Indonesia Calls for Appellate Body Reactivation in Abu Dhabi's WTO Ministerial Conference

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE from Feb. 26 to March 2 discussed the dispute settlement reform agenda.

“There were several demands from various parties to reform the dispute settlement system. One of which concerns the incomplete dispute settlement mechanism in WTO (World Trade Organization), especially at the appeal level,” said the Director General of International Trade Negotiations of the Ministry of Trade Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono on Tuesday, during a virtual press conference.

However, the discussion faced roadblocks as the United States kept blocking the process, accusing the appellate body of “persistent overreaching”. “This is the priority agenda for many WTO members including Indonesia specifically concerning the dispute settlement mechanism,” Djatmiko stated.

Djatmiko said that Indonesia is currently involved in 80 disputes, including the ongoing one with the European Union. Indonesia acts as respondent, complainant, or third party in these disputes, such as ones concerning nickel, palm oil, biodiesel, and steel.

“Our ministers keep pushing for the [appelate body] reactivation, but unsuccessful so far since the US keeps [blocking] it,” he said.

“Hopefully, the mandates of the 12th Ministerial Conference on the WTO dispute settlement system could fully function in 2024. Even if it’s unsuccessful now, we still have a few months left to reactivate [the appellate body],” he explained.

Djatmiko added that Indonesia will remain on the frontline to safeguard the reactivation process.

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