WTO

Des rapports annuels sur les travaux de l'Organe d'appel et de son Secrétariat sont publiés depuis 2003. Ces rapports contiennent des renseignements sur la composition de l'Organe d'appel, les appels formés et les rapports de l'Organe d'appel distribués au cours de la période considérée, ainsi que sur l'assistance technique et les faits nouveaux. Ils contiennent également des renseignements actualisés sur diverses questions concernant les procédures d'appel, y compris l'objet des différends et les questions de procédure soulevées en appel, ainsi que des données statistiques sur les Accords de l'OMC visés, le pourcentage des rapports de groupes spéciaux ayant fait l'objet d'un appel et la participation des Membres de l'OMC aux appels. Ils contiennent également les principaux discours prononcés par les membres de l'Organe d'appel pendant la période considérée.

Les technologies dites “de rupture”, comme la chaîne de blocs, l'Internet des objets, l'intelligence artificielle et l'apprentissage automatique sont susceptibles de transformer la gestion des frontières et la conduite du commerce international. Cette publication se penche sur la façon dont ces technologies de pointe peuvent être utilisées pour améliorer l'efficacité des processus douaniers et faciliter la circulation des marchandises à travers les frontières.

Le changement climatique a une incidence profonde sur la vie des populations dans l'ensemble du monde. L'atténuation de ce changement et l'adaptation à celui-ci rendent nécessaires des investissements économiques majeurs et une action coordonnée en vue de la transition vers une économie durable et sobre en carbone. Le Rapport sur le commerce mondial 2022 examine les liens complexes qui existent entre le changement climatique, le commerce international et les politiques climatiques et commerciales. Le commerce international, bien qu'il entraîne des émissions de gaz à effet de serre qui contribuent aux catastrophes naturelles d'origine climatique, peut aussi être essentiel pour aider les pays à réduire leurs émissions en rendant plus disponibles et plus abordables les biens, les services et les technologies environnementaux. De même, le commerce international peut jouer un rôle clé en soutenant les pays dans leur adaptation aux effets du changement climatique et dans le renforcement de leur résilience à l'avenir. Le Rapport sur le commerce mondial 2022 montre comment le commerce international et les règles commerciales peuvent contribuer à la lutte contre le changement climatique. Afin que les politiques en matière de commerce et de changement climatique se renforcent mutuellement, il faut assurer au niveau mondial la coordination et la transparence des mesures gouvernementales. L'OMC joue déjà un rôle important pour aider les pays à combattre le changement climatique en maintenant un environnement commercial prévisible fondé sur des règles spécifiques à l'Organisation qui rendent possible le commerce international des produits et services essentiels, lesquels sont nécessaires pour faire face aux conséquences de ce changement et pour réduire les émissions. La poursuite de la coopération internationale à l'OMC pourrait renforcer la complémentarité des politiques commerciales et des politiques relatives au changement climatique afin que le monde soit mieux à même d'évoluer vers une économie sobre en carbone.

The proliferation of regional trade agreements (RTAs) over the past two decades has highlighted the need to look closely at the potential conflicts between regional and WTO rules or disciplines. A major obstacle to advancing understanding of RTAs is the absence of detailed information about their contents. This has limited the debate between those who view RTAs as discriminatory instruments hostage to protectionist interests and those who see them as conducive to multilateral trade opening. This book provides detailed analysis of RTA rules in six key areas - market access, technical barriers to trade, contingent protection, investment, services and competition policy - across dozens of the main RTAs in the world. The analysis helps to provide new insights into the interplay between regional and multilateral trade rules, advances understanding of the economic effects of RTAs and contributes to the discussion on how to deal with the burgeoning number of RTAs.

La apertura del comercio mundial ha tenido efectos positivos en la industrialización y el desarrollo de África. Mantener la apertura y la previsibilidad de los mercados, y promover de manera más general un entorno favorable para la actividad empresarial, será esencial para estimular la reactivación de las inversiones que se requiere para una rápida recuperación económica tras la pandemia de COVID-19. En este informe se examinan los esfuerzos realizados para ayudar a los países africanos a crear capacidad y aprovechar más plenamente los beneficios que reporta el comercio. Se consideran diversas actividades y proyectos que la OMC está llevando a cabo en el continente, en particular en el ámbito de la facilitación del comercio, el cumplimiento de la reglamentación sanitaria y fitosanitaria y la creación de capacidad para el comercio y la producción. También se examinan proyectos destinados a incorporar el comercio en las estrategias nacionales de desarrollo de los países africanos. La cooperación internacional, una respuesta multilateral coordinada a la crisis de la COVID-19 y la revitalización del sistema multilateral de comercio pueden mitigar los efectos de la pandemia e impulsar el crecimiento económico de África. L’ouverture du commerce mondial a eu des effets positifs sur l’industrialisation et le développement de l’Afrique. Pour stimuler le renouvellement des investissements sur le continent et soutenir le redressement économique de ce dernier après la pandémie de COVID-19, il sera essentiel de maintenir l’ouverture et la prévisibilité des marchés, ainsi que de favoriser un environnement économique généralement plus favorable. Le présent rapport examine les efforts déployés pour aider les pays africains à renforcer leurs capacités et à mieux tirer parti des avantages du commerce. Il analyse les activités et projets divers que l’OMC met en oeuvre sur le continent, notamment dans les domaines de la facilitation des échanges, du respect des réglementations sanitaires et phytosanitaires et du renforcement des capacités en matière de commerce et de production. Il rend également compte des projets visant à intégrer le commerce dans les stratégies nationales de développement des pays africains. La coopération internationale, une réponse coordonnée à la crise liée à la COVID-19 au niveau multilatéral et un système commercial multilatéral redynamisé peuvent atténuer les effets de la pandémie et stimuler la croissance économique de l’Afrique.

