RESTRICTED
PREPARATORY COMMITTEE PC/IPL/W/2
FOR THE 29June1994
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
(94-1358)
SUB-COMMITTEE ONINSTITUTIONAL
PROCEDURAL AND LEGAL MATTERS
THE WTO AND OTHER INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
Note bytheSecretariat
Under themandate assigned toitbythePreparatory Committee, theSub-Committee on
Institutional, Procedural andLegal Matters isrequired, interalia,tomake recommendations concerning
theappropriate arrangements withrespect torelations withother organizations referred toinArticle V
oftheWTO Agreement.
Toassist itinthistask, theSub-Committee, atitsmeeting on13June1994, requested the
Secretariat tocompile alistofinter-governmental organizations mentioned intheUruguay Round Final
Acttexts together withtheprovisions therein thatprovided parameters forcooperation withthese
organizations, aswellasofother inter-governmental organizations whose work might berelevant to
theWTO.
ThisNotehasbeenprepared inresponse tothatrequest. Section Iliststheinter-governmental
organizations mentioned intheFinal Acttextstogether withprovisions inthose textsthatprovide
parameters forcooperation withthese organizations. Themain functions andactivities ofthese
organizations aredescribed inSection II.Other inter-governmental organizations notmentioned in
theFinal Acttextsandwhose work might beofrelevance totheWTO, arelisted inSection IIItogether
withtheirmain functions andactivities. ThelistinSection IIIisnotintended tobecomprehensive,
andincludes onlyorganizations thatareglobal innature andthathaveopen-ended membership.
_______________
I. Inter-governmental organizations mentioned intheFinal Acttexts, together withthe
provisions therein thatprovide parameters forcooperation withthese organizations
(a) United Nations (UN) 3
(b) Food andAgriculture Organization (FAO) 3
(c) Codex Alimentarius Commission 3
(d) International Office ofEpizootics (OIE) 4
(e) Secretariat oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) 4
(f) International Wheat Council (IWC) 5
(g) International Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment (IBRD)/
International Monetary Fund (IMF) 5
(h) International Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment (IBRD) 6
(i) International Monetary Fund (IMF) 6PC/IPL/W/2
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(j) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 8
(k) International Organization forStandardization (ISO) 8
(l) International Organization forStandardization (ISO)/
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 9
(m) Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) 10
(n) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 11
(o) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 12
II. Main functions andactivities oftheorganizations mentioned intheFinal Acttexts
(a) United Nations (UN) 12
(b) Food andAgriculture Organization (FAO) 12
(c) Codex Alimentarius Commission 12
(d) International Office ofEpizootics (OIE) 13
(e) Secretariat oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) 13
(f) International Wheat Council (IWC) 13
(g) International Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment (IBRD) 13
(h) International Monetary Fund (IMF) 14
(i) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) 14
(j) International Organization forStandardization (ISO) 14
(k) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 14
(l) Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) 14
(m) International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 15
(n) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 15
III. Other inter-governmental organizations whose work might berelevant totheWTO,
andtheirmain functions andactivities
(a) Related organs andspecialized agencies oftheUnited Nations 15
(i) United Nations Conference onTrade andDevelopment
(UNCTAD) 15
(ii) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 16
(iii) United Nations Educational, Scientific andCultural
Organization (UNESCO) 16
(iv) United Nations Industrial Development Organization
(UNIDO) 17
(v) World Health Organization (WHO) 17
(vi) International Labour Office (ILO) 17
(vii) International Maritime Organization (IMO) 17
(b) International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/GATT) 18
(c) Other inter-governmental organizations ofrelevance inspecific areas ofthe
activities oftheWTO 19
(i) Trade inServices 19
(ii) Trade Related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) 19
(d) Other inter-governmental organizations 20PC/IPL/W/2
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I. Inter-governmental organizations mentioned intheFinalActtexts, together withtheprovisions
therein thatprovide parameters forcooperation withthese organizations1
(a) United Nations (UN)
1. ThisAgreement shallberegistered inaccordance withtheprovisions ofArticle 102ofthe
Charter oftheUnited Nations (WTO Agreement, Article XVI:6).
2. TheGeneral Council shallmake appropriate arrangements forconsultation andcooperation
withtheUnited Nations anditsspecialized agencies aswellaswithother inter-governmental
organizations concerned withservices (GATS, Article XXVI).
(b) Food andAgriculture Organization (FAO)
Members donors ofinternational foodaidshallensure thatinternational foodaidtransactions,
including bilateral foodaidwhich ismonetized, shallbecarried outinaccordance withthe
FAO "Principles ofSurplus Disposal andConsultative Obligations", including, where
appropriate, thesystem ofUsual Marketing Requirements (UMRs) (Agreement onAgriculture,
Article 10:4(b)).2
(c) Codex Alimentarius Commission3
1. Members shallplayafullpart,within thelimits oftheirresources, intherelevant international
organizations andtheirsubsidiary bodies, inparticular theCodex Alimentarius Commission,
topromote within these organizations thedevelopment andperiodic review ofstandards,
guidelines andrecommendations withrespect toallaspects ofsanitary andphytosanitary
measures (Agreement onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures, Article 3:4).
2. TheCommittee onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures shallmaintain close contact withthe
relevantinternationalorganizationsinthefieldofsanitaryandphytosanitaryprotection,especially
withtheCodex Alimentarius Commission, withtheobjective ofsecuring thebestavailable
scientific andtechnical advice fortheadministration ofthisAgreement andinorder toensure
thatunnecessary duplication ofeffort isavoided (Agreement onSanitary andPhytosanitary
Measures, Article 12:3).
3. Inordertoavoidunnecessaryduplication,theCommitteeonSanitaryandPhytosanitaryMeasures
maydecide, asappropriate, tousetheinformation generated bytheprocedures, particularly
fornotification, which areinoperation intherelevant international organizations (Agreement
onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures, Article 12:5).
4. Forfoodsafety, thestandards, guidelines andrecommendations established bytheCodex
Alimentarius Commission relating tofoodadditives, veterinary drugandpesticide residues,
contaminants, methods ofanalysis andsampling, andcodes andguidelines ofhygienic practice
[aretobeusedasreference standards under theAgreement] (Agreement onSanitary and
Phytosanitary Measures, Annex A,paragraph 3(a)).
1TheInternationalOrganizationforStandardization(ISO)andtheInternationalElectrotechnicalCommi ssion(IEC), although
non-governmental international organizations, areincluded inthisSection because oftheirmention intheFinal Acttexts.
2Although theFAO isnotreferred toassuchinthisprovision, the"Principles ofSurplus Disposal" areadministered
byanFAO Sub-Committee, which reports totheFAO Committee onCommodity Problems.
3TheCommission wasestablished in1962 toimplement thejointFAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. TheCodex
Secretariat isprovided byFAO andWHO.PC/IPL/W/2
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(d) International Office ofEpizootics (OIE)
1. Members shallplayafullpart,within thelimits oftheirresources, intherelevant international
organizations andtheirsubsidiary bodies, inparticular theInternational Office ofEpizootics,
topromote within these organizations thedevelopment andperiodic review ofstandards,
guidelines andrecommendations withrespect toallaspects ofsanitary andphytosanitary
measures (Agreement onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures, Article 3:4).
