26f98 { "metadata": { "url": "https://www.commerce.gov.in/?p=2502", "title": "WT/GC/W/471 General Council - Preparatory Process in Geneva and Negotiating Procedure at the Ministerial Conferences - Mcommerce", "meta_description": "", "meta_keywords": "commerce,antidumping,TRADE,Press release, MOC" }, "content": "WT/GC/W/471 General Council - Preparatory Process in Geneva and Negotiating Procedure at the Ministerial Conferences - Mcommerce\nWelcome to Department of Commerce\nScreen reader access\nSkip to Main content\n+A\nA\n-A\nEnglish\nHindi\nEN\nHi\nGovernment of India\nMinistry of Commerce and Industry\nDEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE\nFactsheet on conclusion of India-EU Free Trade Agreement\nFact Sheet-India and New Zealand Conclude Free Trade Agreement\nIndia - UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)\nAbout Us\nDepartment Of Commerce\nDepartment setup and function\nSubject Under Administrative Control\nAdvisory Board\nBilateral Chamber of Commerce\nOfficers handling Public / Staff grievances\nCitizen Charter\nAppellate Committee\nDivisions\nInternational Trade Policy Division\nTrade Policy Division\nRules, FTA Coordination, Regional and Plurilateral Division\nG-20\nForeign Trade Territorial Division\nForeign Trade (Africa)\nForeign Trade (NAFTA)\nForeign Trade (Latin American and Caribbean)\nForeign Trade (Europe)\nForeign Trade (CIS)\nForeign Trade (WANA)\nForeign Trade ( ASEAN )\nForeign Trade (North East Asia)\nForeign Trade (Oceania)\nForeign Trade (South Asia)\nForeign Trade (Coordination)\nForeign Trade (Minerals and Ores)\nForeign Trade (State Trading)\nESCAP\nExport Promotion (Export Inspection)\nExport Products Division\nExport Products (Agriculture)\nGems and Jewellery\nEngineering\nElectronics and Computer Software\nChemicals and Allied Products\nOverseas Projects and Services\nExport Services Division\nEP-Textiles Coordination Division\nEP (Services)\nExport And Market Development Assistance (E&MDA)\nExport Industries Division\nPlantation (A)-Tea\nPlantation (B)-Coffee\nPlantation (C)-Rubber\nPlantation (D)-Spices\nTrade Finance Services\nInfrastructure Division\nSEZ Division\nSEZ (Admin)\nSpecial Economic Zones (SEZ)\nExport Oriented Units (EOU)\nExport Products (Pharmaceuticals)\nExport Promotion (Marine Products)\nVigilance\nGeneral Administration & Records Section\nEstablishment-II\nEP(LSG) Division\nEconomic Division\nExport Planning\nAdministration and General Service Division\nEstablishment-I\nWomen Cell\nEstablishment-III\nEstablishment-IV\nTrade Commissioner/Trade Assistance\nCash-I\nCash-II\nCashier Cell\nProtocol\nGeneral Administration and Welfare Cell\nHindi\nOrganisation and Methods/Internal Work Study Unit/Career Management and Training\nRecord Cell\nReceipt and Issue\nRTI Cell\nVigilance Division\nSupply Division\nLitigation & Arbitration Section\nCash and Accounts Section\nEstablishment – I, RE & SSEC Section\nEstablishment – II Section\nFinance Division\nFinance Branch\nVigilance and Confidential Section\nGeM, Coord. and RP&I Section\nTrade Promotion Division\nTrade Promotion-A\nTrade Promotion-B\nAttached Offices\nDirectorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)\nDirectorate General of Foreign Trade\nSubordinate Offices\nPay and Accounts Office (Supply)\nPay and Accounts Office (Commerce & Textiles)\nSpecial Economic Zones\nDirectorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics\nAutonomous Bodies\nThe Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)\nAgricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)\nCommodity boards\nCoffee Board\nRubber Board\nTea Board\nTobacco Board\nSpices Board\nExport Inspection Council\nIndian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)\nIndian Institute of Packaging (IIP)\nPublic Sector Undertakings\nState Trading Corporation (STC)\nPEC Limited\nMMTC Limited\nExport Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited\nIndia Trade Promotion Organisation\nGeM\nExport Promotion Councils\nEEPC India\nElectronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council\nExport Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZa\nTelecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council\nMobile and Electronic Devices Export Promotion Council\nFederation of Indian Export Organisation\nProject Exports Promotion Council of India (PEPC)\nBasic Chemicals,Cosmetics and Dyes Export Promotion Council (Chemexcil)\nChemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL)\nCouncil for Leather Exports\nSports Goods & Toys Export Promotion Council\nGem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council\nShellac Export Promotion Council\nCashew Export Promotion Council of India\nThe Plastics Export Promotion Council\nPharmaceutical Export Promotion Council\nIndian Oil Seeds And Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC)\nServices Export Promotion Council\nOther Organisation\nIndian Diamond Institute\nIndia Brand Equity Foundation\nPrice Stabilization Fund Trust\nIndian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru\nNational