AITIC : AITIC's Early Warning System

B. Special Session of the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD): Chairman of the General Council Carlos Pérez del Castillo, has intervened in the discussions on special and differential treatment (S&D) under paragraph 44 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration by introducing an approach paper (JOB(03)/68) and engaging in intense informal consultations among members. The new approach paper divides the nearly 90 outstanding S&D proposals into three categories including: proposals that are likely to be accepted; those which are at an intermediate stage (and may require work in relevant subsidiary bodies); and those requiring further work to attain viability. Substantive progress appears to have been made regarding 12 of the proposals now considered to be in the first category, with some developing country members holding out for the inclusion of two more proposals first introduced within the first submission of the African Group (TN/CTD/W/3/Rev.2) concerning Part IV of the GATT 1994 dealing with trade and development. Three deadlines have already been missed on S&D and the next meeting of the CTD in Special Session is scheduled for 14 July.

C. Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture: despite the revised draft text submitted by Chairman Stuart Harbinson regarding modalities for negotiations on further commitments (TN/AG/W/1/Rev.1), the deadline set for agreeing on modalities for negotiations lapsed on 31 March 2003. The outcome of the review of the EC Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will in many ways define the scope for progress within the stalled agriculture talks during the upcoming 1 and 16-18 of July as well as 22-24 and 26 of September meetings for this period, which will take place after the Cancun ministerial meeting.

D. Council for Trade in Services: as the deadline for submitting initial offers with regard to services negotiations lapsed on 31 March 2003, negotiations are proceeding in a Special Session. Still, significant progress was made with the adoption of the Modalities for Treatment of Autonomous Liberalisation (TN/S/6) on 6 March 2003. Progress is also expected during the next two meetings scheduled for 7 and 10 July regarding modalities on special priority for LDCs in the services negotiations based on a new draft decision on Modalities for the Special Treatment for LDCs (JOB(03)/127) dated 24 June 2003, which is itself based on a revised LDC Group proposal dated 22 April 2003 (TN/S/W/13). As the negotiating group under the Doha Mandate has achieved the most significant progress to date, some delegations have supported a cooling off period in the services negotiations in order to promote more even progress across the Doha mandated issues under negotiation.

E. Negotiating Group on Market Access (NGMA): missed a self-imposed 31 May deadline, but is continuing informal consultations largely within the context of the Chairmans draft text (Girard text, TN/MA/W/35). Based on a formula contained in the Chinese proposal, the Girard text formula would reduce and then harmonise bound tariffs towards a new reduced level. Significantly, the Girard text opens up the possibility that non-tariff barriers (NTBs) issues be dealt with in their relevant subsidiary bodies, in contrast to the position of some delegations that they should be within the NGMA. Further consideration of the text will take place during the next meeting scheduled for 9-11 July and 18-20 August.

G. Geneva Week and the AITIC Briefing Session on Geneva Week: The AITIC briefing session on Geneva Week is a milestone in cooperative efforts between AITIC and the WTO to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of non-resident commercial diplomacy in representing their interests within the WTO negotiations. Prior to the AITIC briefing session, a separate seminar for Pacific Island Countries made possible by the Australian government through its AusAid programme of assistance to developing countries will take place.

WTO Body	Meeting Dates	Subjects to be Discussed
Committee on Agriculture (Special Session)	1, 16-18 July and 22-24, 26 September	The agenda should include continued discussion of: ● the revised Chairmans draft (TN/AG/W/1/Rev.1) covering market access, export subsidies, domestic support, S&D treatment for LDCs and further issues ● the submission by some LDCs on cotton subsidies (TN/AG/GEN/4) Analysis of the Chairmans drafts is available as Background Note on the Doha Work Programme Negotiations on Agriculture (February 2003) and An update of this note is also available on-line on the AITIC website. The minutes for the most recent meeting are available as TN/AG/R/7. The Chairmans report to the TNC may be found as TN/AG/9.
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (Special Session)	2-3 July	The agenda should include continued discussion over: ● the definition of "geographical indications" and possible geographical indications for inclusion in the system ● the purpose and definition of the system of notification and registration ● outstanding issues (practical aspects of notification, challenge mechanisms, legal effect of registration, modalities for participation in the system, etc.) The standing draft proposal by Chairman Eui-yong Chung can be found as (JOB(02)/49). Also, see the revised factual compilation by the Secretariat in TN/IP/W/7/Rev.1. The minutes for the most recent meeting are available as TN/IP/M/5. The Chairmans report to the TNC may be found as TN/IP/6.
Council for Trade in Services (Special Session)	7 and 10 July	The agenda should include continued: ● assessment of trade in services: individual country experiences in service sector liberalisation ● consideration of the draft decision on Modalities for the Special Treatment for LDCs (JOB(03)/127) based on the LDC Group submission on draft modalities for special treatment for LDCs (TN/S/W/13) ● discussions on negotiating proposals ● review of progress in bilateral negotiations The minutes for the most recent meeting are available as TN/S/M/6. The Chairmans report to the TNC may be found as TN/S/9.
Committee on Trade and Environment (Special Session)	8 July	Should continue to address work on technical assistance including the possibility of financial support for developing country delegates participating in the discussions. See WT/CTE/W/160/Rev.1 ("Matrix on Trade Measures Pursuant to Selected MEAs"). The minutes for the most recent meeting are available as WT/CTE/M/33.
Negotiating Group on Market Access	9-11 July and 18-20 August	Continuing discussions on modalities for the tariff negotiations in light of the Chairmans draft text on modalities (TN/MA/W/35) which proposes a cocktail approach based on: ● a formula similar to that contained in the Chinese proposal which would harmonise tariffs towards a reduced average rate ● excluding LDCs from application of this formula ● sectorial tariff eliminations in seven areas [Note 1] ● supporting a lighter application of the formula to newly acceded members ● proposing modalities for Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) that would broaden the scope for them to be dealt with in other relevant WTO bodies. The minutes for the most recent meeting are available as TN/MA/M/5. The Chairmans report to the TNC may be found as TN/MA/11.
Committee on Trade and Development (Special Session)	14 July	As indicated in the highlights, informal negotiations have signalled progress on category I proposals within the context of the new approach paper. The minutes for the most recent meeting are available as TN/CTD/M/15. The Chairmans report to the TNC may be found as TN/CTD/8.
Trade Negotiations Committee	14-15 July	The TNC will hear reports by Chairpersons of bodies established under paragraph 46 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration: ● Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture ● Special Session of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ● Special Session of the Council for Trade in Services ● Special Session of the Committee on Trade and Environment ● Negotiating Group on Market Access ● Special Session of the Committee on Trade and Development The minutes for the most recent meeting are available as TN/C/M/8.
Negotiating Group on Rules	21-23 July	The "initial phase" in which to identify issues concerned with anti-dumping, subsidies and countervailing measures, including fishing industry subsidies and regional trade agreements, is now over. Research and consideration of specific negotiating parameters is proceeding (with uneven progress to date depending on the subject). The minutes for the most recent meeting are available as TN/RL/M/8. The Chairmans report to the TNC may be found as TN/RL/5.