Trade Negotiations Committee
REPORT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, 25 JULY 2017
1.1. Let me start with a report on my own activities and consultations.
1.2. Over the past few months, I have visited a number of Capitals where I met with a broad
range of stakeholders including leaders, government officials and the private sector. I was also
invited to attend a number of Ministerial gatherings. I will give a fuller report on these activities in
the HoDs meeting.
1.3. Throughout these exchanges, I stressed to ministers and leaders the importance of making
progress on Doha issues – including at the forthcoming Ministerial Conference. I also highlighted
the need for continued engagement at the ministerial level in order to ensure that we keep moving
forward
1.4. I have also been pursuing consultations here in Geneva.
1.5. In June I met individually with the Chairs of the Negotiating Groups on Agriculture, Rules,
Services, Development and NAMA to discuss their specific areas in greater detail. And yesterday
Minister Malcorra and I – together with the Chair of the General Council – heard from all of the
Chairs. This was a follow-up to the meeting we held on 24 April, in the same configuration. Again,
the purpose was to collectively review the overall state of play in the negotiations and assess
progress in each area.