NAME- PRADEEP CHANDANAGIRI

ROLL NO. 104

TOPIC – WTO & SAARC
 In brief, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only
international organization dealing with the global rules of
trade. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as
smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.
 The World Trade Organization came into being in 1995. One of
the youngest of the international organizations, the WTO is the
successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT) established in the wake of the Second World War.
 So while the WTO is relatively young, the multilateral trading
system that was originally set up under the GATT is over 70
years old.
 Most recently, an amendment to the WTO’s Intellectual
Property Agreement entered into force in 2017, easing poor
economies’ access to affordable medicines. The same year saw
the Trade Facilitation Agreement enter into force.
The WTO’s overriding objective is to help trade flow
smoothly, freely and predictably. It does this by:
 administering trade agreements
 acting as a forum for trade negotiations
 settling trade disputes
 reviewing national trade policies
 building the trade capacity of developing economies
 cooperating with other international organizations
 The WTO has 164 members, accounting for 98% of world trade.
A total of 25 countries are negotiating membership.
 Decisions are made by the entire membership. This is typically
by consensus. A majority vote is also possible but it has never
been used in the WTO, and was extremely rare under the
WTO’s predecessor, the GATT. The WTO’s agreements have
been ratified in all members’ parliaments.
 The WTO’s top level decision- making body is the Ministerial
Conference, which meets usually every two years.
 At the next level, the Goods Council, Services Council and
Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Council report to the General
Council.
 Numerous specialized committees, working groups and working
parties deal with the individual agreements and other areas,
such as the environment, development, membership
applications and regional trade agreements.
 The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or
SAARC, is an economic and geopolitical organization that was
established to promote socio-economic development, stability,
and welfare economics, and collective self-reliance within its
member nations.
 Founded during a summit in 1985, SAARC’s initial members
include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan,
and Sri Lanka.
 Due to rapid expansion within the region, Afghanistan received
full-member status and countries are considered observers.
 SAARC respects the principles of sovereign equality, territorial
integrity, and national independence as it strives to attain
sustainable economic growth.
 Provide assistance in the formulation of Policies, Strategies
and Sustainable Development Frameworks in relation to
disaster Management and Disaster Risk Reduction
 Undertake/ promote research for better understanding of the
various meteorological phenomena of particular interest to the
SAARC Region, with a view to enhance the capability of
National Meteorological Services (NMSs) of the Member States,
particularly in the field of early warning to provide support for
preparedness and management of natural disasters involving
relevant knowledge and operational institutions in India
 Collect, compile, document and disseminate data,
information, case studies, indigenous knowledge and good
practices relating to disaster risk reduction, and sustainable
development
 Compile and collate information for the region required for
weather forecasting and monitoring special weather
phenomena
1. Council: At the top, there is the Council represented by
the heads of the government of the member countries.
The council the apex policy making body. It meets once in
2 years time.
2. Council of Minister: It is to assist the council. It is
represented by the foreign ministery of the member
countries. Its functions include:
3.Standing Committee: It is comprised by the foreign
secretariany of the member government.
4. Programming Committee: It consist of the senior official
of the member governments.
5. Technical Committee: It consist of the represented of the
member nations.