Functions of the WTO Art. III of the WTO Agreement: 1) The WTO shall facilitate the implementation, administration and operation, and further the objectives, of this Agreement and of the Multilateral Trade Agreements, and shall also provide the framework for the implementation, administration and operation of the Plurilateral Trade Agreements.

Functions of the WTO (II) Bodies responsible for implementation: Ministerial Conference (interpretation of the WTO agreements  binding on all Members), General Council (day-to-day management); Specialised Councils and Committees: they oversee the application of specific agreements and make recommendations about interpretation of the agreements; no adoption of decisions; WTO Secretariat: technical assistance, esp. to least-developed countries

Functions of the WTO (III) 2 “The WTO may also provide a forum for further negotiations among its Members concerning their multilateral trade relations, and a framework for the implementation of the results of such negotiations….”. Negotiation of new agreements: permanent forum for negotiations  Doha Development Round (2001-)  divide on major issues (agriculture, trade in services etc.). Ministerial Conference: it has also the power of adopting amendments to existing agreements.

Functions of the WTO (IV) 3) “The WTO shall administer the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes…”. Dispute settlement is a major innovation in the WTO system; it is administered by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) under the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU). Goals: 1) to preserve rights and obligations of the Members; 2) to clarify the provisions of WTO agreements.

Functions of the WTO (V) 4) “The WTO shall administer the Trade Policy Review Mechanism….”. Trade policy review under the Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM): regular collective appreciation of individual Members’ trade policies and practices in the light of the multilateral trading system.

Functions of the WTO (VI) 5) Cooperation with other international organisations: A) “the WTO shall cooperate, as appropriate, with the International Monetary Fund and with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and its affiliated agencies” (art. III.5). IMF and WB have observer status in the WTO; conversely, WTO attends the meetings of the IMF and the WB; close cooperation in the field of technical assistance to least- developed countries under the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance.

Functions of the WTO (VII) “The General Council shall make appropriate arrangements for effective cooperation with other intergovernmental organizations that have responsibilities related to those of the WTO ” (art. V.1). Arrangements with WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) and UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development); arrangement with UN (WTO cooperates with ECOSOC and takes part to Chief Executive Board); Memoranda of Understanding with other organisations.

Functions of the WTO (VIII) “The General Council may make appropriate arrangements for consultation and cooperation with non-governmental organizations concerned with matters related to those of the WTO” (art. V.2). Consultations and cooperation with NGOs: they attend sessions of Ministerial Conference, have frequent contact with the WTO Secretariat; regular briefings are held for NGOs on the work of WTO organs.