Roberto Azevêdo

                Director-General                                     

15 November 2018

Dear Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives,

I am enclosing the latest version of the Evolving Table on Cotton Development Assistance (WT/CFMC/6/Rev.25) for review by Members in advance of the next Round of the Director‑General's Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton (DGCFMC). 

This updated version of the Evolving Table (ET) contains new contributions from Brazil, Canada, the EU, Germany, India, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States, as well as from the CFC, FAO, ITC, UNCTAD and the World Bank. Also of particular significance is the support and contributions from Brazil, China, India and Pakistan on the platform of South-South Co‑operation.

I am pleased to report that the figures in this latest version of the ET show that project turnover has continued, thus ensuring a steady level of cotton-specific development assistance. The total number and value of projects listed in Part I ("Cotton Specific Development Assistance") has increased to 29. As regards Part II ("Agriculture and Infrastructure-Related Development Assistance"), the total number of projects has risen to 55 with an increase in disbursed amounts.

The following can be highlighted with regards to project commitments and disbursements in this latest version of the ET: 

·                Part I on Active Cotton-Specific Development Assistance Projects shows an increase in the number of  projects (from 26 to 29 in total), and stability in the number of African and other beneficiaries (32 in total). The total value of committed amounts has increased and now totals US$238.2 million, with disbursements increasing to 106.1 million. The ratio of total disbursements to total commitments stands at 44.5%.

·                Part II on Active Agriculture and Infrastructure-Related Development Assistance Projects also registers an increase in the total number of projects (from 48 to 55 in total). The total value of committed amounts  increased to US$3.56 billion, with disbursements increasing to US$1.19 billion. These increases are due to (i) the inclusion of new projects and (ii) the adjustment of committed amounts and disbursements for some projects. This upward revision is a sign of transparency and effective monitoring. 

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Updates to Part III of the Evolving Table, which contains the coordinates of national cotton sector focal points established by assistance beneficiaries, have been received from Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Mozambique. I strongly encourage other beneficiaries to share updates under Part III.

I am also attaching the 17^th version of the Table on Domestic Cotton Sector Reforms (WT/CFMC/21/Rev.16), reflecting new contributions from Burkina Faso. 

The 30^th Round of the DGCFMC will be held on 29 November 2018. The tenth Dedicated Discussion of the Relevant Trade-related Developments on Cotton, chaired by Ambassador John Deep Ford, will take place the day before, on 28 November 2018.

The enclosed documents will form the basis for the 30^th Round of Consultations of the DGCFMC, which will be chaired by DDG Alan Wm. Wolff on my behalf.

Yours sincerely,

Roberto Azevêdo