International Conference on Crises and Solution to Dispute Settlement System under WTO

The International Conference on Crises and Solutions to the Dispute Settlement System (DSS) under the WTO, convened to address the ongoing challenges and reform prospects of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU), brought together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers for a critical dialogue on the future of global trade adjudication. Recognized as the “Crown Jewel” of the WTO, the DSU has faced a systemic crisis since the Appellate Body (AB) became non-functional in 2019 due to the United States’ continued blockage of appointments.
The conference explored the historical evolution of the DSS from the GATT era to the WTO framework, highlighting both its achievements and structural shortcomings. It examined past reform efforts, including the Doha Round negotiations, and the current informal reform process initiated in 2022, now in its third stage under the facilitation of Guatemala’s WTO representative, Mr. Marco Tulio Molina. Discussions focused on the sixth revision of the consolidated draft text aimed at restoring a fully functional and accessible DSS by 2024.
Key themes included the AB crisis, the role of alternative mechanisms like the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement, and the tension between informal and formal reform processes. The conference also addressed broader issues such as transparency, accessibility, panel composition, compliance, national security exceptions, and the potential shift from a two-tier to a single-tier system.
Structured around panel discussions, plenary sessions, and paper presentations, the conference served as a platform for academic and policy-oriented contributions to shape the next generation of dispute settlement—DSU 2.0. It aimed to influence ongoing negotiations ahead of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, fostering a more inclusive, accountable, and resilient multilateral trade dispute system.