected to be circulated in January 2023. She thereafter planned to hold a dedicated session to 
begin to dis cuss this topic.  The representatives of Guatemala (SVEs); Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); 
the United Kingdom; Barbados (CARICOM); Kenya (ACP); Fiji (Pacific Group) and Jamaica  spoke. 
The General Council took note of the report of the Chair of the CTD and of th e statements.  
7  REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE BALI DECISION ON TRQ ADMINISTRATION –
DECISION ON PARAGRAPH 4 OF THE UNDERFILL MECHANISM  (WT/GC/M/197)  
7.1.  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 mandated to be taken  up during 
the Review exercise.  
7.2.  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; Chile; Malaysia; Ukra ine; 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 Zealand ; and the 
Russian Federation  spoke. The Chair also spoke . The General Council then adopted32 the draft 
decision contained in G/AG/32/Add.1.  
8  THE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE ASPECTS OF COTTON – STATEMENT BY THE 
DIRECTOR -GENERAL  (WT/GC/M/202)  
8.1.  In Paragraph 1.b of the 1 August 2004 Decision in WT/L/579, the General Council, inter alia, 
took note of the bilateral, multilateral, and regional efforts to make progress on the development 
assistance aspects of the Cotton Initiative, and instructed the Secretariat to continue to work with 
the development community and to provide the Council with periodic reports on relevant 
developments. The Council also instructed the Director -General to consult with relevant international 
organizations, including the B retton Woods Institutions, the Food and Agriculture Organization and 
the International Trade Centre, to direct effectively existing programmes and any additional 
resources towards development of the economies where cotton had vital importance. The 
Nairobi  Decision on Cotton (WT/MIN(15)/46 – WT/L/981) reaffirmed this mandate, and invited the 
Director -General to continue to provide periodic reports on this matter.  
8.2.  At the December  meeting, the Director -General reported that work on the development 
assistance a spects of cotton ha d continued to progress remarkably well throughout 2022  and 
highlighted the excellent results both in the Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton, and in 
special activities and initiatives . The representatives of Djibouti (LDCs); Came roon (African Group); 
Chad (C -4 and the 36 African Country Cotton and Cotton Product Producers and/or Exporters); 
Kenya (ACP); China; the European Union and India  spoke. The General Council took note of the 
statement by the Director -General and of the othe r statements.  
9  DATE AND VENUE OF THE THIRTEENTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
AND VENUE OF THE FOURTEENTH SESSION – STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR  (WT/GC/M/202)  
9.1.  At the December  meeting, t he General Council formally agreed that the Thirteenth Session of 
the WTO Ministerial Conference would be hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi in the 
week of 26 February 2024, and that the Fourteenth Session of the Ministerial Conference would be 
 
32 The decision was subsequently circul ated in document WT/L/1132 . WT/GC/256  
 
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  hosted by Cameroon.  The Chair and the Director -General made their re spective statements. The 
representatives of Cameroon; the United Arab Emirates; Brazil; Djibouti (LDCs); Kenya; Morocco; 
Kazakhstan; India; Tunisia; Mozambique; Nigeria and Indonesia  spoke. The General Council took 
note of the statements by the Chair and t he Director -General and of the other statements.  
10  TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE  
10.1  Statement by the Chair (WT/GC/M/196  and WT/GC/M/198)  
10.1.   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 defined33, and took 
note of the Chair's statement and of the ot her statement s.34 
10.2.   At the May meeting, the Chair recalled that he had reported to Members at the 4 May Informal 
TNC/HODs meeting on the main takeaways from his recent consultations held in April, and his report 
had been circulated in JOB/TNC/103. In particu lar, 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, incl uding 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 Kingdo m; 
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.  
10.2  Reports fr om 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 
(WT/GC/M/199)  
10.3.   At th e June special General Council meeting, the Chair recalled that work had continued 
intensively 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 fi nalize 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 
General 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 results from that work would be in front of 
Ministers at MC12.  
10.3  Review of Progress on Members' Proposals for MC12 (WT/GC/M/199)  
10.4.   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.  
 
