Participation in the WTO

Members specific problem in the WTO: developing countries active participation of few Members (green room meetings: Quad and G-4) marginalisation of developing countries (inclusiveness vs. efficiency).

More transparency is needed about consultations by a select group of Members and about their results; value of technical assistance to developing countries.

Bargaining rule.

Participation in the WTO (II)

Legitimacy chain: involvement of NGOs (organisation of symposia for NGOs; informal arrangements to receive information from NGOs; WTO Secretariat responds to requests for general information; chairpersons of WTO bodies take part to NGOs meetings); no direct involvement in the work of the WTO; attendance to plenary sessions (and not working sessions) of the Ministerial Conference; access to documents.

Participation in the WTO (III)

NGOs’ involvement

Pros:

- enhancement of decision-making process;

- increase of the legitimacy;

- consideration of transnational interests;

- democratization;

Participation in the WTO (IV)

Cons:

- difficulty in decision-making process;

- no democratic legitimation for NGOs;

- opposition of developing countries;

- consensus.

Participation in the WTO (V)

External transparency government-to-government system; the national government has the responsibility for the dialogue with domestic civil society and for the enhancement of national interests under the multilateral trading system.

Some Members pledge for an extensive involvement of NGOs even in the decision-making process (US, EC participation to WTO bodies meetings).