Taking stock of trade elements of the Doha Programme of Action

This report – produced as part of a collaboration between the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), the WTO and the United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) to support the implementation of the DPoA’s trade-related elements – is intended to aid this process.

WTO members have thrown their weight behind DPoA aims. They have taken steps to implement LDC-specific decisions. They have also been working more closely with LDCs to understand their needs and advance their priorities.

For example, in the area of market access, in line with DPoA calls, members have made significant progress in providing duty-free quota-free (DFQF) market access for LDC products, which now enjoy either full or nearly full DFQF market access in most key export destinations. As part of global efforts to boost LDC services exports, to date 51 WTO members have notified measures under the LDC Services Waiver, which aims to facilitate preferential market access for LDC services and service suppliers. Members have also supported LDCs with policy flexibilities to implement WTO rules. For example, LDCs have until 1 July 2034 to implement the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement). LDCs also benefit from flexibilities in implementing the Agreement on Trade Facilitation, which allows developing members, including LDCs, to determine their own pace of implementation and identify areas where they need technical assistance and capacity-building support. So far, 24 LDCs have notified their technical assistance needs to implement 252 provisions of the Agreement in the coming years.