Most developing African member countries of the WTO are also members of the CBD, although these two agreements are potentially conflicting. African countries have to be aware of this context in order to take the right path to sustainable development in Africa. The WTO is a very comprehensive agreement which includes most multilateral agreements related to international trade. It is very strong, detailed and specific, and member countries of the WTO have to comply with the various provisions included in TRIPs and other agreements, and have to adjust their national policies and laws in compliance with what is required within the WTO framework. It has a very strong enforcement mechanism through the dispute settlement body.
Member states have to comply with the obligations provided in the agreement.
Violation of any of the WTO provisions would result in trade sanctions if the Dispute Settlement Body so decides. However, unilateralism still prevails, especially by the United States, which uses its national legislation to unilaterally impose trade sanctions on countries who violate basically US interests. This has happened several times. The recent banana case is one example. Previously, Argentina has also been threatened by US unilateral action unless it adjusted its intellectual property rights protection to the interests of multinational companies in the United States.