2. TheCommittee onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures shallmaintain close contact withthe
relevantinternationalorganizationsinthefieldofsanitaryandphytosanitaryprotection,especially
withtheInternational Office ofEpizootics, withtheobjective ofsecuring thebestavailable
scientific andtechnical advice fortheadministration ofthisAgreement andinorder toensure
thatunnecessary duplication ofeffort isavoided (Agreement onSanitary andPhytosanitary
Measures, Article 12:3).
3. Inordertoavoidunnecessaryduplication,theCommitteeonSanitaryandPhytosanitaryMeasures
maydecide, asappropriate, tousetheinformation generated bytheprocedures, particularly
fornotification, which areinoperation intherelevant international organizations (Agreement
onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures, Article 12:5).
4. Foranimal health andzoonoses, thestandards, guidelines andrecommendations developed
under theauspices oftheInternational Office ofEpizootics [aretobeusedasreference standards
under theAgreement] (Agreement onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures, Annex A,
paragraph 3(b)).
(e) Secretariat oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
1. Members shallplayafullpart,within thelimits oftheirresources, intherelevant international
organizationsandtheirsubsidiarybodies,inparticulartheinternationalandregionalorganizations
operating within theframework oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention, topromote
within these organizations thedevelopment andperiodic review ofstandards, guidelines and
recommendations withrespect toallaspects ofsanitary andphytosanitary measures (Agreement
onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures, Article 3:4).
2. TheCommittee onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures shallmaintain close contact withthe
relevantinternationalorganizationsinthefieldofsanitaryandphytosanitaryprotection,especially
withtheSecretariat oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention, withtheobjective of
securingthebestavailablescientificandtechnicaladvicefortheadministrationofthisAgreement
andinorder toensure thatunnecessary duplication ofeffort isavoided (Agreement onSanitary
andPhytosanitary Measures, Article 12:3).
3. Inordertoavoidunnecessaryduplication,theCommitteeonSanitaryandPhytosanitaryMeasures
maydecide, asappropriate, tousetheinformation generated bytheprocedures, particularly
fornotification, which areinoperation intherelevant international organizations (Agreement
onSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures, Article 12:5).
4. Forplanthealth, theinternational standards, guidelines andrecommendations developed under
theauspices oftheSecretariat oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention incooperation
withregional organizations operating within theframework oftheInternational PlantProtection
Convention [aretobeusedasreference standards under theAgreement] (Agreement onSanitary
andPhytosanitary Measures, Annex A,paragraph 3(c)).PC/IPL/W/2
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(f) International Wheat Council (IWC)
1. Members donors ofinternational foodaidshallensure thatsuchaidshallbeprovided tothe
extent possible infullygrant form oronterms nolessconcessional thanthose provided for
inArticle IVoftheFood AidConvention 1986(Agreement onAgriculture, Article 10:4(c)).4
2. Ministers agree:
(i) toreview theleveloffoodaidestablished periodically bytheCommittee onFood Aid
under theFood AidConvention 1986 andtoinitiate negotiations intheappropriate
forum toestablish aleveloffoodaidcommitments sufficient tomeetthelegitimate
needs ofdeveloping countries during thereform programme;
(ii) toadoptguidelinestoensurethatanincreasingproportionofbasicfoodstuffsisprovided
toleast-developedandnetfood-importingdevelopingcountriesinfullygrantformand/or
onappropriate concessional terms inlinewith Article IVoftheFood Aid
Convention 1986(Decision onMeasures Concerning Effects oftheReform Programme
ontheLeast-Developed andNetFood-Importing Countries, paragraph 3(i)and(ii)).
(g) International Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment (IBRD)/
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Coherence inglobal economic policy-making
1. Withaviewtoachieving greater coherence inglobal economic policy-making, theWTO shall
cooperate, asappropriate, withtheInternational Monetary Fund andwiththeInternational
Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment anditsaffiliated agencies (WTO Agreement,
Article III:5).
2. Successful cooperation ineachareaofeconomic policy contributes toprogress inother areas.
Greater exchange ratestability, based onmore orderly underlying economic andfinancial
conditions, should contribute towards theexpansion oftrade, sustainable growth and
development, andthecorrection ofexternal imbalances. There isalsoaneedforanadequate
andtimely flowofconcessional andnon-concessional financial andrealinvestment resources
todeveloping countries andforfurther efforts toaddress debtproblems, tohelpensure economic
growth anddevelopment. Trade liberalization forms anincreasingly important component
inthesuccessoftheadjustmentprogrammesthatmanycountriesareundertaking,ofteninvolving
significant transitional social costs. Inthisconnection, Ministers notetheroleoftheWorld
Bank andtheIMFinsupporting adjustment totrade liberalization, including support tonet
food-importing developing countries facing short-term costs arising from agricultural trade
reforms (Declaration onContribution ofWTO toGreater Coherence inGlobal Economic
Policy-Making, paragraph 2).
3. Theinterlinkages between thedifferent aspects ofeconomic policy require thattheinternational
institutions withresponsibilities ineachoftheseareasfollow consistent andmutually supportive
policies. TheWTO should therefore pursue anddevelop cooperation withtheinternational
organizations responsible formonetary andfinancial matters, while respecting themandate,
theconfidentiality requirements andthenecessary autonomy indecision-making procedures
ofeachinstitution, andavoiding theimposition ongovernments ofcross-conditionality or
4Although theInternational Wheat Council isnotreferred toassuch inthisandinthefollowing provision, theFood
AidConvention isadministered bytheInternational Wheat Council aspartoftheInternational Wheat Agreement 1986.PC/IPL/W/2
Page6
additional conditions. Ministers further invite theDirector-General oftheWTO toreview
withtheManaging Director oftheInternational Monetary Fund andthePresident oftheWorld
Bank, theimplications oftheWTO 'sresponsibilities foritscooperation withtheBretton Woods
institutions, aswellastheforms suchcooperation might take,withaviewtoachieving greater
coherence inglobal economic policy-making (Declaration onContribution ofWTO toGreater
Coherence inGlobal Economic Policy-Making, paragraph 5).
Financing offoodimports
4. Ministers recognize thatasaresult oftheUruguay Round certain developing countries may
experience short-term difficulties infinancing normal levels ofcommercial imports andthat
these countries maybeeligible todraw ontheresources ofinternational financial institutions
under existing facilities, orsuchfacilities asmaybeestablished, inthecontext ofadjustment
programmes, inorder toaddress suchfinancing difficulties. Inthisregard Ministers take
noteofparagraph 37ofthereport oftheDirector-General totheCONTRACTING PARTIES to
GATT 1947 onhisconsultations withtheManaging Director oftheInternational Monetary
Fund andthePresident oftheWorld Bank (MTN.GNG/NG14/W/35) (Decision onMeasures
Concerning Effects oftheReform Programme ontheLeast-Developed andNetFood-Importing
Countries, paragraph 5).
(h) International Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment (IBRD)
Members recognize thatanefficient, advanced telecommunications infrastructure incountries,
particularly developing countries, isessential totheexpansion oftheirtrade inservices. To
thisend,Members endorse andencourage theparticipation, tothefullest extent practicable,
ofdevelopedanddevelopingcountriesandtheirsuppliersofpublictelecommunicationstransport
networks andservices andother entities inthedevelopment programmes ofinternational and
regional organizations, including theInternational Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment
(GATS, Annex onTelecommunications, paragraph 6(a)).