Export Insurance Account (NEIA Trust)\nWhats New\nInternational Trade\nIndia and World Trade Organization (WTO)\nTrade Agreements\nJoint Statements and Minutes of the Meetings\nFAQs on FTAs\nTBT and SPS Portals\nIndia Trade Portal of SAARC, ASEAN and top 25 Countries\nTrade Promotion Programmes and Schemes\n7th Trade Policy Review (TPR) of India\nFAQs on FTAs Engineering Sector\nEU GSP Scheme of Self Certification\nTrade Statistics\nNiryat Portal\nMedia\nDepartmental Updates\nPublications/ Reports\nPress Releases\nPhoto Gallery\nVideo Gallery\nMajor Achievements\nRTI\nGeneral Matters on RTI\nApplication Forms\nSuo Moto Disclosure under RTI Act\nFAQs\nWho’s Who\nContact\nAbout Us\nDepartment Of Commerce\nDivisions\nAttached Offices\nSubordinate Offices\nAutonomous Bodies\nPublic Sector Undertakings\nGeM\nExports Promotion Councils\nOther Organisations\nINTERNATIONAL TRADE\nIndia And World Trade Organization (WTO)\nTrade Agreements\nFAQs on FTAs\nJoint Statements And Minutes Of The Meetings\nTBT And SPS Portals\nIndia Trade Portal of SAARC, ASEAN and top 25 Countries\nTrade Promotion Programmes and Schemes\nSixth Trade Policy Review of India\nFAQs on FTAs Engineering Sector\nEU GSP Scheme of Self Certification\nTRADE STATISTICS\nLatest Trade Figures\nExport Import Data Bank (Annual)\nExport Import Data Bank (Monthly)\nForeign Trade Performance Analysis (FTPA)\nDashboard\nMEDIA\nDepartmental Updates\nPublications/ Reports\nPress Releases\nMajor Achievements\nPhoto Gallery\nVideo Gallery\nWHATS NEW\nTRADE PROMOTION\nACTS AND SCHEMES\nBUDGET\nParliamentary Business\nLINKS FOR PUBLIC INTERFACES\nTRAINING NOTICES\nTender Guidelines\nCONTACT\nMonitoring System\nVACANCIES\nRTI\nORGANIZATIONAL CHART\nUSEFUL LINKS\nSitemap\nDisclaimer\nHelp\nWebsite Policy\nFeedback\nArchive\nDepartment of Commerce Grievance Management System\nURL\nGovernment of India\nMinistry of Commerce and Industry\nDEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE\n19th CII India Africa Business Conclave\nWorld Bank’s B-Ready Project\n+A\nA\n-A\nEnglish\nHindi\nAbout Us\nDepartment Of Commerce\nDepartment setup and function\nSubject Under Administrative Control\nAdvisory Board\nBilateral Chamber of Commerce\nOfficers handling Public / Staff grievances\nCitizen Charter\nAppellate Committee\nDivisions\nInternational Trade Policy Division\nForeign Trade Territorial Division\nExport Products Division\nExport Industries Division\nExport Services Division\nSEZ Division\nEconomic Division\nAdministration and General Service Division\nVigilance Division\nFinance Division\nSupply Division\nLogistics Division\nAttached Offices\nSubordinate Offices\nAutonomous Bodies\nThe Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)\nAgricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)\nCommodity boards\nCoffee Board\nRubber Board\nTea Board\nTobacco Board\nSpices Board\nExport Inspection Council\nIndian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)\nIndian Institute of Packaging (IIP)\nPublic Sector Undertakings\nState Trading Corporation (STC)\nPEC Limited\nMMTC Limited\nExport Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited\nIndia Trade Promotion Organisation\nGeM\nExport Promotion Councils\nFederation of Indian Export Organisation\nEEPC India\nExport Promotion Council for EOUs.&.SEZa\nProject Exports Promotion Council of India (PEPC)\nBasic Chemicals,Cosmetics and Dyes Export Promotion Council (Chemexcil)\nChemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL)\nCouncil for Leather Exports\nSports Goods Export Promotion Council\nGem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council\nShellac Export Promotion Council\nCashew Export Promotion Council of India\nThe Plastics Export Promotion Council\nPharmaceutical Export Promotion Council\nIndian Oil Seeds And Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC)\nServices Export Promotion Council\nOther Organisations\nIndian Diamond Institute\nIndia Brand Equity Foundation\nPrice Stabilization Fund Trust\nIndian Institute of Plantation Management, Bengaluru\nNational Export Insurance Account (NEIA Trust)\nWhat’s New\nInternational Trade\nIndia and World Trade Organization (WTO)\nTrade Agreements\nFAQs on FTAs\nJoint Statements and Minutes of the Meetings\nTBT and SPS Portals\nIndia Trade Portal of SAARC, ASEAN and top 25 Countries\nTrade Promotion Programmes and Schemes\n7th Trade Policy Review (TPR) of India\nFAQs on FTAs Engineering Sector\nEU GSP Scheme of Self Certification\nTrade Statistics\nNiryat Portal\nMedia\nDepartmental Updates\nPublications/ Reports\nPress Releases\nMajor Achievements\nPhoto Gallery\nVideo Gallery\nRTI\nGeneral Matters on RTI\nSuo Moto Disclosure under RTI Act\nApplication Forms\nFAQs\nWho’s Who\nContact\nShort Links\nTrade Promotion\nActs and Schemes\nBudget\nParliamentary Business\nLinks for Public Interfaces\nTraining Notices\nTender Notices\nVacancies\nMonitoring System\nOrganizational Chart\nUseful Links\nFeedback\nSitemap\nDisclaimer\nHelp\nWebsite Policy\nFeedback\nArchive\nDepartment of