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The Road to Doha, 1999–2001
The suspension of talks is not unprecedented in the history of the multilateral trading system. But what is vital is that we maintain and consolidate what has already been achieved. The progress made must not be lost.
Relations with non-governmental organizations
The 2013 Public Forum – “Expanding trade through innovation and the digital economy” – attracted many non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs also participated in the WTO’s Ninth Ministerial Conference, held in Bali in December. In Geneva, the WTO held briefings for NGOs on trade issues, and NGO representatives attended several WTO public events as well as dispute panel hearings.
Contacts avec le public
Le site Web de l’OMC continue d’attirer plus de 1,8 million de visiteurs par mois. Le nombre total de consultations a augmenté de 14 % en 2013, pour atteindre plus de 40 millions. L’OMC est de plus en plus suivie sur les réseaux sociaux tels que Facebook, Twitter et YouTube. Elle a reçu par voie électronique plus de 40 000 demandes de renseignements du public en 2013 et a accueilli plus de 160 groupes de visiteurs. Cinquante-sept nouvelles publications de l’OMC ont vu le jour.
Secrétariat de l'OMC
Le Secrétariat de l'OMC , dont les bureaux se trouvent à Genève, emploie 621 fonctionnaires émargeant au budget ordinaire et est dirigé par le Directeur général, M. Pascal Lamy. Comme les décisions sont prises par les Membres de l'OMC , le Secrétariat n'a aucun pouvoir de décision. Ses principales tâches sont d'apporter aux divers conseils et comités un appui technique et professionnel, de fournir une assistance technique aux pays en développement, de suivre et analyser l'évolution du commerce mondial, d'informer le public et la presse et d'organiser les conférences ministérielles. En outre, le Secrétariat offre certaines formes d'assistance juridique dans le processus de règlement des différends et conseille les gouvernements qui souhaitent devenir Membres de l'OMC.
Comercio y Medio Ambiente
En 2011, el Comité de Comercio y Medio Ambiente continuó prestando una atención particular al efecto de las medidas ambientales en el acceso a los mercados, especialmente para los países en desarrollo, así como a aquellas situaciones en que la eliminación o reducción de las restricciones y distorsiones del comercio podrían beneficiar al medio ambiente, el desarrollo y el comercio. Los debates giraron también en torno a la posibilidad de que el comercio y el cambio climático se reforzaran mutuamente. La Secretaría de la OMC elaboró una presentación para la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible (“Conferencia Rio+20”) en la que se incluyó un conjunto de mensajes sobre desarrollo sostenible y comercio, que podrían transmitirse en la Conferencia, que se celebrará en el Brasil en junio de 2012.
Ayuda para el Comercio
El Comité de Comercio y Desarrollo adoptó el Programa de Trabajo sobre la Ayuda para el Comercio 2016-2017, relativo al fomento de la conectividad. Los desembolsos de ayuda para el comercio ascendieron en 2015 a 39.800 millones de dólares EE.UU., el monto más alto para un solo año. La OMC y la Organización de Cooperación y Desarrollo Económicos pusieron en marcha el ejercicio de vigilancia y evaluación de la ayuda para el comercio de 2016, cuyo objetivo es examinar las prioridades en esta esfera antes del Examen Global de la Ayuda para el Comercio, que tendrá lugar en la OMC del 11 al 13 de julio de 2017.
Marco Integrado mejorado
En 2010, el Marco Integrado mejorado (MIM) para la asistencia relacionada con el comercio en favor de los países menos adelantados (PM A), que comenzó a desarrollar sus funciones efectivamente en 2009, registró avances notables en relación con la ejecución de proyectos, la difusión y el fomento institucional. A finales del año, el MIM trabajaba con 46 PM A y un país que había superado esa condición, y los 22 donantes actuales al fondo fiduciario habían aportado 120 millones de dólares EE.UU.
Coopération technique et formation
La conception et la fourniture de l'assistance technique et de la formation ont connu une période de transition en 2009. Une nouvelle stratégie et une nouvelle vision ont été définies ; si elles n'ont été que partiellement prises en considération dans la mise en oeuvre des activités en 2009, elles sont présentées de manière plus détaillée dans le plan d'assistance technique 2010–2011 établi au cours de l'année. Étant donné que les programmes d'assistance technique de l'OMC sont déterminés par la demande, ce plan met à profit les enseignements tirés de la mise en oeuvre du premier plan biennal (2008–2009) et introduit des changements visant à améliorer le contenu et la fourniture.