33 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.  
34 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 Gene ral Council meeting under this agenda item and 
can be found in Annex 1 of document WT/GC/M/196 . WT/GC/256  
 
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  10.5.   The representative of Guatemala, on behalf of co -sponsors, updated Members on the 
discussions 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; Cameroon 
(African Group); Norway; Tajikistan; Guatemala; the Philippines; Vie t 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, an d noted that he would report to Ministers accordingly at the Opening 
Session. The General Council took note of the statements.35 
10.6.   The representative of Brazil presented its communication in document JOB/GC/310 which 
contained an MC12 proposal on the frequen cy 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 Gen eral Council took note of the statements.  
10.7.   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 and that Members were ready to continue this discussion in a 
constructive and cooperative spirit. The General Council took note of the statements.36 
10.8.   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 Gene ral 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 
General Council took note of the statements.  The representative of Sri Lanka introduc ed 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 intervened  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 floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
10.9.   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 i ts 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 representatives 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.37 
 
35 See also Paragraphs 1 7.1 and 1 7.2 concerning the " Proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration 
for the Twelfth W TO Ministerial Conference: Responding to Modern S PS Challenges ". 
36 See also Paragraphs 1 4.1 to 1 4.4 concerning the " Trade Related Challenges of the Least -Developed 
Countries and Way Forward – Communications and Request from the LDC Group ". 
37 The Chair reported on the Work Programme on Electronic Co mmerce 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.  At the December meeting, the 
Facilitator reported on this matter under the agenda sub -item "Work Programme on Electronic Commerce – 
Statement by the Facilitator". Her report can also be found in document JOB/GC/330.  See also Paragraphs  5.1 
to 5.4. WT/GC/256  
 
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  11  ACCESSION MATTERS  
11.1  2021 Annual Report by the Director -General  (WT/GC/M/19 6) 
11.1.   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 202 1 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 .38 
11.2  Turkmenistan (WT/GC/M/196)  
11.2.   At the February  meeting, the General Council agreed to establish the Working Party 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 Director -General and the 
representatives of Kazakhstan; Türkiye ; the United S tates; Panama (Article XII Members); Mongolia 
(LLDCs); China; the Russian Federation; the Republic of Korea; India; Morocco; Japan; Tajikistan; 
the European Union; Cameroon (African Group); Kyrgyz Republic; Chad (LDCs); the Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia (Arab Gr oup); Singapore; Jamaica (ACP); Cambodia; and Uzbekistan (Observer – 
Informal Group of Acceding Governments) spoke . The General Council took note of the statements.  
12  WAIVERS  
12.1  Introduction of Harmonized System 2002, 2007, 2012, 2017 and 2022 Changes into 
WTO Schedules of Tariff Concessions – Draft Decision (WT/GC/M/202)  
12.1.   At the December  meeting, the General Council considered five  draft waiver decisions, 
contained in G/C/W/ 815, G/C/W/ 816, G/C/W/ 817, G/C/W/818 and G/C/W/820  which concerned the 
Introduction of Ha rmonized System 2002, 2007, 2012 , 2017 and 2022  Changes into WTO Schedules 
of Tariff Concessions, respectively. The Chair of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the 
consideration of this matter by that Council. The General Council took note of the r eport and, in 
accordance with the Decision -Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO  Agreement 
agreed in November  1995 (WT/L/93), adop ted the f ive draft Decisions  which were subsequently 
circulated in WT/L/11 60, WT/L/1161, WT/L/1162, WT/L/1163, WT/L/1164 and WT/L/1164/Add.1.  
12.2  Review of Waivers Pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement  (WT/GC/M/ 200 
and WT/GC/M/202 ) 
12.2.   Under Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement, "[a]ny waiver granted for a period of more than 
one year shall be reviewed by t he Ministerial Conference not later than one year after it is granted, 
and thereafter annually until the waiver terminates."  
12.3.   At the July meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review under 
Article IX:4:  
a. Least -Developed Country Me mbers – Obligations under Article  70.8 and Article  70.9 of 
the TRIPS Agreement 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)  
 
