Yearbook of the United Nations, 2002. Part 6, Intergovernmental organizations related to the United Nations. Chapter 17, World Trade Organization (WTO)

Abstract

In 2002, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the legal and institutional foundation of the multilateral trading system, continued to oversee the rules of international trade, settle trade disputes and organize trade negotiations. Under the Doha Development Agenda, launched by the Fourth (2001) Ministerial Conference [YUN 2001, p. 1432], WTO pursued negotiations to liberalize further market access for services, agricultural products (both begun in 2000) and manufactured goods. The deadline for the successful conclusion of the Agenda was 1 January 2005. The General Council, the body overseeing the organization's work between meetings of the Ministerial Conference, the organization's highest authority, continued to monitor the implementation and operation of the multilateral trading system embodied in the 1994 WTO Agreement [YUN 1994, p. 1474]. The Council followed up on matters arising from the 2001 Ministerial Conference, in particular the concerns raised by developing countries in their experience with the implementation and operation of current WTO agreements. It agreed that the Fifth Ministerial Conference would be held in September 2003. As at 31 December 2002, WTO membership (members and observers) totaled 144.