Update on WTO, 29 Jul 05

The Trade Negotiations Committee met yesterday (28 July) from 10 am to 8.30pm. Dr Supachai gave a report, saying as expected that there were noresults, but the situation was not disastrous. Reports of the state of thenegotiations were given by the chairpersons of negotiations on agriculture,NAMA, special and differential treatment, trade facilitation, services, etc.

Many countries made statements, including Brazil for the G20, Indonesia forthe G33, the Africa Group, the LDC Group, the ACP Group, India, the EU,US and Japan.

Most of them expressed disappointment that there were no concrete resultsto show in July. They then said efforts must be made from Septemberonwards to get a result for Hongkong.

At an infromal session, the chair of the General Council announced shewould propose the new New Zealand ambassador to replace Tim Groseras the new chair of the agriculture negotiations.

The General Council resumes its meeting today (Friday). The statementsalready made at the TNC meeting will be put on record at the General Councilmeeting, so they will not be made again.

The 'highlight' expected at the Friday meeting is an appearance and speechby Pascal Lamy, the new DG, and a farewell speech (probably) by DrSupachai, the existing DG.

Some Ministers had come to Geneva (eg Peter Mandelson of EU, Kamal Nathof India) but it is now unlikely they will have a meeting, especially sincethe Brazil Minister, Celso Amorim, decided he would not come as therewere no results.