Fifth CHINA ROUND TABLE ON WTO ACCESSIONS
siem reap, Cambodia, 20 - 22 MArch 2017
Best practices on the accession of least developed
countries
The Siem
Reap Statement
22 March
2017
The following communication, dated 28 March
2017, addressed to the Director-General, is being circulated at the request of
the Delegation of Cambodia.
_______________
Communication
from H.E. Mr. PAN Sorasak, Minister of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia, addressed
to Mr. Roberto Azevêdo, WTO Director-General, on 28 March 2017
I
have the honour to inform you that the Fifth China Round Table on WTO
Accessions "Best Practices on the Accession of the Least-Developed Countries"
was successfully held on 20‑22 March 2017 in Siem Reap, the Kingdom of
Cambodia.
The
discussion at the Round Table enabled participants to draw useful lessons with
regard to WTO accession negotiation techniques, best practices and LDC
accession results, post-accession implementation along with key opportunities
and challenges, and reflection on the preparation of LDC priorities for the
Eleventh Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Round Table also focused its discussion
on the integration of LDCs into the multilateral trading system.
Participants
engaged in a rich, informative and interactive exchange of accession experience
throughout the Round Table. Participants
also welcomed a remarkable presentation on post-accession best practices. Development partners including China, IMF, ITC
and the WTO, shared with Round Table
participants their assistance programmes.
In response to this experience sharing, participants of the 5th
China Round Table reiterated the significance of technical assistance and capacity-building
to LDCs during accession and post-accession.
Please
find enclosed herewith the Siem Reap Statement "Best Practices on the Accession
of Least-Developed Countries". At
the request of the Round Table participants and on behalf of the LDC Group, I
would be grateful if you could circulate this Statement as a document of the Sub-Committee
on Least-Developed Countries, the General Council and the Eleventh WTO
Ministerial Conference.
I
commend your Secretariat Team for its excellent work in process and substance
to ensure that the Siem Reap Round Table was successful.