Commerce Grievance Management System\nIndian Submissions in WTO\nGeneral Council\nWT/GC/W/471 General Council – Preparatory Process in Geneva and Negotiating Procedure at the Ministerial Conferences –\nInternational Trade\nInternational Trade\nIndia and World Trade Organization (WTO)\nTrade Agreements\nFAQs on FTAs\nJoint Statements and Minutes of the Meetings\nTBT and SPS Portals\nIndia Trade Portal of SAARC, ASEAN and top 25 Countries\nTrade Promotion Programmes and Schemes\n7th Trade Policy Review (TPR) of India\nFAQs on FTAs Engineering Sector\nEU GSP Scheme of Self Certification\nWT/GC/W/471 General Council – Preparatory Process in Geneva and Negotiating Procedure at the Ministerial Conferences –\nWT/GC/W/471 24 April 2002\nGeneral Council 15-16 May 2003\n(02-2340)\nOriginal:English\nPREPARATORY PROCESS IN GENEVA AND NEGOTIATING PROCEDURE AT THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCES\nCommunication from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Honduras, India,\nIndonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe\nThe following communication, dated 19 April, has been received from the Permanent Mission of India.\nSince the WTO was established in January 1995, four Ministerial Conferences have been held so far. The procedures adopted, both in the preparatory process in Geneva and at the Ministerial Conference itself, have been different. This uncertainty in the process makes it difficult for many Members to prepare themselves for the conferences. Some basic principles and procedures for this Member-driven organization need to be agreed upon, so that both the preparatory process and the conduct of the Ministerial Conference are transparent, inclusive and predictable.\nPreparatory process in Geneva\nThe aim of the process should be to finalize the agenda for the Ministerial Conference and a broad work programme flowing from the agenda, to be proposed for consideration at the Ministerial Conference. The Geneva process should aim to finalize a draft ministerial declaration, which reflects the priorities and interests of the entire membership. The following elements should guide the preparatory process:\nAll consultations should be transparent and open-ended. The preparatory process should be conducted under the close supervision of the General Council and chaired by the Chairman of the General Council. Any consultations or meetings held outside this process are not part of the formal preparatory process. Any negotiating procedure to be adopted should be approved by Members by consensus at formal meetings.\nThe draft agenda should be drawn up only after Members have been given an opportunity to express their views. Once the agenda and its parameters are agreed upon, changes may be permitted only if so decided by the entire membership.\nThere should be frequent formal meetings of the General Council to take stock of the progress in the preparatory work and minutes should be drawn up of such meetings. This would help Members who do not have delegations in Geneva and will give an indication of the status of work to capital based officials. In view of the difficulty that non-Geneva based delegations have in sending representatives for such meetings, a formal meeting of the General Council should be scheduled either just before or just after the Geneva Week, for such delegations.\nThere should be sufficient time for delegations to consider documents to facilitate proper consideration by and consultation with the capital.\nLanguage of draft ministerial declaration should be clear and unambiguous. The draft ministerial declaration should be based on consensus. Where this is not possible, such differences should be fully and appropriately reflected in the draft ministerial declaration. This could be done either through listing various options suggested by Members or by the chairperson reflecting different positions on issues. If the majority of the membership has strong opposition to the inclusion of any issue in the draft ministerial declaration then such an issue should not be included in the draft declaration.\nThe work on the declaration should be completed in Geneva to the maximum extent possible. Only those issues, which are reflected either as options or where the chairperson has reflected different positions should be left for the ministers to deliberate and decide at the ministerial conference.\nA draft ministerial declaration can only be forwarded to the Ministerial Conference by the General Council upon consensus to do so.\nIn the preparatory process for the Ministerial Conference the Director-General and the Secretariat of the WTO should remain impartial on the specific issues being considered in the ministerial declaration.\nSectoral work by working groups is an effective way for expediting resolution of pending issues. The number, structure and chairpersons/facilitators for such working groups should be decided in the General Council in Geneva, in advance of the Ministerial Conference through consultations among all Members.