Discussions focused on two key issues arising from the negotiating mandate in paragraph 31 (iii) of the Doha Ministerial Declaration: uncertainty about definitions and classifications of EGS, and the need to ensure that the liberalization of trade in EGS works for all WTO Members, developing and developed alike.

Experts saw a need for practical approaches to defining environmental goods and negotiating modalities and for convergence on the classification of environmental services. A great deal of discussion was devoted to identifying environmental goods of export interest to developing countries, including certain categories of environmentally preferable products, and considering the practical and systemic implications of bringing these within the scope of the negotiations. Developing countries expressed strong interest in using the negotiations to improve access to cleaner technologies.

Experts discussed environmental infrastructure services as well as environmental commercial and support services. These require different approaches in the negotiations, as well as on the domestic front. Water and waste-water management have taken centre stage in discussions on environmental infrastructure services, but essentially as a development rather than a trade issue, to be seen in a broader context of sustainable development. Strengthening regulatory frameworks is essential. For commercial and related environmental services, identifying and capturing export opportunities for developing countries was considered more important.

Experts identified potential benefits of liberalization. However, liiberalization efforts should be considered in the broader context of national sustainable development policies. Experts expressed appreciation for UNCTADīs efforts to assist developing countries in enhancing understanding of EGS issues and improving coordination at the national level by promoting consultations and building research capacity. A coherent approach to liberalization calls for balanced negotiating modalities and institutional arrangements in order to ensure that liberalization efforts at the WTO are commercially, financially and technically viable.

A number of recommendations emerged from the discussions, which form part of the Chairmanīs summary.