WORLD TRADE

WT/COMTD/74
ORGANIZATION 29 November 2011
(11-6236)

REPORT (2011) OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT

I. INTRODUCTION

1. This report covers the work of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) in 2011. An
overview is provided of the work of the CTD's Regular Session and Dedicated Session on Small
Economies, the CTD's work on Aid for Trade, and the work of the Sub-Committee on
Least-Developed Countries.1

II. REGULAR SESSION

2. The CTD in Regular Session held three formal meetings on 31 March (81st Session), 21 June
and 5 July (82nd Session) and 14 November 2011 (83rd Session). The minutes of these meetings are
contained in documents WT/COMTD/M/81, WT/COMTD/M/82 and WT/COMTD/M/83 2,
respectively. At the 81st Session, the Chairmanship was handed over from Ambassador Erwidodo
(Indonesia) to Ambassador Mothae Anthony Maruping (Lesotho).

3. The CTD continues to have outstanding requests for observer status from the League of Arab
States, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Gulf Organization for
Industrial Consulting (GOIC), the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the Common Fund
for Commodities (CFC), the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) and the
Groupe de la Banque Africaine de Développement. At the 82 nd and 83rd Sessions, the Arab Group
called for an early resolution to the issues surrounding requests for observer status by
intergovernmental organizations, specifically highlighting the League of Arab States, according to the
existing rules of procedure. Other Members felt that this was a broader, cross-cutting issue.

4. Members agreed to continue to invite a number of intergovernmental organizations on an

ad hoc meeting-by-meeting basis. These include the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), the Economic
Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the
Inter-Arab Investment Guarantee Corporation, the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the African
Union (AU), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the South Centre, the Pacific Islands
Forum, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the West African Economic and
Monetary Union (WAEMU), and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). A full list of
intergovernmental organizations with observer status in the Committee is contained in document
WT/COMTD/W/22/Rev.6.

1
There were no meetings in 2011 of the CTD's Dedicated Session on Regional Trade Agreements or
the CTD's Dedicated Session on Preferential Trade Arrangements. The Special Session of the CTD, dealing
with the issue of special and differential treatment, has its own reporting requirements.
2
To be issued.
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Page 2

5. The principal themes addressed by the CTD in Regular Session during the period covered in
this report included the following:

A. Technical cooperation and training;

B. Notifications regarding market access for developing and least-developed countries
(LDCs);
C. Report of the Joint Advisory Group on the International Trade Centre
UNCTAD/WTO;
D. Modalities to implement the Transparency for Preferential Trade Arrangements
(PTAs);
E. Hong Kong Decision on duty-free and quota-free (DFQF) market access for LDCs;
F. Electronic commerce;
G. Consolidating and mainstreaming development in the World Trade Organization;
H. Participation of developing countries in the multilateral trading system.

A. TECHNICAL COOPERATION AND TRAINING

6. At its 82nd Session, the Committee took note of the Annual Report on Technical Assistance
and Training, 1 January to 31 December 2010 (WT/COMTD/W/178), and of the Technical
Cooperation Audit Report for 2010 (WT/COMTD/W/177 and WT/COMTD/W/177/Corr.1 3). The
Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan for 2012 and 2013 (WT/COMTD/W/180) was
adopted at the 83rd Session.

B. NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING MARKET ACCESS FOR DEVELOPING AND LEAST-DEVELOPED

COUNTRIES (LDCS)

7. In 2011, notifications under the Enabling Clause concerning Generalized System of

Preferences (GSP) schemes were made by the European Union (WT/COMTD/N/4/Add.5), Japan
(WT/COMTD/N/2/Add.15) and Switzerland (WT/COMTD/N/7/Add.4). Notifications were also
made to the CTD concerning India's Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme for LDCs
(WT/COMTD/N/38), China's duty-free treatment for LDCs (WT/COMTD/N/39 and
WT/COMTD/N/39/Add.1) and Chinese Taipei's duty-free treatment for LDCs (WT/COMTD/N/40). 4

8. With regard to regional trade agreements (RTAs), a notification under the Enabling Clause
was made concerning the India-Malaysia Agreement (WT/COMTD/N/37). The Committee also took
note of a biennial report to the WTO (for the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009) by the
Latin American Integration Association (WT/COMTD/72).

