Question

Where and when was the office of GATT established ?

• A. Paris, 1958
• B. Geneva, 1948
• C. Rio de Janeiro, 1948
• D. New York, 1948

Hint:

To remember this, keep in mind that the successor of GATT, which is the World Trade Organization (WTO), inherited GATT's headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) was a multilateral treaty signed on October 30, 1947, by 23 nations to minimize barriers to international trade.
It entered into force on January 1, 1948, and required a dedicated headquarters and secretariat to oversee trade negotiations and resolve commercial disputes.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The administrative office and permanent secretariat of GATT were officially established in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1948.
Geneva was chosen due to its post-World War II status as a neutral diplomatic hub hosting several international organizations.
Let us review the options provided:
- Option (A) suggests Paris in 1958. This is incorrect, as Paris became the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) later on, and GATT was already operational before this date.
- Option (B) correctly identifies Geneva and the year 1948, which matches historical records of GATT's initial implementation.
- Option (C) lists Rio de Janeiro in 1948. While Brazil was an original signatory, Rio did not host the permanent secretariat.
- Option (D) suggests New York in 1948. Although New York served as the temporary headquarters for early United Nations conferences, the permanent office of GATT was set up in Geneva.
GATT served as the foundation for global trade rules until it was replaced by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, which also maintained its headquarters in Geneva.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B).