COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ENVIRONMENT IN SPECIAL SESSION (CTESS)

REPORT BY THE CHAIRPERSON, Ambassador Syed Tauqir Shah

1.  At the General Council meeting of 8 October 2015, a consensus was reached on my nomination as Chairperson of the CTESS to succeed Ambassador Wiboonlasana Ruamraksa who relinquished her post in September. A formal meeting of the CTESS held on 9 November 2015 confirmed this appointment as Chairman of the CTESS. I would like to use this opportunity to recognize the dedication shown by Ambassador Ruamraksa in leading the CTESS since 2014 and to thank all delegations for the confidence they have placed in me. I look forward to working with all of them to help fulfil the objectives set for these negotiations.

2.  Since the last formal TNC meeting in July, I held a series of bilateral consultations reaching out to all delegations and on 9 November 2015, I held an informal open-ended meeting of the CTESS to hear delegations' views on how the CTESS could contribute to MC10.

3.  Even though delegations' attention continues to be on the core issues of the DDA negotiations at the moment, their willingness to contribute positively to the work on trade and environment came across clearly, with many reiterating that 2015 was crucial for the environment.

4.  While delegations showed interest to remain engaged in trade and environment discussions, there was a general consensus that there was not sufficient time before MC10 for an outcome under DDA Paragraph 31.

5.  At this juncture, I would like to encourage delegations, in their final efforts to reach an outcome in Nairobi, to keep in mind the great environmental challenges that are ahead of us and the important contribution the international trade community can make in alleviating them. I stand ready to play my part in the work of the CTESS and to assist delegations in any way I can.

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