世界貿(mao)(mao)易組(zu)織(zhi)(WTO)部長(chang)(chang)級會(hui)議(yi)是世界貿(mao)(mao)易組(zu)織(zhi)最高決(jue)(jue)策(ce)機構,原則(ze)上(shang)(shang)每兩年召開一(yi)次會(hui)議(yi),由各個成(cheng)員國政府派部長(chang)(chang)率領代(dai)表團(tuan)出(chu)席,各方可充分討(tao)論(lun)和決(jue)(jue)定涉及世貿(mao)(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)職(zhi)能(neng)的所(suo)有(you)重(zhong)要問題,并采取行(xing)動,它對世貿(mao)(mao)組(zu)織(zhi)的發展具(ju)有(you)重(zhong)要意義。在WTO日常(chang)運行(xing)中(zhong),盡管有(you)部長(chang)(chang)級會(hui)議(yi)、總理事(shi)會(hui)、理事(shi)會(hui)和委員會(hui)四個級別的權(quan)力機構,但由于(yu)成(cheng)員間立場不同、分歧(qi)較大,加之其議(yi)事(shi)規則(ze)是“近(jin)乎苛刻”的“協商一(yi)致原則(ze)”,164個成(cheng)員很難在日常(chang)談(tan)判中(zhong)達成(cheng)一(yi)致意見(jian),往往把希(xi)望寄托在部長(chang)(chang)會(hui)上(shang)(shang)。因此(ci),歷屆部長(chang)(chang)會(hui)都會(hui)成(cheng)為(wei)“萬眾矚(zhu)目”的焦點。
部長級會議(yi)的(de)主要(yao)職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)能(neng)是:任(ren)命(ming)世(shi)(shi)貿(mao)(mao)組織(zhi)(zhi)總干事(shi)并制定(ding)(ding)(ding)有關規則;確定(ding)(ding)(ding)總干事(shi)的(de)權力、職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)責(ze)、任(ren)職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)條件和任(ren)期以及(ji)秘書處(chu)工作人員的(de)職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)責(ze)及(ji)任(ren)職(zhi)(zhi)(zhi)條件;對世(shi)(shi)貿(mao)(mao)組織(zhi)(zhi)協(xie)定(ding)(ding)(ding)和多(duo)邊(bian)貿(mao)(mao)易協(xie)定(ding)(ding)(ding)做出解(jie)釋;豁免某成員對世(shi)(shi)貿(mao)(mao)組織(zhi)(zhi)協(xie)定(ding)(ding)(ding)和其(qi)它多(duo)邊(bian)貿(mao)(mao)易協(xie)定(ding)(ding)(ding)所承擔的(de)義務(wu);審議(yi)其(qi)成員對世(shi)(shi)貿(mao)(mao)組織(zhi)(zhi)協(xie)定(ding)(ding)(ding)或(huo)(huo)多(duo)邊(bian)貿(mao)(mao)易協(xie)定(ding)(ding)(ding)提(ti)出修(xiu)改的(de)動(dong)議(yi);決定(ding)(ding)(ding)是否(fou)接納申請加入(ru)世(shi)(shi)貿(mao)(mao)組織(zhi)(zhi)的(de)國家或(huo)(huo)地區為世(shi)(shi)貿(mao)(mao)組織(zhi)(zhi)成員;決定(ding)(ding)(ding)世(shi)(shi)貿(mao)(mao)組織(zhi)(zhi)協(xie)定(ding)(ding)(ding)及(ji)多(duo)邊(bian)貿(mao)(mao)易協(xie)定(ding)(ding)(ding)生效的(de)日期等(deng)。