Page 69 - FOL2023

EDITORIAL TEAM

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the premier organization for the
regulation of international trade. It became operational on the 1st of January,
1995 and currently has 164 members. Lesotho became a member on the
31st May, 1995. The key mandate of the organization is to influence the global
expansion of trade, including supporting the fuller participation of developing
countries in the multilateral trading system. The latter objective is fulfilled
through trade capacity building.

The WTO Chairs Programme was created to support universities and research
institutions in developing and least-developed countries to become local
centres of excellence in international trade law. This will be of benefit, not only
to the public and private sector in the nations that hold the Chair, but also
of neighbouring country institutions. Thus far there have been two cycles of
the Chairs programme, benefiting 31 institutions. The current cycle saw 126
institutions apply for selection. Out of these applicants, only 17 institutions
were chosen. One of these is the National University of Lesotho (NUL). NUL
will hold the Chair for four years. The successful application was submitted
by a Committee that was principally composed of members of staff of the
Faculty of Law. Under the auspices of the programme, the Faculty will run
projects under three pillars: curriculum development, research and outreach.
The Faculty intends to partner with other University units, government entities,
private sector organisations and other Universities in the sub-region so that
the impact of hosting the Chair can have as wide a reach as possible.

“More details coming in a special issue!”

Issue 2022 FOL Quarterly 71