CHAIRS FOR DOHA NEGOTIATIONS ON AGENDA FOR 13 FEBRUARY
Among other issues to be addressed at the 13 February meeting of the WTO General Council (GC), Members are expected to discuss — and possibly agree on — Chairpersons to head up not only the regular committees of the WTO but also the new negotiating groups set up last week at the 1 February meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (see BRIDGES Weekly, 5 February 2002). Current GC Chair Stuart Harbinson (Hong Kong-China) has been conducting consultations on the Chair positions over the past few weeks. WTO Members traditionally strive for geographical balance in the appointment of these political posts, most of which are derived from Geneva-based ambassadors.
Other items on the agenda include: Iran - request for accession; appointment of the next Director-General - follow-up to the Decision of 22 July 1999 (WT/L/308, WT/L/438) - statement by the Chairman; Review of Procedures for the Circulation and Derestriction of WTO Documents - Report on Consultations; Reports of the Special Sessions of the Committee on Agriculture and the Council for Trade in Services; Work Programme on Small Economies - Discussion on Modalities and Institutional Arrangements; WTO Work Programme for Least-Developed Countries - Report by the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Least- Developed Countries; Election of Chairperson.
ICTSD Internal Files.