World Trade Organization - Organisation Mondiale du Commerce
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(99)15868 7
October 1999 PREPARATIONS FOR
THE 1999 MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Ministerial
Text: First Draft
The
attached first draft of a Ministerial text is being circulated by the
Chairman on his own responsibility, in line with the indications given at
the General Council Special Session on 23 September 1999. It is
intended to help advance delegations' work towards a final agreed text,
and is without prejudice to the position of any delegation. In
preparing this draft the Chairman has taken account of the proposals that
have been submitted and the discussions based on them in the preparatory
process so far. It does not, of course, exclude any further
proposals or options which may emerge. The draft
text includes a number of options concerning specific issues whose
inclusion or place in the work programme Members have yet to decide on.
Such issues may therefore appear in more than one place in the draft at
this stage, and references to the alternative wording have been indicated
in the text. 99-4164 7 October 1999 DRAFT
MINISTERIAL TEXT 1
We, the Ministers of the [ 134] WTO Members, have met in Scattle from 30
November to 3 December 1999 for the Third Session of the Ministerial
Conference. We have welcomed the participation of Ministers from WTO
observer governments and of heads of observer international organizations
in our discussions. We are deeply grateful to the government and
people of the United States, the State of Washington and the City of
Seattle for their warm hospitality and efficient organization. OBJECTIVES
AND PRIORITIES 2. The WTO
system has proved its worth in the face of its first major challenge, the
effects of the financial disturbances of 1997-98. The fact that
markets generally remained open in the face of these difficulties and that
protectionist pressures were resisted both in the countries most directly
affected and in their principal trading partners clearly underlines the
value of a trading system based on non- discriminatory rules agreed by all
its Members. We pledge ourselves to continue to reject the use of
any protectionist measures and to maintain the effectiveness of the
rule-based multilateral trading system. 3. Here in
Seattle we are inaugurating a work programme to guide the trading system
into a new, century. The Seattle Agenda embodies our collective
commitment to advancing the trading system as a continuing force for
growth, employment and stability in an increasingly interdependent world. 4. We recall
and reaffirm the objectives set out in the Preamble to the Marrakesh
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, which include raising
living standards,, ensuring full employment, promoting sustainable
development and the protection of the environment. 5. We give
particular emphasis to the need for positive efforts designed to ensure
that developing countries, and especially the least- developed among them,
secure a share in the growth in international trade commensurate with the
needs of their economic development. More progress needs to be made
towards realizing this objective. We resolve to take all possible
measures to ensure that the development dimension receives effective
recognition as a key aspect of the Seattle Agenda. 6. We renew our
commitment to full and faithful implementation of WTO Agreements and
Decisions. We recognize that the process of implementation has given
rise to concerns among many Members about the resulting balance of
benefits and obligations. Addressing these concerns is an important
element of the Seattle Agenda, and we commit ourselves to ensure that the
work programme and its implementation are balanced and equitable. 7. Enhancing
and improving trade-related technical cooperation is also a key element in
making the development dimension a reality. We undertake to ensure
that this important aspect of the WTO's work is adequately funded,
properly targeted and carried out in full cooperation with other relevant
agencies in order to maximize its effectiveness. 8. We recognize
the continuing importance of the principle of special and differential
treatment (S&D) in favour of developing countries, and direct that it
be made more operational in the WTO work programme. Special attention
should be given to adapting S&D treatment to current economic
realities, including examining the concept of policy spaces for
development. 9. The
situation of the least-developed countries is more than ever a challenge
to the world community. Building on the work launched at our
previous Sessions, we commit ourselves to immediate action to improve
their export opportunities and assist their integration into the
multilateral trading system. 10. We also
take note of the problems and concerns facing economies in transition and
the vulnerable situation of certain small economies and instruct that
these be given due priority in the WTO work programme. 11. We renew
our understandings reached at Singapore concerning the relationship
between the multilateral trading system and regional trade agreements.
In reaffirming the primacy of the multilateral trading system we undertake
to ensure that the multilateral framework for the development of regional
trade agreements remains relevant to changing global circumstances. 12. We reaffirm
the need to ensure that trade and environmental policies remain mutually
supportive and to enhance policy co-ordination at the national and
international level in these areas. 13. In line
with our decision at Marrakesh, we shall aim to increase the contribution
of the multilateral trading system to achieving greater coherence in
global economic policy-making as part of the WTO work programme.