9. The RTA notifications concerning the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Customs Union, the
ASEAN-Korea Agreement and the India-Korea Agreement continued to be discussed in the CTD
during 2011. The communication from China, Egypt and India titled "Systemic and specific issues
arising out of the dual notification of the Gulf Cooperation Council Customs Union"
(WT/COMTD/W/175) was presented. During the 81 st, 82nd and 83rd Sessions these Members also
raised a number of specific and systemic concerns over the legal and procedural implications of RTAs
notified under both the Enabling Clause and GATT Article XXIV. The Chairman's consultations on
these issues remained inconclusive.

9 bis. Members continued to express divergent views on how to deal with the issues relating to the
RTAs notified under both the Enabling Clause and GATT Article XXIV and their implications.

3
The corrigendum is in English and Spanish only.
4
Notifications concerning the PTAs being implemented by India and China were also made to the
Council for Trade in Goods (see G/C/W/651 and G/C/W/656).
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C. REPORT OF THE JOINT ADVISORY GROUP ON THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE

UNCTAD/WTO

10. The Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (ITC)
held its 44th Session from 16 to 17 December 2010. The report on that meeting is contained in
document ITC/AG/(XLIV)/238). The Executive Director of the ITC, when presenting the report at the
82nd Session, said that the JAG had provided the ITC with useful guidance on its annual programme of
work and had acknowledged the impact of the ITC's capacity building work. The Group appreciated
the ITC's growing emphasis on regionally structured solutions, while stressing the importance of the
country ownership of projects. The ITC was encouraged to ensure that multi-country programmes
contributed to regional integration. The Group had expressed satisfaction at the progress made in
embedding results-based management into the ITC's work, and had encouraged the organization to
work further in this direction. The Group had additionally taken note of the Consolidated Programme
Document for 2010 and of the draft 2011 Operational Plan, and had endorsed the proposal to move
the JAG meeting from December of each year to the second quarter of the year. The CTD took note
of the JAG report and forwarded it to the General Council for adoption.

D. MODALITIES TO IMPLEMENT THE TRANSPARENCY MECHANISM FOR PREFERENTIAL TRADE

ARRANGEMENTS (PTAS)

11. At the 82nd Session, the Committee agreed to a number of modalities to implement the
Transparency Mechanism for PTAs (WT/L/806). As part of these modalities, a standard format for
the notification of PTAs to the CTD was adopted (WT/COMTD/73).

E. HONG KONG DECISION ON DUTY-FREE AND QUOTA-FREE (DFQF) MARKET ACCESS FOR LDCS

12. The Decision taken at the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference on DFQF market access for
LDCs remains a standing item on the CTD's agenda. Information was shared and clarification was
sought on the steps being taken by Members to provide DFQF market access to LDCs' products,
including in respect of preferential rules of origin. The LDCs took the floor at each of the formal
meetings of the CTD, calling for an expeditious and faithful implementation of the Decision.

F. ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

13. At the 83rd Session, the Committee considered a communication from Cuba, Ecuador,
Nicaragua, the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela titled
"Effective participation of developing countries in electronic commerce as a means to combat
poverty" (WT/GC/W/635-G/C/W/650-WT/COMTD/W/179, and its addendum). The Committee took
note of the communication.

G. CONSOLIDATING AND MAINSTREAMING DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION

14. At the 83rd Session, the Committee considered a communication from the African and Arab
Groups titled "Consolidating and mainstreaming development in the World Trade Organization"
(WT/COMTD/W/182). A number of questions were raised and clarifications sought. The Chairman
encouraged the proponents to continue to engage with Members in order to make progress on the
proposal.

