2018世界贸易组织年度报告（英文版）-18mb

2018 WTO Annual Report Summary

Core Content

The 2018 Annual Report of the World Trade Organization (WTO) provides an overview of the organization's activities and achievements in 2017. It highlights the WTO's role in facilitating global trade, supporting development, and maintaining a rules-based system for international commerce. The report also emphasizes the importance of the multilateral trading system in promoting economic stability, growth, and cooperation.

Main Points

1. Who We Are

• The WTO is an international organization that manages the rules of global trade between nations.
• It ensures that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.
• The WTO is governed by its 164 member governments, representing 98% of world trade.

2. Key Activities and Achievements in 2017

• Trade Negotiations: The WTO's agreements are dynamic and cover goods, services, and intellectual property. They include principles of liberalization and permitted exceptions.
• Membership Expansion: South Sudan began membership talks, increasing the number of countries seeking to join the WTO to 22.
• Trade Facilitation Agreement: Implemented in February 2017, it could reduce trade costs by an average of 14.3%.
• TRIPS Agreement Amendment: Entered into force in January 2017, easing access to medicines for developing countries.
• Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires: Hosted in December 2017, it attracted around 4,500 participants. Four key decisions were adopted, including on fisheries subsidies.
• Aid for Trade: Disbursements totaled USD 38.8 billion in 2016, with over USD 342 billion disbursed since 2006. The initiative supports developing countries in building trade capacity.
• Dispute Settlement: The system saw an increase in activity, with an average of 38.5 cases per month in 2017. The Appellate Body faced challenges in appointments, affecting the system's functionality.
• Supporting Development: The WTO organizes hundreds of training courses for officials in developing countries and provides technical assistance to help them implement trade agreements.

3. WTO's Principles

• Non-discrimination: Countries should not discriminate between trading partners or their own and foreign goods, services, or nationals.
• More Open: Lowering trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas to promote trade.
• Predictable and Transparent: Ensuring trade rules are stable and clear to encourage investment and economic growth.
• More Competitive: Addressing unfair trade practices like export subsidies and dumping.
• More Beneficial for Less Developed Countries: Offering longer implementation periods, greater flexibility, and special privileges.
• Protecting the Environment: Allowing environmental protection measures but ensuring they are applied equally to all countries.

4. Structure and Operations

• The WTO is run by its member governments, with decisions made through consensus.
• The Secretariat, composed of over 600 staff, coordinates activities and provides support to members.
• The WTO maintains regular dialogue with various stakeholders, including businesses, NGOs, and the media, to enhance cooperation and awareness.

5. Historical Milestones

• 1995: The WTO was established on 1 January, succeeding the GATT.
• 1996: The first Ministerial Conference took place in Singapore, and the Information Technology Agreement was concluded.
• 2001: The Doha Development Agenda was launched, and China joined the WTO.
• 2013: The "Bali Package" was adopted, including the Trade Facilitation Agreement.
• 2015: The "Nairobi Package" was adopted, abolishing agricultural export subsidies.
• 2017: The 11th Ministerial Conference was held in Buenos Aires, marking the 20th anniversary of the Information Technology Agreement.

Key Information

• Trade Growth: World merchandise trade volume increased by 4.7% in 2017, the strongest since 2011.
• Dispute Settlement: The system is one of the most active in the world and operates faster than other international bodies.
• Public Engagement: The WTO's Public Forum attracted over 1,200 participants from 112 countries in 2017.
• Aid for Trade: The initiative has disbursed over USD 342 billion since 2006, with targeted programs like the Enhanced Integrated Framework supporting least-developed countries.

Conclusion

The 2017 Annual Report underscores the WTO's vital role in maintaining a stable and predictable trading system, supporting developing countries, and addressing global economic challenges. It emphasizes the need for continued cooperation, rule-based trade, and the strengthening of the WTO to meet the evolving demands of the global economy. The report also highlights the organization's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its efforts to make trade more inclusive and beneficial for all.