Cooperation between the WTO, IMF and World Bank, under their cooperation
agreements, has a special ro1e to play in this respect. We welcome
the intention of the three organizations to focus future cooperation, as a
priority, on support for developing countries, and particularly the
poorest and least-developed among them, in the new negotiations. 14. We welcome
the Members who have joined the WTO since our last Session, and reiterate
the priority we continue to attach to concluding the [... ] current
accession negotiations as speedily as possible in keeping with WTO rules
and disciplines. We are conscious of the critical importance of
fulfilling our objective of making the WTO system truly universal in scope
and coverage. The achievement of this goal will continue to be a
major challenge in the years ahead. We therefore direct that all
possible efforts be made to accelerate the process of accession, and in
particular for least developed and small economies. We are convinced
that the speedy and smooth integration of these countries will be greatly
advanced by their participation, as closely as possible, in the new
negotiations. 15. We
recognize that the multilateral trading system must work for the benefit
of all its Members and their peoples, and that it must be seen and
understood to do so. With this in mind and respecting the
intergovernmental character of the organization, we are committed to make
the WTO's operations more transparent and to improve dialogue with the
public. At the national as well as the multilateral level we shall
increase our efforts to communicate the benefits of rule-based trade
liberalization and respond to public concerns. 16. With these
objectives and commitments in mind, we inaugurate through the Seattle
Agenda a balanced work programme which includes the launch of new
negotiations as well as the other actions set out below. IMPLEMENTATION
OF EXISTING AGREEMENTS AND DECISIONS 17. As we
agreed at Geneva in May 1998, we have further pursued our evaluation of
the implementation of individual agreements and the realization of their
objectives. In so doing we have considered, inter alia, the problems
encountered in implementation and the consequent impact on the trade and
development prospects of Members. Implementation
Concerns 18. This
evaluation has revealed serious concerns among many Members, especially
developing countries, about the implementation of the results of the
Uruguay Round. These Members see progress towards liberalization
lagging in sectors of particular interest to developing countries,
significant imbalances between rights and obligations as well as in
conditions of market access, and expected benefits that have not been
realized. 19. Concerns
that have been expressed cover a wide range of WTO Agreements and
Decisions. Particular areas of concern include textiles and
clothing, anti-dumping, subsidies, technical barriers, customs valuation,
sanitary and phytosanitary measures, intellectual property rights,
trade-related investment measures, agriculture and services. A
general point has been the inadequate implementation of special and
differential treatment. provisions in the various agreements and
decisions.
[...] 20.
The integration process of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing is now
at the mid-point. We recognize the importance of textiles and
clothing trade for the economies of many developing exporting countries,
and we note the concerns, as expressed by a number of them, with the
progress achieved thus far in the implementation process. We further
recognize the importance for all Members, as part of the integration
process, to take such actions as may be necessary to abide by GATT 1994
rules and disciplines so as to achieve improved market access for textiles
and clothing products. Accordingly, we renew our commitment to the full
and faithful implementation of all provisions of the Agreement on
Textiles and Clothing to ensure that its objective are fully attained. Immediate
Action 21 We are
determined to ensure a full and effective response to problems related to
implementation. In this regard, together with the other measures we
are taking to respond to such concerns, we are also taking the following
decisions with immediate effect: [...] Implementation
Review Mechanism 22. We also
decide to establish an improved mechanism to examine and address
implementation-related concerns. To this end we direct that: . The
General Council, meeting at heads of delegation level, shall conduct a
full and comprehensive review of issues and problems identified by Members
relating to the implementation of existing WTO Agreements and Decisions. . The General
Council shall complete its review and shall take or propose appropriate
actions within one year of the date of this Declaration. Technical
Cooperation 23. We further
instruct the WTO Secretariat, in cooperation with other relevant
international organizations and regional institutions as appropriate, to
reinforce technical assistance to developing, least- developed and
transition-economy Members in overcoming major obstacles in their process
of implementation of existing WTO commitments. This approach shall
be adapted to the specific needs of the national implementing authorities
and shall aim at facilitating the full, effective and timely
implementation of existing agreements and decisions. It shall
include steps to help ensure that all Members are able to participate
effectively in the dispute settlement system. We undertake to make
available the necessary resources for this effort, both directly and
through programmes in cooperation with other international institutions,
as set out in paragraphs 61-63 below. 24.
