{Model WTO 2013

Training session

The WTO provides a forum for negotiating agreements aimed at reducing obstacles to international trade and ensuring a level playing field for all, thus contributing to economic growth and development. The WTO also provides a legal and institutional framework for the implementation and monitoring of these agreements, as well as for settling disputes arising from their interpretation and application. The current body of trade agreements comprising the WTO consists of 16 different multilateral agreements (to which all WTO members are parties) and two different plurilateral agreements (to which only some WTO members are parties).

WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION

Decisions in the WTO are generally taken by consensus of the entire membership. The highest institutional body is the Ministerial Conference, which meets roughly every two years. A General Council conducts the organization's business in the intervals between Ministerial Conferences. Both of these bodies comprise all members. Specialised subsidiary bodies (Councils, Committees, Sub-committees), also comprising all members, administer and monitor the implementation by members of the various WTO agreements.

THE HIERARCHY

Resolving the problem of discriminatory trade policies and practices.

Discussing Progressive Trade Liberalization Directing Aid For Trade for with respect to the decision

taken in the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference Negotiating conflicting Trade Policies Reviewal of Anti-Dumping Laws Discussing barriers to easy market access for LDCs and

reaching a conclusive solution. This TPRB may also take up Dispute Settlements among

countries violating WTO rules and Agreements.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS JOINT SESSION

The mandate of the Sub-Committee on Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) is to look specifically at issues of particular importance to LDCs

Since the Doha Ministerial Conference in 2001, the Sub-Committee on LDCs focuses on the implementation of the WTO Work Programme for the LDCs.

Background

The Work Programme addresses the following systemic issues: Market Access for LDCs; Trade-related Technical Assistance and Capacity

Building Initiatives for LDCs; Providing, as appropriate, support to agencies assisting

with the diversification of LDCs' production and export base;

Mainstreaming, as appropriate, into the WTO's work the trade-related elements of the LDC-III Programme of Action, as relevant to the WTO's mandate;

Participation of LDCs in the multilateral trading system; Accession of LDCs to the WTO;

Follow-up to WTO Ministerial Decisions/Declarations.

Background

Individuals and companies involved in trade have to know as much as possible about the conditions of trade. It is therefore fundamentally important that regulations and policies are transparent.

In the WTO, this is achieved in two ways: governments have to inform the WTO and fellow-members of specific measures, policies or laws through regular “notifications”; and the WTO conducts regular reviews of individual countries’ trade policies — the trade policy reviews.

Background

These reviews are part of the Uruguay Round agreement, but they began several years before the round ended — they were an early result of the negotiations. Participants agreed to set up the reviews at the December 1988 ministerial meeting that was intended to be the midway assessment of the Uruguay Round.

The first review took place the following year. Initially they operated under GATT and, like GATT, they focused on goods trade. With the creation of the WTO in 1995, their scope was extended, like the WTO, to include services and intellectual property.

Background

Basic Model WTO Rules of Procedure Required to PassA motion to set the speakers time sets or changes the amount of time each delegate has to speak.

Simple majority vote

A motion to open the speakers list allows delegates to sign up to speak. At some conferences a motion to close the speakers list closes the list for the remainder of the session or topic. However, at most Model UN conferences the speakers list can be opened and closed multiple times. This motion requires an immediate vote.

Simple majority vote

Delegates propose a motion to suspend debate for the purpose of holding a caucus. If you move to suspend the meeting, be sure to specify the purpose and the amount of time.

Simple majority vote

Model WTO Preparation Guide Rules of Procedure | Chart of Rules and Motions

Basic Model WTO Rules of Procedure Required to PassA motion to adjourn meeting ends the committee session until the next session, which might be the next year’s conference, or after lunch or dinner.

Simple majority vote

A motion to adjourn debate (also known as motion to table debate)is not the same as a motion to adjourn the meeting. Rather, it is used to table, or put on hold, all of the work that the committee has completed on a particular topic. At some Model UN conferences you can return to this topic later, while at others the topic cannot be discussed again.

