A General Introduction to the Negotiations on DSU in the Doha Round (2001-2004)

Pursuant to the Doha Ministerial Declaration, the negotiation on the improvement and clarification of Understanding on the Rule and Procedures of Dispute Settlement (DSU) shall be concluded no later than May 2003. However, due to the failure of the Members to reach agreement on a number of issues, the negotiations did not come to a successful conclusion before the deadline of 31 May 2003. The General Council then extended the deadline to May 2004, which was missed again as a result of the general background of sluggish negotiation on Doha Agenda. The Decision Adopted by the General Council on 1 August 2004 on Doha Agenda work programme (the quot;July packagequot;) provides new guidance and impulse for DSU negotiation in paragraph 1(f), which fails to include a revised target-date.Part I. Background of the Negotiations on the DSUPart II. The Status quo of the Doha Round Negotiations on the DSUPart III. Major Issues in the New Round Negotiations on the DSUPart IV. Conclusion