WTO: DG undermining multilateral framework in embracing JSI DR outcome? (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The WTO director-general Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala appears to have gone overboard on 2 December in celebrating an agreement among the 67 WTO members participating in the non-mandated plurilateral Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on services domestic regulation (DR), even as the legal status of the JSIs remains under challenge on grounds that it goes against the Marrakesh Agreement that established the WTO, said people familiar with the development.

Trade: Developing countries call for concluding work on TRIPS waiver (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Many developing and least-developed countries have raised the stakes on the temporary TRIPS waiver and on public stockholding programs for food security, suggesting that other issues, including fisheries subsidies, could be calibrated due to the postponement of the WTO's 12th ministerial conference (MC12), said people familiar with the discussions.

WHO: US proposal on IHR amendment pursues health security agenda (PRIV)
(Nithin Ramakrishnan, Geneva)
The United States has submitted a proposal to amend the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005 that pursues a health security agenda without paying any attention to the issue of equity.