What is the WTO? (original) (raw)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world�s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.
What is the WTO?
- Who we are
The WTO has many roles: it operates a global system of trade rules, it acts as a forum for negotiating trade agreements, it settles trade disputes between its members and it supports the needs of developing countries. - What we do
All major decisions are made by the WTO's member governments: either by ministers (who usually meet at least every two years) or by their ambassadors or delegates (who meet regularly in Geneva). - What we stand for
A number of simple, fundamental principles form the foundation of the multilateral trading system. - Overview
The primary purpose of the WTO is to open trade for the benefit of all.
Decision-making
- Organization chart
The WTO's top decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference. Below this is the General Council and various other councils and committees.
Current WTO chairpersons - Ministerial conferences
Ministerial conferences usually take place every two years. - General Council
The General Council is the top day-to-day decision-making body. It meets a number of times a year in Geneva.
Membership
- Members and observers
The WTO has over 160 members representing 98 per cent of world trade. Over 20 countries are seeking to join the WTO. - Accessions
To join the WTO, a government has to bring its economic and trade policies in line with WTO rules and negotiate its terms of entry with the WTO membership.
WTO Secretariat
The WTO has approximately 650 staff on its regular budget.
Budget
The WTO derives most of the income for its annual budget from contributions by its members. These contributions are based on a formula that takes into account each member's share of international trade.
Director-General
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is the seventh Director-General of the WTO. She took office on 1 March 2021, becoming the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General. Her term of office will expire on 31 August 2025.
The WTO building
The WTO is housed in the historic Centre William Rappard building. A new building was added in 2013.
Procurement at the WTO
The WTO Procurement Section is responsible for obtaining, in a timely and cost-effective manner, goods and services which meet the needs of the organization.
The WTO and other organizations
Cooperation between multilateral institutions on global economic policy-making.
Annual report
The WTO Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of WTO activities over the past year and includes information on the WTO's budget and staffing.
Jobs in the WTO
General enquiries, publications, the website. Also copyright and trademark statements.