“The ACWL is a testament to WTO members' commitment to an inclusive multilateral trading system, in which all members can take full advantage of the benefits of rules-based trade,” WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said in remarks released for the occasion. “Moving forward, the ACWL's continued work will be an important contribution to our efforts to strengthen confidence in dispute settlement and in the WTO.”

According to the ACWL, the agency has assisted in over 65 WTO disputes and provides an average of 200 legal opinions each year (including 216 in 2020) to its developing and LDC members. The organization provides its assistance in dispute settlement proceedings at discounted rates. It also conducts regular training courses on WTO law. Its services are available to 39 developing members of the WTO that have become members of the ACWL and all 43 LDC members of the WTO, which taken together total half of the WTO's membership — 40 of which are from Africa.

The bulk of the ACWL's funding comes from its 12 developed country members: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The organization is reaching the end of its five-year budget cycle in December. Its staff is composed of 12 lawyers, three office administrators and, from September to June each year, four lawyers seconded from developing and LDC members.

Thirty-seven members took the floor at the DSB meeting to laud the ACWL's work over the past 20 years.

Australia, which together with Guatemala sought to mark the occasion in the meeting agenda, said: “Australia has been a proud contributor to the ACWL since 2010 and a member for the past decade since 2011. We see the ACWL as a valuable component to the multilateral trading system which helps enable full and effective participation of all WTO members, irrespective of size or resourcing. The ACWL therefore provides benefits to all members because the essential nature of the multilateral trading system is enhanced when the availability is open to all members. We look forward to continuing our active contribution, and we strongly encourage other members to support this important institution.”

Guatemala said: “Over the past 20 years, Guatemala has been a frequent user of the WTO dispute settlement system. Our successful participation has been, in great part, thanks to the support and services provided by the Advisory Centre. At this particular juncture in time, where the WTO needs to be inclusive and foster growth and economic recovery, Guatemala would like to encourage developed country members to take a closer look at the results and benefits that the ACWL brings to the rules-based multilateral trading system as a whole and consider the possibility to contribute to the financing efforts of this important institution.”

Australia and Guatemala hold the chair and vice-chair positions, respectively, of the ACWL General Assembly.

Chad, on behalf of the Group of Least-Developed Countries (LDCs), said the ACWL is an extremely important institution for their group and that the support it provides on legal issues has been invaluable. Chad further noted that the ACWL has provided free advice on the interpretation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement and has helped LDCs fully understand their rights and obligations.

More information on the ACWL is available on its website.