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WTO accelerates work on Russia's accession
The WTO Working Party on the Accession of the Russian Federation, on 18 December 2002, agreed on an accelerated programme of work during the first half of 2003. The Chairman, Ambassador Kåre Bryn, said this response to the Russian delegation's call for urgency was made on the understanding that “genuine efforts will be made on all sides to engage quickly on the negotiating issues”.
> Chairman's concluding remarks

Appellate Body issues report on Canadian dairy measures
The WTO Appellate Body, on 20 December 2002, issued its report (DS103/AB/RW2, DS113/AB/RW2) in the second implementation dispute brought by New Zealand and the United States about Canada's measures affecting the exportation of dairy products. It upheld the Panel's finding that Canada had provided export subsidies for milk in excess of its WTO commitments.
> Download the Appellate Body report in Word format (48 pages; 201KB), in pdf format (48 pages; 123KB)
> All documentation on the case DS103            > Rulings only
> All documentation on the case DS113            > Rulings only
> More on Dispute Settlement

WTO commends open economy of Hong Kong, China
WTO members, in concluding their review of trade policies of Hong Kong, China on 18 December 2002, commended it for maintaining one of the most open economies in the world, one which many members should seek to emulate. They congratulated Hong Kong, China for its active role in the WTO, including its strong support for the Doha Development Agenda.
> Press release

General Council agrees on how to choose a DG, a new budget and accelerated membership for poor countries
The 144 WTO member governments have agreed on a range of measures, including streamlined WTO accession for the world’s poorest countries, approval for Armenia to join the WTO, an increased budget, and greater clarity in the selection of future directors-general and chairpersons for WTO councils and committees.
> Press release

General Council approves accession of Armenia
The WTO’s General Council, on 10 December 2002, approved the accession package of Armenia to the World Trade Organization. Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi said that “this is a very significant event for Armenia and for the multilateral trading system”.
> Press release

WTO Appellate Body issues its report on US countervailing measures
The Appellate Body, on 9 December 2002, issued its report (DS212/AB/R), which reversed the Panel's conclusion that the relevant internal United States legislation is inconsistent with the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, but upheld the Panel's finding that the United States had acted inconsistently with that Agreement by imposing and maintaining countervailing measures on steel products from privatized steel companies in the European Communities without determining whether subsidies continued to exist. Mr. James Bacchus, Chairman of the Appellate Body, has sent a letter to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, regarding the effect of the work-to-rule action by the WTO Secretariat on the distribution of this report.
> Download the Appellate Body report in Word format (78 pages; 333KB), in pdf format (78 pages; 207KB)
> All documentation on the case DS212
> More on Dispute Settlement

US given more time to implement “hot-rolled steel” ruling
The Dispute Settlement Body, on 5 December 2002, agreed to extend the reasonable period of time by which the United States must implement the DSB’s rulings and recommendations in the case concerning its antidumping measures on certain hot-rolled steel products from Japan.
> Summary of the meeting

Supachai welcomes agreement streamlining LDC membership
Member governments, on 2 December 2002, approved guidelines which should facilitate the integration of the world’s poorest countries into the global economy by streamlining their accession procedures into the World Trade Organization. Director-General Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi said “the decision represents a major breakthrough and substantively contributes to facilitating the accession of LDCs to the WTO”.
> Press release

WTO encourages Venezuela to diversify exports
Members, at the conclusion of their review of Venezuela's trade policies and practices on 29 November 2002, said that the country's growing reliance on the petroleum sector has resulted in a narrow export base and eroded the competitiveness of other sectors. They encouraged Venezuela's ongoing efforts to diversify its export markets and products.
> Press release

Panel issues implementation ruling on bed-linen dispute
The WTO issued, on 29 November 2002, the report of a panel (DS141/RW) that found the EC to have implemented a previous recommendation to bring its anti-dumping duties on imports of cotton-type bed linen from India into conformity with the Anti-Dumping Agreement.
> Download the panel report:

