世(shi)界貿易(yi)組織(WTO)部長(chang)(chang)級(ji)會(hui)(hui)議(yi)是世(shi)界貿易(yi)組織最(zui)高決策機構,原(yuan)則(ze)上(shang)每兩年召開(kai)一次會(hui)(hui)議(yi),由(you)各個(ge)成員(yuan)(yuan)國政(zheng)府派(pai)部長(chang)(chang)率領代表(biao)團出席,各方(fang)可充分討論和決定涉及世(shi)貿組織職能的(de)(de)所有重要問(wen)題,并采取行動,它對(dui)世(shi)貿組織的(de)(de)發展(zhan)具(ju)有重要意(yi)義。在(zai)(zai)WTO日常運(yun)行中,盡管有部長(chang)(chang)級(ji)會(hui)(hui)議(yi)、總理事(shi)會(hui)(hui)、理事(shi)會(hui)(hui)和委員(yuan)(yuan)會(hui)(hui)四個(ge)級(ji)別的(de)(de)權力(li)機構,但由(you)于(yu)成員(yuan)(yuan)間立場不(bu)同(tong)、分歧(qi)較(jiao)大(da),加之其議(yi)事(shi)規則(ze)是“近乎苛刻”的(de)(de)“協商一致原(yuan)則(ze)”,164個(ge)成員(yuan)(yuan)很難(nan)在(zai)(zai)日常談判中達成一致意(yi)見,往往把希望寄托在(zai)(zai)部長(chang)(chang)會(hui)(hui)上(shang)。因此,歷屆部長(chang)(chang)會(hui)(hui)都會(hui)(hui)成為“萬眾矚目(mu)”的(de)(de)焦(jiao)點。
部長級會(hui)議(yi)的(de)主(zhu)要(yao)職(zhi)能(neng)是:任(ren)命世(shi)貿(mao)(mao)(mao)組(zu)織總干(gan)事并制定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)有關規則(ze);確定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)總干(gan)事的(de)權力、職(zhi)責(ze)、任(ren)職(zhi)條件(jian)和任(ren)期以及(ji)(ji)秘書(shu)處工(gong)作人員(yuan)的(de)職(zhi)責(ze)及(ji)(ji)任(ren)職(zhi)條件(jian);對世(shi)貿(mao)(mao)(mao)組(zu)織協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)和多(duo)(duo)邊貿(mao)(mao)(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)做(zuo)出(chu)解釋;豁(huo)免某(mou)成(cheng)(cheng)員(yuan)對世(shi)貿(mao)(mao)(mao)組(zu)織協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)和其(qi)它多(duo)(duo)邊貿(mao)(mao)(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)所承擔的(de)義務;審議(yi)其(qi)成(cheng)(cheng)員(yuan)對世(shi)貿(mao)(mao)(mao)組(zu)織協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)或(huo)多(duo)(duo)邊貿(mao)(mao)(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)提(ti)出(chu)修改的(de)動議(yi);決定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)是否(fou)接納申請加(jia)入世(shi)貿(mao)(mao)(mao)組(zu)織的(de)國家或(huo)地區為世(shi)貿(mao)(mao)(mao)組(zu)織成(cheng)(cheng)員(yuan);決定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)世(shi)貿(mao)(mao)(mao)組(zu)織協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)及(ji)(ji)多(duo)(duo)邊貿(mao)(mao)(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)(ding)生(sheng)效的(de)日(ri)期等。