Two-thirds majority vote

A delegate makes a motion to close debate in order to move the committee to a vote, usually when the delegate has made his or her country's position clear and there are enough draft resolutions on the floor.

Two-thirds majority vote

Model WTO Preparation Guide Rules of Procedure | Chart of Rules and Motions

Basic Model WTO Rules of Procedure Required to PassA point of order is used when a delegate believes the chair has made an error in the running of the committee. The Delegate should only specify the errors they believe were made in the formal committee procedure, and may not address the topic being discussed.

Decision of Chairperson

A point of inquiry (also known as a point of parliamentary procedure) can be made when the floor is open (i.e. when no other delegate is speaking) in order to ask the chairperson a question regarding the rules of procedure.

No vote

A delegate may raise a point of personal privilege in order to inform the chairperson of a physical discomfort he or she is experiencing, such as not being able to hear another delegate’s speech.

No vote

Model WTO Preparation Guide Rules of Procedure | Chart of Rules and Motions

Basic Model WTO Rules of Procedure Required to PassA delegate raises a point of information in order to pose a question to a speaker during formal debate. The speaker chooses whether or not to yield his or her time to points of information.

Decision of speaker

A delegate makes an appeal to the chair’s decision when he or she feels the chairperson has incorrectly decided a point or motion. At some conferences, this formal challenge must be made in writing. The appealing delegate speaks and the chairperson defends himself or herself before the vote.

Two-thirds majority vote

Model WTO Preparation Guide Rules of Procedure | Chart of Rules and Motions

Term Definition1. Formal Debate: The opportunity for delegates to share their views

with the entire committee.

2. Information: After a delegate has given a speech in formal debate, he or she may choose to yield his or her time to this point.

3. Close Debate: Motion for the committee to move into voting procedure.

4. Suspend Debate: Motion to suspend the meeting for the purposes of a regular caucus or a moderated caucus.

5. Inquiry: A delegate may move for this point to ask the chairperson a question regarding the rules of procedure.

Term Definition6. Set Speakers Time: Motion to change the length of time during

formal debate.

7. Adjourn Meeting: Motion to end the committee session until the next session.

8. Table Debate: Motion to put current discussion or work on a topic on hold.

9. Moderated Caucus: A mixture of both formal and informal debate.

10.Order: During any discussion, a representative may rise to this point. The chairperson must immediately decide on this point.

• Caucusing, or informal debate, is an important part of the Model WTO simulation because it provides an opportunity for delegates to collaborate, negotiate and formulate draft resolutions. During the Model WTO conference, caucuses can be either moderated or unmoderated.

• When a committee holds a moderated caucus, the Chair calls on delegates one at a time and each speaker briefly addresses the committee. During an unmoderated caucus, the committee breaks for a temporary recess from formal proceedings so that delegates can work together in small groups. To hold a caucus, a delegate must make a motion and the committee must pass the motion.

Caucusing

Roll Call

The Executive Board will announce each country's name. After delegates hear their country, they should answer in"present” or “present and voting”.

Setting the Agenda

When Model WTO committees have more than one topic available, the body must set the agenda to begin working on one of these issues. At this time a delegate typically makes a motion, stating "The country of [name] moves to place [topic A] first on the agenda, followed by [topic B] and then [topic C]." Once the motion has been made, three delegations must speak in favor of the motion, and three other delegations will speak against it. These speeches should alternate between those in favor and those opposed. Once these six speeches have been given, a vote is taken. Setting the agenda requires a simple majority vote.

Flow of Debate

Formal debate revolves around a speakers list. The Chair begins by asking all delegates interested in addressing the other members to raise their placards. The Chair then chooses delegates to be placed on the speakers list. A country may only be on the speakers list once, but delegates may add their country to the end of the list after their speech. 1a. When the session begins, speeches focus on stating country positions and offering recommendations for action.