Furthermore, we resolve that in the multilateral negotiations we are
inaugurating here, development objectives will be given a priority in
keeping with our commitment to ensuring that the benefits of the
multilateral trading system are extended as widely as possible. NEW
NEGOTIATING ROUND 25. Recalling
our commitment at Marrakesh to renew negotiations in agriculture and
services, and wishing to further pursue the progressive liberalization of
trade in goods and services through a balanced and broad-based negotiating
agenda, we decide to launch multilateral negotiations as set out below
with effect from 1 January 2000. The negotiations shall be concluded
within three years, and shall be based on the following principles: Principles
Governing the Negotiations . Single
undertaking: the launch, conduct and conclusion of the negotiation.,;
shall be treated as parts of a single undertaking. The results of the
negotiations shall be adopted in their entirety and apply to all WTO
Members. Agreements reached at an early stage may be implemented on
a provisional basis by agreement prior to the formal conclusion of the
negotiations. Such early agreements, if confirmed in the final
process, shall be taken into account in assessing the overall balance of
the negotiations. .
Transparency in negotiations: the negotiations shall be conducted in a
transparent manner among participants, in order to facilitate their
effective participation. . Balance
and equity: negotiations shall be conducted with a view to ensuring mutual
advantage and increased benefits to all participants and achieving an
overall balance and equity in the outcome of the negotiations. .
Development objectives: trade liberalization and further rule making
should be pursued in line with the objectives of promoting development and
poverty alleviation and of enabling developing countries, least-developed
countries and economies in transition to reap the full benefits of the
multilateral trading system. * Special
and differential treatment for developing and least- developed countries
shall be an integral part of the negotiations and embodied in effective
provisions in the agreements to be concluded. *
[Standstill: commencing immediately and continuing until the formal
conclusion of the negotiations, each participant shall apply the following
commitments: (i) not to take
any trade restrictive or distorting measures inconsistent with the
provisions of the WTO Agreements; (ii) not
to take any trade restrictive or distorting measure in the legitimate
exercise of its WTO rights, that would go beyond that which is necessary
to remedy specific situations, as provided for in the WTO Agreements; and (iii) not to
take any trade measures in such a manner as to improve its negotiating
position. The standstill
commitment shall be subject to multilateral surveillance through a
mechanism to be decided upon by the [Trade Negotiations Committee]
[General Council].] Structure,
Organization and Participation 26. Consistent
with the overall principles set out above, the structure and organization
of, and participation in, the negotiations shall be as follows: . Overall
supervisory body: under the authority of the Ministerial Conference [a
Trade Negotiations Committee is established to oversee the conduct of the
negotiations] [the General Council shall oversee the conduct of the
negotiations]. . Negotiating
bodies: [[the following negotiating bodies are hereby established under
the direction and supervision of the Trade Negotiations Committee, with
effect from 1 January 2000: [list].] [The Trade Negotiations Committee
shall establish negotiating bodies as required,to undertake negotiations
in specific areas under its direction and supervision.]] -[The General
Council shall direct appropriate WTO bodies to undertake negotiations in
specific areas under its direction and supervision.] These bodies shall
keep the [Trade Negotiations Committee] [General Council] fully informed
of their progress. . Schedule of
work and individual negotiating plans: each body shall elaborate, its own
schedule of work and individual negotiating plan subject to any guidelines
or direction to it from the [Trade Negotiations Committee] [General
Council]. Such schedules and negotiations plans shall be submitted
to the [Trade Negotiations Committee] [General Council] for approval. They
shall include appropriate benchmarks to ensure timely progress.in the
negotiations. As a general requirement initial negotiating proposals
shall be submitted before 31 July 2000. . [Advisory
role for Committee on Trade and Development and Committee on Trade and
Environment:] [within their respective mandates, the Committee on Trade
and Development and the Committee on Trade and Environment will be
responsible for reviewing the progress of the negotiations as a whole in
order that the objective of sustainable development is appropriately
reflected throughout the relevant negotiating bodies and with a view to
enhancing the synergies between trade liberalization, economic development
and environmental protection. These Committees will keep the [Trade
Negotiations Committee] [General Council] regularly informed of their
progress. The [Trade Negotiations Committee] [General Council] may
provide direction to the different negotiating bodies ill the light of
this information. We note.,the intentions of some Members at a national
level to review the potential environmental effects of the negotiations as
an important means of identifying trade and environmental linkages.] . Provisions to
facilitate participation by developing, least- (developed and transition
economies: within available resources, both financial and human,
appropriate technical assistance will be provided to developing countries,
least developed countries and economies in transition to improve their
capacity to participate effectively in the negotiations. In the
conduct of the negotiations every effort will be made to minimize the
burden on delegations, especially those with more limited resources. . Mid-term
review: the Fourth Session of the Ministerial Conference will take stock
of progress in the negotiations, provide any necessary political guidance,
and take any decisions as necessary. .
