世貿組織(WTO)149個會員國部長正式通過一項聲明，將在2013年之前取消農業出口補助，此項聲明主要是在農藥補助佔總額90%左右的歐盟也願意接受的情況下，才得以通過；但美國和其他發展中國家則極力要求將取消年限提早至2010年。
該項聲明清楚表示該期限的成立是有條件的，諸多漏洞尚必須填補，包括隱藏在信用貸款、糧食援助、以及國營事業出口貿易中的隱性出口補貼。
這項協議聲明是經過各國部長5天的會議後得出的，WTO總幹事拉米（Pascal Lamy）18日傍晚在香港會議中心的記者會上表示，儘管花費許多時間與努力，「一切都是值得的…在經過一段休息後，我們已設法使談判議程回到軌道上。」
這項協議聲明共長達44頁，協議中另通過必須在2006年4月30日之前，就農業和非農業市場管道達到「全面談判模式」（full modalities），可預見會員國未來一年將面臨相當大的壓力。
對棉花業而言，必須加速在2006年底之前取消出口補貼。另外，最低度開發國家出口至已開發國家的棉花產品，仍將享有免稅、無配額限制的優惠，不受這項剛通過的農業協議之限制。
各國部長也同意，由於對棉業的國內補貼（domestic subsidies）扭曲了貿易市場，將予以裁減，裁減幅度與進程，都會比協議中通過的條件更大、也更快。
Ministers from the World Trade Organization's 149 member governments approved a declaration that requires elimination of agricultural export subsidies by 2013, a date acceptable to the European Union (EU), which accounts for about 90 percent of such spending. The United States and developing countries had pressed for a 2010 deadline.
The declaration makes clear that the agreed date is conditional. Loopholes have to be plugged to avoid hidden export subsidies in credit, food aid and the sales of exporting state enterprises.
Despite the long hours and hard work, "it was worth it," World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Pascal Lamy told a press conference late Sunday evening at the Hong Kong Convention Center after a five day meeting. "We have managed to put the Round back on track after a period of hibernation."
With the 44 page document now agreed, members face intense pressure in the new year to complete "full modalities" in agriculture and non-agricultural market access by the new deadline they have set themselves, April 30, 2006.
For cotton the elimination of export subsidies is accelerated to the end of 2006. In addition, cotton exports from least-developed countries will be allowed into developed countries without duty or quotas from the start of the period for implementing the new agriculture agreement.
Ministers have also agreed to aim to cut trade-distorting domestic subsidies on cotton by more than would normally apply under the new agreement, and to do so more quickly.
