The two-day informal World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministerial meeting got underway in New Delhi. Representatives from 50 countries are participating in the meet. Our correspondent reports the WTO is facing systemic challenges, particularly its dispute settlement arm.The informal meeting is expected to provide an opportunity to engage in free and frank discussions leading to political guidance on some of the major issues, both at the negotiating table and also in other areas.
In the absence of Ministerial guidance at the Eleventh Ministerial Conference that took place in December last year in Buenos Aires, it is hoped that the meeting in New Delhi will provide an opportunity for ministers to explore in greater detail options on different issues for re-invigorating the WTO.