Improving people’s lives

The fundamental goal of the WTO is to improve the welfare of people around the world. The WTO’s founding Agreement recognizes that trade should be conducted with a view to raising standards of living, ensuring full employment and increasing real income.

Opening trade

The WTO seeks to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible, such as by lowering trade barriers, including customs duties – or tariffs – and measures such as import bans.

Inclusive trade

The WTO seeks to build a more inclusive trading system to allow more women and small businesses to participate in global trade. It also recognizes the importance of addressing the digital divide so that more economies can benefit from the digital economy.

Fair competition

“Unfair” practices, such as export subsidies and dumping products at below normal value to gain market share, are discouraged. WTO rules try to establish what is fair or unfair and how governments can respond.

Non-discrimination

Under WTO rules, a WTO member should not discriminate between its trading partners, and should not discriminate between its own and foreign products, services or citizens.

Predictability

and transparency

Foreign companies, investors and governments should be confident that trade barriers will not be raised arbitrarily. With stability and predictability provided by WTO rules, investment is encouraged, jobs are created and consumers can enjoy the benefits of competition, such as lower prices.

Support for

less developed economies

Over three-quarters of WTO members are developing economies. The WTO agreements give them transition periods to adjust to WTO provisions and, in certain cases, provide for practical support for implementation of the agreement.

Protection of the environment

Protection and preservation of the environment are fundamental goals of the WTO. The WTO agreements permit members to take measures to protect public, animal and plant health and the environment.

Partnerships

The WTO maintains regular dialogue with civil society, labour unions, universities, the business community and other intergovernmental organizations to enhance cooperation and build partnerships.

Trade negotiations

The WTO agreements – covering goods, services and intellectual property – are not static; they are altered from time to time and new agreements can be added to the package. Changes to the rules of trade require the agreement of all WTO members, who must reach consensus through negotiations.

Implementation and monitoring

WTO agreements require governments to make their trade policies transparent by notifying the WTO about laws in force and measures adopted. Various WTO bodies seek to ensure these requirements are being followed and that WTO agreements are being properly implemented.

Dispute settlement

The WTO’s procedures for resolving trade disputes are vital for enforcing the rules and for ensuring trade flows smoothly. WTO members bring disputes to the WTO if they think their rights under the agreements are being infringed. Rulings by independent experts are based on interpretations of the agreements and members’ commitments.

Building trade capacity

WTO agreements contain special provisions for developing economies, including longer time periods to implement agreements, and support to help them build their trade capacity. The WTO organizes hundreds of training activities for developing economies annually.

Outreach

The WTO maintains regular dialogue with non-governmental organizations, parliamentarians, other international organizations, the business sector, universities and the general public on various aspects of the WTO, with the aim of enhancing cooperation and increasing awareness of WTO activities.

Director-General

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala took office as WTO Director- General on 1 March 2021. She is the first woman and the first African to serve as Director-General. In November 2024, she was reappointed for a second four-year term beginning 1 September 2025.

Membership

The WTO has 166 members, accounting for 98 per cent of world trade. All members joined the system as a result of negotiations, thus membership means a balance of rights and obligations. Over 20 countries are currently negotiating to join the WTO.

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.

WTO Secretariat

The WTO has approximately 620 staff on its regular budget and is headed by a Director-General. The Secretariat’s main duties are to support the WTO’s various bodies, to provide technical assistance to developing economies, monitor developments in world trade, disseminate information about WTO activities and organize ministerial conferences.

How the organization is structured

Unlike some other international organizations, power is not delegated to a board of directors or the organization’s head. The WTO’s main decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference, which meets usually every two years. The General Council, which meets regularly in Geneva, is the highest decision-making body outside of ministerial conferences.