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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.
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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.
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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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WTO Secretariat
The WTO has approximately 650 staff on its regular budget.
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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.
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The WTO building
The WTO is housed in the historic Centre William Rappard building. A new building was added in 2013.
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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.
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The WTO and other organizations
Cooperation between multilateral institutions on global economic policy-making.
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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.
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Jobs in the WTO
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General enquiries, publications, the website. Also copyright and trademark statements.
