TODAY: informal WTO General Council meeting, mainly on procedure
PURPOSE: chair @CastilloDacio reporting to the full membership on his consultations, Jan 18-19
TOPICS:
• If/when to hold the postponed ministerial conference
• WTO response to the pandemic
• How to proceed
1/6
PURPOSE: chair @CastilloDacio reporting to the full membership on his consultations, Jan 18-19
TOPICS:
• If/when to hold the postponed ministerial conference
• WTO response to the pandemic
• How to proceed
1/6
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE NEW DATE?
Few keen on “virtual” meeting
DG @NOIweala: Secretariat looking at 3 options
1. Hold soon—no ceremony, businesslike, slimmed down
2. Medium (eg summer) possible
3. Long term, can prepare for it
Swiss amb. said COVID-19 in 🇨🇭 unpredictable
2/6
Few keen on “virtual” meeting
DG @NOIweala: Secretariat looking at 3 options
1. Hold soon—no ceremony, businesslike, slimmed down
2. Medium (eg summer) possible
3. Long term, can prepare for it
Swiss amb. said COVID-19 in 🇨🇭 unpredictable
2/6
Chair @CastilloDacio said some members proposed a tentative date (“a window”) should be set to focus minds and keep up the momentum; others said that would be premature but members should keep up the momentum.
3/6
3/6
WTO RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC
Chair @CastilloDacio—many members said the approach should be “holistic” and in parallel:
• trade response (supply chains, export restrictions etc) in the General Council
• intellectual property (TRIPS) response (waiver) in the TRIPS Council
4/6
Chair @CastilloDacio—many members said the approach should be “holistic” and in parallel:
• trade response (supply chains, export restrictions etc) in the General Council
• intellectual property (TRIPS) response (waiver) in the TRIPS Council
4/6
HOW TO PROCEED—the ministerial statement (aka “outcome document”) and related issues.
Some want it changed, others say leave it as it is for now.
Much of all this is discussed ⬇️ (with @BobWolfeSPS) tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/goo…
5/6
Some want it changed, others say leave it as it is for now.
Much of all this is discussed ⬇️ (with @BobWolfeSPS) tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/goo…
5/6
Chair @CastilloDacio said one member proposed an institutional arrangement to discuss WTO reform after the conference; others said it should be done in the General Council.
(The EU has for some time advocated a working party on WTO reform.)
Info from Geneva trade officials
6/6
(The EU has for some time advocated a working party on WTO reform.)
Info from Geneva trade officials
6/6
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