Advisory Center for WTO Law, ACWL

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

Voluntary contribution for financing activities of the ACWL. Advisory Centre on WTO Law is an intergovernmental organisation based in Geneva. The agreement establishing the ACWL was signed in 1999. The founding of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the 1990s created a complex rules system and procedures for resolving possible disputes. Especially the least developed countries have limited expertise in WTO Law issues and limited capabilities to administer complex disputed cases. In addition, their possibilities to acquire this kind of expertise is also limited due to scarce financial resources. The task of the ACWL is to offer developing countries legal advice, support them in dispute settlement proceedings and provide capacity-building in WTO Law. The objective is to guarantee that developing countries fully understand the rights and obligations of the WTO membership as well as that they are able defend their rights in WTO disputes in equal terms as developed countries. ACWL activities benefit governments, firms and citizens of developing countries depending on individual cases.