H. PARTICIPATION OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM

15. In order to assist the Committee with its requirement to keep under continuous review the
participation of developing country Members in the multilateral trading system, the Secretariat
prepared a report (WT/COMTD/W/181) highlighting salient features concerning the participation of
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developing economies in the global trading system. The findings of the report were presented to the
Committee at its 83rd Session. The Committee took note of the report.

III. DEDICATED SESSION ON SMALL ECONOMIES

16. Pursuant to paragraph 35 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, the General Council, at its
meeting on 1 March 2002, took note of the framework and procedures for the conduct of the Work
Programme on Small Economies. The CTD was instructed to oversee this programme of work in
dedicated sessions. At the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, Ministers reaffirmed their
commitment to the Work Programme on Small Economies and urged the adoption of specific
measures that would facilitate the fuller integration of small, vulnerable economies into the
multilateral trading system, without creating a sub-category of WTO Members. The CTD was
mandated to continue the work in dedicated session and to monitor progress of the small economies'
proposals in the negotiating groups and other bodies.

17. In 2011, the CTD in Dedicated Session held one formal meeting on 10 and 13 October on the
Work Programme on Small Economies. It was chaired by Ambassador Mothae Anthony Maruping
(Lesotho) and the minutes of the meeting are contained in document WT/COMTD/SE/M/22. 5 At the
meeting, the Secretariat presented and Members took note of an updated version of the compilation
paper (WT/COMTD/SE/W/22/Rev.6) containing all the proposals made to date by the proponents of
small and vulnerable economies in the negotiating groups and other WTO bodies. Members then
proceeded to finalize the Dedicated Session's report to the General Council contained in document
WT/COMTD/SE/7.

IV. AID FOR TRADE

18. The CTD held four sessions on Aid for Trade in 2011, on 16 February, 12 April, 24 June and
10 November. The February meeting was chaired by Ambassador Erwidodo (Indonesia). The April
meeting was exceptionally chaired by Ambassador Shree B.C. Servansing (Mauritius). The other
meetings were chaired by Ambassador Mothae Anthony Maruping (Lesotho). The minutes of the
meetings are contained in documents WT/COMTD/AFT/M/19, WT/COMTD/AFT/M/20,
WT/COMTD/AFT/M/21 and WT/COMTD/AFT/M/226, respectively. The Third Global Review of
Aid for Trade was held on 18 and 19 July 2011. Aid for Trade was also included as an agenda item
for discussion at the General Council on 26 July 2011.

19. The format of each CTD Aid-for-Trade session followed the five headings of the 2010-2011
Aid-for-Trade Work Programme7, namely resource mobilization, mainstreaming, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation, and the private sector. The sessions provided Members with an
opportunity to consider and discuss progress in implementation of the Work Programme and for
different partners and organizations to report on their respective Aid-for-Trade related work. A
background document prepared by the Secretariat was circulated in advance of the February and June
sessions.8

20. Two dedicated thematic workshops were held under the auspices of the CTD in 2011 as
follows: Workshop on Small, Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) and Aid for Trade held on 16 February;
and Workshop on Aid-for-Trade Case Stories held on 23 June.

