Environmental Mandate |
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The WTO was established in 1995 as the successor of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible, thereby contributing to economic growth and development. Sustainable development is enshrined in the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO as one of the core objectives of the organization. As part of the Doha Round of negotiations launched in 2001, WTO Members have engaged in negotiations on specific environment-related issues with the aim of enhancing the mutual supportiveness of trade and environment. Relevant issues under negotiation include fisheries subsidies; the relationship between WTO and Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs); and the liberalization of trade in environmental goods and services. The Doha Development Agenda also contains a general mandate to monitor the sustainable development aspects of the negotiations in all areas covered in WTO. |
Environmental Activities |
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The WTO Secretariat provides a wide range of technical assistance activities and training for developing country officials in the field of trade and environment. |
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