This report by the Director-General looks at the latest trade policy measures undertaken by WTO members and observers. These includes measures that facilitate as well as restrict the flow of trade. It is one of two trade monitoring reports published each year covering the whole WTO membership. This trade monitoring function is overseen by the WTO's Trade Policy Review Body.

A new booklet launched on 27 July highlights strong engagement from WTO members at all levels of development in transparency and prevention of trade disputes. The information contained in the booklet is based on the 2020 review of members’ implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the “SPS Agreement”).

"Services Profiles" provides key statistics on infrastructure services, i.e. transportation, telecommunications, finance and insurance, for over 150 economies. This series of publications has been integrated into the "Trade Profiles" series since 2016.

Resúmenes de una página por caso ofrece un breve resumen de las principales constataciones contenidas en cada uno de los informes de los grupos especiales publicados y en el informe del Órgano de Apelación posterior, si procede.

Esta publicación contiene resúmenes útiles de una página de las principales constataciones contenidas en cada uno de los informes de los Grupos Especiales publicados hasta finales de 2022, así como en los informes correspondientes del Órgano de Apelación publicados en ese período. Cada resumen de una página se compone de los hechos fundamentales, las constataciones principales que figuran en los informes y otras cuestiones especialmente importantes. La publicación incluye dos índices en los que se enumeran las diferencias en función de los Acuerdos de la OMC abordados y del Miembro de la OMC demandado.

"Status of WTO Legal Instruments" covers the legal instruments drawn up by WTO members in relation to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization and the plurilateral trade agreements annexed to that Agreement.

Dealing constructively with subsidies in global commerce is central to G20 leaders’ goal of reforming and strengthening the multilateral trading system. The growing use of distortive subsidies alters trade and investment flows, detracts from the value of tariff bindings and other market access commitments, and undercuts public support for open trade. This publication finds that governments need to cooperate more on subsidies. It seeks to highlight the potential benefits of closer cooperation and considers some areas where this might be pursued constructively.

Il est essentiel de traiter de manière constructive les subventions dans le commerce mondial pour atteindre l'objectif des dirigeants du G-20 qui consiste à réformer et à renforcer le système commercial multilatéral. Le recours croissant à des subventions ayant un effet de distorsion modifie les courants d'échanges et d'investissements, affaiblit la valeur des consolidations tarifaires et des autres engagements en matière d'accès aux marchés, et ébranle le soutien du public en faveur du libre-échange. Cette publication indique en conclusion que les gouvernements doivent coopérer davantage en ce qui concerne les subventions. Elle vise à mettre en évidence les avantages que pourrait présenter une coopération plus étroite et examine certains domaines dans lesquels cette coopération pourrait être poursuivie de manière constructive.

Natural energy sources, such as solar, wind and water, are abundant, but they are not evenly distributed worldwide. The transmission of power across borders can help address imbalances between electricity supply and demand from renewable sources, contributing to security of supply. Security of energy supply is a core concern for countries around the world, especially in the context of the transition to renewable energy, which lies at the heart of efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, only 2.8% of electricity generated is traded across borders. As the share of weather-dependent renewable power generation increases in the global energy mix, the World Meteorological Organization has a critical role to play in upgrading climate services to support decision-making in the energy sector. Trade also has a role to play to help balance power grids through interconnection with overland and undersea electricity cables. Such cables open up the possibility of bringing new suppliers with significant natural solar, wind and water endowments into energy trade. However, interconnection cables are complex and costly infrastructure, with projects taking 10-15 years to complete. This report discusses how to speed up interconnection projects. Actions identified include ensuring better access to sustainable trade finance and climate finance. Also important is improving the predictability and transparency of regulatory approval processes for these projects. WTO rules may also help to address bottlenecks in the supply chains of goods and services needed for grid and interconnection expansion. Trading renewable energy across borders could help economies meet their decarbonization commitments and reduce the overall cost of the global transition to low-carbon energy.