Implementation of results: when the results of the negotiations in all
areas have been established, a Special Session of the Ministerial
Conference will be held to take decisions regarding the adoption and
implementation of those results. . Participation
in the negotiations: Negotiations shall be open to: (i) all Members
of the WTO; (ii) States and separate customs territories that have already
informed Members, at a regular meeting of the General Council, of their
intention to negotiate the terms of their membership and for whom an
accession working party has been established. Decisions on
the outcomes of the negotiations shall, however, be taken only by WTO
Members. Subjects
for Negotiation Agriculture 27. [The
negotiations for continuing the process of reform of trade in agriculture
and to realise further progress in establishing a fair and
market-orientated agricultural trading system shall be directed to
achieving agreement on a reform programme, comprising further substantial
progressive reductions in support and protection resulting in fundamental
reform and improvements as appropriate in the rules and disciplines,
taking into account all of the objectives and concerns in Article 20 and
the Preamble to the Agreement on Agriculture, as well as the general
objectives and principles governing the Negotiations as a whole. 28. Special and
differential treatment for developing countries shall constitute an
integral part of these negotiations and of the further specific binding
commitments to be negotiated in the areas of market access, export
subsidies and domestic support. 29. Proposals
by participants on the following elements of the further reform programme,
including as appropriate proposals relating to modalities for giving
effect to the above objectives, shall be submitted by [ ... 2000]: (i) further
substantial reductions in tariffs on all agricultural products, including
in respect of in-quota tariffs, tariff peaks, tariff escalation and
reductions resulting in zero tariffs commitments; (ii) the
expansion of tariff quota quantities; (iii)
additional commitments to significantly improve conditions of market
access for specific products of export interest to developing- country
participants; (iv) further
substantial reductions in export subsidies, including commitments
resulting in the elimination of such subsidies; (v) further
substantial reductions in trade distorting domestic support; (vi)
improvements in the rules and disciplines as appropriate, including with
respect to: - tariff quota administration; - the operation
and scope of the special safeguard provisions; - export
competition anti-circumvention provisions; - export
prohibitions, restrictions and taxes; - non-trade
concerns, including food securitv, the protection of the environment and
other objectives in the context of the provisions of Annex 2.. - special and
differential treatment for developing countries, including net
food-importing developing countries. (vil) and on
any other issues relevant to the consolidation and extension of a fair and
market-oriented agricultural trading system and the further integration of
trade in agriculture within WTO rules and disciplines. 30. Based on
the modalities to be worked out by ... 200-] at the latest, participants
shall submit their comprehensive offer lists no later than 200-] with the
aim of concluding the negotiations on the further reform programme,
including agreement on improvements to the rules and disciplines, by
2002].] Services 31. [Pursuant
to the objectives of the GATS and as required by Article XIX, negotiations
shall aim to achieve higher levels of liberalisation of trade in services
through the expansion of the sectoral coverage of commitments in Members'
schedules and the reduction or elimination of existing limitations.
