The WTO has suffered many setbacks since the successful conclusion of the Doha Round. Most WTO members (developed and developing) are now frustrated by the lack of progress on issues of interest to them in the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations. Very few seem convinced that they can rely on this institution to continue delivering more trade and economic opportunities for them. If nothing else, the failure of three consecutive Ministerial Conferences [Seattle (1999), Cancun (2003), Geneva 2008], and the general lack of progress in the Doha round have raised serious questions about the ability of this institution to carry out its core mandate. The need for reform has never been greater.

A number of crippling institutional challenges have been identified and are well-known. Among them is the increased unwieldiness or inefficiencies in the decision-making process due mainly to increased membership. Since any member can in principle block an agreement from being reached; the consensus decision making process has particularly come under the spotlight as a significant setback. At the same time it is acknowledged that the same decision making process is an important check and balance which prevents the strong from forcing through agreements that promote their interests at the expense of other members.  

Considering the structural challenges that have dogged the Doha Round, what reforms are needed to revamp the WTO decision-making process? Does the WTO have a future as a premier body governing international trade relations? You are kindly invited to participate in this roundtable discussion led by Mr Nkululeko Khumalo who will present a brief and incisive study on reforming the WTO`s decision-making processes.

RSVP: by 10th March to Ms Nondumiso Nqunqa
Tel: (011) 339 2021
Fax: (011) 339 2154
E-mail: Nondumiso.Nqunqa@wits.ac.za

The event is scheduled as follows:

Programme*

Chair:                          Tsidiso Disenyana, SAIIA

10h00 - 10h10            Opening and welcome

                                    Peter Draper, SAIIA

10h10 - 10h40 The Doha Agenda: State of Play and South African Objectives

            Xavier Carim, Deputy Director General, the dti 

10h40 - 11h30            Discussion

11h30 - 12h00 `Revamping Decision-Making in the WTO`

Nkululeko Khumalo, SAIIA

12h00 - 12h30             Lunch

12h30 - 13h30 Panel Discussion:

Dr Edwini Kessie, Counsellor, Council and TNC Division, WTO.

Catherine Grant, Trade Policy Director, BUSA.

Dr Mills Soko, Graduate School of Business UCT and member of the Warwick Commission.

13h30 - 14h30             Open Discussion

14h30                          Closure

* This programme is provisional, and subject to change without prior notification.