5
To be issued.
6
To be issued.
7
WT/COMTD/AFT/W/16. The Work Programme was issued under the responsibility of the Chair of
the CTD on 27 November 2009. The General Council took note of the Work Programme at its meeting in
December 2009.
8
WT/COMTD/AFT/W/18/Add.4 and WT/COMTD/AFT/W/18/Add.5, respectively.
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21. At the CTD's 19th Session on Aid for Trade, the World Bank reported on the replenishment of
the International Development Association-16 and provided information on the Bank's Aid-for-Trade
operations, namely, its Group-wide Trade Strategy, two new regional strategies on the Bank's
partnership with Africa ("Africa's Future and World Bank Support to it") and the Arab world ("Arab
World Initiative"), and its private sector outreach activities on Aid for Trade. The Enhanced
Integrated Framework (EIF) provided information on its activities. Dominica provided an overview
of a conceptual proposal the SVEs were developing. UNECE provided information on events relating
to the Aid-for-Trade Roadmap for UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia
(SPECA)9 which included a review meeting held in Baku, Azerbaijan on 1 and 2 December 2010.
The ITC announced plans to extend its impact assessments of private sector mainstreaming efforts on
demand and utilization of Aid-for-Trade funds. The Secretariat provided an overview of the events
held to support Members in the M&E process leading up to the Third Global Review of Aid for
Trade. These included: a training event for the Pacific Island Countries held in Nadi, Fiji on 9 and
10 December 2010; a regional training event and forum for the Caribbean held in Barbados on
25-27 January 2011; and a meeting for the West African region held in Abuja, Nigeria on
19-21 January 2011. The Secretariat provided a brief report on the Workshop on SVEs and Aid for
Trade held prior to the CTD Aid-for-Trade meeting and also gave a preliminary overview of the status
of submissions of completed Aid-for-Trade questionnaires and case stories.

22. At the CTD's 20th Session, the Director-General provided information on the preparations for
the Third Global Review of Aid for Trade. The OECD provided an overview of the 2009
Aid-for-Trade flows and informed that detailed information on the flows would be reported fully in
the joint OECD-WTO Aid for Trade at a Glance 2011 publication being prepared for the Global
Review. The European Union announced the imminent release of its 2011 Aid for Trade Monitoring
Report and Canada provided information on its multilateral 2009-2014 Aid for Trade initiative aimed
at the Americas and Africa. UNCTAD reported on its efforts in support of the Aid-for-Trade
Initiative. The AfDB informed about its Regional Integration Strategy Papers for Southern, Central,
South, and North Africa and the IaDB gave an overview of decisions taken at the Bank's Annual
Meeting and the focus and results of its Aid-for-Trade related projects and interventions in Latin
America. UNECE provided an update of its Aid-for-Trade related work, including in respect of the
SPECA Initiative, and UNDP informed on the status of its publication on trade mainstreaming in
national development strategies. The World Bank provided details of its work with the private sector,
which included a complementary Aid-for-Trade case story exercise, announced the completion of its
Group-wide Trade Strategy, and reported on a recently-held Expert Group Meeting on Trade
Facilitation. The OECD reported on the Experts Workshop on Implementation of Aid for Trade
organized on 29 March and the ITC reported on its private sector case studies which were being
prepared as a contribution to measuring the effectiveness of Aid for Trade. The Secretariat gave an
update on the preparations for the Third Global Review of Aid for Trade.

23. The CTD's 21st Session focused on the preparations for the Third Global Review and the
preparation of the joint OECD-WTO Aid for Trade at a Glance 2011 publication. The
Director-General provided an update on the M&E work and noted the success of the Aid-for-Trade
case story exercise. The World Bank introduced the key elements of the final version of its
Group-wide Trade Strategy, profiled two Bank trade initiatives (the Transparency in Trade Initiative
and the Central Africa Trade Facilitation Project), and informed of its soon-to-be released study on
impact evaluations of Aid for Trade and the joint WB/WTO call for case stories to the private sector.
The European Union presented an overview of the findings of its 2011 Aid-for-Trade Monitoring
Report and the United States provided information on its African Competitiveness and Trade
Expansion Initiative. Gabon, Indonesia, Dominica, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, UNECA
and UNCTAD reported on recently-held Aid-for-Trade related events. These included preparatory

9
The Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan).
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meetings for a Regional Review of Aid for Trade for Central Africa held in Libreville, Gabon on
25 and 26 May, the Regional Review Meeting on Aid for Trade held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 14 June,
the ACP High Level Meeting on Aid for Trade held on 22 June and the Third Aid-for-Trade
Roundtable Meeting held in Nadi, Fiji on 28 April. UNESCAP informed about its range of
Aid-for-Trade related programmes aimed at improving developing countries' business environment
and productive capacity. The Secretariat also provided a brief report on the Workshop on
Aid-for-Trade Case Stories held prior to the CTD Aid-for-Trade meeting.

