WTO head quarter based in Geneva

WTO (Definition)WTO (Definition)

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade established under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT),  Wikipedia

• WTO Came into existence on WTO Came into existence on 1-1-19951-1-1995 with the with the

conclusion of Uruguay Round Multilateral Trade conclusion of Uruguay Round Multilateral Trade Negotiations at Marrakesh on 15Negotiations at Marrakesh on 15thth April 1994, to : April 1994, to :

• Transparent, free and rule-based trading Transparent, free and rule-based trading systemsystem

• Provide common institutional framework for Provide common institutional framework for conduct of trade relations among membersconduct of trade relations among members

• Facilitate the implementation, Facilitate the implementation, administration and operation of administration and operation of Multilateral Trade AgreementsMultilateral Trade Agreements

• Rules and Procedures Governing DisputeRules and Procedures Governing Dispute SettlementSettlement

• Trade Policy Review MechanismTrade Policy Review Mechanism• Concern for LDCs Concern for LDCs • Concern on Non-trade issues such as Food Concern on Non-trade issues such as Food

Security, environment, health, etSecurity, environment, health, etc.c.

WTO- Aims Fair and market oriented trading system Commitments on support and protection Operationally effective GATT Rules &

Disciplines Equitable Trade Reform process Greater opportunities and Terms of

Access to developing countries Concern for LDCs and NFIDCs Concern on Non-trade issues such as

Food Security, environment, health, etc.

WTO organizational chart

Is the highest organ of the WTO meets at least once every two years.It is normally composed of all the ministers of trade of the members of the WTO. The ministerial conference has supreme

authority over all matters,

Organizational Structure of the WTO Ministerial Conference 

The Dispute Settlement Body    

.The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) of the World Trade Organization makes decisions on trade disputes between governments that are adjudicated by the Organization.

Is Made up of all member governments, usually represented by ambassadors or equivalent

Dispute settlement is regarded by the World Trade Organization as the central pillar of the multilateral trading system

Cont’d

The dispute settlement body:-Administers the WTO Dispute Settlement

SystemEstablishes panelsAdopts panel and Appellate Body reportsMaintains surveillance of implementationNon-implementation? Authorizes retaliatory

measures

General Council  is composed of representatives of all the

members The General Council is in session between the

meetings of the Ministerial Council. This is the real engine of the WTO and has all

the powers of the Ministerial Council when that body is not in operation.

The General Council also acts as the Dispute Settlement Body and the Trade Policy Body

The Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB)

The WTO General Council meets as the Trade Policy Review Body to undertake trade policy reviews of Members under the TRPM.

The TPRB is thus open to all WTO Members.At the first meeting each year it elects its own Chairperson

for the year from among the Member representatives. To stimulate debate in the TPRB a discussant is chosen from

the membership in advance of each review meeting. They act on their own responsibility, not as representatives of

their governments.

The Services Council, its Committees and other subsidiary bodies

The Council for Trade in Services operates under the guidance of the General Council

Is responsible for overseeing the functioning of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).

It’s open to all WTO members, and can create subsidiary bodies as required.

GATT and the Goods Council 

The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) covers international trade in goods.

The workings of the GATT agreement are its responsibilitiesIt is made up of representatives from all WTO member

countries.The Goods Council has 10 committees dealing with specific

subjects (such as agriculture, market access, subsidies, anti-dumping measures and so on). Again, these committees consist of all member countries.

Also reporting to the Goods Council are a working party on state trading enterprises, and the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) Committee.

Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

Its objective is to ensure effective and appropriate protection for trade-related intellectual property rights

The TRIPS Agreement sets minimum standards of protection for copyrights and related rights, trademarks, geographical indications (GIs), industrial designs, patents, integrated circuit layout designs, and undisclosed information.

The TRIPS Agreement also establishes minimum standards for the enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs) to avoid copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting, in criminal actions.

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