REPORT (2024) OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS[1]

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 mandated 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 the 2023 Annual Report (_G/L/1524) was issued, the CTG has met three times in formal session, on the following dates: 30 April–1 May 2024[2]; 2‑3 July 2024[3]; and 2-3 December 2024.[4] Furthermore, the CTG met four times in informal mode:(i) to consider the slate of names for the appointment of Chairpersons of the CTG's subsidiary bodies (30 April 2024)[5]; (ii) to hold the First Informal Session on the Digital Tools Used in the CTG and its Subsidiary Bodies (30 April 2024)[6]; (iii) to discuss the functioning and future work of the CTG (20 September 2024)[7]; and (iv) to hold a dedicated session focused mostly on trade concerns (2 December 2024).[8]

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   WAIVERS UNDER ARTICLE IX OF THE WTO AGREEMENT. 3

_4.1   Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds – Request for an Extension
of a WTO Waiver (G/C/W/854/Rev.1) 3

5   NOTIFICATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS. 3

_6   STATUS OF NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENTS IN ANNEX 1A OF THE WTO AGREEMENT (G/L/223/REV.31). 4

7   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

_8   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). 5

9   ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC TO THE EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION (EAEU): PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE XXVIII:3 OF
THE GATT 1994. 6

_9.1   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.10) 6

_9.2   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.9) 6

10   FUTURE WORK OF THE COUNCIL — REPORT BY THE CHAIRPERSON.. 6

11   TRADE CONCERNS. 7

12   SYSTEMIC CONCERN OF SECRETARIAT ACTIVITIES – STATEMENT BY THE United States. 7

13   RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE FORMER CTG AND CTS CHAIRS CONCERNING THE ELECTION OF TIER 2 OFFICERS – STATEMENT BY THE Russian Federation.. 8

14   CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF
THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS. 9