Spirit of Marrakech can help reform WTO

The WTO dispute settlement mechanism was made dysfunctional by the refusal of the US to appoint judges

Last Monday, the World Trade Organization (WTO) commemorated the conclusion of Uruguay Round of trade negotiations 30 years back, when 123 countries entered into an agreement at Marrakech, Morocco to establish the WTO from January 1, 1995. ‘They created a new global public good: one committed to using trade to raise people’s living standards, create jobs, and promote sustainable development’, said the WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in a brief statement to mark the anniversary. Of course, in 30 years, a lot has changed - the role of multilateral institutions, the way businesses operate and the way people and governments respond