So-called disruptive technologies, such as blockchain, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning, have the potential to transform border management and the conduct of international trade. This publication explores how these advanced technologies can be used to improve the efficiency of Customs processes and to ease the flow of goods across borders.

Over the past 20 years, the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) has increased worldwide access to high-tech goods, such as computers, mobile phones and semiconductors. It has also contributed to greater access to the Internet and the growth of the digital economy, creating new opportunities for businesses and individuals in both developed and developing economies. Finalized at the first WTO Ministerial Conference in 1996, the ITA commits its participants to eliminating tariffs on a wide range of IT products with an annual value of approximately US$ 1.7 trillion. To mark the 20th anniversary of the ITA, this publication analyses the impact of the ITA on its participants and on worldwide trade in IT products. It demonstrates how the Agreement has not only made high-tech products more affordable but has also helped to promote innovation and to support developing economies’ integration into global production networks. The publication also reviews new developments, such as the landmark deal concluded in 2015 to eliminate tariffs on an additional 201 IT products valued at over $1.3 trillion per year. Finally, it highlights what still needs to be done to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of providing universal and affordable access to the Internet so that the benefits of the digital revolution can be enjoyed by all.

The Handbook provides the first detailed explanation and analysis of the process whereby governments become Members of the WTO. The WTO Agreement, which came into force on 1 January, 1995, provides few details on how this process is to take place. Consequently, the steps in the detailed negotiations leading up to access have evolved through the actual negotiations for governments which have become Members of the WTO since 1995. This handbook is unique in providing an account of how the process evolved and in offering details on the process as it is now applied. Moreover, the input of the WTO Secretariat into the preparation of the guide provides information not available until now to anyone outside the Secretariat. The Secretariat has supported production of this handbook in the hope it will serve as a useful source of reference for officials from acceding governments, WTO Members, academia, and the general public.

This guide to the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement is based on the authors' experiences of teaching its finer points to customs officials and policy-makers around the world. Covering the methods of valuation and the provisions on enforcement, implementation and dispute settlement, the authors give practical examples, explain interpretative decisions of national and international customs bodies, and analyse the history of its negotiation. Written as a learning tool, it helps both new and experienced policy-makers, customs officials, importers and exporters to gain a deeper understanding of the Agreement's function and aims.

The WTO dispute settlement system has become one of the most dynamic, effective and successful international dispute settlement systems in the world over the past twenty years. This second edition of A Handbook on the WTO Dispute Settlement System has been compiled by the dispute settlement lawyers of the WTO Secretariat with a view to providing a practice-oriented account of the system. In addition to describing the existing rules and procedures, this accessibly written handbook explains how those rules and procedures have been interpreted by dispute settlement panels and the Appellate Body, and how they have evolved over time. The handbook provides practical information to help various audiences understand the day-to-day operation of the WTO dispute settlement system.

This Handbook describes the historical and legal background to the TRIPS Agreement, its role in the WTO and its institutional framework. It reviews the following areas: general provisions and basic principles; copyright and related rights; trademarks; geographical indications; patents; industrial designs, layout-designs, undisclosed information and anti-competitive practices; enforcement of IPRs; dispute settlement in the context of the TRIPS Agreement; TRIPS and public health; and current TRIPS issues. It contains a guide to TRIPS notifications by WTO members and describes how to access the official documentation relating to the TRIPS Agreement and related issues. Furthermore, it includes the legal texts of the TRIPS Agreement and the relevant provisions of the WIPO conventions referred to in it, as well as subsequent relevant WTO instruments and related non-WTO treaties. The new edition covers the public health revision of the Agreement that entered into force in 2017 and provides updates on other recent developments.

This Guide to Trade Policy Analysis provides the main tools for the analysis of trade policy. Written by experts with practical experience in the field, this publication outlines the major concepts of trade policy analysis and contains practical guidance on how to apply them to concrete policy questions.

Une nouvelle brochure présentée le 27 juillet souligne le ferme engagement des Membres de l’OMC, quel que soit leur niveau de développement, en faveur de la transparence et de la prévention des différends commerciaux. Les renseignements contenus dans cette brochure sont fondés sur l’examen de la mise en œuvre, par les Membres, de l’Accord sur l’application des mesures sanitaires et phytosanitaires (Accord SPS), réalisé en 2020.