(i) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Article XVarrangements5
1. Under paragraph 2ofArticle XV,theWTO isrequired toconsult withtheIMFonthepoints
specified inthatparagraph. Assoonastheprogramme ofconsultations fortheyearisdrawn
upandtaken noteofbytheCouncil, theDirector-General should sendacommunication to
invite theIMFtoconsult withtheWTO inconnection witheachoftheGATT consultations.
Ineach case theWTO-IMF consultations will take place intheCommittee on
Balance-of-Payments Restrictions prior totheWTO consultation (Paragraph 8ofthe1970
Balance-of-Payments consultation procedures referred toinparagraph 5oftheUnderstanding
onBalance-of-Payments Procedures).
5Thetexts ofArticles XIVandXVofGATT 1994, although relevant inthecontext ofthisNote, arenotreproduced
here. Article XVcallsontheWTO, inter alia,toseekcooperation withtheIMFwithaview topursuing aco-ordinated
policywithregardtoexchange questionsandalsotoconsul tfullywiththeIMFwhen consideringproblemsconcer ningmonet ary
reserves, balances ofpayments, orforeign exchange arrangements. Article XIV, which deals exceptions totheruleof
non-discrimination, specifies, interalia,thataMember may(a)deviate from GATT Article XIIIprovisions concerning the
non-discriminatory administration ofquantitative restrictions, inamanner having equivalent effect torestrictions onpayments
andtransfers forcurrent international transactions thatthatMember maybeapplying under therelevant Articles ofAgreement
oftheIMF, or(b)apply quantitative restrictions having equivalent effect toexchange restrictions authorized under therelevant
Articles ofAgreement. Other references totheIMFinGATT 1994 aretobefound inArticles II:6(a) and(b),VII:4(a)
and(c),andintheNotes toArticles VIII:1, XII:4(b), XV:4 andXVI:B contained inAnnex ItoGATT 1994.PC/IPL/W/2
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2. Thematerial supplied bytheIMFaspartofaconsultation between theFund andWTO should
becirculated tothemembers oftheCommittee assoonaspossible afteritisreceived bythe
Secretariat. Acopymaybesupplied toanyother Member which requests it(Paragraph 9of
the1970 Balance-of-Payments consultation procedures referred toinparagraph 5ofthe
Understanding onBalance-of-Payments Procedures).
3. Noting theclose relationship between theCONTRACTING PARTIES totheGATT 1947and
theInternational Monetary Fund, andtheprovisions oftheGATT 1947 governing that
relationship, inparticular Article XVoftheGATT 1947;
Recognizing thedesire ofparticipants tobasetherelationship oftheWorld Trade Organization
withtheInternational Monetary Fund, withregard totheareas covered bytheMultilateral
Trade Agreements inAnnex 1AoftheWTO Agreement, ontheprovisions thathavegoverned
therelationship oftheCONTRACTING PARTIES totheGATT 1947 withtheInternational
Monetary Fund;
[Ministers] Hereby reaffirm that,unless otherwise provided forintheFinal Act,therelationship
oftheWTO withtheInternational Monetary Fund, withregard totheareas covered bythe
Multilateral Trade Agreements inAnnex 1AoftheWTO Agreement, willbebased onthe
provisions thathave governed therelationship oftheCONTRACTING PARTIES tothe
GATT 1947withtheInternational Monetary Fund(Declaration ontheRelationship oftheWTO
withtheIMF).
BOPrelated provisions intheareaofservices
4. Intheevent ofserious balance-of-payments andexternal financial difficulties orthreat thereof,
aMember mayadopt ormaintain restrictions ontrade inservices onwhich ithasundertaken
specific commitments, including onpayments ortransfers fortransactions related tosuch
commitments. Itisrecognized thatparticular pressures onthebalance ofpayments ofaMember
intheprocess ofeconomic development oreconomic transition maynecessitate theuseof
restrictions toensure, interalia,themaintenance ofaleveloffinancial reserves adequate for
theimplementation ofitsprogramme ofeconomic development oreconomic transition.
Therestrictions referred tointheabove paragraph shall beconsistent withtheArticles of
Agreement oftheInternational Monetary Fund (GATS, Article XII:1 and2(b)).
5. Members applying theprovisions ofthisArticle shallconsult promptly withtheCommittee
onBalance-of-Payments Restrictions onrestrictions adopted under thisArticle.
Insuchconsultations, allfindings ofstatistical andother factspresented bytheInternational
Monetary Fund relating toforeign exchange, monetary reserves andbalance ofpayments, shall
beaccepted andconclusions shall bebased ontheassessment bytheFund ofthe
balance-of-payments andtheexternal financial situation oftheconsulting Member (GATS,
Article XII:5(a) and(e)).
6. IfaMember which isnotamember oftheInternational Monetary Fund wishes toapply the
provisions ofthisArticle, theMinisterial Conference shallestablish areview procedure and
anyother procedures necessary (GATS, Article XII:6).PC/IPL/W/2
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(j) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
1. Members [Desire] toestablish amutually supportive relationship between theWTO andthe
World Intellectual Property Organization (referred tointhisAgreement as"WIPO") aswell
asother relevant international organizations (Agreement onTRIPS, Preamble).
2. Theobligations under Articles 3and4[onnational treatment andm.f.n. treatment] donot
apply toprocedures provided inmultilateral agreements concluded under theauspices ofWIPO
relating totheacquisition ormaintenance ofintellectual property rights (Agreement onTRIPS,
Article 5).
3. Members shallnotify thelawsandregulations referred toinparagraph 1totheCouncil for
TRIPS inorder toassist thatCouncil initsreview oftheoperation ofthisAgreement. The
Council shallattempt tominimize theburden onMembers incarrying outthisobligation and
maydecide towaive theobligations tonotify suchlawsandregulations directly totheCouncil
ifconsultations withWIPO ontheestablishment ofacommon register containing these laws
andregulations aresuccessful. TheCouncil shallalsoconsider inthisconnection anyaction
required regarding notifications pursuant totheobligations under thisAgreement stemming
from theprovisions ofArticle 6teroftheParis Convention (1967) (Agreement onTRIPS,
Article 63:2).
4. TheCouncil forTRIPS shall monitor theoperation ofthisAgreement and,inparticular,
Members'compliancewiththeirobligationshereunder,andshallaffordMemberstheopportunity
ofconsulting onmatters relating tothetrade-related aspects ofintellectual property rights.
Itshallcarry outsuchother responsibilities asassigned toitbytheMembers, anditshall,
inparticular, provide anyassistance requested bythem inthecontext ofdispute settlement
procedures. Incarrying outitsfunctions, theCouncil forTRIPS mayconsult withandseek
information from anysource itdeems appropriate. Inconsultation withWIPO, theCouncil
shall seektoestablish, within oneyearofitsfirstmeeting, appropriate arrangements for
cooperation withbodies ofthatOrganization (Agreement onTRIPS, Article 68).