To this end: (a) The
negotiations shall be conducted in full accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3
of Article IV (Increasing Participation of Developing Countries) and
paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of Article XIX (Negotiation of Specific
Commitments). (b)
Liberalization may be achieved through bilateral, plurilateral or
multilateral approaches which could be applied horizontally or oil a
sectoral basis. (c) In order to
promote the interests of all participants on a mutually advantageous basis
and to secure a balance of rights and obligations, the negotiations may
extend to all matters relevant to the GATS. No service sector or
mode of supply shall be excluded. Special attention shall be given
to sectors and modes of supply of interest to developing countries. (d) Exemption,,
from Article 11 (MFN) shall also be subject to negotiations as foreseen in
paragraph 6 of the Annex on Article II Exemptions. (e) In order to
facilitate the consolidation of,new commitments in Members' schedules at
the end of the negotiations, participants shall aim to conclude the work
undertaken by the Committee on Specific commitments on issues relating to
the classification of services and the scheduling of commitments no later
than [.....2000] (f)
Negotiations shall take account of the results of the reviews to be
conducted by the Council for Trade in Services pursuant to paragraphs 3
and 4 of the Annex on Article II Exemptions, paragraph 5 of the Annex on
Air Transport Services, and paragraph 7 of the Report of the Group on
Basic Telecommunications. (g)
Participants shall submit initial proposals on specific commitments by
[.....2000]. 32. With a view
to strengthening the disciplines of the GATS as a means of giving effect
to Members' rights and obligations, the Working Party on Domestic
Regulation and the Working Party on GATS Rules shall conclude their Work
on the development of any new disciplines in. their respective areas no
later than [... 2001]. However, negotiations under Article X of the
GATS shall be concluded in accordance with the Decision on Negotiations
Emergency Safeguards Measures adopted by the Council for Trade in Services
on 24 June 1999. In pursuing the objective of securing effective
market access, negotiations shall consider the strengthening of existing
pro-competitive disciplines of the GATS, whether generally applicable or
on a sectoral basis. In order to improve the legal consistency and
clarity of the text of the Agreement, the negotiations shall also review
existing provisions of the GATS as requested by interested participants. 33. In the
conduct of negotiations, account shall be taken of any autonomous
liberalization undertaken by other Members since the conclusion of the
Uruguay Round. Members who have liberalised and wish to seek
recognition shall notify the body directed to conduct the negotiations of
measures they have taken in this regard. Such liberalization shall
be assessed by negotiating partners on a case-by- case basis with due
regard to whether it has been bound in the schedule of specific
commitments of the Member concerned. Particular account shall be
taken of the serious difficultv of least-developed countries in accepting
negotiated commitments in view of their special economic situation and
their development, trade and financial needs.] [Market
Access Negotiations on Non-Agricultural Products] 34. [Market
access negotiations shall be comprehensive and cover all non-agricultural
products. They shall aim at reducing tariffs with the objective of
achieving substantial improvement in access to markets. Negotiations shall
also aim at the substantial reduction or elimination of tariff peaks and
tariff escalation, and at increasing transparency and predicability
through expanded tariff bindings. The interests of developing and
least-developed country participants shall be taken into account, and
special attention given to products of their export interest.] 35. [Modalities
shall be considered to accord [credit] [recognition] for autonomous
liberalization measures. The negotiations shall also address
non-tariff measures affecting access to markets. Modalities for the
conduct of the negotiations may encompass one or a combination of methods.
These modalities shall not exclude the possibility of deeper reductions or
tariff elimination for specific products or product groupings (zero for
zero) to be undertaken by interested participants.] 36. [Other WTO
Rules] . [Contingent
trade remedies]: [the existing rules shall be examined on the basis of
proposals by participants with a view to improving, clarifying and
facilitating their implementation, and to ensuring that they operate so as
to support trade liberalization and economic development.] . [Subsidies]:
[participants shall review the existing rules on the basis of proposals by
participants, taking into account, inter alia, the important role that
subsidies may play in the economic development of developing countries,
and the effects of subsidization on trade. [Participants shall consider
the possible need for supplemental disciplines in the area of fishery
subsidies.] Participants shall also seek to resolve any issues identified
during mandated reviews of certain provisions and not resolved in the
course of those reviews. Further, 'participants shall examine ways
in which the burden of subsidy notification obligations could be lightened
without sacrificing transparency.] . [State
trading]: [participants shall examine whether Article XVII of GATT 1994
and the Understanding on its interpretation require further elaboration.] . [Regional
trade agreements]: [participants shall clarify WTO rules and procedures
with the aim of ensuring a coherent and predictable relationship between
such agreements and the multilateral trading system,] [Investment]
(See alternative in paragraph 4 7) 37.
