26th September

Reactions to the Draft

27th October

Comments

Alternative Formulations Proposed

34. We recognize that the further integration of the least-developed countries (LDCs) into the trading system requires combined and inter-related action at three levels namely, market access, trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building, and LDCs' domestic policy reforms. We agree that the WTO should take into account, in designing its work programme for LDCs, the trade-related elements of the Brussels Declaration and Programme of Action consistent with the WTO's mandate adopted at the Third United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries in May 2001. We acknowledge the value of and endorse the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least-Developed Countries (IF) as a viable model for LDCs' trade development. We appeal to development partners to increase contributions to the IF Trust Fund. We urge the core agencies, in coordination with development partners, to explore the enhancement of the IF and the extension of the model. We request the Director-General, following coordination with all the core agencies, to report to Ministers at the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference.

By Developed Countries: strengthening of market access initiatives and accession of LDCs

By Developing Countries: reference to Zanzibar: bound market access, with flexible Rules of Origin; standstill to contingency protection measures on market access; bound S&D; increased technical assistance through regular budget; technical and financial support prior to new SPS/TBT measures; withdraw quantitative restrictions on all textile and clothing from 1 Jan 2002; not expect reciprocity and provide flexibility to implement obligations; fast track accession consistent with development needs and levels.

35. We acknowledge the seriousness of the concerns expressed by the least-developed countries (LDCs) in the Zanzibar Declaration adopted by their Ministers in July 2001. We recognise that the integration of the LDCs into the trading system requires combined and inter-related action at three levels, namely: market access, trade-related technical assistance and capacity building, and supporting domestic measures to mainstream trade priority areas of action into plans for economic development and strategies for poverty reduction. We agree that the meaningful integration of LDCs into the trading system and the global economy will involve efforts by all WTO Members. We commit ourselves to the objective of duty-free, quota-free market access for products originating from LDCs. In this regard, we welcome the significant market access improvements by WTO Members in advance of the Third UN Conference on LDCs (LDC-III), in Brussels, May 2001. We further commit ourselves to consider additional measures for progressive improvements in market access for LDCs. Accession of LDCs remains a priority for the Membership. We agree to work to accelerate negotiations with acceding LDCs. We instruct the Secretariat to reflect the priority we attach to LDCs' accessions in the annual plans for technical assistance. We agree that the WTO should take into account, in designing its work programme for LDCs, the trade-related elements of the Brussels Declaration and Programme of Action, consistent with the WTO's mandate, adopted at LDC-III. We instruct the Sub-Committee for Least-Developed Countries to design such a work programme and to report on the agreed work programme to the General Council at its first meeting in 2002.

36. We endorse the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least-Developed Countries (IF) as a viable model for LDCs' trade development. We urge development partners to significantly increase contributions to the IF Trust Fund and WTO extra-budgetary trust funds in favour of LDCs. We urge the core agencies, in co-ordination with development partners, to explore the enhancement of the IF and the extension of the model to all LDCs, following the review of the IF and the appraisal of the ongoing Pilot Scheme in selected LDCs. We request the Director-General, following co-ordination with heads of the other agencies, to provide an interim report to the General Council in December 2002 and a full report to the Fifth Session of the Ministerial Conference on all issues affecting LDCs.

There is nothing of firm significant additional benefit being offered to LDCs. The priority issues of interest to LDCs, as called for in the Zanzibar declaration, have not been incorporated adequately. Therefore, an alternative text is proposedin the next column.

35. We acknowledge the serious concerns regarding the marginalisation of the least-developed countries (LDCs) in the global trading system and take note of the outcomes of the Zanzibar Declaration and the Third United Nations Conference on LDCs. We stress that the full and meaningful integration of the LDCs into the trading system and the global economy will require urgent and combined action by all WTO Members. Therefore we agree to: provide bound duty-free, quota-free market access for all products originating in LDCs, together with addressing onerous Rules of Origin requirements and relevant non-tariff barriers which impede LDC exports; accelerate accession of LDCs by the fifth Ministerial recognising that concessions and commitments made by LDCs should be consistent with their development needs, resources and institutional capacity and we instruct the Secretariat to reflect the priority we attach to LDCs accessions in the annual plans for technical assistance; not call on LDCs to assume obligations or commitments which go beyond what is applicable to LDC members and in this regard we reaffirm the Decision on Measures in Favour of LDCs; bind and fully implement all existing special and differential provisions in favour of LDCs and bind new provisions; enhance and increase technical assistance, including through the Integrated Framework (IF), in addressing supply-side constraints, under a regular budget; not expect reciprocity by LDCs for commitments made by developed countries and developed country Members should not seek, neither shall LDCs be required to make, concessions which are inconsistent with the latter’s development needs and provide sufficient flexibility to LDCs in the implementation of their obligations in light of their limited capacity; and we instruct the Sub-Committee for LDCs to design a work programme in consultation with committee Members, particularly with input from the LDCs, and to report on the agreed work programme to the General Council at its first meeting in 2002.