Under the influences of globalization and trade liberalization, the consumption of tobacco products is increasing around the globe bringing with it consequences for public health as well as other social, economic, and environmental problems. The first international public health treaty under the...

These draft “Rules of Procedure” is to implement the draft Agreement on the Establishment of the Asia-Pacific Regional Mediation Organization (the ARMO Agreement). In order to have a friendly, swift and peaceful settlement of dispute under the ARMO, the mediation rules are of critical...

There are many permanent regional dispute settlement mechanisms (DSM) in other regions. But in the Asia-Pacific region, there has not be a permanent DSM to resolve their regional disputes. We consider that the Asia-Pacific region is uniquely positioned to take global leadership in providing...

Most treaties govern relations of contracting parties or their activities. Their interpretation is subject to the interpretation rules under the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. There is another group of treaties directly or indirectly governing private matters or their related legal...

Corruption is a serious problem in almost all jurisdictions and has become an issue of global concern. Accordingly, it needs to be addressed at an international level. The anti-corruption provisions in the revised Government Procurement Agreement (“new GPA”) under the WTO, which came into...

The dispute settlement mechanism (hereinafter DSM) has the functions of ensuring the stability of the global economy, making trade relations more secured and predictable and maintaining the multilateral system. It also plays certain roles in multilateral trade negotiations. Because of the...

In review of the book “Interpreting TRIPS: Globalisation of Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medicine” authored by Professor Hiroko Yamane, this article further addresses the negative consequences on developing countries' access to proper medicine under the current TRIPS Agreement....

Tobacco companies are able to play a crucial role in assisting authorities in combating the illicit trade of tobacco, whether it may be in the form of contributing resources or providing technical assistance. However, at times, tobacco companies may choose instead to participate in illicit...