Advisory Centre on World Trade Organization Law

Published purpose

This grant is Canada’s contribution to the Advisory Centre on World Trade Organization Law (ACWL) in support of the Aid for Trade Initiative. The Centre was set up in 2001 to provide developing countries with legal advice and training in World Trade Organization (WTO) law and to support developing countries involved in WTO dispute settlement proceedings. The Centre provides legal advice, training, and assistance to countries addressing legal issues regarding international standards. It also assists in creating legally consistent approaches to trade facilitation negotiations and is a key part of the multilateral trading system as it allows more of a level playing field for developing countries to access the WTO dispute settlement mechanism. The Aid for Trade Initiative was launched in 2005, as a result of an agreement between World Trade Organization members to help developing countries use trade as an engine for growth and poverty reduction. The Aid for Trade Initiative helps developing countries build the production capacity and trade-related infrastructure needed to implement and benefit from trade agreements and to expand their trade. It also supports the implementation of trade facilitation measures and the improvement of trade standards.