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TWN
Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (May26/03) Geneva, 6 May (D. Ravi Kanth) -- Members of the World Trade Organization are congregating for a General Council (GC) meeting on 6-7 May to discuss the "follow-up" to the failed WTO's 14th ministerial conference (MC14) that concluded in Yaounde, Cameroon, on 30 March. But a "business-as-usual" approach to the seemingly unacceptable proposals on the reform of the WTO "could prove to be a non-starter for a majority of countries," said people familiar with the development. The WTO's Director-General, Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the new General Council chair, Ambassador Clare Kelly of New Zealand, appear to have strong views on pressing ahead with WTO reforms that, by all accounts, have derailed work on the crucial development-oriented issues - the very work that would have enhanced the organization's credibility, said people familiar with the development. Yet, alleged attempts to appease the United States - whose interests are "systemically opposed" to that of the majority of the members - could further erode the integrity of the rules-based, member-driven institution, said people familiar with the development. On the one hand, the WTO's leadership seems to reckon that the concerns of the US - whose proclivity for unilateral actions "appears to be growing by the day", with the latest being a likely 25% tariff on European cars and trucks - are the concerns of the entire membership. On the other hand, the failed MC14 has seemingly convinced most developing and least-developed countries that the rules-based global trade body does not act as a guarantor for stopping the unilateral and allegedly WTO- illegal actions of one or two powerful members at every juncture, said people familiar with the development. In fact, the time has come for an honest discussion on the raison d'etre of the trade body and how it should navigate out of the proverbial rough waters where the notion of "might is right" appears to rule the high seas, said people familiar with the development. Further, the seemingly crude methods adopted to advance WTO reform - changing the practice of decision- making by consensus (a treaty-based right of developing and poor countries), undermining another treaty-based right of self-designation for availing of special and differential treatment (S&DT) by developing countries, and "level-playing-field" issues advanced by a group of Northern countries against one East Asian member - have dealt "a body blow" to the bottom-up, transparent, and member-driven nature of WTO negotiations, said people familiar with the development. Amid a worsening military conflict in the Middle East which, according to several studies, could push the global economy into stagflation, members must come to terms with "the burning realities of the global trading system," said people familiar with the development. "In these uncertain times, a positive way forward is to approach issues as per the previous ministerial mandates, with some agreeable tweaking here and there," said a former GC chair from Africa, preferring anonymity. GC AGENDA The restricted agenda (JOB/GC/503), circulated by outgoing GC chair Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel of Saudi Arabia, on 1 May and seen by the SUNS, states: "As agreed at the March meeting, at the outset of its meeting of May 2026, the General Council will be invited to elect its Chairperson formally." One of the main agenda items slated for discussion is on "Follow-up to MC14 (Yaounde)." Under this item, the GC chair is expected to issue a statement on follow-up to MC14. This will be followed by a "Report by the Chairperson of the [Doha] Trade Negotiations Committee and Director-General." Interestingly, the DG - who continues to chair the Trade Negotiations Committee under the Doha Work Program - "rarely speaks about the unfinished Doha agenda." Ideally, the Doha Trade Negotiations Committee "ought to have been terminated", as it has become "an anomaly" where new issues seemingly inconsistent with the Doha Work Program are being pursued, the former GC chair said. According to the restricted GC agenda, Ambassador Almoqbel said: "As indicated in my communication of 23 April, it would be useful to focus work at the May General Council meeting on how to proceed regarding the follow-up to MC14 (Yaounde)." He said that "immediately after the election of the Chairperson, a dedicated section of the meeting would be devoted to "Follow-up to MC14 (Yaounde)", with a statement by the incoming General Council Chairperson offering her views on the possible way forward, and a brief report from the TNC Chairperson and Director- General on recent developments." "Following this," he added, "the floor will be opened to delegations. The General Council is expected to take note of the statement by the incoming Chairperson and the report by the TNC Chairperson and Director-General, and the statements by delegations." After the discussion on follow-up to MC14, under "For action/decision", the GC chair suggested taking up the agenda item of "Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration (CBFA) - Report on Meeting of 2 March 2026 (WT/BFA/233) - Statement by the Chairperson of the CBFA." With regards to the request for Observer Status by the African Union, the GC chair informed members that Namibia, on behalf of the African Group, has requested "Observer Status" for the African Union, based on the "Communication from Mozambique on behalf of the African Group (WT/MIN(26)/9 - WT/GC/W/995) - Request from Namibia on behalf of the African Group." Namibia said: "By means of this communication, the African Group reiterates its request to grant observer status to the African Union (AU) in the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO), as well as in its other relevant bodies and technical committees." Several agenda items have also been slated for discussion at the upcoming GC meeting. Under agenda item 6, members are expected to discuss: "Follow-Up to Outcomes of Ministerial Conferences: MC13 (Abu Dhabi), MC12 (Geneva, co-hosted by Kazakhstan), MC11 (Buenos Aires), MC10 (Nairobi), and MC9 (Bali) - Statement by the Chairperson of the General Council." The GC chair explained that this is a standing agenda item. The General Council is expected to take note of the chair's statement and any delegation statements. Agenda item 7 also includes a standing discussion on the "Work Programme on Small Economies - Report by the Chairperson of the Dedicated Session of the Committee on Trade and Development." Under agenda item 8, Korea proposed a discussion on "Preserving the spirit of open and predictable trade: collective restraint against actions undermining trade liberalization." Korea requested "the inclusion of this item on the General Council agenda to provide Members with an opportunity to exchange views on the need for collective restraint with respect to measures that may undermine the openness, predictability and stability of trade." Lastly, agenda item 9 is on the "Dialogue on emerging agricultural trade issues" - a communication from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Peru, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Uruguay. Meanwhile, with respect to "Other Business", Rule 6 of the Rules of Procedure for Meetings of the General Council (WT/L/161) states: "[R]epresentatives may suggest amendments to the proposed agenda, or additions to the agenda under "Other Business". Representatives shall provide the Chairperson or the Secretariat, and the other Members directly concerned, whenever possible, advance notice of items intended to be raised under "Other Business"." Rule 25 provides that: "[R]epresentatives should avoid unduly long debates under "Other Business". Discussions on substantive issues under "Other Business" shall be avoided, and the General Council shall limit itself to taking note of the announcement by the sponsoring delegation, as well as any reactions to such an announcement by other delegations directly concerned." Under the agenda item of "Other Business," in line with the General Council Procedures for Members and Observers subject to Administrative Measures, contained in document WT/BFA/132, the Chairperson of the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration will provide information on which Members and Observers are under Administrative Measures." +
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