38 See Paragraph 11.2 for the list of other delegations who intervened on the two ac cession -related items.  WT/GC/256  
 
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  12.4.   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.  
12.5.   At the December  meeting, the General Council considered the following waivers for review 
under Article IX:4:  
a. Preferential treatment in favour of services and service suppliers of least developed 
countries, granted on 17  December  2011 until 31  December  2030 (WT/L/847, 
WT/L/982)  
b. Preferential tariff treatment for least developed countries, granted on 16  October  2019 
until 30  June 2029 (WT/L/1069)  
c. Cuba – Article XV:6 – Extension of waiver, granted on 23  November  2021 until 
31 December  2026 (WT/L/1128, WT/L/1157)  
d. United States – African Growth and Opportunity Act, granted on 30  Novem ber 2015 
until 30  September 2025 (WT/L/970, WT/L/1153)  
e. United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, granted on 16  October  2019 
until 30  September  2025 (WT/L/1070, WT/L/1154)  
f. United States – Former trust territory of the Pacific Islands, granted on 
7 December  2016 until 31  December  2026 (WT/L/1000, WT/L/1155)  
g. United States – Trade preferences granted to Nepal, granted on 7  December  2016 until 
31 December  2025 (WT/L/1001, WT/L/1156)  
12.6.   In doing so, the General Council considered  report s on imp lementation of the waiver in 
document s WT/L/1 153, WT/L/1154, WT/L/1155, WT/L/1156 and WT/L/1157.  The representatives  
of Cuba; Jamaica; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS and CARICOM) and Mauritius  spoke. The 
General  Council took note of the report s contained in doc ument s WT/L/1 153, WT/L/1154, 
WT/L/1155, WT/L/1156 and WT/L/1157,  and of the statements.  
13  DERESTRICTION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATING MATERIALS – DRAFT 
DECISION (WT/GC/M/202 ) 
13.1.   At the December  meeting, the Chair drew the Council's attention to the Draft Dec ision on the 
Derestriction of the Uruguay Round Negotiating Materials contained in document G/C/W/822 . He 
said that the decision was forwarded to the General Council by the Council for Trade in Go ods and 
proposed that the G eneral Council adopt the draft. The General Council so agreed.39 
14  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 ; WT/GC/M/201 ; AND WT/GC/M/202 )40 
14.1.   At the February  meetin g, the representative 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 m ade a 
statement. The General Council took note of the statements.  
 
39 The decision was subsequently circulated in  WT/L/1159.  
40 See also Paragraph 10.7 concerning the  "Review of Members Proposals for MC12" that took place at 
the Special General Council Meeting on 7 June (WT/GC/M/199).  WT/GC/256  
 
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  14.2.   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 United Kingdom; C anada; 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.  
14.3.   At the July meeting, the representatives 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; Vanuatu (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 i ntervened. The 
Director -General and the Chair then took the floor. The General Council took note of the 
statements .41   
14.4.   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; S ingapore; New Zealand; 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.  
14.5.   At the December  meeting, the re presentatives of Djibouti (LDCs) and Bangladesh (LDC Focal 
Point on Graduation) presented the LDC Group's revised proposal in document WT/GC/W/807/Rev.2. 
The representatives of  Zambia; Cameroon (African Group); Kenya (ACP); Tunisia; Senegal; 
Lao PDR; the E uropean Union; Nepal; Cambodia; Tanzania; Nigeria; South Africa; Mauritius; 
the United  States; Switzerland; Norway; Brazil; the United Kingdom; Australia; Chad; China; Japan; 
the Russian  Federation; Samoa (Pacific Group); Jamaica; the Republic of Korea; Si ngapore  and India 
spoke.  Djibouti (LDCs)  again intervened . The Director -General  then took the floor . The 
General  Council took note of the statements.  
15  IMMEDIATE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM IN 
PREPARATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL MC12 – COMMUNI CATION FROM ARGENTINA; 
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; 
THAILAND; TÜRKİYE ; UKRAINE; UNITED KINGDOM; URUGUAY AND VANUATU 
(WT/GC/M/196 )  
15.1.   At the February  meeting, the representative of Vanuatu, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
presented their communication in document WT/GC/W/841/Rev.1 .42 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 Vi ncent 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 Council took note of the statements.  
 