(k) International Organization forStandardization (ISO)
1. Members recognize theimportance ofinternational standards forglobal compatibility and
inter-operability oftelecommunication networks andservices andundertake topromote such
standards through thework ofrelevant international bodies, including theInternational
Telecommunication Union (GATS, Annex onTelecommunications, paragraph 7(a)).
2. Ministers decide torecommend thattheSecretariat oftheWorld Trade Organization reach
anunderstanding withtheInternational Organization forStandardization ("ISO") toestablish
aninformation system under which:
- ISONET members shalltransmit totheISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva the
notifications referred toinparagraphs CandJoftheCode ofGood Practice forthe
Preparation, Adoption andApplication ofStandards inAnnex 3totheAgreement on
Technical Barriers toTrade, inthemanner indicated there;
- theISO/IEC Information Centre shallpromptly convey totheSecretariat copies of
anynotifications referred toinparagraph CoftheCode ofGood Practice;
- theISO/IEC Information Centre shallregularly publish theinformation received in
thenotifications made toitunder paragraphs CandJoftheCode ofGood Practice;PC/IPL/W/2
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thispublication, forwhich areasonable feemaybecharged, shall beavailable to
ISONET members andthrough theSecretariat totheMembers oftheWTO (Decision
onProposed Understanding onWTO-ISO Standards Information System, Preamble,
paragraphs 1,3and4).
(l) International Organization forStandardization (ISO)/
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
1. Theterms presented inthesixthedition oftheISO/IEC Guide 2:1991, General Terms and
Their Definitions Concerning Standardization andRelated Activities, shall, when usedinthis
Agreement, havethesame meaning asgiven inthedefinitions inthesaidGuide taking into
account thatservices areexcluded from thecoverage ofthisAgreement [andtheterms and
theirdefinitions indicated inAnnex 1](Agreement onTechnical Barriers, Annex 1).
2. Standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted orwithdrawn fromthisCode shallnotify thisfactto
theISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva. Thenotification shallinclude thename andaddress
ofthebody concerned andthescope ofitscurrent andexpected standardization activities.
Thenotification maybesenteither directly totheISO/IEC Information Centre, orthrough
thenational member body ofISO/IEC or,preferably, through therelevant national member
orinternationalaffiliateofISONET,asappropriate(AgreementonTechnicalBarriers,Annex3,
paragraph C).
3. Thework programme shallforeachstandard indicate, inaccordance withanyISONET rules,
theclassification relevant tothesubject matter, thestageattained inthestandard 'sdevelopment,
andthereferences ofanyinternational standards taken asabasis. Nolaterthanatthetime
ofpublication ofitswork programme, thestandardizing bodyshallnotify theexistence thereof
totheISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva.
Thenotification shallcontain thename andaddress ofthestandardizing body, thename and
issue ofthepublication inwhich thework programme ispublished, theperiod towhich the
work programme applies, itsprice (ifany), andhowandwhere itcanbeobtained. The
notification maybesentdirectly totheISO/IEC Information Centre, or,preferably, through
therelevant national member orinternational affiliate ofISONET, asappropriate (Agreement
onTechnical Barriers, Annex 3,paragraph J).
4. Thenational member ofISO/IEC shallmake every effort tobecome amember ofISONET
ortoappoint another body tobecome amember aswellastoacquire themost advanced
membership typepossible fortheISONET member. Other standardizing bodies shallmake
everyefforttoassociatethemselveswiththeISONETmember(AgreementonTechnicalBarriers,
Annex 3,paragraph K).
5. Ministersdecidethatinconformitywithparagraph1ofArticle13oftheAgreementonTechnical
Barriers toTrade inAnnex 1AoftheAgreement Establishing theWorld Trade Organization,
theCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade established thereunder shall, without prejudice
toprovisions onconsultation anddispute settlement, atleastonceayearreview thepublication
provided bytheISO/IEC Information Centre oninformation received according totheCode
ofGood Practice forthePreparation, Adoption andApplication ofStandards inAnnex 3of
theAgreement, forthepurpose ofaffording Members opportunity ofdiscussing anymatters
relating totheoperation ofthatCode.PC/IPL/W/2
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TheSecretariat shallalsodistribute promptly totheMembers copies ofthenotifications it
receives fromtheISO/IEC Information Centre (Decision onReview oftheISO/IEC Information
Centre Publication).
(m) Customs Co-operation Council (CCC)
Customs valuation
1. There shallbeestablished aTechnical Committee onCustoms Valuation (referred tointhis
Agreement as"theTechnical Committee") under theauspices oftheCustoms Co-operation
Council (referred tointhisAgreement as"theCCC"), which shallcarry outtheresponsibilities
described inAnnex IItothisAgreement andshalloperate inaccordance withtherules of
procedure contained therein (Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VII,Article 18:2)
2. Inaccordance withArticle 18ofthisAgreement, theTechnical Committee shallbeestablished
under theauspices oftheCCC withaviewtoensuring, atthetechnical level, uniformity in
interpretation andapplication ofthisAgreement (Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VII,
Annex II,paragraph 1).
3. TheTechnical Committee shallbeassisted asappropriate initsactivities bytheCCCSecretariat
(Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VII,Annex II,paragraph 4).
4. EachMember shallhavetherighttoberepresented ontheTechnical Committee. TheWTO
Secretariat mayalsoattend suchmeetings withobserver status (Agreement onImplementation
ofArticle VII,Annex II,paragraph 5).
5. Members oftheCCC which arenotMembers oftheWTO mayberepresented atmeetings
oftheTechnical Committee byonedelegate andoneormore alternates. Suchrepresentatives
shallattend meetings oftheTechnical Committee asobservers (Agreement onImplementation
ofArticle VII,Annex II,paragraph 6).
6. Subject totheapproval oftheChairman oftheTechnical Committee, theSecretary-General
oftheCCC (referred tointhisAnnex as"theSecretary-General") mayinvite representatives
ofgovernments which areneither Members oftheWTO normembers oftheCCC and
representatives ofinternational governmental andtrade organizations toattend meetings of
theTechnical Committee asobservers (Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VII,Annex II,
paragraph 7).
7. Nominations ofdelegates, alternates andadvisers tomeetings oftheTechnical Committee shall
bemade totheSecretary-General (Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VII,Annex II,
paragraph 8).
8. TheChairman oftheTechnical Committee oradesignee oftheChairman shallreport onthe
work oftheTechnical Committee ateachmeeting oftheCommittee andateachmeeting of
theCCC (Agreement onImplementation ofArticle VII,Annex II,paragraph 23).
Rules oforigin
9. There shall beestablished aTechnical Committee onRules ofOrigin (referred tointhis
Agreement as"theTechnical Committee") under theauspices oftheCustoms Co-operation
Council (CCC) assetoutinAnnex I.TheCCC Secretariat shallactasthesecretariat tothe
Technical Committee (Agreement onRules ofOrigin, Article 4:2).PC/IPL/W/2
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10. With theobjectives ofharmonizing rules oforigin and,interalia,providing more certainty
intheconduct ofworld trade, theMinisterial Conference shallundertake thework programme
setoutbelow [inArticle 9]inconjunction withtheCCC (Agreement onRules ofOrigin,
Article 9:1).
