World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization that deals with the rules of international trade. It focuses on the WTO agreements, which have been negotiated and signed by most of the world’s trading nations and ratified by their parliaments. Its objective is to assist manufacturers, exporters and importers of goods and services in the exercise of their activities. The World Trade Organization is governed by its member governments. All important decisions are taken by members, either by ministers (usually at least once every two years) or by their ambassadors or representatives (who meet regularly in Geneva). WTO agreements are long and complex, as they are legal texts covering a wide range of activities. However, there are many simple and basic principles in all of these documents. These principles form the basis of the multilateral trading system. The WTO – the WTO – is an international organization whose main objective is to open trade to all.