Strengthening the work of the Committee
The Chair updated members on his efforts to allow more efficient and focused discussions to take place on various topics of interest and relevance to the work of the Committee. He explained that this was being done through consultations with members as well as through organizing informal thematic sessions and streamlining the agendas of formal meetings. Members expressed appreciation for these efforts and their willingness to continue working with the Chair.
Technical cooperation and training
Members were briefed by the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (ITTC) on the WTO Technical Assistance Annual Report for 2023 and on progress made in 2024 in the implementation of the WTO’s Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan. The 2023 results were noted as the best in five years, with increased participation from LDCs. Efforts were made to rationalize costs through virtual training activities and partnerships, the ITTC said. The regular budget remained stable, but there was a notable decline in unearmarked voluntary contributions from members. Members appreciated the efforts of the ITTC but expressed concerns about shrinking resources.
Policy space for industrial development
A recent submission by the African Group on policy space for industrial development was discussed. Members were informed that the Group is in the process of developing a work programme on this subject, which would include discussions in both formal Committee meetings and in informal thematic sessions. The Group is also organizing a session during the WTO Public Forum 2024 on this topic.
Communications by India
Two submissions by India were considered. The first submission aims to reinvigorate the development discussions in the Committee on Trade and Development. The need for increased collaboration between WTO committees and other relevant international organizations was reiterated. The second submission provides, among other things, a roadmap for future work on trade and transfer of technology to developing economies. The critical role of technology transfer, the challenges faced in transfer of technology including funding gaps and investments, and the need for increased technical assistance and capacity were emphasized.
Duty-free and quota-free market access for LDCs
The LDC Group called for the Committee’s annual reviews of duty-free and quota-free market access to recommence on the basis of a report by the Secretariat. Reference was made in this regard to the renewed mandates from paragraph 8 of the MC12 Outcome Document and paragraph 10 of the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration.
Small economies
An informal thematic session was held on the topic of “Green supply chains for development: the case of small economies”. Presentations were made by experts from the WTO, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the International Trade Centre and UN Trade and Development.
In the Committee’s dedicated session on small economies, members considered a communication submitted by Guatemala on behalf of the Group of Small, Vulnerable Economies regarding the implementation of the MC13 Decision on the Work Programme on Small Economies. Members were broadly supportive of the Secretariat preparing background documents on the three topics outlined in the Ministerial Decision.
Regional trade agreements and preferential trade arrangements
In the Committee’s dedicated session on regional trade agreements, members considered the goods aspects of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates.
Canada introduced a notification in the Committee’s dedicated session on preferential trade arrangements concerning its General Preferential Tariff (GPT) and Least Developed Country Tariff (LDCT) schemes, which have been extended until 31 December 2034. The notification provides information on a number of changes to these schemes, including to the list of beneficiaries and to certain regulations and requirements. Information was also provided on a legislative framework being designed for a new “GPT+” programme that will incentivize countries to adhere to international standards on human rights, labour conditions, gender equality and climate change.
Next meeting
The next meetings of the Committee and its dedicated sessions are scheduled for November.
More information on the Committee on Trade and Development can be found here.
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