ABSTRACT
Multilateralism and the promotion of a fairer, more balanced and inclusive system of global governance have formed the cornerstones of South Africa’s post-Apartheid foreign policy. Inspired by this vision, South Africa has played a leading role in advancing the trade and development objectives of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), as well as championing greater influence and participation by developing countries in shaping a new paradigm for global trade governance. Central to this paradigm is transforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) from a mercantilist institution that serves narrow commercial interests to an organization that promotes the objective of “sustainable development,” as outlined in the Preamble to the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO.1 That would ensure that trade opportunities are made available to developing countries on a more equitable basis and that trade rules do not subvert their development prospects.2
