WTO Circulates 6th Version of Draft Text on WTO Reform
The sixth iteration of a draft consolidated text on World Trade Organization reform was circulated to WTO members on Jan. 29, the global trade body announced. WTO members were briefed on the latest updates regarding informal talks on dispute settlement reform during a Jan. 26 meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body, and the WTO said it expects final comments on the text will be incorporated the week of Feb. 5. A final draft text is expected by Feb. 9.
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Head of the informal talks, Guatemala's Marco Molina, said the reform effort is operating on two tracks: one meant to revise the draft text and the other geared toward the body's review mechanism. Molina said it's possible to draft an appeal mechanism "in the next few weeks."
During the DSB meeting, various members discussed the consolidated text and how the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference can be used to improve the text and the broader reform effort. Some members urged that they stay away from a dispute settlement reform package at MC13. Other members said the process should be "formalized before any agreement" can be reached.