Appellate Body report out on EC-US carbon steel dispute
The WTO issued, on 28 November 2002, the report of the Appellate Body (DS213/AB/R) regarding the panel report on the EC complaint, against the US, relating to a sunset review of countervailing duties on certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Germany.
> Download the Appellate Body report in Word format (66 pages; 275KB), in pdf format (66 pages; 492KB).
> All documentation on the case DS213
> More on Dispute Settlement

Supachai: Cancún success is vital not only for trade
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech on 26 November 2002 during a conference on globalization at the University of Leuven, Belgium said that “uncertainty in the world economy, combined with growing international tension, has overshadowed the new Round and weakened the cause of multilateral cooperation — yet this is precisely why the WTO's success (in Cancún) is so vital”.
> The Doha Development Agenda: Challenges Ahead

Supachai cites importance of agriculture liberalization to developing countries
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his keynote address to the World Food and Farming Congress in London on 25 November 2002, said that along with textiles and a few other sectors, “trade liberalization in agricultre is probably the single most important contribution the multilateral trading system can make to help developing countries, including the poorest among them, to trade their way out of poverty”.

Supachai underlines benefits of removing obstacles to trade
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his first annual report to members on developments in the international trading environment released on 15 November 2002, underlined the economic benefits of successful market-access negotiations in both goods and services, especially to developing countries. Serious obstacles to trade, he said, remain in agriculture, textiles and other manufactures. The report will be the basis of the WTO Trade Policy Review Body's annual review on 11 December 2002 of developments in the international trading environment and multilateral trading system.
> Annual report by the Director-General (Download in Word format, 46 pages, 628 KB)

Cambodia aims for membership by Cancún meeting
Cambodia’s bid to join the WTO has moved into a final phase following a meeting of its WTO Accession Working Party on 14 November 2002. The Secretariat has been asked to draft the working party’s report in time for a meeting in the spring of 2003. Cambodia and WTO members in the working party said they aim to complete the membership deal by the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún, 10-14 September 2003.
> News item

India announces full compliance in automotive sector case
At the Dispute Settlement Body meeting on 11 November 2002, India announced that it had fully complied with the DSB rulings and recommendations in the dispute “Measures affecting automotive sector”.
> Summary of the meeting

WTO encourages Japan to press ahead with reforms
Members, at the conclusion of the sixth review of Japan's trade policies and practices on 8 November 2002, encouraged the country to press ahead with reforms, through, among other things, further financial and corporate restructuring, improved market access (particularly in agriculture) and stronger competition policy. They underlined the importance of Japan's economic health for the world economy, and its leadership in the WTO.
> Press release

Fifth Geneva Week concentrates on DDA negotiations
WTO Members and Observers without permanent representation in Geneva gathered at the WTO on 4 November 2002 for a week-long session designed to enhance their participation in the trade negotiations launched at the Doha Ministerial conference.
> Press release

Germany to contribute 1 million euros to the Doha Trust Fund
The German government on 4 November 2002 pledged a donation of 1 million euros (about CHF 1.45 million) over two years — 2003 and 2004 — to the WTO Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund. This pledge comes on top of approximately CHF 2 million already pledged by Germany for the period 2002-2005.
> Press release

Trade policies cannot work on their own, Supachai tells development seminar
Trade policies must be linked to development and poverty reduction plans, if they are to drive growth, Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told the second seminar on “trade mainstreaming” on 1 November 2002. These seminars are part of a joint effort by six international organizations and the least-developed countries to integtrate trade and development efforts.
> Speech

UNCTAD-ITC-WTO chiefs agree to enhance cooperation
Heads of the three global trade agencies, on 30 October 2002, pledged to enhance their relationship across a range of activities including trade-related technical assistance, research and the sharing of information. UNCTAD Secretary-General Rubens Ricupero and ITC Executive Director Denis Belisle offered their full support to WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi in his efforts to bring about a timely, balanced and productive outcome to the Doha Development Agenda round of trade negotiations.
> News item

