The negotiations are over. The chairperson has gavelled the deal through. Ministers have signed it. Parliaments have ratified it. It’s taken years and now most of the media have left.
But for the WTO and its member governments, this is just the start.
The deal consists of the agreements or “rules”. They aim to help bring us safe food to eat, a good choice of clothing to wear and telephone services with which to call our friends and relatives, and effective medicines at affordable prices. WTO rules can even make it easier to have fun travelling or being entertained in our own homes.
WTO agreements can only do that if they are put into practice effectively — they have to be implemented and monitored. Years of essential, unglamorous work lie ahead.