WTO GENERAL COUNCIL SETS DATES FOR HONG KONG MINISTERIAL

Meeting on 20 October, the WTO General Council (GC) agreed on the dates for the sixth ministerial conference, to be held in Hong Kong from 13-18 December 2005. Although no specific goals have been set for the meeting yet, the ministerial is likely to take stock of and confirm progress in the Doha round. According to the original schedule, the Doha round was meant to wrap up by 1 January 2005; as numerous deadlines have slipped, Members decided to hold another ministerial meeting in December 2005, without yet addressing a date for completing the round.

At the GC meeting, Chair Shotaro Oshima outlined the process for the replacement of WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi. Supachai's term ends on 1 September 2005. Nominations will be accepted from Members during the month of December. During the following three months, countries would campaign for their candidates, while Chair Oshima and other chairs would hold consultations, leading to a selection at the end of May 2005. This would enable a smooth transition for the new Director-General in early September, well in advance of the Hong Kong ministerial. Uruguayan former GC Chair Carlos Perez del Castillo and the Brazilian Ambassador to the WTO, Felipe De Seixas Correa, are already in the race (see BRIDGES Weekly, 13 October 2004). Mauritius Trade Minister Jayakrishna Cuttarree announced his candidature at the GC meeting.

Also at the GC meeting, Members agreed to extend by six months the time countries have to engage in discussions with the EC on compensation for possible trade losses due to the EC expansion that took effect on 1 May (see BRIDGES Weekly, 6 October 2004).

The next GC meeting is scheduled for 13-14 December.

ICTSD reporting; "WTO to hold ministerial meeting in Hong Kong in December 2005, KYODO NEWS," 20 October 2005; "WTO Members OK Dates for Hong Kong 2005 Ministerial; Meeting Set for Dec. 13-18," WTO REPORTER, 21 October 2004.