The outgoing Chairman thanked all delegations for their staunch support and close cooperation over the year. It had been a challenging but also an interesting and fruitful year for the Council. Although it had succeeded in agreeing on the decision on TRIPS and Public Health, there was, as the discussion at the present meeting had shown, still much work ahead, especially on the amendment to the TRIPS Agreement. Besides that matter, there were still many more outstanding issues on the Council's agenda. He wished his successor the very best for his term as Chairman, and assured him of his full cooperation and assistance should he need it in any way. He also thanked the Intellectual Property Division for all the assistance that it had rendered to him over the year, as well as many people working behind the scenes who had all contributed in one way or another to making it possible for the Council to have efficient meetings.