\nProcess at Ministerial Conferences\nThe agenda for the conference should not be adopted at the ceremonial opening session, but at the first formal plenary session immediately thereafter.\nA Committee of the Whole should be established at all Ministerial Conferences. This Committee should be the main forum for decision-making. All meetings of the Committee of the Whole should be formal.\nThe chairpersons including facilitators, who would conduct consultations and meetings on specific subjects at the Ministerial Conference, should be identified by consensus in the preparatory process in Geneva, through consultations among all Members. Such persons should be persons from Members that do not have a direct interest in the subject assigned for consultations.\nConsultations by chairperson/facilitator should be at open-ended meetings only. The chairperson/facilitator could convene meetings of proponents and opponents on the subject assigned and any other interested Member should be free to join such meetings. For this to be achieved, the schedule of each meeting shall be announced at least a few hours before the meeting.\nConsultations should be transparent, inclusive and all Members should be given equal opportunity to express their views. Chairpersons/facilitators should report to the Committee of the Whole periodically and in a substantive way.\nAll negotiating texts and draft decisions should be introduced only in open-ended meetings.\nLate night meetings and marathon negotiating sessions should be avoided.\nLanguage of declaration should be clear and unambiguous. All drafts shall be considered and finalized in a drafting committee to be appointed for that purpose by all Members and membership of which should be open to all Members.\nThe Secretariat and the Director-General of the WTO as well as all the chairpersons/facilitators should assume a neutral/impartial and objective role. They shall not express views explicitly or otherwise on the specific issues being discussed in the Ministerial Conference. Specific rules to conduct the work of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Ministerial Conference should be elaborated.\nDiscussions at the Ministerial Conference on the draft ministerial declaration should focus on issues not agreed upon in the Geneva process and the various alternate texts developed at Geneva.\nAny new draft on specific issues should be circulated to all Members well in advance so that Members have sufficient time to consider them. To ensure transparency in the negotiating process any draft on specific issues should clearly indicate the Member(s) suggesting the draft.\nThe duration of Ministerial Conferences should be in accordance with the schedule agreed upon in Geneva, as many delegations make their travel and accommodation arrangements accordingly. If an extension is required, it shall be formally approved through consensus.\nIn various meetings, formal as well as informal, during the Ministerial Conference arrangements should be made for the Ministers to be accompanied by at least two officers. It is the right of any Member to designate its representative and in this connection the Heads of Delegations has the discretion to mandate his/her officials to speak on his/her behalf.\nVenue of Ministerial Conferences\nThis issue had been discussed during the Uruguay Round, when it was felt that the Conferences should be held in the WTO itself. Apart from convenience this would also result in savings in costs and efforts. Many developing countries find it prohibitively expensive to participate in the Conferences. There could be a case for having all the future Ministerial Conferences after Mexico in Geneva itself.Recognizing that Ministerial Conferences are to be held at least once every two years, and recalling paragraph 1 of Article IV of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO, it is strongly recommended that Members review the evolving tendency of holding Ministerial Conferences that are primarily focused on the launching or review of negotiations.\nHome\nAbout Us\nWebsite Policy\nFeedback\nEngagement of ICs\nSitemap\nDisclaimer\nHelp\nContact\nShare With\nDownload Mobile Application\nCopyright 2023 (with latest amendments), all rights reserved with Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India\nThe site is best viewed in Chrome 92.0 , Firefox 89.0 or Microsoft Edge 92.0 and standard resolution is 1920*1080\nLast Updated: \n\t\t\tNovember 8, 2024\nVisitors : \n\t\t\t 310798030", "html": "\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWT/GC/W/471 General Council - Preparatory Process in Geneva and Negotiating Procedure at the Ministerial Conferences - Mcommerce\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t Welcome to Department of Commerce\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t
    \n
  • \"Facebook\"
    • \n
  • \"Twitter\"
    • \n
  • \"Instagram\"
    • \n
\n
\n
\n
Screen reader access
\n
Skip to Main content
\n
\"Color
\n
\n +A \n A \n -A \n
\n
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n\"State\n
\n
\n