S’adapter à l’ère du commerce numérique : défis et possibilités examine comment l’adoption rapide des technologies numériques pourrait aider les pays en développement à accroître leur participation au commerce mondial. Il analyse également le rôle que les politiques nationales et la coopération internationale peuvent jouer dans la création d’un avenir plus prospère et plus inclusif pour ces pays. Cette publication marque la conclusion de la deuxième phase du Programme de chaires de l’OMC (PCO). Elle rassemble des contributions de titulaires de chaires du PCO, de membres du Conseil consultatif, de l’équipe PCO à l’OMC et d’autres fonctionnaires du Secrétariat. Le PCO joue un rôle important dans les efforts déployés par l’OMC pour renforcer les capacités commerciales et travailler conjointement avec les institutions universitaires des pays en développement.

The procedures and practices to implement the provisions relating to tariff negotiations and renegotiations have evolved considerably since the GATT was established in 1947. The provisions themselves have undergone some changes in the last fifty-four years. Professor Hoda reviews the evolution of these provisions and of the procedures adopted and practices followed by the contracting parties to GATT 1947 and the Members of the WTO. He goes on to offer some conclusions and recommendations. This book will be of particular interest to negotiators including Geneva based delegations, members of government trade ministries, economists, and all academics who specialise in trade policy.

The Tariff Profiles provide information on the market access situation of members, observers and other selected economies.

The Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement aims to ensure that regulations, standards, testing and certification procedures followed by WTO members do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade. Annual Review of TBT Agreement The WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade collects data on an annual basis on the implementation of the TBT Agreement. The information in this brochure is based on the 2023 review. About the WTO The World Trade Organization is the international body dealing with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible, with a level playing field for all its members.

The textiles and clothing sector has been a key driver of export growth in least-developed countries (LDCs) that are on the path of graduation, especially from Asia. Graduation from LDC status would imply loss of LDC trade preferences. This report, a product of inter-agency collaboration, examines impacts of graduation for Asian graduating LDCs; it looks at market access scenario after graduation, the nature of their participation in global value chains and business insights, including at the firm level. The report also offers a forward-looking perspective to ensure a smooth transition from LDC status. It sheds light on possible strategies to maintain market access after graduation and to support industrial upgrade and economic diversification. In addition, the report points to other factors affecting export potential of textiles and clothing, including increased attention to environmental and social standards. LDC-focused development assistance could play an important role in supporting these countries with bolstering the overall competitiveness of their textiles and clothing sector.

This book was commissioned by the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a factual account of the first decade of its existence. It aims to cover the principal activities of the WTO as the successor to GATT and the steps taken to establish a global trading system. Peter Gallagher, the author, is an independent trade analyst and consultant, who records what might be regarded as the WTO's main achievements as well as describing the controversies that have arisen in its first ten years. A useful reference book for policy makers, journalists, members of trade delegations and for everyone who requires a detailed understanding of the workings of the WTO.

The History and Future of the World Trade Organization is a comprehensive account of the economic, political and legal issues surrounding the creation of the WTO and its evolution. Fully illustrated with colour and black-and-white photos dating back to the early days of trade negotiations, the publication reviews the WTO's achievements as well as the challenges faced by the organization, and identifies the key questions that WTO members need to address in the future.

This publication is a collaboration between the WCO and the WTO to gain a better understanding of how the latest advanced technologies can help customs authorities to contribute to trade facilitation and to shed light on the opportunities and challenges customs authorities face when deploying blockchain, the internet of things, big data, data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning.

This publication contains the text of the WTO’s founding agreement, the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization, and its Annexes, including all amendments and additions since its entry into force until September 2017. These include an amendment to the WTO’s intellectual property agreement (TRIPS Agreement) aimed at improving developing countries’ access to medicines, the WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement, which entered into force in February 2017, an amendment adopted in July 2017 to extend the frequency of peer review periods under the Trade Policy Review Mechanism as of 2019, and the amended Government Procurement Agreement. This publication updates and replaces The Legal Texts: The Results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, which was first printed in 1994.

The WTO Building provides a fascinating insight into the artwork and architecture of the Centre William Rappard (CWR), home of the World Trade Organization. The book describes the origins and evolution of the CWR, highlighting the many works of art created and donated to adorn the building over the years. It covers the extension of the CWR, the transformation of an inner courtyard into an atrium, and the latest steps taken to preserve the building’s historic artworks.

The third edition of The WTO Dispute Settlement Procedures collects together the treaty texts, decisions and agreed practices relating to the procedures that apply in the settlement of WTO disputes. It affords ready answers to technical questions relating to matters such as: how disputes are initiated and conducted, including at the appellate stage; what deadlines apply and how to calculate them; what rules of conduct bind individuals involved in WTO dispute settlement; and what rules of procedure apply to meetings of the Dispute Settlement Body. This highly practical work, which includes cross-references and a subject index, will prove invaluable to anyone working in WTO dispute settlement, including lawyers, civil servants working in the field of trade, economists, academics and students. This edition has been fully updated to take account of revised rules and procedures.