Since its formation, with a few notable exceptions, WTO members have not been able to negotiate new rules on policies that generate negative international spillovers. The Doha Development Agenda negotiations, launched in 2001, became deadlocked in 2008. Problems extend beyond negotiations – other functions of the WTO are also not performing well. The dispute settlement mechanism, long perceived as the crown jewel of the organization, no longer is operational because of US refusal to appoint new WTO Appellate Body members. Calls for WTO reform have been mounting. This article provides an overview of the WTO reform agenda, drawing on the findings of recent multidisciplinary research to provide context for the papers included in this special issue on trade conflicts, multilateral cooperation and WTO reform.

中文翻译：

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世贸组织改革：回到过去，为未来而建设

自成立以来，除少数几个显着例外外，世贸组织成员一直未能就产生负面国际溢出效应的政策谈判新规则。2001年启动的《多哈发展议程》谈判在2008年陷入僵局。问题超出了谈判范围-世贸组织的其他职能也表现不佳。长期以来，争端解决机制被视为该组织的最高明珠，但由于美国拒绝任命新的WTO上诉机构成员而不再运作。世贸组织改革的呼声越来越高。本文以最近的多学科研究成果为基础，概述了WTO改革议程，为本期特刊中有关贸易冲突，多边合作和WTO改革的论文提供背景。