The WTO and Sustainable Development

"Sampson presents policy options that are both ambitious and realistic, the pursuit of which could contribute to more coherent and mutually supportive action on the part of goverments to both trade and sustainable development." --Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, UNCTAD Secretary-General and former WTO Director-General (2002-2005) "[This book] is a crucial first step in identifying and exploring the issues that fall under the umbrellas of sustainable development and the expanded agenda of trade policy." --Pascal Lamy (From the Foreword), WTO Director-General and former European Commissioner for Trade (1999-2004)

Investigates the relationship between trade and sustainable development. The WTO has evolved into a World Trade and Sustainable Development organisation and many issues now on its agenda are far from traditional trade policy matters. From a policy perspective the pursuit of sustainable development requires a careful balancing between ensuring social progress and conserving the environment.This timely book investigates the relationship in between trade and sustainable development. The WTO has evolved into a World Trade and Sustainable Development organisation and many issues now on its agenda are far from traditional trade policy matters. The term ‘sustainable development’ means securing a growth path that provides for the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. From a policy perspective the pursuit of sustainable development requires a careful balancing between ensuring social progress and conserving the environment.