2a. After blocs have met, speeches focus on describing bloc positions to the entire body.

3a. Delegates now make statements describing their draft resolutions to the committee.

4a. Delegates try to garner more support through formal speeches and invite others to offer their ideas.

5a. Delegates make statements supporting or disagreeing with specific draft resolutions.

6a. Delegates present any amendments they have created.

Flow of Debate – formal debate

Informal debate involves discussion outside of the speakers list. During moderated caucuses, the Chair calls on delegates one-by-one so that each can address the committee in short speeches. During unmoderated caucuses, the committee breaks for a temporary recess so that delegates may meet with each other and discuss ideas.1b. After several countries state their positions, the committee breaks for caucuses (often in blocs) to develop regional positions.

2b. Writing begins as countries work together to compose draft resolutions.

3b. Countries and groups meet to gather support for specific draft resolutions.

4b. Delegates finalize draft resolutions.

5b. Draft-resolution sponsors build greater support for their resolution and look to incorporate others’ ideas through friendly amendments.

Flow of Debate – informal debate

Close of debateOnce the speakers list is exhausted, the committee automatically moves to voting. Also, once a delegate feels that his or her country's position is clear to others and that there are enough draft resolutions on the floor, he or she may make a motion to proceed into voting procedure by moving for the closure of debate.

Voting Procedures Once a motion to close debate has been approved, the committee moves into voting procedure. Amendments are voted on first, then resolutions. Once all of the resolutions are voted on, the committee moves to the next topic on the agenda.

Close of Debate

The final results of discussion, writing and negotiation are resolutions—written suggestions for addressing a specific problem or issue. Resolutions, which are drafted by delegates and voted on by the committee, normally require a simple majority to pass.

Resolutions

Draft Resolutions

Draft resolutions are all resolutions that have not yet been voted on. Delegates write draft resolutions alone or with other countries. There are three main parts to a draft resolution: the heading, the preamble and the operative section. The heading shows the committee and topic along with the resolution number. It also lists the draft resolution's sponsors and signatories. Each draft resolution is one long sentence with sections separated by commas and semicolons. The subject of the sentence is the body making the statement. The preamble and operative sections then describe the current situation and actions that the committee will take.

Resolutions

Bringing a Resolution to the Floor for Debate

A draft resolution must always gain the support of a certain number of member states in the committee before the sponsors (the delegates who created the resolution) may submit it to the committee staff. Many conferences require signatures from 20 percent of the countries present in order to submit a draft resolution. A staff member will read the draft resolution to ensure that it is relevant and in proper format. Only when a staff member formally accepts the document and assigns it a number can it be referred to in formal debate.

In some cases a delegate must make a motion to introduce the draft resolution, while in other cases the sponsors are immediately called upon to read the document. Because these procedures can vary, it is essential to find out about the resolution process for the conference you plan to attend.

Resolutions

Resolution GA/3/1.1 General Assembly Third Committee Sponsors: United States, Austria and ItalySignatories: Greece, Tajikistan, Japan, Canada,

Mali, the Netherlands and GabonTopic: "Strengthening UN coordination of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies"The General Assembly,Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality and inalienable rights of all global citizens, [use commas to separate preambulatory clauses]Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages Governments to work with UN bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance,Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and nongovernmental organizations,Stressing the fact that the United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in need of reform, particularly in the humanitarian realm,

Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely with countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carrying out of relief efforts; [use semicolons to separate operative clauses]

Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid;

Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies;

Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donations from the private transnational sector to aid in funding the implementation of rapid deployment forces;

Stresses the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situations and events of all countries;

Calls upon states to respond quickly and generously to consolidated appeals for humanitarian assistance;

The first step in preparing for a rewarding Model WTO experience is to gather information. Give yourself plenty of time before a conference to research, read and then formulate your arguments.

You will need to research the following three areas: Your country and its positions; The issues to be debated at the conference; and The WTO system

Research