24. The Third Global Review of Aid for Trade took place on 18 and 19 July 2011. It provided an
opportunity to evaluate progress since the Second Global Review and highlighted that concrete
positive results had been achieved. Sessions focused on the key objectives of the Review, namely
showing outcomes and impacts of Aid for Trade, and included discussions on the role of Aid for
Trade in consolidating recovery and stimulating growth; from project results to development impact;
promoting food security through enhanced trade capacity; delivering on trade facilitation gains;
accessing global private sector value chains; overcoming obstacles to regional trade integration in
Africa; Aid for Trade in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Pacific and Asia; South-South
cooperation; and taking monitoring and evaluation forward. A report of the Third Global Review is
reproduced in document WT/COMTD/AFT/W/28.

25. Aid for Trade was discussed at the General Council on 27 July 2011. The Director-General
reported on the Third Global Review and reiterated his suggestion made at the Review that
"Deepening Coherence" should be the focus of the new 2012-2013 work programme. A number of
delegations spoke in support of the orientation of the future work programme as outlined by the
Director-General. The report of the General Council debate is contained in document WT/GC/M/132.

26. The CTD's 22nd Session on Aid for Trade agreed on a draft Aid-for-Trade Work Programme
as contained in JOB/DEV/12/Rev.2 to be issued under the responsibility of the CTD Chairman. The
work programme covers the period 2012-2013 and is focused around the following headings:
resource mobilization, mainstreaming, regional dimension, private sector, and monitoring and
evaluation of implementation and development effectiveness. The aim of the work programme is to
promote deeper coherence and an on-going focus on Aid for Trade, notably on showing results, which
will generate continued impetus to the implementation process. The work programme, which is
complemented by an annex setting out an indicative list of activities planned to implement the
programme, will be submitted to the General Council.

27. The 22nd Session also considered a communication from Barbados on behalf of the Small,
Vulnerable Economies as contained in WT/COMTD/AFT/W/29/Rev.1. A number of questions were
raised and clarifications sought. In addition, updates were provided on Aid-for-Trade activities
(on-going and planned) by the African Development Bank, OECD, UNCTAD and the World Bank.

V. SUB-COMMITTEE ON LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

28. During the period under review, the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries (hereafter
the Sub-Committee) held five formal meetings on 18 March, 5 May, 7 July, 19 October and
8 November 2011. The minutes of the meetings are contained in documents
WT/COMTD/LDC/M/58, WT/COMTD/LDC/M/59, WT/COMTD/LDC/M/60,
WT/COMTD/LDC/M/61 and WT/COMTD/LDC/M/62, respectively. 10 The first meeting of the year
was chaired by Ambassador Jean Feyder (Luxembourg). All other meetings were chaired by
Ambassador Steffen Smidt (Denmark), who was elected Chairman at the 81 st Session of the CTD on
31 March 2011. The delegation of Bangladesh acted as the Coordinator of the LDCs in all the
meetings of the Sub-Committee in 2011.

10
Documents WT/COMTD/LDC/M/61 and WT/COMTD/LDC/M/62 are to be issued.
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29. The work of the Sub-Committee has mainly focused on the implementation of the WTO
Work Programme for the LDCs adopted by Members on 12 February 2002.11 The subjects considered
under the Work Programme during the reporting period were: (i) market access for LDCs;
(ii) trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives for LDCs; and (iii) accession of
LDCs to the WTO. In addition, an exchange of views on the possible update of the Work Programme
took place at the 61st Session. The other issues considered were: (i) the Fourth United Nations
Conference on the LDCs (LDC-IV); (ii) a proposal of the LDC Group concerning the establishment
of a Work Programme on Post-Accession for the recently acceded LDCs; and (iii) preparations for
the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the WTO.

