WTO General Council Chair Welcomes “Significant Progress” in Dispute Settlement Reform Talks
Geneva, 17 December 2024 – The Chair of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) General Council, Ambassador Didier Chambovey, today welcomed “significant progress” made in the ongoing negotiations to reform the WTO’s dispute settlement system.
“We have made substantial headway in addressing the key issues on the table,” said Ambassador Chambovey. “There is a clear convergence of views on the need to strengthen the dispute settlement system and ensure its effectiveness, fairness, and timeliness.”
The negotiations, which began in 2020, cover a wide range of issues related to the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism, including the selection and appointment of Appellate Body members, the role of experts, and the timelines for resolving disputes.
According to Ambassador Chambovey, the progress made so far is due in part to the “constructive and pragmatic” approach taken by all WTO members.
“There is a genuine commitment to finding solutions that will improve the dispute settlement system and make it more responsive to the needs of our members,” he said.
The General Council Chair noted that while there are still some outstanding issues to be resolved, he is confident that an agreement on dispute settlement reform can be reached in the coming months.
“We have a clear roadmap and a shared sense of purpose,” said Ambassador Chambovey. “I urge all members to continue to engage constructively in the negotiations and to work together to finalize a meaningful agreement that will strengthen the WTO and the multilateral trading system.”
The WTO’s dispute settlement system is considered the “crown jewel” of the multilateral trading system. It provides a forum for countries to resolve trade disputes peacefully and in accordance with agreed rules. However, the system has been facing challenges in recent years, including the blocking of Appellate Body appointments, which has led to a backlog of cases.
The negotiations to reform the dispute settlement system are seen as crucial to addressing these challenges and ensuring the continued functioning of the WTO as an effective dispute resolution body.
General Council Chair welcomes “significant progress” in dispute settlement reform talks
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