Trade monitoring
Trade and environment
In 2016, the Committee on Trade and Environment discussed a broad range of trade-related environmental issues, including climate change, reform of fossil fuel subsidies, chemicals and waste management, wildlife trade, forestry and fisheries. The Committee was also updated on the WTO environmental database, the environmental provisions in regional trade agreements and the Environmental Goods Agreement negotiations.
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Bozkurt Aran (Turkey) at the Trade Policy Review of Jamaica 18 and 20 January 2011
This third Trade Policy Review of Jamaica has allowed Members to assess developments since 2005 and help develop a deeper understanding of Jamaica’s trade and investment regime. The participation of Dr. Baugh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Ambassador McCook and their delegation greatly contributed to the success of this meeting. I am also grateful to our discussant, Ambassador Piantini Munnigh of the Dominican Republic for his insightful observations.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
The Philippines economy has performed well since its third TPR in 2005, based on a relatively open trade regime. Nonetheless, the economy is operating below potential due to the slow pace of reform while some of the key constraints on overall growth remain (e.g. inadequate infrastructure, low investment, and governance issues). Improved productivity is essential for the Philippines to compete with low-cost neighbouring economies, and additional steps are needed to promote more competition, improve human capital, eliminate limitations on foreign investment, reduce incentives, and reform state-owned institutions. It is also hoped that the Government’s recently launched public-private partnerships initiative will encourage investment in major infrastructure projects.
Budget, finance and administration
In 2013, the WTO inaugurated a new reception centre, a renovated atrium, and a new building alongside the existing headquarters, bringing all staff under one roof for the first time. It also renovated one of its historic meeting rooms, the “Brazil Room”. The Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration regularly reviewed the budgetary and financial situation of the organization. A new external auditor was appointed.
Mensaje del Director General Roberto Azevêdo
Tras el éxito de la Décima Conferencia Ministerial de la OMC, celebrada en Nairobi en diciembre de 2015, el nivel de participación en muchas de las esferas de nuestra labor se intensificó significativamente en 2016. Ha sido un año caracterizado por un intenso debate entre los Miembros sobre muy diversas cuestiones y por un aumento notable del interés de otros colectivos.
Aspects du commerce et des politiques commerciales
Considéré comme un moyen de réduire la dépendance des pays en développement vis-à-vis des marchés des pays développés et de diversifier les exportations du Sud au-delà des seuls produits primaires, le commerce Sud-Sud est depuis longtemps encouragé. Pour l’essentiel, les mécanismes mis en place en vue de favoriser la coopération entre pays en développement ont pris la forme d’arrangements sous-régionaux ou régionaux de nature souvent préférentielle. Durant les années 50 et 60, la promotion du commerce Sud-Sud s’est inscrite bien souvent dans un ensemble de mesures ancré dans une stratégie qui visait à substituer aux importations des productions nationales protégées par des obstacles au commerce élevés. Le commerce Sud-Sud a progressé par à-coups, car les économies en développement alternaient alors les phases d’expansion et de repli. En dépit des efforts déployés pour promouvoir et diversifier le commerce Sud-Sud, les flux de produits primaires sont restés prédominants dans la plupart de ces régions, et ce commerce Sud-Sud ne représentait que 6,5 pour cent du commerce mondial en 1990.
Introduction
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
How the WTO is structured
Below this is the General Council (normally ambassadors and heads of delegation in Geneva, and sometimes officials sent from members’ capitals), which meets several times a year in the Geneva headquarters. The General Council also meets as the Trade Policy Review Body and the Dispute Settlement Body.