WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference: decision on reforming dispute settlement system adopted

A system for settling dual jurisdiction disputes within the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and preferential treatment for developing and the least developed countries in the application of agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures and technical barriers were adopted at the end of a negotiating marathon held at the WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13). A Ministerial Decision supported by Tunisia on reforming the dispute settlement system, which enshrines the principle of dual jurisdiction at the WTO and guarantees a transparent and participatory approach to negotiations, was also adopted during this 13th Ministerial Conference, held on February 26-March 1 in the UAE, reads a Trade Ministry press release. The members further adopted, as part of the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration, provisions to improve use of the special and differential treatment (S and DT) provisions for developing and least developed countries (LDCs) aimed at helping them benefit from technical assistance so as to implement t he Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement). Talks on agriculture and fisheries were not successful, given the divergent positions of member countries, said the Trade Ministry. The MC13 further provided an opportunity for the Tunisian delegation to defend the country's stance on the need for a fairer, more efficient and global multilateral trading system within the WTO. Tunisian officials also seized the opportunity to confirm national positions on issues under negotiation, pending the holding of other ministerial conferences. The Tunisian delegation highlighted, in connection to e-commerce, the importance of taking the "development" dimension into consideration in negotiations underway within the organisation. It proposed that an international compensation mechanism be set up for developing countries and the least developed nations in order to remedy the lack of customs revernues resulting from fai lure to leby customs duties on electronic transactions. With regard to the agricultural sector, the Tunisian delegation emphasised the need to show greater flexibility towards net food importing countries, including Tunisia, so as to avoid forcing them to reduce local subsidies granted to farmers. In another connection, the delegation voiced commitment to the right of developing countries to special and preferential treatment in maritime fisheries. The delegation likewise defended the principle of joint responsibility so that countries responsible for depleting fish stocks should bear a greater share of the burden. Developing countries, such as Tunisia, can thus pursue their policy of developing and reforming the sector in such a way as to safeguard their food security. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse