Fifth CHINA ROUND TABLE ON WTO ACCESSIONS
siem reap, Cambodia, 20 - 22 MArch 2017

Best practices on the accession of least developed countries

The Siem Reap Statement

22 March 2017

The following communication, dated 28 March 2017, addressed to the Director-General, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of Cambodia.

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Communication from H.E. Mr. PAN Sorasak, Minister of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia, addressed to Mr. Roberto Azevêdo, WTO Director-General, on 28 March 2017

I have the honour to inform you that the Fifth China Round Table on WTO Accessions "Best Practices on the Accession of the Least-Developed Countries" was successfully held on 20‑22 March 2017 in Siem Reap, the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The discussion at the Round Table enabled participants to draw useful lessons with regard to WTO accession negotiation techniques, best practices and LDC accession results, post-accession implementation along with key opportunities and challenges, and reflection on the preparation of LDC priorities for the Eleventh Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  The Round Table also focused its discussion on the integration of LDCs into the multilateral trading system.

Participants engaged in a rich, informative and interactive exchange of accession experience throughout the Round Table.  Participants also welcomed a remarkable presentation on post-accession best practices.  Development partners including China, IMF, ITC and the WTO,  shared with Round Table participants their assistance programmes.  In response to this experience sharing, participants of the 5^th China Round Table reiterated the significance of technical assistance and capacity-building to LDCs during accession and post-accession.

Please find enclosed herewith the Siem Reap Statement "Best Practices on the Accession of Least-Developed Countries".  At the request of the Round Table participants and on behalf of the LDC Group, I would be grateful if you could circulate this Statement as a document of the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries, the General Council and the Eleventh WTO Ministerial Conference.

I commend your Secretariat Team for its excellent work in process and substance to ensure that the Siem Reap Round Table was successful.