11. Toprovide fordetailed input bytheCCC, theCommittee onRules ofOrigin shallrequest
theTechnical Committee toprovide itsinterpretations andopinions resulting from thework
described below [inArticle 9:2]onthebasisoftheprinciples listed inparagraph 1(Agreement
onRules ofOrigin, Article 9:2(c)).
12. Each Member shallhavetherighttoberepresented ontheTechnical Committee. TheWTO
Secretariat mayalsoattend suchmeetings withobserver status (Agreement onRules ofOrigin,
Annex I,paragraph 4).
13. Members oftheCCC which arenotMembers oftheWTO mayberepresented atmeetings
oftheTechnical Committee byonedelegate andoneormore alternates. Suchrepresentatives
shallattend meetings oftheTechnical Committee asobservers (Agreement onRules ofOrigin,
Annex I,paragraph 5).
14. Subject totheapproval oftheChairman oftheTechnical Committee, theSecretary-General
oftheCCC (referred tointhisAnnex as"theSecretary-General") mayinvite representatives
ofgovernments which areneither Members oftheWTO normembers oftheCCC and
representatives ofinternational governmental andtrade organizations toattend meetings of
theTechnical Committee asobservers (Agreement onRules ofOrigin, Annex I,paragraph 6).
15. Nominations ofdelegates, alternates andadvisers tomeetings oftheTechnical Committee shall
bemade totheSecretary-General (Agreement onRules ofOrigin, Annex I,paragraph 7).
(n) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
1. Members recognize thatanefficient, advanced telecommunications infrastructure incountries,
particularly developing countries, isessential totheexpansion oftheirtrade inservices. To
thisend,Members endorse andencourage theparticipation, tothefullest extent practicable,
ofdevelopedanddevelopingcountriesandtheirsuppliersofpublictelecommunicationstransport
networks andservices andother entities inthedevelopment programmes ofinternational and
regional organizations, including theInternational Telecommunication Union (GATS, Annex
onTelecommunications, paragraph 6(a)).
2. Members recognize theimportance ofinternational standards forglobal compatibility and
inter-operability oftelecommunication networks andservices andundertake topromote such
standards through thework ofrelevant international bodies, including theInternational
Telecommunication Union (GATS, Annex onTelecommunications, paragraph 7(a)).
3. Members recognize theroleplayed byintergovernmental andnon-governmental organizations
andagreements inensuring theefficient operation ofdomestic andglobal telecommunications
services, inparticular theInternational Telecommunication Union. Members shall make
appropriate arrangements, where relevant, forconsultation withsuchorganizations onmatters
arising from theimplementation ofthisAnnex (GATS, Annex onTelecommunications,
paragraph 7(b)).PC/IPL/W/2
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(o) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Members recognize thatanefficient, advanced telecommunications infrastructure incountries,
particularly developing countries, isessential totheexpansion oftheirtrade inservices. To
thisend,Members endorse andencourage theparticipation, tothefullest extent practicable,
ofdevelopedanddevelopingcountriesandtheirsuppliersofpublictelecommunicationstransport
networks andservices andother entities inthedevelopment programmes ofinternational and
regional organizations, including theUnited Nations Development Programme (GATS, Annex
onTelecommunications, paragraph 6(a)).
II. Main functions andactivities oftheorganizations mentioned intheFinal Acttexts
(a) United Nations (UN)
TheaimsoftheUNarecontained inthePreamble toitsCharter. TheUNischarged byits
Charter withpromoting intheeconomic andsocial fields, interalia,higher standards ofliving, full
employment,andconditionsofeconomicandsocialprogressanddevelopment;solutionstointernational
economic, social, health andrelated problems; international cultural andeducational cooperation;
anduniversal respect forandobservance ofhuman rights andfundamental freedoms. Responsibility
fordischarging these functions isvested intheGeneral Assembly and,under itsauthority, inthe
Economic andSocial Council (ECOSOC). TheECOSOC makes orinitiates studies andreports with
respect tointernational economic, social, cultural, educational, health andrelated matters. Itmakes
recommendations onsuchmatters totheAssembly, tothemembers oftheUN,andtothespecialized
agencies concerned. Italsomakes recommendations forthepurpose ofpromoting respect for,and
observance ofhuman rights. Itprepares draftconventions forsubmission totheAssembly onmatters
within itscompetence andcallsinternational conferences onsuchmatters. Itenters intoagreements
withspecializedagenciesandmakesarrangementsforconsultationwithnon-governmentalorganizations.
InFebruary 1993, theECOSOC established aCommission onSustainable Development withfunctions
relating broadly tomonitoring progress intheimplementation ofAgenda 21agreed attheUnited Nations
Conference onEnvironment andDevelopment (UNCED).
(b) Food andAgriculture Organization (FAO)
TheFAO, aspecialized agency oftheUNreporting annually toECOSOC, wasestablished
in1945forthepurposes ofraising levels ofnutrition andstandards ofliving ofthepeoples inmember
countries; securing improvements intheefficiency oftheproduction anddistribution ofallfoodand
agricultural products; bettering thecondition ofruralpopulations; andthuscontributing toward an
expanding world economy andensuring humanity 'sfreedom fromhunger. TheFAO hasfivemajor
committees covering itsactivities, namely theCommittee onCommodity Problems, Committee on
Fisheries, Committee onForestry, Committee onAgriculture andtheCommittee onWorld Food
Security. TheCommittee onCommodity Problems, which keeps under review international commodity
problems, hasaSub-Committee onSurplus Disposals todealwitheffects oncommercial markets of
thedisposal ofsurplus agricultural products asaidoratconcessional prices. TheFAO hasawide
range ofother inter-governmental andexpert bodies, ofbothaglobal andregional nature, dealing with
aspects ofagriculture, fisheries andfood.
(c) Codex Alimentarius Commission
TheCommission wasestablished bythegoverning bodies ofFAO andtheWorld Health
Organization (WHO) in1962 toimplement theJoint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. The
Programme 'spurpose istoprotect thehealth ofconsumers andensure fairpractices inthefoodtradePC/IPL/W/2
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byinitiating andguiding thepreparation, finalization, publication andrevision ofinternational food
standards andbypromoting thecoordination ofallfoodstandards work undertaken byinternational
organizations. Membership oftheCommission isopentomembers andassociate members ofFAO
andWHO. TheCommission 'sstandards, codes ofpractice andrecommendations andguidelines are
published together withdetails ofgovernments 'acceptances intheCodex Alimentarius. Thispublication
isintended topromote theharmonization ofrequirements forfoods and,insodoing, tofacilitate
international trade. TheCommission hasunder itanumber ofsubsidiary inter-governmental bodies,
general subject committees andcommodity committees.
(d) International Office ofEpizootics (OIE)
TheOIEwascreated in1924toimprove international coordination ofactions against epizootic
diseases, andtocollect anddisseminate information oncontagious animal diseases. Theorganization
studies animal diseases andtheirprevention; informs member countries oftheevolution ofepizootic
diseases andmethods tocombat them; harmonizes diagnostic methods andinternational animal health
regulations; coordinates international action infacing anepizootic threat; andorganizes conferences
ofRegional Commissions, specialist conferences andmeetings.
