India Urges Appellate Body Restoration in WTO Dispute Settlement Reforms

India Urges Appellate Body Restoration in WTO Dispute Settlement Reforms

VoM News Desk | February 28, 2024 | 09:27 PM IST | India, World | Follow on Google News

India Urges Appellate Body Restoration in WTO Dispute Settlement Reforms/YouTube@WTO

India Urges Appellate Body Restoration in WTO Dispute Settlement Reforms

In a resounding call for reform at the World Trade Organization (WTO), India emphasizes the urgent need for the restoration of the Appellate Body as a paramount goal. This assertion was made during the Working Session on Dispute Settlement Reforms at the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference on February 28.

Appellate Body Crisis Challenges WTO Credibility

WTO Members acknowledged that the Appellate Body, crucial to the Dispute Settlement system, has been non-functional since December 2019 due to the United States blocking the appointment of its members. This crisis raised concerns about the overall credibility of the WTO and the rules-based trade order it upholds.

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India’s Commitment to Multilateral Trading System

India reaffirms its commitment to a credible and reliable WTO Dispute Settlement (DS) system, considering it the foundation of an equitable, effective, secure, and predictable multilateral trading system. The country stresses that the restoration of the Appellate Body is of utmost priority in any reform process.

India’s Three-Point Action Plan for Reforms

India proposes a comprehensive three-point action plan for WTO members. First, transition dispute settlement reform discussions to formal WTO bodies under the guidance of the Dispute Settlement Body Chair. Second, ensure an effective multilateralization process that is member-driven, transparent, inclusive, and addresses the capacity challenges of developing countries and least-developed countries. Lastly, prioritize the restoration of the Appellate Body.

India advocates for a formalized and multilateralized approach to the ongoing informal dispute settlement reform discussions, rectifying procedural and substantive defects. The proposed action plan seeks to create a consensus-based, representative framework that accommodates diverse views while prioritizing the essential restoration of the Appellate Body.

VoM News Desk

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