99-5191 ENDPRESS RELEASE
PRESS/158
30 November 1999
CHAIRPERSON OUTLINES ORGANIZATION OF INFORMAL WORKING SESSIONS
The Chairperson of the Third WTO Ministerial Conference, US Trade Representative
Charlene Barshefsky, announced at the plenary meeting held today, 30 November, the creation of four
Ministerial Working Groups on key areas of the Seattle Ministerial Declaration. A fifth group—on“systemic” issues—will focus on members’ concerns about the way the WTO works such as
transparency and ensuring all members can participate fully in WTO activities.
Ambassador Barshefsky said that the Chairs of these groups have started consulting with
delegations to establish a solid basis for their work. Each group will be open to all delegations and
will report each morning to a Committee of the Whole, chaired by Ambassador Barshefsky.
She said that she will be working closely with the Chairs and with Director-General Mike
Moore “to ensure the overall progress and balance of the drafting”.
The Ministerial Working Groups and their respective Chairs:
1. Agriculture Trade and Industry Minister George YEO (Singapore)
2. Implementation and Rules  International Trade Minister Pierre S. PETTIGREW
(Canada)
3. Market Access Minister of Trade, Industry and Marketing Mpho MALIE
(Lesotho)
4. Singapore Agenda & Other Issues International Trade Minister Alexander LOCKWOOD
SMITH (New Zealand)
5. Systemic Issues Foreign Affairs Minister Juan Gabriel VALDES (Chile)
Co-Chair: Commerce, Business Development and
Investment Minister Anup KUMAR (Fiji)