UAE joins Advisory Centre on WTO Law

ABU DHABI, 23rd August, 2016 (WAM) – The United Arab Emirates has become the 33rd developing country member of the WTO to join the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL) after the Federal Cabinet's approval - upon a recommendation submitted by the Ministry of Economy - of the signing of the Protocol of Accession to the Agreement Establishing the ACWL.

Commenting on the country's ACWL membership, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, termed the move as an ''important step'' aimed at maximising the benefits the UAE can draw as WTO member, deepening the understanding of Government Related Entities (GRE), about terms of references of agreements the UAE signed under the multilateral framework for trade, and boosting the UAE's ability to defend its rights and fulfil its obligations as stipulated by the WTO's agreements on trade in services, trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, trade in goods, agriculture, safeguards and others.

''Accession to the ACWL comes within the framework of the continuous efforts being made by the government to develop economic policies and legislations at par with the international best practices in line with the WTO's rules and provide the GREs with technical advice and specialised training and leverage R & D so as to gain experiences required to sharpen the country's competitive edge in international markets,'' he said, and added that the move would also serve the UAE's trade interests and support national industries and their penetration to those markets.

The UAE, he further added, will be able to increase its share in international trade and this will fulfil the UAE's vision for building a competitive, diversified economy led by knowledgeable and competent experts.

On 28th January, 2016, the United Arab Emirates signed its Protocol of Accession to the Agreement Establishing the ACWL. On 22nd April, 2016, the United Arab Emirates deposited with the ACWL its instrument of ratification of the Protocol of Accession. Under its terms, the Protocol of Accession took effect on 29th April, 2016.

Following the United Arab Emirates' accession to the ACWL, 75 countries – or just under half of the Members of the WTO – are now entitled to turn to the ACWL for advice on WTO law, support in WTO dispute settlement proceedings and legal training.

Based in Geneva, near the headquarters of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL) advises its developing country members and least-developed countries (LDCs) on all issues relating to WTO law.

The ACWL gives free legal advice and training on WTO law and provides support in WTO dispute settlement proceedings at discounted rates. As of 31st December, 2015, the ACWL's services were available to a total of 74 countries - 32 developing countries 42 LDCs, according to the ACWL's Report on Operations for 2015.

In the context of trade facilitation, the ACWL can provide free advice on legal issues related to the Trade Facilitation Agreement, such as advice on the meaning and interpretation of its provisions.

The report said the ACWL has now provided 2114 legal opinions since its inception in 2001. These legal opinions help developing and least-developed countries to participate fully in the WTO legal system by increasing their understanding of WTO law and enables them to defend their interests in the WTO. The ACWL's legal advice also serves as an important dispute prevention function by enabling these countries to ensure the WTO-consistency of their trade-related measures.