The declaration on global electronic commerce adopted by the Second (Geneva)
Ministerial Conference on 20 May 1998 urged the WTO General Council to establish
a comprehensive work programme to examine all trade-related issues arising
from global electronic commerce. The General Council adopted the plan for this
work programme on 25 September 1998, initiating discussions on issues of electronic
commerce and trade by the Goods, Services and TRIPS (intellectual property)
Councils and the Trade and Development Committee.