BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados has signed the protocol to become a member of the Geneva-based Advisory Centre on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Law (ACWL).
The ACWL advises its developing country members and least-developed countries on all issues relating to WTO law. It provides free legal advice and training on WTO law, as well as discounted support in WTO dispute settlement proceedings.
The Norwegian government has agreed to fund the ACWL membership of some developing countries, including Barbados, in an effort to support and encourage them to understand the WTO’s dispute settlement system better, build capacity in trade law, and provide legal support.
Barbados Ambassador to the World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva, Matthew Wilson, said, “It was important that Barbados took this step to become a member as it shows our commitment to the multilateral trading system, and our commitment to technical assistance and capacity building.
“I thank the ACWL and the Government of Norway for supporting small states to be able to take this step,” Wilson said.
ACWL executive director Niall Meagher congratulated Barbados on becoming an ACWL member and expressed gratitude to Ambassador Wilson for ensuring the signing of the protocol.
“I look forward to working with you and your colleagues to enable us to fulfil our mandate to increase your mission’s capacity in WTO law over the coming year,” Meagher stated.
The next step will be for Barbados to ratify the agreement. Still, in the interim, the country can enjoy all the benefits of membership, such as having young Barbadian lawyers intern at the ACWL and receiving technical assistance and capacity-building support on legal aspects of trade law, including WTO law.
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