Government of India

\n

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

\n

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n

\n Factsheet on conclusion of India-EU Free Trade Agreement

\n

\n Fact Sheet-India and New Zealand Conclude Free Trade Agreement

\n

\n India - UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)

\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n\"Logo\"\n
\n
\n

Government of India

\n

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

\n

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

\n
\n
\n\n
\n
19th CII India Africa Business Conclave\n
World Bank’s B-Ready Project
\n\n
\n
    \n
  • \"Facebook\"
    • \n
  • \"Twitter\"
    • \n
  • \"Instagram\"
    • \n
\n
\n
\n
\n +A \n A \n -A \n
\n
\"Color
\n
\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t International Trade \r\n\t\t\t
\n
\n
\n
\n
\r\n International Trade \r\n
\n
\n\n
\n
\n\n
\n

\tWT/GC/W/471 General Council – Preparatory Process in Geneva and Negotiating Procedure at the Ministerial Conferences –

\n
WT/GC/W/471 24 April 2002\n
\n
General Council 15-16 May 2003\n
\n

(02-2340)
\nOriginal:English
\nPREPARATORY PROCESS IN GENEVA AND NEGOTIATING PROCEDURE AT THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCES
\nCommunication from Cuba, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Honduras, India,
\nIndonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe


\n

The following communication, dated 19 April, has been received from the Permanent Mission of India.

\n

Since the WTO was established in January 1995, four Ministerial Conferences have been held so far. The procedures adopted, both in the preparatory process in Geneva and at the Ministerial Conference itself, have been different. This uncertainty in the process makes it difficult for many Members to prepare themselves for the conferences. Some basic principles and procedures for this Member-driven organization need to be agreed upon, so that both the preparatory process and the conduct of the Ministerial Conference are transparent, inclusive and predictable.

