Frieder Roessler's Contributions to the WTO Legal System

On 11 September 2024, I completed 30 years at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). In fact, the WTO was not formally established until 1 January 1995, a few months after I joined the Secretariat. I was lucky enough to be involved in the ‘Prep Com’, the series of works of the Preparatory Committee to the WTO. During that period, the Legal Affairs Division (LAD) was engaged in more than their main function of assisting GATT Panels. Roessler's contribution during that pivotal transition from the GATT to the WTO played a fundamental role in shaping the current architecture of global trade governance. As will be discussed further as we progress, Roessler designed the transition of the GATT and Tokyo Round Codes, and their continuation as an integral part of the WTO. Roessler's mark on the WTO was thus reflected in many areas. Before discussing the amazing architecture of this transition from GATT to WTO, I would like to add a few words on one of Roessler's most enduring contributions to the WTO – his contribution to the dispute settlement mechanism. Frieder's role in the very foundation and birth of the GATT dispute settlement system still stands today.