In a significant move, India, South Africa, and Egypt presented a paper on the ongoing discussions about reforming the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) dispute settlement body. The document, titled “Reflections on the Reform of the WTO Dispute Settlement System,” was introduced during a meeting in Geneva.
During the session, India took the floor to present the joint communication from Egypt, India, and South Africa. The details of the paper, circulated among WTO members on November 24, were not disclosed.
This development gains importance as India advocates for formal negotiations among WTO members to reform the dispute settlement body. The current informal deliberations pose challenges for several nations to actively participate in the talks.
The WTO’s dispute settlement body (DSB), a crucial arm of the 164-member Geneva-based organization, oversees global exports and import-related rules while adjudicating trade disputes among member countries.
Dispute resolution in the WTO involves mutual agreement or adjudication, including panel rulings and, if unsatisfied, challenging those rulings at the appellate body. The smooth functioning of the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism faced obstacles when the US blocked appointments to the appellate body in December 2019. Although the appellate body ceased functioning, panels continue their work.
Since December 2019, over 20 appeals have been filed in the appellate body.
By PTI
