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.
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.
The primary purpose of the WTO is to open trade for the benefit of all.
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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.
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