REPORT (2023) OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS

In accordance with the "Procedures for an Annual Overview of WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO" (WT/L/105), the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG, or the Council) is to prepare an annual report each year to the General Council on the activities in the Council as well as those in its subsidiary bodies. The reports are to be "factual in nature, containing an indication of actions and decisions taken, with cross‑references to reports of subordinate bodies and could follow the model of the GATT 1947 Council reports to the CONTRACTING PARTIES".

Since its 2022 Annual Report (G/L/1463) was issued, the CTG met three times in formal session on the following dates: 3‑4 April 2023[1]; 6‑7 July 2023[2]; and 30 November‑1 December 2023[3]. Furthermore, the CTG met six times in informal mode, to consider the slate of names for the appointment of Chairpersons of the CTG's subsidiary bodies on 5 June 2023[4]; and to discuss MC12 implementation matters on 31 January 2023[5]; 27 February 2023[6]; 31 March 2023[7]; 31 May 2023[8]; and 19 September 2023.[9]

The subject matters raised and/or acted upon in the Council were as follows:

1   ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS. 2

2   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL. 2

3   MARKET ACCESS ISSUES. 3

3.1   Collective waiver requests on the introduction of the Harmonized System 2002, 2007,
2012, 2017, and 2022. 3

4   NOTIFICATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS. 3

5   STATUS OF NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENTS IN ANNEX 1A OF THE WTO AGREEMENT (G/L/223/REV.30). 4

6   MEMBERS' NON‑RESPONSIVENESS TO QUESTIONS POSED BY OTHER MEMBERS AND MEMBERS' NON‑NOTIFICATIONS OF ITEMS PURSUANT TO CERTAIN
WTO AGREEMENTS – REQUEST FROM THE UNITED STATES. 4

7   MEASURES TO ALLOW GRADUATED LDCS, WITH GNP BELOW USD 1,000,
BENEFITS PURSUANT TO ANNEX VII(B) OF THE AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES
AND COUNTERVAILING MEASURES (WT/GC/W/752). 4

8   PRINCIPLES GUIDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADE‑RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES – COMMUNICATION FROM
THE AFRICAN GROUP (G/C/W/830). 4

9   G20 TRADE AND INVESTMENT MINISTERS' MEETING – UPDATE INCLUDING
JAIPUR CALL ON ACTION FOR MSMES – REQUEST FROM INDIA. 5

10.1   Accession of the Republic of Armenia to the Eurasian Economic Union: Procedures Under Article XXVIII:3 of the GATT 1994 – Communication from Armenia (G/L/1110/Add.9) 5

10.2   Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Eurasian Economic Union: Procedures under Article XXVIII:3 of the GATT 1994 – Communication from the Kyrgyz Republic
(G/L/1137/Add.8) 5

11   TRADE CONCERNS. 5

12   MC12 IMPLEMENTATION MATTERS: FUNCTIONING OF THE CTG AND ITS SUBSIDIARY BODIES AND WTO RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC. 6

13   CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF
THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS. 7

ANNEX 1. 8

ANNEX 2. 9

ANNEX 3. 12