World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Organization Name
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Description
The World Trade Organization is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations, ensuring that trade flows as smoothly and freely as possible.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1 January 1995 (replaced GATT, which was established in 1947)
- Members: 166 member states (as of 2024)
- Director-General: Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Nigeria), her second term began 1 September 2025; she is the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.
- Functions: Administers trade agreements, resolves trade disputes, and provides a forum for trade negotiations
- Key agreements: GATT, GATS, TRIPS, Agreement on Agriculture
- Nepal relevance: Nepal became the WTO's 147th member in April 2004 — the first LDC to join through a full Working Party accession process.
Role
The WTO plays a crucial role in liberalizing international trade and ensuring a predictable trading system.
- Headquarters
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Founded Year
- 1995
- Current Head/SG
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
- Category
- Trade