41 Canada subsequ ently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  
42 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/256  
 
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  16  INTR ODUCTION 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 ) 
16.1.   At the February  meeting, the representative 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; Chile; 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.  
16.2.   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.   
17  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 )43 
17.1.   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 .44  
17.2.   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 ; China; Colombia; the 
European Union; the Russian Federation; Jamaica (ACP); Cameroon (African Group); Norway; 
Egypt; Guatemala; Bangladesh; and the United States spoke. The G eneral Council took note of the 
statements .45 
18  STRENGTHENING THE WTO TO PROMOTE DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSIVITY – 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP; CUBA AND INDIA  (WT/GC/M/196 AND 
WT/GC/M/200)  
18.1.   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 Council took note of the statements.  
18.2.   At the July meeting, the representative of Cameroon (African Group), on behalf of the co -
sponsors made a statement on the revised joint sub mission  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 Co uncil took note of the statements .46  
 
43 See also Paragraph  10.5 concerning the "Review of Members' proposals" that took place at the Special 
General Council meeting held on 7 June 2022 (WT/GC/M/199).   
44 Colombia and India subsequently provided their statements  which can be found in WT/GC/M/196.  
45 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS) subsequently prov ided its statement which can be found in 
WT/GC/M/198.  
46 Botswana and Canada subsequently provided their statements which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  WT/GC/256  
 
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  19  JOINT STATEMENT ON OPEN AND PREDICTABLE TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD 
PRODUCTS – REQUEST FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM (WT/GC/M/198)  
19.1.   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 representatives 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 Korea; Singapore; Colombia; Jamaica (ACP); 
Paraguay; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (OECS); South Africa; Mauritius; Costa Rica; Tanzania; 
Peru; India; Egypt; the Russian Federation; Georgi a; Indonesia; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
(Arab  Group); and Australia spoke. The United Kingdom again intervened. The Director -General then 
took the floor. The General Council took note of the statements.  
20  PROPOSED GENERAL COUNCIL DECISION ON PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE 
TRANSPARENCY AND IMPROVE COMPLIANCE WITH NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
UNDER WTO AGREEMENTS – ALBANIA; ARGENTINA; AUSTRALIA; BRAZIL; CANADA; 
CHILE; COLOMBIA; COSTA RICA; THE EUROPEAN UNION; ICELAND; ISRAEL; JAPAN; 
REPUBLIC OF KOREA; LIECHTENSTEIN; MEXI CO; 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)  
20.1.   At the May meeting, the representative 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; th e 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 Republic of Moldova; Vanuatu; and Morocco spoke . The United States again 
intervened. The General Council took note of the statements.  
20.2.   At the July meeting, the representative of the United States, on behalf of the co -sponsors, 
presented the revised communication 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; Japa n; Egypt; the United Kingdom; Canada; the 
Philippines; Singapore; Peru; and Mexico spoke. The United States again intervened. The 
General  Council took note of the statements .47 
21  TRADE -DISRUPTIVE PRACTICES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS 
FOR THE WT O – COMMUNICATION FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION  (WT/GC/M/198)  
21.1.   At the May meeting, the representative of the Russian Federation presented its 
communication in document WT/GC/245. The representatives of the European Union; Canada; 
Australia; New Zealand; Norwa y; the United Kingdom; Iceland; Switzerland; Japan; Chinese Taipei; 
the United States; the Republic of Korea; Ukraine; Cuba; the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela; and 
Belarus (Observer) spoke. The Russian Federation again intervened. The General Council to ok note 
of the statements.  
22  LDC VIEWS ON WTO REFORM DISCUSSIONS AND PROPOSALS – COMMUNICATION 
FROM CHAD ON BEHALF OF THE LDC GROUP (WT/GC/M/198)  
22.1.   At the May meeting, the representatives of Chad (LDCs) and Cambodia (LDC Focal Point on 
WTO Reform), on behalf o f the LDC Group, presented their revised communication in document 
JOB/GC/223/Rev.1. The representatives of Bangladesh; Nepal; Jamaica (ACP); the European Union; 
Chile; China; New Zealand; India; Canada; Norway; the United Kingdom; Brazil; Indonesia; 
 