[Negotations shall aim to establish an agreed multilateral framework of
rules on foreign direct investment, to further the objectives of the WTO
and to complement its rules, that will enhance the contribution of
international trade and investment to economic growth and development, and
help create a stable and predictable climate for the treatment of foreign
direct investment world-wide.] [Competition]
(See alternative in paragraph 48) 38.
[Negotiations shall aim to develop a multilateral framework in order to
enhance the contribution of competition law and policy to nternational
trade and development, including by strengthening the capacity of all
participants to address anti-competitive business practices distorting or
impeding international trade and investent, and in order better to ensure
that the benefits of trade and investment liberalization are realized and
shared by all citizens.]
[Transparency
in Government Procurement] (See alternatives in paragraph 49 and 65) 39. [Building
on the work of the Working Group on Transparency in Government Procurement
[and on the elements for inclusion in an appropriate agreement contained
in the report of the Working Group], negotiations shall take place to
conclude an agreement on transparency in government procurement of goods
and services for adoption at the Fourth Session of the Ministerial
Conference. [At that meeting, provision shall be made for the initiation
of work on a multilatera basis on obstacles to market access arising from
government procurement regimes.]] Trade
Facilitation] (See alternative in paragraph 50) 40.
[Negotiations shall aim at establishing [a framework ofi disciplines
[and/or] guidelines on the administration of trade procedures, thereby
addressing all issues connected with formalities for importation and
exportation. In order to expedite passage and release of goods upon
importation, [and with a view to enabling small and medium-size
enterprises and traders from developin countries to participate to a
greater extent in international trade,] negotiations shall aim to reduce,
simplify, and [as appropriate] harmonize documentation requirements,
rationalize border-crossing procedures, and provide maximum transparency
regarding all official import and export requirements. In this
context, specific measures for the implementation of Articles VIII and X
of the GATT 1994 shall be explored.] 41. [The
negotiations shall take into account the implementation capacities of
developing countries and shall address in this context the issues of
technical assistance and capacity-building [with a view to developing a
cooperative approach in this respect among Members and with other
international organizations]. As appropriate and taking into
consideration the mandated review processes, the negotiations shall
simplify and complement [procedural provisions contained in] existing WTO
Agreements, and draw upon the relevant work undertaken in other
international organizations with a view to avoiding duplication.] OTHER
ELEMENTS OF WORK PROGRAMME 42. We note
that a large share f the WTO's work programme stems from the reviews and
other work already provided for under the existing agreements and
decisions. We reaffirm our commitment to completing this mandated
work in a full and timely manner. In carrying out this work, any
follow-up activity, and other continuing work under existing agreements
and decisions, Members shall seek to resolve the problems which have been
identified in the course of implementation, 43.
