Abu Dhabi, February 28th (Reuters) – In a resolute stance at the 13th ministerial conference, India pressed for urgent action towards reinstating the Appellate Body at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), underscoring it as the foremost priority in the ongoing reform discussions.
The Appellate Body, integral to the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism, has remained inoperative since December 2019, primarily due to the impasse over the appointment of its members by the United States. This prolonged deadlock has not only cast doubts on the credibility of the WTO but also challenged the integrity of the rules-based global trade order it champions.
Reaffirming the commitment made by WTO members during the 12th Ministerial Conference to establish a fully functional dispute settlement system accessible to all by 2024, India reiterated the indispensable role of a robust and dependable DS system in fostering an equitable, efficient, and predictable multilateral trading environment.
India highlighted its persistent engagement in the facilitator-led informal discussions on DS reform over the past year, despite inherent procedural shortcomings that disadvantaged many developing and least-developed countries. The informal nature of these discussions posed significant hurdles for effective participation, especially for nations with limited technical capacity.
Proposing a comprehensive three-point action plan, India advocated for the formalization and multilateralization of the DS reform process to rectify procedural deficiencies and ensure inclusivity. The plan entails transitioning discussions to WTO formal bodies under the guidance of the Dispute Settlement Body Chair, fostering a Member-driven, transparent, and consensus-based approach while prioritizing the restoration of the Appellate Body.
India’s call for immediate action underscores the pressing need to restore confidence in the WTO’s dispute resolution mechanism and uphold the principles of fair and transparent international trade.