(i) Market Access for LDCs

30. The item on market access for LDCs was considered at the 58 th and 61st Sessions of the
Sub-Committee. The Secretariat issued a revision of its annual market access review study (2010)
titled "Market Access Issues for Products and Services of Export Interest to Least-Developed
Countries" contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/48/Rev.1, which was considered at the
58th Session of the Sub-Committee. At the same Session, the European Union provided a briefing on
its revised GSP rules of origin, which became operational as of 1 January 2011. 12 The LDCs
expressed appreciation for this positive step to further facilitate their exports, and urged other
Members to follow suit.

31. At its 61st Session, the Sub-Committee considered the market access review study (2011) by
the Secretariat contained in document WT/COMTD/LDC/W/51. Members considered the Note
comprehensive and useful, including because it provided clarity on the status of DFQF access being
provided by Members, thereby contributing further to the transparency on different preferential
schemes undertaken in favour of LDCs. Recent market access notifications by India and China were
welcomed.13 Comments and suggestions were made on the Note, based on which the Secretariat will
issue a revision. The Sub-Committee agreed to revert to this item at its future meeting.

(i) Trade-related Technical Assistance and Capacity-building Initiatives for LDCs

32. The item on TRTA and capacity-building initiatives for LDCs was considered at the 58 th and
60 Sessions of the Sub-Committee. At the 58th Session, the Standards and Trade Development
th

Facility (STDF) Secretariat made a presentation on the Facility, based on the Note contained in
WT/COMTD/LDC/W/49.14 The LDCs underscored the importance of the STDF in developing their
capacity to meet international sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. The STDF has continued to
meet the target of devoting at least 40 per cent of the Facility project resources to LDCs and other
low-income countries.

33. At the 60th Session, the Executive Director of the EIF Secretariat presented a report on the
implementation of the EIF, based on the document contained in JOB/DEV/11. Members expressed
satisfaction over the progress achieved in the implementation of the EIF. As of October 2011,
45 LDCs were at different stages of the EIF process. Thirty-nine LDCs had completed their
Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTISs), and two have completed a DTIS update. The number
11
WT/COMTD/LDC/11.
12
The rules of origin were subsequently notified to the CTD in document WT/COMTD/N/4/Add.5.
13
These countries provided information on their LDC DFQF schemes, including data at the tariff-line
level, particularly tariff lines with duty-free and other preferential treatment. India's notification was circulated
to the Council for Trade in Goods and to the CTD (G/C/W/651 and WT/COMTD/N/38). China's notification to
the CTD is contained in document WT/COMTD/N/39. At the 61 st Session of the Sub-Committee, an advance
copy of the tariff lines under China's DFQF Scheme was made available. This was subsequently formally
submitted to the Council for Trade in Goods and to the CTD (G/C/W/656 and WT/COMTD/N/39/Add.1).
14
Up-to-date information can be seen on the STDF website: www.standardsfacility.org
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of donors has reached 23, and US$142 million had been transferred to the EIF Trust Fund by
mid-October 2011. Twenty-five Tier 1 projects are under implementation. 15 Tier 2 projects have
started to roll in, and during the reporting period, one Tier 2 project has been approved. 16

34. At the 60th Session, the Secretariat gave an overview of the technical assistance and training
provided to the LDCs. The LDCs had been associated with 43 per cent of all trade-related technical
assistance (TRTA) activities undertaken by the Secretariat in 2010. The LDCs were invited to fully
avail of their entitlements to three national activities per year.

(ii) Accession of LDCs to the WTO

35. The Sub-Committee considered the item on Accession of LDCs to the WTO, at its
59th Session based on the state-of-play Note on LDC accessions contained in document JOB/ACC/21.
The LDC Group urged Members to contribute to accelerating the accession of LDCs to the WTO.
Members reiterated their commitment to continue to engage actively and advance the LDC
accessions. The conclusion of Vanuatu's accession negotiations was welcome. 17 The other acceding
LDCs were: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Lao PDR, Liberia, Samoa,
Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, and Yemen.18

36. At its 62nd Session, the Sub-Committee considered a proposal from the LDC Group
concerning a decision on the accession of least-developed countries to the WTO
(WT/COMTD/LDC/W/52). It was agreed that the Chairman would hold small-group informal
consultations to make progress on the LDC proposal, in line with the deadlines and procedures
concerning the Eighth Ministerial Conference.