Economic research activities
In 2014, the WTO’s Economic Research and Statistics Division (ERSD) organized more than 20 events, many in collaboration with other institutions. Events included policy lectures, the launch of the WTO flagship publication, the World Trade Report 2014, the third Annual Trade Workshop, co-hosted by the WTO, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and a number of seminars and workshops. WTO economists reported on world trade growth in 2014 and made their forecasts for 2015.
Regionalism under the WTO and the prospect of an East Asian free trade area
Regional trade agreements (RTAs) were permitted under Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 and the Decision on Differential and More Favourable Treatment, Reciprocity and Fuller Participation of Developing Countries (Enabling Clause). RTAs are classified into customs unions, free trade areas and interim agreements leading to the formation of either, based on the criteria of ‘substantially all the trade’ and ‘not on the whole higher or more restrictive’. RTAs formed by developing countries are afforded more favourable treatment. Article XXIV of the GATT 1947 and the Enabling Clause were incorporated into the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, together with a new Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XXIV of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994. The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) adds another dimension to these exceptions from the most-favoured nation (MFN) principle, namely RTAs involving trade in services, with similar conditions applying as to RTAs on trade in goods.
Trade in goods
The Council for Trade in Goods addressed a large number of trade concerns in 2015, reflecting its increasing role as a forum for airing concerns about measures, policies and practices considered potentially discriminatory or trade-restricting. It also considered a number of waiver requests and took note of an updated and comprehensive list of notifications submitted by WTO members. The Philippines delivered a statement about the obstacles faced by micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises in participating in regional and global markets. Colombia presented the conclusions of a panel on illicit trade and money laundering.
Trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS)
The TRIPS Council continued its discussion on topics such as access to medicines for the poorest countries, promotion of transparency and least-developed countries’ needs for assistance as part of its regular review of intellectual property (IP) matters. The Council also exchanged information on and debated a number of policy issues raised by individual countries, such as national innovation strategies and the role of IP in fostering market-based innovation.
From afterthought to centrepiece: The WTO Appellate Body and its rise to prominence in the world trading system
Since February 1996, when the first appeal was filed, the Appellate Body of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has heard and decided 65 appeals from panel cases. The body of case-law generated by the Appellate Body over the past nine years is, both in quantitative and qualitative terms, impressive. From 1996 to 2004, the Appellate Body has issued twice as many decisions as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) did during the same period. The Appellate Body’s case-law is highly authoritative and has made a significant contribution to the development of international trade law. The decisions of the Appellate Body in, for example, EC – Bananas III and US – Shrimp, have effectively put an end to politically as well as economically complex and sensitive disputes between WTO Members. Both panels and parties in WTO disputes have shown, and continue to show, much deference to the case-law of the Appellate Body. The Appellate Body is undoubtedly the most important organ of WTO dispute settlement. The Appellate Body is, all but in name, the World Trade Court. In recent years a few authors have accused it of exceeding the authority conferred on it and of engaging in judicial legislation, especially in cases on anti-dumping and safeguard measures. More generally, WTO Members, after losing a case, allege not infrequently that the Appellate Body has added to or diminished the rights and obligations of Members. This paper does not seek to verify whether this is indeed the case. These accusations, and the ‘emotional’ terms in which they are often expressed, are, however, clear evidence of the importance that the Appellate Body and its case-law now have in the WTO system. The key question addressed in this paper is what explains the prominent status which the Appellate Body and its case-law have achieved since 1996. Was the ‘success’ of the Appellate Body ‘predetermined’ by its constituent instruments, or is it primarily the result of other factors that have affected the Appellate Body and its case-law in the past nine years?
Budget, finance and administration
The Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration reviewed reports on the financial and budgetary situation of the WTO and continued its discussion of the Strategic Review of the organization, which was launched in 2013. An Office of Internal Insight (OIO) was established in November.
Introduction and Summary
This Handbook is intended for readers wanting detailed information on the process of accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It will be of practical use to people involved in one way or another with the process and with the negotiations on accession to the World Trade Organization. The Handbook provides the general reader with a basis for informed discussion and analysis of the WTO’s membership process. It first places accession in the context of the WTO. It then sets out the basic provisions governing accession before going on to look at the standard procedures followed and then at the terms on which applicants have acceded to the Organization. Finally, its annexes bring together the main documents used in the accession process.