(e) Secretariat oftheInternational Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
TheIPPC wasestablished in1951within theframework oftheFAOforthepurpose ofsecuring
common andeffective action toprevent theintroduction andspread ofpests anddiseases ofplants
andplant products andtopromote measures fortheir control, through legislative, technical and
administrative measures specified intheConvention. Governments undertake totakeaction under
theConvention insuchawayastominimize interference withinternational trade. In1989, theFAO
created anIPPC Secretariat, andin1991 anInternational Committee ofExperts onPhytosanitary
Measures (CEPM) wasestablished.
(f) International Wheat Council (IWC)
TheIWCadministers theWheat Trade Convention oftheInternational Wheat Agreement 1986,
theobjectives ofwhich include: furthering international cooperation inallaspects ofthetradeinwheat
andother grains; promoting expansion ofinternational tradeingrains, andsecuring itsfreest possible
flowintheinterests ofmembers, particularly developing members; contributing tothestability of
international grain markets andenhancing world foodsecurity; providing aforum fortheexchange
ofinformation anddiscussion ofmembers 'concerns regarding trade ingrains; andproviding a
framework forthepossible negotiation ofafuture agreement witheconomic provisions. TheFood
AidCommittee oftheIWC administers theFood AidConvention 1986, which istheother legal
instrument comprising theInternational Wheat Agreement.
(g) International Bank forReconstruction andDevelopment (IBRD)
TheIBRD, aspecialized agency oftheUNestablished in1945, aimstopromote theeconomic
development ofmember countries bymaking loans togovernments below conventional ratesofinterest
forhigh-priority productive projects incases where capital isnotobtainable from other sources on
reasonable terms; provide member countries withtechnical assistance onmatters relating totheir
economic development; trytoincrease theeffectiveness oftheinternational development effort by
fostering cooperation withandamong other donors offinancial andtechnical assistance.PC/IPL/W/2
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(h) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
TheIMF, established in1944, encourages international monetary cooperation andthebalanced
expansion ofworld trade by(a)promoting exchange stability andorderly exchange arrangements;
(b)promoting international consultation andcollaboration oninternational monetary issues; (c)working
toward theremoval ofexchange restrictions; (d)making financial resources temporarily available to
members soastopermit themtocorrect payment imbalances; and(e)seeking reduction ofbothduration
andmagnitude ofpayments imbalances.
(i) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
TheWIPO, aspecialized agency oftheUNestablished in1967, isresponsible forthepromotion
oftheprotection ofintellectual property throughout theworld. WIPO administers various international
treaties, ofwhich themostimportant aretheParisConvention fortheProtection ofIndustrial Property
of1883 andtheBerne Convention fortheProtection ofLiterary andArtistic Works of1886. WIPO
alsocarries outaprogramme ofactivities inthefieldofintellectual property topromote creative
intellectual activity, protection ofintellectual property, international cooperation andthetransfer of
technology, especially toandamong developing countries.
(j) International Organization forStandardization (ISO)
TheISO,established in1947, aimstopromote thedevelopment ofstandardization andrelated
activities intheworld withaviewtofacilitating international exchange ofgoods andservices andto
developing cooperation inthesphere ofintellectual, scientific, technological andeconomic activity.
TheISOInformation Network (ISONET) coordinates andsystematizes theexchange ofinformation
onstandards andstandard-type documents bothinternationally andnationally, bylinking theinformation
centres ofmost ISOmembers andtheISO/IEC Information Centre attheCentral Secretariat intoa
coherent information system. TheISOisanon-governmental organization withnational standards
bodies asmembers.
(k) International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
TheIEC, established in1904, aimstopromote international cooperation onallquestions of
electricandelectronicstandards,includingreliability,safety,interchangeabilityandmutualcompatibility
ofequipment, andelimination ofunnecessary diversity ofcomponents. TheIECissues standards
expressing international consensus ofopinion toassist National Committees inharmonizing national
standards withIECstandards insofar asnational conditions permit. TheIECcooperates closely with
theISO, which produces standards inthenon-electrical fields. TheIECisanon-governmental
organization composed ofrepresentatives oftechnical andscientific organizations which dealwith
questions ofelectrical standardization atthenational level.
(l) Customs Co-operation Council (CCC)
TheCCC, established in1950, aims: (1)toencourage harmonization andsimplification of
customsproceduresandtopromotecooperationamongcustomsadministrationsbypromotingthewidest
application oftheHarmonized System forCustoms tariffs; promoting thewidest adoption and
implementation oftheCustoms Valuation Code ofGATT byproviding technical assistance andadvice
tomembers while ensuring uniform application oftheBrussels Definition ofValue bythose countries
stillapplyingit;developingandpromotingstandardcustomsdocumentsformultiplecustomsprocedures
andstandardized datasystems permitting automated exchange ofdata; studying modern customs
processes, developing standardized andsimplified customs procedures andintensifying promotion of
theKyoto Convention andother documents which advocate suchprocesses andprocedures; activelyPC/IPL/W/2
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identifying newtechniques anddisseminating information about themamong members, withpractical
implementation measures; (2)todevelop improved control andenforcement capabilities byworking
incollaboration withmembers andinterested organizations indeveloping techniques andsystems of
relevance tothecustoms; studying newCustoms control methods toensure adequacy ofenforcement
while simplifying andspeeding upcustoms processes; promoting greater cooperation intheenforcement
areabydeveloping programmes andstrategies tofullyimplement theBrussels Declaration, particularly
tofight more efficiently against theillicit traffic ofdrugs; (3)toimprove thehuman resources,
organizationandmanagementofcustomsadministrationsbypromotingregionalprogrammesandregional
initiatives intraining ofcustoms officers andofficer exchange programmes; providing aforum for
management-level discussions ontopical customs questions; developing programmes andstrategies
forthedevelopment ofmodel training programmes andtheprovision ofexpert assistance, particularly
inrelation totheHarmonized System andtheCustoms Valuation Code.
(m) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
TheITU, aspecialized agency oftheUNestablished in1865, hasthefollowing aims: to
maintain andextend international cooperation between allmembers oftheunion fortheimprovement
andrational useoftelecommunications ofallkinds, aswellastopromote andtooffertechnical assistance
todeveloping countries inthefieldoftelecommunications; topromote thedevelopment oftechnical
facilities andtheirmostefficient operation withaviewtoimproving theefficiency oftelecommunication
services, increasing theirusefulness andmaking them, sofaraspossible, generally available tothe
public; topromote theuseoftelecommunication services withtheobjective offacilitating peaceful
relations; toharmonize theactions ofmembers intheattainment ofthose ends.
(n) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
TheUNDP, anorgan oftheUNlinked totheGeneral Assembly andtoECOSOC, was
establishedin1965.TheUNDPadministersandcoordinatesthemajorityoftechnicalassistanceprovided
through theUNsystem. Itsobjective istoassist developing countries toaccelerate theireconomic
andsocial development byproviding assistance geared totheirdevelopment objectives, withspecial
attention totheneeds ofleast-developed countries. Most oftheprojects funded bytheprogramme
areexecuted byagencies andorganizations within theUNsystem.
III. Other inter-governmental organizations whose work might berelevant totheWTO, andtheir
main functions andactivities
(a) Related organs andspecialized agencies oftheUnited Nations
Thefollowing related organs andspecialized agencies oftheUnited Nations maybeofrelevance
totheactivities oftheWTO, bothgenerally aswellasinparticular areas. Inaddition tosome ofthe
organs andspecialized agencies ofmentioned inSections IandIIabove, theUNCTAD andUNESCO
wereassociated withthework oftheUruguay Round inthecapacity ofobservers, andmade specific
contributions toparticular negotiating groups.