(iii) Fourth United Nations Conference on the LDCs (LDC-IV), 9-13 May 2011

37. The item was considered at the 58 th, 59th and 60th Sessions of the Sub-Committee. At the
58  and 59th Sessions, the Sub-Committee discussed the preparations for the LDC-IV Conference
th

which was held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 9 to 13 May 2011. The host country of the LDC-IV
Conference - Turkey - made comprehensive briefings on the substantive and other aspects relating to
the Conference in both these Sessions. The LDCs expressed appreciation to Turkey for hosting the
Conference and sought support from Members to make it successful. 19 Members reiterated their
commitment to work towards a successful outcome at the LDC-IV Conference.

38. At the 60th Session, the Coordinator of the LDCs made a report to the Sub-Committee on the
outcome of the LDC-IV Conference. The LDCs called upon Members to mainstream the
trade-related elements of the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA), within the competence of the
WTO, adopted at the LDC-IV Conference as well as to contribute to achieving the goals set out in the
IPoA.

(iv) Proposal for the establishment of a Work Programme on Post-Accession for the Recently
Acceded LDCs

39. At the 59th Session, the Coordinator of the LDCs introduced a proposal by the LDC Group for
the establishment of a Work Programme on Post-Accession for Recently Acceded LDCs
15
Projects that involve support to national implementation arrangements. In addition, the LDCs are
also benefitting from Pre-DTIS projects.
16
Up-to-date information can be seen on the EIF website: www.enhancedif.org
17
The accession package of Vanuatu was formally adopted by the General Council on
26 October 2011.
18
The final Working Party meeting on the accession of Samoa took place on 28 October 2011.
19
Nepal acted as the Coordinator of the LDCs in the UN system.
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(WT/COMTD/LDC/W/50). Under the proposed Work Programme, two broad clusters of technical
assistance have been sought: (i) technical assistance and training focusing on the implementation of
commitments under the accession package; (ii) technical assistance for strengthening the capacity of
recently acceded LDCs to participate in the work of the WTO. Members sought a number of
clarifications from the LDC Group. The Sub-Committee will revert to this issue at a future meeting.

(v) Exchange of views on the possible update of the WTO Work Programme for the LDCs

40. The Sub-Committee considered this item at its 61 st Session. The Coordinator of the LDCs
outlined a few elements for incorporation into the updated Work Programme. Some Members
reiterated that the current Work Programme provided necessary flexibility to accommodate various
needs of the LDCs. The Chairman requested the LDCs and other Members to submit proposals they
would like to see reflected into the current Work Programme to the Secretariat. Thereafter, he will
undertake consultations with Members, including ascertaining the possibility of an outcome on this
issue, prior to the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the WTO.

(vi) Preparations for the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the WTO (MC8) to be held from 15 to
17 December 2011

41. At the 61st Session of the Sub-Committee, the Secretariat briefed the Sub-Committee on the
arrangements being made to facilitate the participation of LDCs during the Eighth Ministerial
Conference. Both travel and accommodation arrangements were explained at the meeting. The WTO
will be financing travel expenses for three participants from each LDC. Under this item, the
Coordinator of the LDCs informed Members that a half-day LDC Ministerial meeting was being
planned on 14 December 2011, a day prior to the start of the Eighth Ministerial Conference.

VI. FINAL REMARKS

42. In January 2011, following a request from the Chairman of the Negotiating Group on Rules,
the Chairman of the CTD provided a brief statement, in his own capacity, of the CTD's experience in
implementing the Transparency Mechanism for RTAs (JOB/RL/2).

__________