Shifting from consensus decision-making to joint statement initiatives: opportunities and challenges

critical mass.Moreover, a country's decision to join a JSI depends on its own sectoral cost and benefit analysis influenced by the MFN-compliance of the JSI.The legal feasibility analysis, as the most in-depth one, summarises the discussion and advances possible insertion methods of JSIs into the WTO framework.While the study also outlines more innovative approaches building from the scenario of WTO reforms, it primarily identifies two feasible options to insert JSIs into the current WTO system: (i) through PTAs/RTAs (Preferential Trading Agreements/ Regional Trade Agreements) pursuant to GATT Art.XXIV and GATS Art.V -preferred by developing countries and LDCs; or (ii) through an amendment of the Members schedules, most likely in the area of trade in services through GATS Art.XXI -preferred by developed countries.They seem to be, however, at the direct contradiction of the other group's expectation.The research hence brings to light the inherent dichotomy in approaches to dealing with sectoral issues between developed countries and the developing and least-developed countries.There is a mismatch of expectations of the WTO members where the fears of developing countries seem to be the desired goals of the developed countries.