At MC12, Ministers committed \u201cto conduct discussions with the view to having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all Members by 2024.\u201d Members spent much of 2023 in informal sessions doing so. Deep and broad discussions led to an ambitious \u201cChair\u2019s Text\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At MC13, Ministers instructed officials \u201cto accelerate discussions in an inclusive and transparent manner\u201d to achieve the objectives set forth at MC12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A thorough review of the Chair\u2019s Text, including on alternative dispute resolution, confirms that the optimal framework for most matters of trade concern, especially<\/em> for developing and less developed Members, would be a strengthened conciliation and mediation <\/strong>facility as a complementary<\/strong> procedure. The Chair\u2019s Text is an important first step in the right direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n