WTO review highlights Zambia's commitment to trade liberalization
WTO members, in their review of Zambia's trade policies on 23 and 25 October 2002, commended the country on its continuing commitment to trade liberalization despite various difficulties. The Chairperson expressed the hope that the Doha Development Agenda would evolve in such a way as to make possible greater access to the country's products, and contribute to the diversification of its economy.
> Press release

DSB adopts reports on price band system and sardines
The Dispute Settlement Body, on 23 October 2002, adopted Appellate Body reports on disputes involving Argentina's complaint about Chile's price band system for agricultural products and on Peru's complaint about the European Communities' trade description of sardines, respectively.
> Summary of the meeting

Anti-dumping investigations decline in first half of 2002
The WTO Secretariat reported, on 23 October 2002, that in the period 1 January to 30 June 2002, 17 members initiated 104 anti-dumping investigations against exports from a total of 39 different countries or customs territories. During the corresponding period of 2001, 19 WTO members had initiated 149 anti-dumping investigations.
> Press release

Supachai urges negotiators to stop waiting for others to move first
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, as chairperson of the Trade Negotiations Committee, has called on members to move away from defensive positions in order to meet rapidly approaching deadlines. He was reporting to the WTO General Council on 15 October 2002.
> News item

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia signs membership agreement
The WTO General Council has cleared the way for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to become a WTO member. Immediately after the General Council’s decision on 15 October 2002, the agreement was signed. FYR Macedonia has to ratify the agreement.
> Press release

Supachai, Wolfensohn agree on closer WTO-World Bank cooperation
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi and World Bank President James Wolfensohn, on 10 October 2002, pledged closer cooperation in their efforts to promote a successful conclusion to the Doha Development Agenda trade negotiations.
> News item

Supachai: disappointing trade figures underscore need to accelerate trade talks
Global economic activity strengthened in the first half of 2002 and world trade started to recover from the first quarter onwards, according to the latest WTO figures. But the overall picture is disappointing and WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi says the need to meet negotiating deadlines is even more pressing.
> Press release

Trade liberalization is central pillar in Dominican Republic's growth
WTO members, after conducting their second review of the Dominican Republic's trade policies on 7 and 9 October 2002, welcomed the country's stated conviction that trade liberalization is a central pillar of economic growth and development, and acknowledged considerable progress in its modernization efforts since the last review.
> Press release

DG Supachai: WTO on track to meeting Doha technical cooperation commitments
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a statement to the Committee on Trade and Development on 8 October 2002, said “we are on track to responding credibly and effectively to the technical cooperation and capacity building commitments in the Doha Ministerial Declaration”.

DG Supachai urges acceleration of work on Doha Agenda, presents timeline
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, chairing his first Trade Negotiations Committee meeting on 3 October 2002, said the meeting marked “the start of a new phase of negotiations — the phase of substantive engagement”. He stressed that “only by accelerating our work, where necessary producing and discussing concrete proposals, can we make real progress across the board”.
> Press release                           > Statement to TNC on timeline

Panels to examine US measures on orange juice and softwood lumber
The Dispute Settlement Body, on 1 October 2002, established two panels: one to examine Brazil's complaint about Florida's “equalizing tax” on processed orange and grapefruit products, and the other to examine the US’ final countervailing duty determination with respect to certain softwood lumber from Canada.
> Summary of the meeting

WTO issues panel report on softwood lumber from Canada
The WTO, on 27 September 2002, issued the report of the panel (DS236/R) that had examined Canada's complaint about the United States' preliminary determinations with respect to certain softwood lumber from Canada.
> Download the panel report:

> All documentation on the case DS236
> More on Dispute Settlement

World Bank grant kicks off Bank-WTO assistance on standards
The World Bank and the World Trade Organization are establishing a new fund, called the Standards and Trade Development Facility, as part of their efforts to link aid to trade opportunities in the fight against poverty.
> Press release

