India is a member of UNCTAD and WTO. WTO is concerned for multilateralism in trade, protection of intellectual property rights, resolution of trade disputes, etc. When most of the global trade issues are handled by WTO t

CS Professional · International Business – Laws and Practices · PYQS · December 2018
India is a member of UNCTAD and WTO. WTO is concerned for multilateralism in trade, protection of intellectual property rights, resolution of trade disputes, etc. When most of the global trade issues are handled by WTO then why India should continue its membership with UNCTAD, will you advice India to ignore the role of UNCTAD and leave this institution.

Answer & Explanation:

WTO is a permanent institution with its own secretariat. WTO commitments are full and permanent. In addition to goods, the WTO covers trade in services and trade-related aspects of intellectual property. The agreements which constitute the WTO are almost all multilateral, thus involve commitments for the entire membership. Dispute settlement is the central pillar of the multilateral trading system. WTO dispute settlement is faster, more automatic and much less susceptible to blockages. The system is based on clear and defined rules. Transparency and non-discrimination are central to dispute resolution. Principles of dispute settlement of WTO are based on the following principles - Equitable, Fast, Effective, Mutually acceptable. While in case of UNCTAD which was established in 1964 to promote the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy, UNCTAD has progressively evolved into an authoritative knowledge-based institution whose work aims to help shape current policy debates and thinking on development, with a particular focus on ensuring that domestic policies and international actions are mutually supportive in bringing about sustainable development. The organization works to fulfill this mandate by carrying out three key functions- It functions as a forum for intergovernmental deliberations, supported by discussions with experts and exchanges of experience, aimed at consensus building. It undertakes research, policy analysis and data collection for the debates of government representatives and experts. It provides technical assistance tailored to the specific requirements of developing countries, with special attention to the needs of the least developed countries and of economies in transition. When appropriate, UNCTAD cooperates with other organizations and donor countries in the delivery of technical assistance. As recognized in its founding mandate, UNCTAD is the focal point of the United Nations for the integrated treatment of trade, investment, technology, finance, commodities and interrelated issues, in advancing inclusive growth and sustainable development. Therefore we cannot suggest India to separate from UNCTAD and become a member of only WTO.

Topics: International Trade Organizations

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