External publications

Reforming the WTO through inclusive and development-friendly plurilaterals

Berger, Axel / Sait Akman / Bozkurt Aran / Carlos P. Braga / Rajeev Kher / Douglas Lippoldt / Stormy-Annika Mildner / Arun Nair / Claudia Schmucker / Maarten Smeets
External Publications (2023)

in: Journal of World Trade 57 (6), 875-888

Information

Updating the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has become imperative to address the dynamic challenges confronting modern trade. Plurilateral agreements can be a viable option for responding to trade issues where achieving multilateral consensus in the full WTO membership is difficult. However, plurilaterals should follow an inclusive and development-focused framework for participation. They should have a layered architecture of rights and obligations and encompass capacity-building measures. WTO Members should also initiate plurilaterals on topics which are of particular concern to developing countries and which can help achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The G20 (Group of 20) can play a decisive role in fostering discussion and mutual understanding on plurilaterals.