Appellate Body report out on EC's trade description of sardines
The Appellate Body, in a report (DS231/AB/R) issued by the WTO on 26 September 2002, has upheld the panel's findings that the European Communities' regulation on the trade description of sardines is inconsistent with the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade.
> Download the Appellate Body report in Word format (102 pages; 377KB), in pdf format (102 pages; 269KB).
> All documentation on the case DS231
> More on Dispute Settlement

Members laud Australia's active role in the WTO
WTO members, in their fourth review of Australia's trade policies held on 23 and 25 September 2002, commended the country's global orientation and its active role in the WTO. Australia's trade regime was praised for being largely open and transparent but a number of concerns were raised, including on SPS and tariff peaks.
> Chairperson's concluding remarks
> Press release

WTO Director-General meets LDCs' Consultative Group
At the invitation of the LDCs' Consultative Group, WTO Director-General Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi met 15 representatives of the Group in Geneva on 24 September 2002 to discuss issues of particular importance to least-developed countries.
> Press release

Appellate Body report out on Chile's agriculture measures
The Appellate Body (DS207AB/R), in a report issued by the WTO on 23 September 2002, has upheld the panel's finding that Chile's price band system relating to certain agricultural products is inconsistent with a market-access provision of the Agriculture Agreement.
> Download Appellate Body report in Word format (98 pages; 378KB), in pdf format (98 pages; 250KB).
> All documentation on the case DS207
> More on Dispute Settlement

Supachai announces “four pillars” to help conclude the negotiations
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the General Assembly of the Swiss Bankers Association on 20 September 2002 in Basel, announced “four pillars” aimed at strengthening the WTO and helping bring the Doha Development Agenda to a timely and successful conclusion.

WTO doubles training capacity for developing country officials
Deputy Director-General Paul-Henri Ravier, on 16 September 2002, launched WTO's 21st and 22nd Residential Trade Policy Courses. Increased resources approved by members have enabled the Secretariat to conduct — for the first time — two training courses in parallel.
> Press release

Panel on EC steel measures established 
The Dispute Settlement Body, on 16 September 2002, established a panel to examine the United States’ complaint concerning the European Communities’ provisional safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products. 
> Summary of the meeting

Commission report is food for thought on intellectual property — Supachai
WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi said on 16 September 2002 that the report by the UK Commission on Intellectual Property Rights makes an important contribution to the debate on how developing countries can best make use of the WTO agreement and its flexibilities, and how the international framework might be improved.
> Dr Supachai’s speaking notes

Panel report out on US “Byrd Amendment”
The WTO issued, on 16 September 2002, the report of the panel (DS217, DS234) that had examined complaints by Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the European Communities, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Thailand about the United States' Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of  2000.
> Download the panel report:

> All documentation on the case DS217
> All documentation on the case DS234
> More on Dispute Settlement

DDA offers unique opportunity for Arab countries to diversify exports — DG Supachai
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the First World Arab Competitiveness Meeting in Geneva on 9 September 2002, said “the current negotiations offer a unique window of opportunity for Arab countries to integrate more fully into the multilateral trading system — and expand and diversify their exports”.

DG Supachai underlines WTO's contribution to sustainable development
Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the High-Level Special Roundtable of the World Summit on Sustainable Development on 3 September 2002 in Johannesburg, stressed that “WTO's contribution to sustainable development goes beyond raising incomes and helping to alleviate poverty,” citing ongoing negotiations on agriculture and fishery subsidies as well as on WTO's relationship with environmental agreements.

