WTO Appellate Body Issues Annual Report for 2009

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body (AB ) released its annual report for 2009 today.  In its Foreward, the AB stressed that the Members of the WTO continued to abide by the international trading rules despite the economic downtown that led to fears of protectionism.

The report also noted two major milestones in 2009. The WTO dispute settlement body saw the initiation of the 400th dispute since its inception in 1995.  The AB also completed its 100th report.  The workload of the AB was not as heavy in 2009 with only three new appeals filed during the year.  The report predicts a heavier caseload for 2010 based on the number of WTO panel reports due out in the near future.

Two members left the AB in 2009: Luiz Olavo Baptista and Giorgio Sacerdoti. Two new members joined: Ricardo Ramirez Hernandez and Peter Van den Bossche.

The full report may be found here.

(cgb)