47 Djibouti (LDCs) subsequently provided its statement which can be found in WT/GC/M/200.  WT/GC/256  
 
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  South  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.  
23  COMMITTEE ON BUDGET, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION  
23.1  Reports and Recommend ations (WT/GC/M/1 98; WT/GC/M/200 ; WT/GC/M/ 201 
and WT/GC/M/202 ) 
23.1.   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 
recommendati on in paragraph 7.10 of the report contained in WT/BFA/202, took note of the  
statement  by the CBFA Chair and adopted the CBFA report . 
23.2.   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 by the CBFA Chair and of the Director -General and adopted the two CBFA reports.  
23.3.   At the October  meeting, the CBFA Chair introduced the CBFA report in document WT/BFA/205. 
The General Council took note of the statement by the CBFA Chair and adopted the CBFA report.  
23.4.   At the December  meeting,  the CBFA Chair  introduced the CBFA reports in documents 
WT/BFA/206, WT/BFA/207, WT/BFA/208  and WT/BFA/209 . The representatives of India; Singapore; 
the European Union; Switzerland; Japan; Cameroon (African Group); the United Kingdom; the 
Republic of Korea; Nigeria; China  and Türkiye  spoke. India again intervened48. Canada  spoke . The 
Director -General  then took the floor49. The General Council approved the Committee's specific 
recommendations in paragraphs 5.17 and 5.18 of the report contained in WT/BFA/206, paragraph 
3.3. of the report contained in WT/BFA/208, and paragraph 5.8 of the report contained i n 
WT/BFA/209 . The recommendation contained in paragraph 4.101 of the report contained in 
WT/BFA/209 was not adopted.  The General Council took note of the statement by the CBFA Chair 
and of the other statements  and adopted the reports in WT/BFA/206, WT/BFA/207, WT/BFA/208  
and WT/BFA/209 . 
24  WTO PENSION PLAN  
24.1  Election of Members and Alternate (WT/GC/M/198 and WT/GC/M/200)  
24.1.   At the May meeting, the General Council elected Mrs. Wendy Teresa Goico Campagna 
(Dominican Repu blic), to serve as Member, and Mrs. Brigitte Lueth (Austria), to serve as Alternate 
on the Board for the remainder of the term, i.e., until July 2023.  
24.2.   At the July meeting, the General Council elected Mr. Leong Darryl (Singapore) to serve as 
member on the B oard for the remainder of the term, i.e., until July 2023.  
24.2  Reports (WT/GC/M/ 201) 
24.3.   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 WT/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 . 
25  ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES FOR MEMBERS IN ARREARS (WT/GC/M/1 96; 
WT/GC/M/1 98; WT/GC/M/ 200; AND WT/GC/M/ 201) 
25.1.   In October 2012, the General Council approved a recommendation from the Committee on 
Budget, Finance and Administration regarding revised Administrative Measures for Members in 
arrears, as contained in WT/BFA/132, Annex I. These new revised Measures entere d into force on 
 