DG Supachai to push for start of substantive negotiations
WTO's new Director-General, Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his first press conference held on 2 September 2002, cited as an immediate priority the start of substantive negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda. “We have no time to waste,” he said.
> Transcript of press conference

Moore urges US, EU to resolve differences between them
Director-General Mike Moore, in a statement issued on 30 August 2002 related to a WTO arbitration decision (DS108/ARB) in the EU-US dispute concerning the US Foreign Sales Corporation (FSC) tax law, urged both parties “to continue to cooperate and work toward resolving this dispute and the others between them in an amicable and constructive fashion”.
> Press release
> Download the decision of the Arbitrator on the US Tax Treatment for “Foreign Sales Corporations” in Word format (46 pages; 301KB), in pdf format (46 pages; 145KB).
> All documentation on the case DS108
> More on Dispute Settlement

WTO DG Designate Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi selects deputies
WTO Director-General Designate Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi, on 16 August 2002, announced his selection of four persons who will serve as his Deputy Directors-General for three years commencing on 1 October 2002.
> Press release

WTO issues panel report on Turkey-Egypt steel dispute
The WTO, on 8 August 2002, issued the report of the panel (DS211/R) that had examined Turkey's complaint about Egypt's definitive anti-dumping measures on steel rebar from Turkey.
> Download the panel report:

Mike Moore's farewell: “Our greatest motivation is the people we serve”
Director-General Mike Moore, who completes his term on 31 August 2002, said in his farewell speech to the General Council on 31 July 2002 that “our greatest motivation is the people we serve”, underlining that “confidence in the system is restored...our outstanding success in launching a new round of trade negotiations in Doha last year has opened up enormous possibilities to advance the conditions of people throughout the world”.
> General Council pays tribute to DG Mike Moore's leadership
> Chairman's report
> Summary of the meeting

Panel report out on EC-US CVD dispute
The WTO issued, on 31 July 2002, the report of the panel (DS212/R) that had examined the European Communities' complaint about US countervailing measures concerning certain products from the EC.
> Download the panel report in Word format (109 pages; 606KB), in pdf format (109 pages; 355KB).
> All documentation on the case DS212
> More on Dispute Settlement

Single panel on steel will consider complaints of 8 members
The WTO Dispute Settlement Body, on 29 July 2002, added Brazil to the list of seven other members which have requested a panel to examine the United States' “Definitive safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products”.
> Summary of meeting

Director-General appoints new head of Legal Affairs Division
Director-General Mike Moore, on 30 July 2002, announced the appointment of Mr. S. Bruce Wilson as new Director of the WTO Legal Affairs Division.
> Press release

As key trade liberalization supporter, EU keeps markets open — except for textiles and agriculture
Pursuing trade liberalization through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives, the European Union has maintained its markets largely open — except for textiles and agriculture — says a new WTO report on the trade policies of the EU. WTO members reviewed EU trade policies on 24 and 26 July 2002.
> Press release
> Chairperson's concluding remarks
> Secretariat report and government report

Panel issues report on dairy dispute
The WTO, on 26 July 2002, issued the report of a panel (DS103/RW2) that had examined compliance complaints by New Zealand and the United States in the case “Canada — Measures affecting the importation of milk and the exportation of dairy products”.
>  Download the panel report in Word format (98 pages; 686KB), in pdf format (98 pages; 313KB).
> All documentation on the case DS103
> More on Dispute Settlement

Arbitrator reports on Korea-US dispute
The WTO, on 26 July 2002, issued the arbitrator's report (DS202/17) regarding the compliance period in the case “US — Definitive safeguard measures on imports of circular welded carbon quality line pipe from Korea”.
> Download the panel report in Word format (4 pages; 41KB), in pdf  format (4  pages; 12KB).
> All documentation on the case DS202
> More on Dispute Settlement

Committee completes first step on special and differential treatment
With over 80 proposals on the table, the WTO Trade and Development Committee agreed on 24 July 2002 to extend until 31 December 2002 its deadline for making recommendations on special and differential treatment for developing countries. It also agreed to set up a “monitoring mechanism” for an issue that many developing countries consider to be a priority in the Doha agenda.
> news item