We further agree as follows concerning specific areas: [Trade-Related
Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights] 44. [The
Council for TRIPS shall: . complete the
negotiations on the establishment of a multilateral system of notification
and registration provided for in Article 23.4 of the TRIPS Agreement and
take appropriate recommendations concerning the product coverage of this
system as well as in regard to possible expansion of the product coverage
of Article 23 as a whole; . pursue the
review of Article 27.3(b) with a view to clarifying its provisions where
necessary, and considering any international action necessary to ensure a
mutually supportive relation between the TRIPS Agreement and instruments
for the preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Tile scope
for the protection of traditional knowledge, in particular of indigenous
peoples, and expressions of folklore shall be examined; . in
undertaking the review of the implementation of the Agreement provided for
in its Article 71.1, examine, on the basis of proposals by Members, the
extent to which the Agreement responds fully to its objectives and
principles contained in its Articles 7 and 8 as well as to technological
and other developments.] 45. [The
Council for TRIPS shall report on the above work and make recommendations
as appropriate to the Fourth Session.] [Trade-Related
Investment Measures] 46. [Having
regard to Article 9 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures,
Members shall complete the review of the Agreement and, as appropriate,
negotiate amendments to its text. Particular attention shall be
given to issues that have been raised by developing and least developed
country Members concerning their experience with the implementation of
this Agreement.] [Investment]
(See alternative in paragraph 3 7) 47. [The
Working Group on the Relationship between Trade and Investment shall
pursue its present mandate and shall report to Ministers on the
results of its work to the Fourth Session of the Ministerial Conference.] [Competition]
(See alternative in paragraph 38) 48. [The
Working Group on the Interaction between Trade and Competition Policy
shall continue its work under the mandate established at the First Session
of the Ministerial Conference [and make a final report to the Fourth
Session of the Ministerial Conference].] [Transparency
in Government Procurement] (See alternatives its paragraphs 39 and 65) 49. [The
Working Group on Transparency in Government Procurement shall continue its
work under the mandate established at the First Session of the.Ministerial
Conference[, and make a final report, including elements for
inclusion in an appropriate agreement, to the Fourth Session of the
Ministerial Conference].] [Trade
Facilitation] (See alternative in paragraph 40) 50. [In
continuation of the exploratory and analytical work mandated in Singapore,
Members shall work towards the establishment of [a framework of
disciplines [and/or] guidelines on the administration of trade procedures,
thereby addressing all issues connected with formalities for importation
and exportation. In this context, Members shall address on a priority
basis technical assistance and capacity-building for the benefit of
developing countries. [Rules
of Origin] 51. [We note
that the Harmonization Work Programme for non- preferential rules of
origin, as set out in Part IV of the Agreement on Rules of Origin, was not
completed as required within three years of its initiation, i.e. by 20
July 1998. We note also that Members have agreed to make best
endeavours to complete the work by November 1999. We agree that every
effort shall be made by the Committee to complete the harmonization work
programme as soon as possible[, and in any case not later than [date]].] [Balance-of-Payments] 52. [The
Balance-of-Payments Committee shall examine all issues arising from the
provisions of Article XVIII:B of GATT 1994 and the related Understanding,
read along with Article XV of GATT 1994, on the basis of proposals
submitted by Members. The Committee shall report to the General
Council on the results of this examination by [date].] [Coherence] 53. [Recalling
the Marrakesh Declaration on Coherence, we invite the Director-General to
pursue with the Managing Director of the IMF and the President of the
World Bank further cooperation between their three organizations so as to
contribute, in particular, to: (i) Enabling
developing countries, and particularly the poorest countries, to integrate
more fully into the multilateral trading system and participate more
effectively in the WTO, including in the new trade negotiations, by
providing them with assistance in support of their trade policy
formulation and their trade-related human and institutional
capacity-building. (ii) Making
trade, and participation in the trading system, more effective tools for
economic and social development and for poverty alleviation. In
particular, we encourage the Director-General to review and develop with
the President of the World Bank, in the light of the Comprehensive
Development Framework, opportunities for generating greater synergy
between assistance provided to developing countries by the WTO for
implementation of WTO Agreements, including such new commitments as may be
agreed on in the new trade negotiations, and assistance provided by the
World Bank and other organizations to help developing countries build
trade-related capacity as an integral part of their development process. (iii) Assisting
countries to handle effectively such transitory economic and social
adjustment costs as they may encounter in advancing their trade and
structural policy reforms, through financial and policy support and
through technical assistance. (iv) A better
understanding of, and more transparency in support of, trade policy reform
and trade liberalisation at the national level, its interaction with
governments' financial, macroeconomic, structural and development
policies, and its contribution to the better functioning of the world
economy.] 54. [We decide
to establish a WTO Working Group on Coherence in Global Economic
Policy-making, under the authority of the General Council, to examine, on
the basis of proposals by Members and by the Director-General, on matters
of systemic importance to the proper functioning of the trading system
arising out of the interface between trade, finance, and development
policies. We invite representatives of the IMF and the World Bank
[and other relevant international organizations] to participate in the
work of the Working Group.] [Electronic
Commerce] [....] [DSU
Review] [...] 55. We further
agree to initiate work programmes in the following areas: [Fisheries
Subsidies] 56. [We agree
to establish a Working Group in the area of fisheries subsidies. The
Group shall examine such subsidies, in order to identify any subsidies
which may have adverse effects on trade, environment and sustainable
development, as well as any subsidies which may have positive effects in
these areas. The work of the Group shall proceed in two phases.
