世(shi)界貿(mao)易組(zu)織(WTO)部(bu)(bu)長級會(hui)議(yi)是(shi)世(shi)界貿(mao)易組(zu)織最高(gao)決策機構,原則上每兩年召(zhao)開一次會(hui)議(yi),由(you)各個(ge)成員(yuan)國政府(fu)派部(bu)(bu)長率(lv)領代表團出席,各方可充分(fen)討(tao)論和決定涉及世(shi)貿(mao)組(zu)織職能的所有(you)重要問題,并采取行(xing)動(dong),它(ta)對(dui)世(shi)貿(mao)組(zu)織的發展具(ju)有(you)重要意義。在WTO日(ri)常運行(xing)中,盡管有(you)部(bu)(bu)長級會(hui)議(yi)、總理事(shi)會(hui)、理事(shi)會(hui)和委員(yuan)會(hui)四個(ge)級別的權力機構,但(dan)由(you)于成員(yuan)間立場不同(tong)、分(fen)歧較(jiao)大,加(jia)之其議(yi)事(shi)規(gui)則是(shi)“近(jin)乎苛(ke)刻”的“協商一致原則”,164個(ge)成員(yuan)很難(nan)在日(ri)常談判中達成一致意見,往(wang)往(wang)把希望寄托在部(bu)(bu)長會(hui)上。因此,歷屆(jie)部(bu)(bu)長會(hui)都會(hui)成為“萬眾矚目”的焦點。
部長級會(hui)議的主要職(zhi)能是(shi):任命世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)總干(gan)(gan)事并制定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)有關規則;確(que)定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)總干(gan)(gan)事的權力、職(zhi)責、任職(zhi)條件和任期以及秘書處工作人員(yuan)的職(zhi)責及任職(zhi)條件;對(dui)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)和多邊(bian)貿(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)做出解釋;豁免某成(cheng)員(yuan)對(dui)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)和其(qi)它(ta)多邊(bian)貿(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)所承擔(dan)的義務;審議其(qi)成(cheng)員(yuan)對(dui)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)或多邊(bian)貿(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)提出修改(gai)的動議;決(jue)定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)是(shi)否接納申請加入世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)的國家(jia)或地區為世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)成(cheng)員(yuan);決(jue)定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)(zhi)協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)及多邊(bian)貿(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)生效的日期等。