DRAFT

REPORT (2025) OF THE WORKING GROUP ON TRADE AND TRANSFER

OF TECHNOLOGY TO THE GENERAL COUNCIL

1  INTRODUCTION

1.1.  Ministers agreed, at the Fourth Ministerial Conference in Doha in November 2001, to "an examination, in a Working Group under the auspices of the General Council, of the relationship between trade and transfer of technology, and of any possible recommendations on steps that might be taken within the mandate of the WTO to increase flows of technology to developing countries".^[1] This mandate was reaffirmed most recently in the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration.[2]

1.2.  The Working Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology (WGTTT, or the Working Group) held two formal meetings in 2025, on 16 July (75^th Session), and on 21 November (76^th Session). The minutes of those meetings are contained in documents _WT/WGTTT/M/75, and _WT/WGTTT/M/76, respectively.[3] Additionally, between the two formal meetings, the Chairperson conducted informal bilateral consultations with interested Members.

1.3.  The Working Group was chaired in 2025 by Ambassador Salomon Eheth of Cameroon, who was elected Chairperson at the beginning of the 75^th Session.

2  WORK OF THE WGTTT

2.1.  In 2025, the Working Group continued its mandated examination of the relationship between trade and transfer of technology, as well as its consideration of any possible recommendations on steps that might be taken within the mandate of the WTO to increase flows of technology to developing countries.

2.2.  The Chairperson encouraged Members to consider sharing national experiences and perspectives, including through presentations, with a view to contributing factual examples and analytical input to the Working Group's discussions.

2.3.  At the 75^th Session, the Working Group held, at the request of India, a discussion under the agenda item "Advancing discussions on technology transfer – progress towards MC14". Members exchanged views on possible avenues for advancing the Group's mandated work ahead of MC14, including its development dimension, linkages with related work in other WTO bodies, and possible structuring of future work.

2.4.  At the 76^th Session, and with a view to keeping the Working Group remained informed of relevant work undertaken elsewhere in the WTO and to help avoid duplication, the Chairperson invited the Chairperson of the Council for Trade‑Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights,
the Chairperson of the Committee on Trade and Environment and the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture to brief Members on technology‑transfer‑related discussions taking place in their respective bodies. Their statements are contained in the minutes of the 76^th Session. Members welcomed the briefings and expressed interest in receiving similar updates at future meetings, as appropriate.

2.5.  At the 76^th Session, the Chairperson also reported on the informal consultations he conducted with interested Members between the two formal meetings to gather their views on possible approaches for structuring future work. His report is contained in document _JOB/WGTTT/5. The Chairperson also confirmed that the Secretariat was preparing a factual mapping of technology‑transfer‑related discussions across WTO bodies for circulation at the first formal meeting of 2026.

3  FUTURE WORK

3.1.  Members have continued their examination of the relationship between trade and transfer of technology and of any possible recommendations on steps that might be made within the mandate of the WTO to increase flows of technology to developing countries. The ongoing work has helped enhance Members' understanding of the nexus between trade and transfer of technology. The Working Group will continue its mandated examination and related discussion at future meetings.

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