\n
Preparatory process in Geneva
\n
    \n
  • The aim of the process should be to finalize the agenda for the Ministerial Conference and a broad work programme flowing from the agenda, to be proposed for consideration at the Ministerial Conference. The Geneva process should aim to finalize a draft ministerial declaration, which reflects the priorities and interests of the entire membership. The following elements should guide the preparatory process:\n
  • All consultations should be transparent and open-ended. The preparatory process should be conducted under the close supervision of the General Council and chaired by the Chairman of the General Council. Any consultations or meetings held outside this process are not part of the formal preparatory process. Any negotiating procedure to be adopted should be approved by Members by consensus at formal meetings.
    • \n
  • The draft agenda should be drawn up only after Members have been given an opportunity to express their views. Once the agenda and its parameters are agreed upon, changes may be permitted only if so decided by the entire membership.
    • \n
  • There should be frequent formal meetings of the General Council to take stock of the progress in the preparatory work and minutes should be drawn up of such meetings. This would help Members who do not have delegations in Geneva and will give an indication of the status of work to capital based officials. In view of the difficulty that non-Geneva based delegations have in sending representatives for such meetings, a formal meeting of the General Council should be scheduled either just before or just after the Geneva Week, for such delegations.
    • \n
  • There should be sufficient time for delegations to consider documents to facilitate proper consideration by and consultation with the capital.
    • \n
  • Language of draft ministerial declaration should be clear and unambiguous. The draft ministerial declaration should be based on consensus. Where this is not possible, such differences should be fully and appropriately reflected in the draft ministerial declaration. This could be done either through listing various options suggested by Members or by the chairperson reflecting different positions on issues. If the majority of the membership has strong opposition to the inclusion of any issue in the draft ministerial declaration then such an issue should not be included in the draft declaration.
    • \n
  • The work on the declaration should be completed in Geneva to the maximum extent possible. Only those issues, which are reflected either as options or where the chairperson has reflected different positions should be left for the ministers to deliberate and decide at the ministerial conference.
    • \n
  • A draft ministerial declaration can only be forwarded to the Ministerial Conference by the General Council upon consensus to do so.
    • \n
  • In the preparatory process for the Ministerial Conference the Director-General and the Secretariat of the WTO should remain impartial on the specific issues being considered in the ministerial declaration.
    • \n
  • Sectoral work by working groups is an effective way for expediting resolution of pending issues. The number, structure and chairpersons/facilitators for such working groups should be decided in the General Council in Geneva, in advance of the Ministerial Conference through consultations among all Members.
    • \n
\n
Process at Ministerial Conferences
\n
    \n
  • The agenda for the conference should not be adopted at the ceremonial opening session, but at the first formal plenary session immediately thereafter.
    • \n
  • A Committee of the Whole should be established at all Ministerial Conferences. This Committee should be the main forum for decision-making. All meetings of the Committee of the Whole should be formal.
    • \n
  • The chairpersons including facilitators, who would conduct consultations and meetings on specific subjects at the Ministerial Conference, should be identified by consensus in the preparatory process in Geneva, through consultations among all Members. Such persons should be persons from Members that do not have a direct interest in the subject assigned for consultations.
    • \n
  • Consultations by chairperson/facilitator should be at open-ended meetings only. The chairperson/facilitator could convene meetings of proponents and opponents on the subject assigned and any other interested Member should be free to join such meetings. For this to be achieved, the schedule of each meeting shall be announced at least a few hours before the meeting.
    • \n
  • Consultations should be transparent, inclusive and all Members should be given equal opportunity to express their views. Chairpersons/facilitators should report to the Committee of the Whole periodically and in a substantive way.
    • \n

    All negotiating texts and draft decisions should be introduced only in open-ended meetings.\n

  • Late night meetings and marathon negotiating sessions should be avoided.
    • \n
  • Language of declaration should be clear and unambiguous. All drafts shall be considered and finalized in a drafting committee to be appointed for that purpose by all Members and membership of which should be open to all Members.
    • \n
  • The Secretariat and the Director-General of the WTO as well as all the chairpersons/facilitators should assume a neutral/impartial and objective role. They shall not express views explicitly or otherwise on the specific issues being discussed in the Ministerial Conference. Specific rules to conduct the work of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Ministerial Conference should be elaborated.
    • \n
  • Discussions at the Ministerial Conference on the draft ministerial declaration should focus on issues not agreed upon in the Geneva process and the various alternate texts developed at Geneva.
    • \n
  • Any new draft on specific issues should be circulated to all Members well in advance so that Members have sufficient time to consider them. To ensure transparency in the negotiating process any draft on specific issues should clearly indicate the Member(s) suggesting the draft.
    • \n
  • The duration of Ministerial Conferences should be in accordance with the schedule agreed upon in Geneva, as many delegations make their travel and accommodation arrangements accordingly. If an extension is required, it shall be formally approved through consensus.
    • \n
  • In various meetings, formal as well as informal, during the Ministerial Conference arrangements should be made for the Ministers to be accompanied by at least two officers. It is the right of any Member to designate its representative and in this connection the Heads of Delegations has the discretion to mandate his/her officials to speak on his/her behalf.
    • \n
    Venue of Ministerial Conferences
    \n

    This issue had been discussed during the Uruguay Round, when it was felt that the Conferences should be held in the WTO itself. Apart from convenience this would also result in savings in costs and efforts. Many developing countries find it prohibitively expensive to participate in the Conferences. There could be a case for having all the future Ministerial Conferences after Mexico in Geneva itself.Recognizing that Ministerial Conferences are to be held at least once every two years, and recalling paragraph 1 of Article IV of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO, it is strongly recommended that Members review the evolving tendency of holding Ministerial Conferences that are primarily focused on the launching or review of negotiations.

    \n\n

\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n" } 0 x-amz-checksum-crc32:39iODg==