In July 2001, I appointed a panel of experts to advise me on the challenges and opportunities confronting the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the global trading system. The members of the WTO advisory group included distinguished individuals from a variety of backgrounds. What they share in common is a keen interest in international trade issues and their distinguished involvement in these matters over many years. I asked these talented individuals to examine how the WTO should respond to the needs of member governments and their citizens in an increasingly integrated global economy. Related questions were how to ensure the fullest possible participation of each member government in multilateral decision-making on trade matters as the WTO expands to near-universal membership, and how a more effective partnership could be established with civil society.

The Doha Ministerial Conference was a significant step forward in defining the tasks facing the WTO. At the same time, the negotiations and work programme set out in the Doha Declaration mirror the many challenges faced by the international community in the trade field. While agreement in Doha has provided much-needed momentum, this does not reduce in any way the need for serious thought to be given to the problems confronting the institution.