H.E. Ambassador Dr Lansana GBERIE

World Trade Organization

17 ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON

408.   I have no choice on where to sit, but I would not choose any other place than between two of the most distinguished diplomats and Ambassadors in the World Trade Organization (WTO) ecosystem. I would just like, very briefly, to express our deep appreciation to Ambassador Gberie. We are very conscious of the sacrifices that delegates and particularly heads of delegation make in stepping-up to the post of Chair of a Council such as this. It is an act of true, pure contribution to the multilateral system, and it is deeply appreciated by all of us. It has been honestly a real pleasure to work with you, Sir, in what have been indeed challenging times, but with some remarkable achievements to your remarkable CV. So, thank you very much and I think I can say on behalf of all of us it is deeply appreciated and, Ambassador Pitfield, we are delighted at the vote of confidence that you have made to seek to head-up this Council. We, of course, think it has got a lot of potential, it can do some wonderful things and we look forward to working with you to fulfil that. __________

80. The Council so agreed.

78. The Chair turned to the last agenda item, namely "election of the Chairperson".
79. He noted that the rules of procedure provided that "[t]he election shall take place at the first meeting of the year and shall take effect at the end of the meeting", and that "[t]he Chairperson […] shall hold office until the end of the first meeting of the following year". He recalled that, at its meeting on 6-7 March 2023, the General Council had noted consensus on the Chairpersons for regular and negotiating WTO bodies. On the basis of the understanding reached by the General Council, he proposed that the Council for TRIPS elect H.E. Mrs Pimchanok Pitfield, Ambassador of Thailand, as its chairperson for the coming year.
80. The Council so agreed.
81. The representatives of Thailand; the European Union; Bangladesh; Nepal; the United Kingdom; Tanzania, on behalf of the African Group; Japan; the United States of America; Indonesia; Cambodia; Canada; Kenya; Egypt; Korea, Republic of; Brazil and the Secretariat took the floor.
82. The Chair thanked delegations for their trust and cooperation during his term as TRIPS Council Chair during the past year and expressed his hope that they would also support the efforts of his successor in addressing the items on the Council's agenda. He wished delegations and the new Chair much success in that endeavour.
83. The meeting was closed.

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IP/C/M/107, IP/C/M/107/Add.1