(i) United Nations Conference onTrade andDevelopment (UNCTAD)
TheUNCTAD, anorgan oftheGeneral Assembly, wasestablished byResolution 1995(XIX)
of1964, withthefollowing mandate: tohelprestructure thetraditional patterns ofinternational trade
toenable developing countries toplaytheirpartinworld commerce; topromote international trade,
particularly between countries atdifferent stages ofdevelopment; toformulate andimplement principles
andpolicies oninternational trade andrelated problems ofeconomic development; toreview andPC/IPL/W/2
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facilitate coordination ofactivities ofother UNbodies intheareaoftrade andrelated problems of
economic development; toinitiate action fornegotiation andadoption ofmultilateral instruments in
thefieldoftrade; andtoactasacentre forharmonization oftrade andrelated development policies
ofgovernments andregional economic groups.
Ininstitutional reform measures adopted atUNCTAD 'sEighth Session atCartagena in1992,
itwasagreed that,inlinewiththismandate, thefunctions ofUNCTAD would henceforth comprise
ofpolicy analysis; inter-governmental deliberation, consensus building andnegotiation; monitoring,
implementation andfollow-up; andtechnical cooperation. Inendorsing theCartagena Commitment,
theGeneral Assembly, inDecember 1992, reaffirmed therôleofUNCTAD astheprincipal organ
oftheAssembly inthefieldoftrade anddevelopment andasthemostappropriate focalpoint, within
theUnited Nations proper, fortheintegrated treatment ofdevelopment andinterrelated issues inkey
areas including trade, commodities, finance, investment, services andtechnology.
Aseries ofnegotiations heldovertheyears under theauspices ofUNCTAD haveresulted in
anumberofmultilateralagreementsorarrangementsinitsareasofresponsibility,suchastheGeneralized
System ofPreferences, theSetofMultilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles andRules fortheControl
ofRestrictiveBusinessPractices,andtheUNConventiononLinerConferences.Internationalcommodity
conferences, heldunder UNCTAD auspices, haveresulted inthenegotiation ofinternational agreements
onindividual commodities suchascocoa, olive oilandtableolives, jute,natural rubber, sugar and
tropical timber. Negotiations leading totheestablishment ofstudy groups havebeenheldinrespect
ofcertain oresandmetals, namely, ironandsteel, bauxite, tungsten, copper andnickel. These study
groups provide thebasis forexchange ofinformation onproduction andtrade inthese commodities.
Inrecent years, UNCTAD hasaddressed thesubject ofsustainable development. In
October 1990, theTrade andDevelopment Board decided thattheobjective ofsustainable development,
particularly thereduction ofpoverty, should beincorporated intoallareas ofUNCTAD 'swork atthe
inter-governmental leveland,inOctober 1991, requested theUNCTAD Secretary-General tostudy
theimpact ontrade ofnational andinternational environmental measures. InMarch 1993, theBoard
decided thatitwould henceforth consider atopic under thetheme "Trade andEnvironment" atthe
firstpartofeachofitsannual sessions, andthatatitsspring sessions itwould consider another theme
orthemes onsustainable development. TheUNCTAD hasrecently established aWorking Group on
Trade, Environment andSustainable Development, andiscarrying outajointwork programme with
UNEP ontrade andenvironment.
(ii) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
TheUNEP,anorganoftheUNlinkedtotheGeneralAssemblyandtoECOSOC,wasestablished
in1972. Ithasthefollowing mainfunctions: topromote international cooperation intheenvironment
fieldandrecommend policies tothisend; toprovide policy guidance fordirection andcoordination
ofenvironmental programmes within theUNsystem; tokeepunder review theworld environmental
situation;tomaintaincontinuingreviewoftheimpactofnationalandinternationalenvironmentalpolicies
andmeasures ondeveloping countries, including theproblem ofadditional coststhatmaybeincurred
bysuchcountries intheir implementation ofenvironmental programmes, andtoensure thatsuch
programmes shallbecompatible withdevelopment plans andpriorities ofthose countries.
(iii) United Nations Educational, Scientific andCultural Organization (UNESCO)
TheaimsofUNESCO, aspecialized agency oftheUNestablished in1945, are"tocontribute
topeace andsecurity bypromoting collaboration among thenations through education, science and
culture inorder tofurther universal respect forjustice, fortheruleoflaw,andforthehuman rights
andfundamental freedoms which areaffirmed forthepeoples oftheworld, without distinction ofrace,PC/IPL/W/2
Page17
sex,language orreligion, bytheCharter oftheUnited Nations; givefreshimpulse topopular education
andtothespread ofculture; maintain, increase anddiffuse knowledge; encourage cooperation among
nations inallbranches ofintellectual activity; andinitiate methods ofinternational cooperation togive
people ofallcountries access toprinted andpublished materials produced byanyofthem. Among
UNESCO 'scurrent programmes ofactivities areprinciples, methods andstrategies ofaction for
development, andthehuman environment andterrestrial andmarine resources. UNESCO 'sactivities
incopyright aimprimarily tostimulate intellectual creativity byprotecting authors 'interests; encourage
theapplication ofinternational instruments oncopyright andneighbouring rights; contribute tothe
safeguarding oftheheritage belonging tothepublic domain andoffolklore; encourage theestablishment
orstrengthening ofnational infrastructures inthecopyright field; anddevelop training activities
particularly indeveloping countries. TheUNESCO administers theUniversal Copyright Convention
and,jointly withILOandWIPO, theInternational Convention fortheProtection ofPerformers,
Producers ofPhonograms andBroadcasting Organizations (the"Rome Convention").
(iv) United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Thepurposes oftheUNIDO, aspecialized agency oftheUNestablished in1985, areto
encourage andextend assistance todeveloping countries forthedevelopment, expansion and
modernization oftheirindustries; toassist suchcountries intheestablishment andoperation ofindustries
toachieve fullutilization oflocally-available resources andcontribute toself-reliance; toprovide a
forum toserve thedeveloping andindustrialized countries intheir contacts, consultations and
negotiations;tocoordinateallactivitiesoftheUNsystemrelatedtoindustrialdevelopment.Since1975,
special attention hasbeengiven toefforts aimed atraising thedeveloping countries 'share inworld
manufacturing production. Among thespecial programmes ofUNIDO aretheUNIDO Investment
Promotion Services which provide developing countries direct access totechnological, managerial and
financial resources inindustrialized countries.
(v) World Health Organization (WHO)
Theprincipal objective oftheWHO, aspecialized agency oftheUNestablished in1946, is:
"theattainment byallpeoples ofthehighest possible level ofhealth". TheWHO hasaninterest in
respect oftheprotection ofpharmaceutical inventions andtheuseoftrademarks on,andcounterfeiting
of,pharmaceuticals.
