Can WTO Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Serve Developing Countries?

Abstract

This article is in four parts. Part I sets forth the competing (and sometimes conflicting) rationales for WTO trade-related capacity building and technical assistance efforts. These competing rationales have led to contention over how the funding is used. Part II addresses the political and operational constraints on the secretariat's implementation of a meaningful WTO capacity building program. Part III provides historical background to, and a summary of, the WTO's technical assistance and capacity building initiatives and some of the criticisms that they have generated. Part IV concludes by suggesting how developing countries, donors, and the WTO secretariat could build from current initiatives, while noting the challenges posed.