世(shi)(shi)界貿易組織(zhi)(WTO)部(bu)(bu)長(chang)級(ji)會(hui)議是世(shi)(shi)界貿易組織(zhi)最高決策機構(gou),原(yuan)則(ze)上每兩年召開一(yi)次會(hui)議,由各個(ge)成(cheng)員(yuan)國(guo)政府派部(bu)(bu)長(chang)率領代表團出(chu)席,各方可(ke)充分討論和決定(ding)涉(she)及世(shi)(shi)貿組織(zhi)職能的(de)(de)(de)所有(you)重要問題,并采取(qu)行動,它(ta)對世(shi)(shi)貿組織(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)發展具有(you)重要意義。在(zai)WTO日(ri)常(chang)運行中,盡(jin)管有(you)部(bu)(bu)長(chang)級(ji)會(hui)議、總理(li)事(shi)(shi)會(hui)、理(li)事(shi)(shi)會(hui)和委員(yuan)會(hui)四(si)個(ge)級(ji)別的(de)(de)(de)權(quan)力機構(gou),但由于成(cheng)員(yuan)間立場不同(tong)、分歧較大,加(jia)之其議事(shi)(shi)規則(ze)是“近乎(hu)苛刻”的(de)(de)(de)“協商(shang)一(yi)致原(yuan)則(ze)”,164個(ge)成(cheng)員(yuan)很(hen)難在(zai)日(ri)常(chang)談判中達成(cheng)一(yi)致意見,往往把希(xi)望寄托(tuo)在(zai)部(bu)(bu)長(chang)會(hui)上。因此,歷屆部(bu)(bu)長(chang)會(hui)都會(hui)成(cheng)為“萬眾矚目”的(de)(de)(de)焦點(dian)。
部(bu)長級會議的(de)主(zhu)要職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)能是:任(ren)命(ming)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)總(zong)干事(shi)(shi)并(bing)制定(ding)(ding)(ding)有關規則;確定(ding)(ding)(ding)總(zong)干事(shi)(shi)的(de)權力(li)、職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)責、任(ren)職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)條件和(he)任(ren)期以(yi)及秘書處工(gong)作人員(yuan)的(de)職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)責及任(ren)職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)條件;對(dui)(dui)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)協定(ding)(ding)(ding)和(he)多(duo)邊(bian)貿(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)做出解釋;豁免某成(cheng)員(yuan)對(dui)(dui)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)協定(ding)(ding)(ding)和(he)其它多(duo)邊(bian)貿(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)所承擔的(de)義務(wu);審(shen)議其成(cheng)員(yuan)對(dui)(dui)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)協定(ding)(ding)(ding)或多(duo)邊(bian)貿(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)提出修(xiu)改的(de)動議;決(jue)定(ding)(ding)(ding)是否接納申請加入(ru)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)的(de)國家(jia)或地區為世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)成(cheng)員(yuan);決(jue)定(ding)(ding)(ding)世貿(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)協定(ding)(ding)(ding)及多(duo)邊(bian)貿(mao)易協定(ding)(ding)(ding)生效的(de)日(ri)期等。