REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT

IN DEDICATED SESSION TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL

1  introduction

1.1.  In paragraph 35 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, Members agreed to a work programme with the objective of framing responses to the trade-related issues identified for the fuller integration of small, vulnerable economies (SVEs) into the multilateral trading system. Members were instructed not to create a sub-category of WTO Members and to report to the General Council which, in turn, was to review the work programme and make recommendations for action. Since then, Members have issued six such reports: WT/COMTD/SE/1, WT/COMTD/SE/4, WT/COMTD/SE/6, WT/COMTD/SE/7, WT/COMTD/SE/8 and WT/COMTD/SE/9 in July 2003, November 2005, October 2009, October 2011, November 2013 and November 2015, respectively.

1.2.  In the framework and procedures for the conduct of the Work Programme on Small Economies, the General Council agreed that the Work Programme would be a standing item on its agenda and that the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) would report regularly to the General Council on the progress of work in the Dedicated Sessions. Since the Ninth Ministerial Conference (MC9), progress reports have been made by the CTD Chairpersons at each General Council meeting.