The Group shall complete its identification and examination phase by the
Fourth Session of the Ministerial Conference, drawing on relevant work
under way within [intergovemmental][multilaterall bodies, including the
FAO. The Group shall complete its work by developing and elaborating
WTO commitments and disciplines with respect to fisheries subsidies.] [Work
Programme on Trade and Finance] 57. [We decide
to establish a Working Group to examine the relationship between the
multilateral trading system and current global financial and monetary
systems. The Working Group shall, inter alia, examine whether any
reforms are necessary to: (i) safeguard the multilateral trading system
from external financial and moneta-y disruptions; (ii) provide certainty
and predictability to the continuous expansion of trade; and (iii) ensure
that Members genuinely benefit from further liberalization efforts.] [Working
Group on Transfer of Technology) 58.
[Recognizing the importance of technology in economic development and the
technology gap between developed and developing countries, we decide to
establish a Working Group on Transfer of Technology to study the
implications of existing WTO Agreements for the transfer of technology on
a commercial basis, and the ways of enhancing such transfer, particularly
to developing countries.] [Working
Group on Trade and Debt] 59. [We decide
to establish a Working Group to examine the relationship between trade and
the external debt of developing countries with a view to determining the
appropriate contribution of the multilateral trading system to the
resolution of debt problems.] [...] IMMEDIATE
DECISIONS AT SEATTLE Action in
Favour of Least-Developed Countries 60. In order to
promote the fuller integration of the least-developed countries into the
multilateral trading system, we agree to: (a) extend
bound, duty-free, quota-free market access for all products originating in
least developed countries; (b) the full
and effective implementation of the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related
Technical Assistance. We instruct the WTO Secretariat to pursue all
efforts to this end in cooperation with the other intergovernmental
agencies, bilateral donors and beneficiary governments concerned; (c) consider
the extension of transition periods for least-developed countries, on the
basis of individual requests within the framework of a specific national
programme for the implementation of WTO Agreements; (d) establish a
new Committee on Least-Developed Countries. The new Committee shall
have as its terms of reference the current terms of reference of the
Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries, and make recommendations for
the expansion of the terms of reference as appropriate to the General
Council. The Committee shall report to the General Council and keep
the Committee on Trade and Development informed of its activities. Technical
Cooperation 61. Taking
account of the growing need for technical cooperation and the commitments
we have made above, notably in paragraphs 23, 26 and 60, we decide that
this activity shall in principle be financed through the regular WTO
budget. Voluntary extra-budgetary contributions may continue to be a
source of additional funding. 62. We further
agree that, to this end, the provision for the current annual estimated
demand, i.e., CHF 10 million, shall be phased in over a period of three
years, starting from the 2000 budget exercise. In this connection,
we request the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration to prepare
the appropriate recommendations for decision by the General Council. 63. [We
instruct the WTO Secretariat and the Committee on Trade and Development to
undertake an evaluation of WTO technical cooperation by no later than July
2000. This evaluation shall form the basis for a new plan of action
to be developed by the WTO in cooperation with other international and
regional organizations, designed to achieve a more coherent approach and
to enhance the scope of technical cooperation, to be completed by the end
of 2000.1 [Electronic
Commerce] 64. [We agree
to extend the declaration on global electronic commerce adopted on 20 May
1998 regarding the continuation of the current practice of not imposing
customs duties on electronic transmissions.] [DSU
Review] [...] [Transparency
in Government Procurement] (See alternatives in paragraphs 39 and 49) 65. [We adopt
the Agreement on Transparency in Government Procurement attached to this
Declaration.] IWTO
Transparency] 66.
[Recognizing the benefits of increased transparency in order to increase
public and private understanding of the WTO, we agree to continue our
efforts to improve the transparency o f WTO operations by implementing
more regular outreach initiatives [such as symposia and workshops].
We also agree that the current efforts to promote wider availability of
WTO documentation to the public be further pursued as a priority.] [ATL] [...] [ITA] [....] |
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