Moore: The roadmap and deadlines for Cancun Ministerial now “clear”
Director-General Mike Moore, at the conclusion of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) meeting on 19 July 2002, said that “road map and deadlines are now clear” for the Fifth Ministerial Meeting next year at Cancun, Mexico, and that the work of TNC bodies “is now about substance and real negotiations”.
> Summary of the meeting

WTO receives peace award from Japanese foundation
Director-General Mike Moore, on 22 July 2002, accepted on behalf of the World Trade Organization a special award given by the Goi Peace Foundation to mark the organization’s contribution to world peace.
> Press release

Panel issues report on Canada-US dispute
The WTO, on 15 July 2002, issued the report of a panel (DS221/R) that had examined Canada's complaint about “US — Section 129(c)(1) of the Uruguay Agreements Act”.
> Download the panel report in Word format (71 pages; 417KB), in pdf format (71 pages; 219KB).
> All documentation on the case DS221
> More on Dispute Settlement

Trade boosts Barbados' standard of living
WTO members, in concluding their first trade policy review of Barbados on 11 July 2002, said that despite challenges faced by a small economy, its intensive participation in international trade has contributed to the achievement of high standards of living. Some members said Barbados was an example that the WTO can be a true instrument of development if the country involved knows how to use it.
> Chairperson's concluding remarks               > Press release

Co-complainants rise to 7 in US steel safeguards panel
At the Dispute Settlement Body meeting on 8 July 2002, New Zealand joined as co-complainant in the panel set up to examine US safeguards measures on imports of steel.
> Summary of the meeting

Panel report out on US countervailing duties on German steel
The WTO, on 3 July 2002, released the report of a panel (DS213/R) that had examined EC's complaint about “US countervailing duties on certain corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Germany”.
> Download the panel report in Word format (209 pages; 1151KB), in pdf format (209 pages; 643KB).
>  All documentation on the case DS213
>  More on Dispute Settlement

DDA success is best WTO contribution to fighting poverty — DDG
Deputy-General Miguel Rodriguez Mendoza, in a speech on 1 July 2002 at the ECOSOC High Level Policy Dialogue in New York, said the successful completion of the Doha trade negotiations is “the best contribution that the WTO can make to foster development and reduce poverty on a world-wide basis”.

Report issued on India-US steel plate dispute
The WTO, on 28 June 2002, released the report of the panel (DS206/R) that had examined the dispute regarding “United States — Anti-dumping and countervailing measures on steel plate from India”.
> Download the panel report:

TRIPS Council approves decisions on delaying pharmaceutical patents for LDCs
The WTO council responsible for intellectual property, on 27 June 2002, approved a decision extending until 2016 the transition period during which least-developed countries (LDCs) do not have to provide patent protection for pharmaceuticals. It also approved a waiver for LDCs on exclusive marketing rights for any new drugs in the period when they do not provide patent protection.
> Press release

Panel on US steel safeguards dispute grows to six co-complainants
The Dispute Settlement Body, on 24 June 2002, granted second time panel requests by China, Switzerland and Norway, and agreed to refer these complaints to the panel set to examine similar complaints by the EC, Japan and Korea.
> Summary of the meeting

Doha Agenda will define trade relations and development for this century
Work on the Doha Agenda will fold neatly into the priorities of the New Partnership for Africa's Development and will play an important role in the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development, WTO Director-General Mike Moore said in a speech to the Executive Board of the UNDP on June 25, 2002 in Geneva.

Switzerland contributes CHF 1.5 million to the WTO Doha Development Fund
Deputy Director-General Paul-Henri Ravier and Ambassador Oscar Knapp of the State Secretariat for the Economy signed, on 21 June 2002, a Memorandum of Understanding regarding Switzerland's donation of 1.5 million Swiss Francs to the WTO Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund.
> Press release

Trade liberalization boosts India's economic growth
WTO members, in their third review