(vi) International Labour Office (ILO)
TheILO,aspecialized agency oftheUN,seeks toraiseworking andliving standards through
theadoption ofinternational labour conventions andrecommendations setting minimum standards in
suchfields aswages, hours ofwork andconditions ofemployment, andsocial security. Italsoconducts
research andtechnical cooperation activities. Itsactivities focus onthefollowing major themes:
standard-setting andhuman rights; employment promotion; training; industrial relations andlabour
administration; working conditions andenvironment; industrial sectoral activities; social security;
andservices toemployers 'andworkers 'organizations. TheILOjointly administers theInternational
Convention fortheProtection ofPerformers, Producers ofPhonograms andBroadcasting Organizations
(the"Rome Convention").
(vii) International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Themainobjective ofIMO, aspecialized agency oftheUNestablished in1948, istofacilitate
cooperation among governments ontechnical matters affecting international shipping, inorder toachieve
thehighest practicable standards ofmaritime safety andefficiency innavigation. IMOhasaspecial
responsibility forsafety oflifeatsea,andfortheprotection ofthemarine environment throughPC/IPL/W/2
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prevention ofpollution oftheseabyships andother craft. IMOalsodealswithlegalmatters connected
withinternational shipping, withthefacilitation ofinternational shipping services, andisresponsible
forproviding technical assistance inmaritime matters todeveloping countries. IMO isresponsible
alsoforconvening international conferences onshipping, andfordrafting international conventions
oragreements onthissubject. TheIMO isthedepositary ofvarious maritime conventions and
instruments.
(viii) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
TheICAO, aspecialized agency oftheUN,wasestablished in1947 following theentry into
force oftheConvention onInternational Civil Aviation, alsoknown astheChicago Convention. The
Convention isthebasic legalinstrument fortheprovision ofservices ininternational civilaviation.
Thespecific aimsoftheICAO aretodevelop theprinciples andtechniques ofinternational airnavigation
andtofoster theplanning anddevelopment ofinternational airtransport soasto(a)insure thesafe
andorderly growth ofinternational civilaviation throughout theworld; (b)encourage theartsofaircraft
design andoperation forpeaceful purposes; (c)encourage thedevelopment ofairways, airports, and
airnavigation facilities forinternational civilaviation; (d)meettheneeds ofthepeoples oftheworld
forsafe, regular, efficient andeconomical airtransport; (e)prevent economic waste caused by
unreasonable competition; (f)insure thattherights ofcontracting States arefullyrespected andthat
every contracting Statehasafairopportunity tooperate international airlines; (h)promote safety of
flight ininternational airnavigation; (i)promote generally thedevelopment ofallaspects ofinternational
civilaeronautics.
(b) International Trade Centre (UNCTAD/GATT)6
TheInternational Trade Centre (ITC) wascreated in1964 bytheGATT toprovide trade
information, tradepromotion advice andtradepromotion publications todeveloping countries. In1968,
following aUNGeneral Assembly resolution, theUNCTAD joined GATT asco-sponsor oftheITC
"onacontinuing basis andinequal partnership". Thelegal status ofITCwasformally confirmed
bytheGeneral Assembly asthatofa"joint subsidiary organ oftheGATT andtheUN,thelatter acting
through theUNCTAD". In1973, ITCwasdesignated asthefocalpointintheUNsystem fortechnical
cooperation withdeveloping countries intrade promotion. In1984, itbecame anexecuting agency
oftheUNDP. Because ofitslegalstatus, ITCdoesnothaveamembership ofitsown,anditsdefacto
members arethecontracting parties toGATT andthemember states ofUNCTAD.
TheITCworkswithdevelopingcountriestosetupeffectivenationaltradepromotionprogrammes
forexpanding theirexports andimproving theirimport operations. TheITCalsoprovides market
development services aimed atidentifying newexport opportunities, adapting products forsaleabroad
andpromoting these goods ontheinternational market. TheITCalsoworks withimport management
organizations toimprove theirimport operations andtechniques andorganizes training forgovernment
officials, business executives andinstructors onabroad range ofexport andimport subjects. Inaddition
tothesemainareas,theITCdealswiththespecialtradepromotionneedsoftheleast-developedcountries.
6TheSub-Committee onBudget, Finance andAdministration ismandated toexamine, under Paragraph 8(a)(vi) ofthe
Decision Establishing thePreparatory Committee, "therelationship between theInternational Trade Centre andtheWTO" .PC/IPL/W/2
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(c) Other inter-governmental organizations ofrelevance inspecific areas oftheactivities ofthe
WTO
(i) Trade inServices
Inaddition totheorganizations which havebeendescribed inearlier Sections oftheNote, such
astheIBRD, IOS, UNIDO, ICAO, IMF, ILO, IMO, UNCTAD andITU, thefollowing other
organizations mayalsoberelevant tothework oftheWTO:
- World Tourism Organization
Thefundamental aimoftheWorld Tourism Organization istopromote anddevelop tourism
withaviewtocontributing toeconomic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity
anduniversal respect for,andobservance of,human rights andfundamental freedoms forallwithout
distinction astorace, sex,language orreligion. Inorder tocarry outtherôleentrusted toitbythe
UNGeneralAssembly,theWorldTourismOrganizationassistsdevelopingcountriestopromotetourism
asafundamental component ofeconomic, social andcultural development. TheWorld Tourism
Organization alsoseeks progressively toremove obstacles totourist travel, andaims toeliminate
protectionist barriers totradeintourism services toensure fairtreatment ininternational competition.
- International Organization forMigration (IOM)
TheaimsoftheIOMaretoprovide orderly andplanned migration tomeetthespecific needs
ofemigration andimmigration countries; organize andsupervise theprocessing andmovement of
refugees, displaced persons andother persons inneedofinternational migration services, tocountries
offering them anewfuture; contribute tothetransfer oftechnology through migration inorder to
promote theeconomic, educational andsocial advancement ofcountries intheprocess ofdevelopment;
actasaforum fordiscussion ofmigration issues.
(ii) Trade Related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
Inaddition totheorganizations which havebeendescribed inearlier Sections oftheNote, such
astheFAO, ILO,UNESCO, WHO andUNEP, thefollowing other organizations mayalsoberelevant
tothework oftheWTO:
- International Union fortheProtection ofNewVarieties ofPlants (UPOV)
TheUPOV aimstopromote protection ofrights ofplant breeders innewvarieties ofplants
andtoharmonize national legislation andpractices inthefieldofplantbreeders rights. TheUPOV 's
Secretariat isinthesame building astheheadquarters ofWIPO, anditsSecretary-General isalso
Director-General ofWIPO.
- International VineandWine Office (OIV)
TheaimsoftheOIVaretocollect, study andpublish scientific, technical, economic andlegal
documentation onvinecultivation andderivate products, namely wine, grapes, raisins, grape juice;
tocontribute tothedevelopment ofscientific research inthefield; andtoformulate arational world
policy asregards viticulture andmake recommendations tomember Governments.PC/IPL/W/2
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(d) Other inter-governmental organizations
Some oftheactivities ofthefollowing organizations mayberelevant tothework oftheWTO:
Regional development banks, such astheInter-American Development Bank (IDB), theAsian
Development Bank, theAfrican Development Bank, andtheEuropean Bank forReconstruction and
Development (EBRD), aswellasUNEconomic Commissions forAfrica (ECA), AsiaandthePacific
(ESCAP), Western Asia(ESCWA), Europe (ECE) andLatin America andtheCaribbean (ECLAC).