48 See also JOB/GC /327 – JOB/BFA/73.  
49 See also JOB/GC/328 - JOB/BFA/74.  WT/GC/256  
 
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  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 unde r 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 might be expected.  
25.2.   At the General Council meetings in February , May, July, October  and December50, 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.  
26  INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE UNCTAD/WTO – REPORT OF THE JOINT ADVISORY 
GROUP ON ITS 5 5TH AND 56TH  SESSION S (WT/GC/M/19 8 AND WT/GC/M/202 ) 
26.1.   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 made a statement on the Committee's conside ration 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 the International Trade Centre (Observer) sp oke. 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.  
26.2.   At the December  meeting,  the General Council considered a report of th e Joint Advisory Group 
on the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO on its Fifty -Sixth Session (ITC/AG(LV I)/288), which 
had been considered initially by the Committee on Trade and Development at its meeting on 
17 November  where it had been presented by the  Chair of the Joint Advisory Group,  Ambassador 
Usha Chandnee Dwarka -Canabady  (Mauritius) . The CTD Chair made a statement on the Committee's 
consideration of the report. The representatives of the United Kingdom; Barbados; the European 
Union; the United Sta tes; Antigua and Barbuda (OECS); Kenya (ACP); Jamaica; Mauritius and the 
International Trade Centre (Observer) spoke.  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.   
27  REVIEW OF WTO ACTIVITIES (WT/GC/M/202)  
27.1.   At the December  meeting, the General Council co nsidered Annual Reports for 202 2 from 
WTO bodies that had been drawn up in pursuance of the Decision concerning procedures for an 
annual overview of WTO activities and for reporting under the WTO in document WT/L/105.  
27.2.   The General Council took note of the  Chair's  statement, adopted the report of the Committee 
on Trade and Development in document WT/COMTD/ 102 and took note of the reports of other 
WTO bodies, including the reports of the bodies under the Plurilateral Trade Agreements, in 
documents WT/DSB/8 4, WT/TPR/ 488, G/L/ 1463, S/C/ 62, IP/C/ 93, G/L/1468, WT/CTE/ 29, 
WT/BOP/R/1 20, WT/BFA/ 210, WT/REG/ 33, WT/WGTDF/21, WT/WGTTT/ 24, GPA/ AR/5, and 
WT/L/11 58 – TCA/20. The General Council also adopted the draft Annual Report for 2 022 of the 
General Council (WT/GC/W/ 856), on the understanding that the Secretariat would make the 
necessary adjustments to include matters considered at that meeting.  
28  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO WTO BODIES (WT/GC/M/ 196 AND WT/GC/M/200 ) 
28.1.   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 their implementation (JOB/GC/22), he, together with the Chair of  the 
Dispute Settlement Body, Ambassador Didier Chambovey (Switzerland), had conducted 
 
50 This item was taken up under "Other Business" at the March, May, July , October and December 
meetings.  See also JOB/GC/331 and JOB/GC/322.  WT/GC/256  
 
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  consultations on a slate of names for the appointment of Chairpersons to WTO regular bodies listed 
in Groups 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 consultations 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, and (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 Speci al 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 16 February .  
28.2.   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)  
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) 
 
28.3.   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; WT/GC/256  
 
- 22 - 
 
  Sierra Leone; Honduras; Bangladesh; Hong Kong, China; Sri Lanka; Singapore; Malaysia and 
Colombia  spoke. The General Council took note of the statements.  
28.4.   At the July meeting51, 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.52  
28.5.   At the December  meeting, the Chair s aid that in accordance with the Guidelines for the 
Appointment of Officers to WTO bodies in document WT/L/510 and the practical steps to improve 
the implementation of the Guidelines (JOB/GC/22), he would be starting the selection process for 
the appointmen t of chairpersons to the WTO bodies in Groups 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the Annex to the 
Guidelines. In accordance with paragraph 7.1(b) of the Guidelines, he would be assisted in the 
selection process by the serving Chair of the Dispute Settlement Body, Ambassador  Athaliah Lesiba  
Molokomme (Botswana) and Former Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Dacio Castillo 
(Honduras).  He also reported that Ambassador  Molokomme , Ambassador Castillo and himself  had 
already met with group coordinators on 12 December  where  some expressions of interest pursuant 
to the Guidelines for the Appointment of Officers  were received . The General Council took note of 
the statement by the Chair.  
29  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON (WT/GC/M/1 90) 
29.1.   At the February  meeting, the Chair,  H.E. Mr. Da cio 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.  
29.2.   The Director -General and the newly  elected Chair spoke. The General Council took note of the 
statements .53 
__________  
 
51 This item was taken up under "Other Business".  
52 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  10 and 
JOB/GC/318.  
53 See Paragraph 28.3 for the list of delegations who took the floor to pay tribute to the outgoing Chair of 
the General Council.  