The Executive Meeting on Negotiating and Drafting Rules of Origin (RoO) for the WTO LDC Group will gather Geneva-based negotiators, trade experts, and technical partners to refine the LDC Group’s position and negotiating text ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14).
This working session aims to:
Review progress made in previous consultations and technical meetings on Rules of Origin;
Examine current challenges and best practices arising at the multilateral and regional levels;
Strengthen the capacity of LDC delegates to negotiate, draft, and defend proposals within the Committee on Rules of Origin (CRO); and
Consolidate a coherent LDC proposal on key issues such as ad valorem percentage, cumulation, and proof of origin.
Through expert-led presentations, peer discussions, and technical exchanges, participants will gain a clearer understanding of the strategic issues shaping the MC14 negotiations and identify concrete pathways to enhance the use of preferential market access by LDCs.
The meeting will also feature updates from UNCTAD’s recent analytical work and forthcoming studies, including insights into improving utilization rates under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and strengthening rules of origin frameworks that better serve LDCs’ trade and development needs.