En un nuevo folleto presentado el 27 de julio se destaca el firme compromiso de los Miembros de la OMC en todos los niveles de desarrollo con la transparencia y la prevención de diferencias comerciales. La información contenida en el folleto se basa en el examen de 2020 de la aplicación por los Miembros del Acuerdo sobre la Aplicación de Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias (el “Acuerdo MSF”).

Twenty-first century Africa is in a process of economic transformation, but challenges remain in areas such as structural reform, governance, commodity pricing and geopolitics. This book looks into key questions facing the continent, such as how Africa can achieve deeper integration into the rules-based multilateral trading system and the global economy. It provides a range of perspectives on the future of the multilateral trading system and Africa's participation in global trade and underlines the supportive roles that can be played by multilateral and regional institutions during such a rapid and uncertain transition. This volume is based on contributions to the Fourth China Round Table on WTO Accessions and the Multilateral Trading System, which took place just before the WTO's Tenth Ministerial Conference in Nairobi in December 2015.

This special compilation describes air transport services from a regulatory and economic point of view, with a special focus on market access questions. Each volume contains original material and up-to-date insights, written on the basis of close cooperation with industry professionals. It contains the documentation prepared by the WTO Secretariat for the WTO Membership in the framework of a quinquennal review process of the air transport sector. It deals with services "auxiliary" to air transport, namely maintenance repair and overhaul, airlines' ticket distribution, franchising, leasing, ground handling ,airport management and air navigation services.

The Annual report of the WTO focuses on the regular activities of the organization, the details of its current structure, staff and budget. The Annual report is published in the first half of each year.

The Annual report of the WTO focuses on the regular activities of the organization, the details of its current structure, staff and budget. The Annual report is published in the first half of each year.

The Annual report of the WTO focuses on the regular activities of the organization, the details of its current structure, staff and budget. The Annual report is published in the first half of each year.

The Annual report of the WTO focuses on the regular activities of the organization, the details of its current structure, staff and budget. The Annual report is published in the first half of each year.

The Annual Report of the World Trade Organization focuses on the main activities of the organization and details of its current structure, staff and budget. This is a companion report to the World Trade Report and the International Trade Statistics.

The 2008 Annual Report of the WTO focuses on the activities of the organization in 2007 and details its current structure, staff and budget. Includes detailed progress reports on various aspects of the Doha negotiations and an overview of some of the main developments within the WTO.

The 2010 WTO Annual Report provides a brief summary of the organization and a detailed review of its activities in 2009. It also includes a personal message from the Director-General, who reflects on the events of 2009, the impact of the financial crisis and the challenges that lie ahead. The main part of the Report is divided into the five principal areas of activity of the WTO: trade negotiations ─ outlining the latest developments in the Doha Round implementation and monitoring ─ describing how WTO agreements are being implemented and the organisation's trade monitoring role dispute settlement ─ summarizing the commercial disputes brought by WTO members to the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body in 2009 building trade capacity ─ outlining the WTO's efforts to help developing countries improve their trade capacity outreach ─ detailing how the WTO maintains dialogue with a variety of audiences. The Report also features an in-depth look at the WTO's Ministerial Conference, which took place in November/December 2009, the Second Global Review of Aid for Trade, which was held at WTO headquarters in July 2009, and the WTO's first-ever Open Day in September 2009.

The WTO Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of WTO activities in 2011. It is divided into two main sections. The first is a brief summary of the organization and an overview of 2011. The second section provides more in-depth information.

The Annual Report 2014 provides an overview of WTO activities in 2013 and early 2014. The report opens with a message from WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo and a brief summary of the year, followed by an in-depth review of the WTO's main areas of activity.

The Annual Report 2016 begins with a message from the WTO Director-General and an overview of 2015. This is followed by more in-depth accounts of the WTO’s areas of activity over the past 12 months, with a spotlight on all the major events of 2015.

The WTO’s Annual Report 2018 provides a comprehensive account of the organization’s activities in 2017 and early 2018. The Report opens with a message from Director-General Roberto Azevêdo and a brief overview of the year. This is followed by more in-depth accounts of the WTO’s various areas of activity over the past 12 months. The Report also includes “spotlights” highlighting major WTO events and activities, including the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference held in Buenos Aires.