ABSTRACT
It is generally a lack of technical and financial resources that makes the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) particularly difficult for developing countries. Our work at the OECD has clearly stressed that a key factor contributing to the success of MEAs lies with the funding in developing countries of ways to establish the technical and scientific capacity to implement MEAs' obligations. A first key issue relates to the importance of trade restrictions in MEAs. A second key issue is how negative impacts on developing countries can be avoided. A third issue deals with the compatibility of MEAs with the multilateral trading system. There has been an endless series of proposals regarding potential amendments to General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Article XX to accommodate MEAs as a general exception. There has never been a formal dispute, or even informal discussion potentially leading to a dispute, between a MEA and the World Trade Organization.
