With regards to members' recent trade policy reviews, Jordan reported that its Trade Facilitation Portal is providing traders with access to procedures for improving compliance and alignment with WTO rules. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged members to show leadership, flexibility and Feb 23, 2022 · WTO members agreed at a meeting of the General Council on 23 February 2022 to initiate negotiations on the accession of Turkmenistan to the organization. Turkmenistan was formally granted WTO observer status by the General Council in July 2020. They must also report on all investigations twice a year. Japan and the WTO. Canada and the WTO. Germany has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 1 October 1951. MEMBER INFORMATION: Paraguay and the WTO - This page gathers key information on Paraguay's participation in the WTO. All WTO members undergo periodic scrutiny of their trade policies and practices. 4 per cent, as shown in The Doha Development Agenda, also known as the Doha Round, was formally launched in November 2001. On the table below you can sort by member, date or type by clicking column headings. Jamaica has been a member of WTO since 9 March 1995. The World Trade Organization ensures smooth, predictable, and free global trade by establishing international trade rules. It is not a coincidence that the past 25 years have seen the fastest poverty reduction in history: in 1995, over one in three people living around the world fell below the World Bank's $1. Jul 24, 2023 · Members of the WTO elected H. elow this is the General Council We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. This page gathers information on Italy's participation in the WTO. While every effort has been made to ensure the Currently, the WTO has 164 Members. At its twelfth session, held in Geneva, Switzerland from 12 to 17 June 2022, the WTO Ministerial Conference reached a Decision to adopt an amendment Protocol to insert the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies into Annex 1A of the WTO Agreement, and opened the Protocol for acceptance by Members. View full Membership of regional trade agreements and preferential trade agreements. This is often about draft laws, regulations or procedures that may affect their trade; in many cases these measures have been notified to the Committees before they enter into force. He noted that Brazil has introduced a draft decision on agriculture which will be discussed at the next meeting of the General Council on 21-22 May. The work programme of the agenda listed 21 subjects for negotiation. While the WTO is driven by its member states, it could not function without its Secretariat to coordinate the activities. Any Member of the WTO may accede to this Agreement on terms to be agreed between that Member and the Parties, with such terms stated in a decision of the Committee. It is a member State of the European Union (more info). 100. THIS NEWS STORY is designed to help the public understand developments in the WTO. As of , WTO members had submitted a total of notifications related to COVID-19. Membership of regional trade agreements and preferential trade agreements. MEMBER INFORMATION: Brunei Darussalam and the WTO - This page gathers key information on Brunei Darussalam's participation in the WTO. Any state or customs territory having full autonomy in the conduct of its trade policies may become a member (“accede to”) the WTO, but all WTO members must agree on the terms. Since its inception in 1995, the WTO has grown from 123 to 164 members. The purpose of observer status for international intergovernmental organizations in the WTO is to enable these organizations The WTO's membership has expanded to members, representing over 98% of international trade. Jun 5, 2022 · World Trade Organization - WTO: The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization that deals with the global rules of trade between nations. However, to ensure a good distribution of appointments over all these bodies, informal consultations are held to produce consensus on slates of chairpersons in three groups: those directly involving the General Council (including, the bodies reporting to the Trade Negotiations Committee The agreement says member countries must inform the Committee on Anti-Dumping Practices about all preliminary and final anti-dumping actions, promptly and in detail. The new head of the WTO noted that high Feb 15, 2021 · WTO members made history today (15 February) when the General Council agreed by consensus to select Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as the organization’s seventh Director-General. MEMBER INFORMATION: Russian Federation and the WTO - This page gathers key information on the Russian Federation’s participation in the WTO. Jan 19, 2024 · Current WTO Members and Observer Applicants. Building trade capacity 106 MEMBER INFORMATION. At the sixth meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan on 14 March, members expressed their support for Uzbekistan’s ambition to secure WTO membership while underlying the importance of We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. MEMBER INFORMATION: Jamaica and the WTO - This page gathers key information on Jamaica's participation in the WTO. Settling disputes is the responsibility of the Dispute Settlement Body. More introductory information > The WTO in Brief. It is the last former Soviet republic to do so. All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) in its own right. As of 1 May 2004 it is a member State of the European Union ( more info ). 1. Revised WTO Agreement on Government Procurement enters into force; WTO disputes reach 500 mark; Expansion of the Information Technology Agreement We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 2 per cent to 7. g. Current members are shown in green, members dually represented by the EU in blue, observers negotiating accession in yellow, and non-members in red. Merchandise exports have grown on average by 6% annually. 90 threshold for extreme poverty. The WTO also includes dozens of observers, which include not only countries but also intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Free Trade Organization (EFTA). Developing countries benefit from special and differential treatment (S&DT) provisions, such as longer implementation periods to comply with WTO commitments, flexibility of commitments, of action Feb 4, 2013 · WTO accessions. Officially, each council, committee or working party elects its own chairperson. In line with the practice of the WTO Secretariat, the remaining sections of this publication use the short names of Members as listed in the latest revision to document WT/INF/43 The result was a Ministerial Declaration on the WTO response to the current and future pandemics, which members adopted as part of the outcomes of the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12). DG Okonjo-Iweala was speaking at the South Apr 26, 2021 · WTO members/observers use the TBT and SPS Committees to discuss specific trade concerns (STCs). Aug 9, 2021 · WTO members/observers use the TBT and SPS Committees to discuss specific trade concerns (STCs). Essentially, members raise STCs to find out more about the scope Mar 14, 2023 · Uzbekistan underlined its commitment to making rapid progress in its WTO accession talks as part of an overall programme to implement large-scale reforms of its trade and economic regimes. MEMBER INFORMATION. Essentially, members raise STCs to find out more about the scope Nov 24, 2021 · The Director-General welcomed Turkmenistan's historic decision to apply for WTO membership. Hong Kong, China has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 23 April 1986. This is done through the establishment of a working party of WTO members and through a process of negotiations. Mexico has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 24 August 1986. Hong Kong, China and the WTO. At a meeting of the SPS Committee on 9-11 November, members committed to cooperate on assessing the impact of emerging challenges, including population growth, climate change Apr 20, 2023 · WTO members on 20 April shared perspectives on the current practice of not imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions. MEMBER INFORMATION: Zimbabwe and the WTO - This page gathers key information on Zimbabwe's participation in the WTO. Map showing the number of notifications submitted by members. The WTO is ‘member-driven’, with decisions taken by consensus among all member governments. All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities Developed country Members have agreed to reduce, over a six-year period beginning in 1995, their tariffs by 36 per cent on average of all agricultural products, with a minimum cut of 15 per cent for any product. The purpose of observer status for international intergovernmental organizations in the WTO is to enable these organizations . Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, as Chairperson for the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), which will take place in Abu Dhabi. Fiji noted that its 2021 Investment Act has led to the elimination of registration and screening Aug 9, 2021 · WTO members/observers use the TBT and SPS Committees to discuss specific trade concerns (STCs). The Secretariat employs over 600 staff, and its experts — lawyers, economists, statisticians and communications experts — assist WTO members on a daily basis to ensure, among other things, that negotiations progress smoothly, and that the rules of international trade Jun 10, 2022 · In February 2021, WTO members confirmed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria as director general following a protracted selection process. All major decisions are made by the membership as a whole, either by ministers (who meet at least once every two years) or by their ambassadors or delegates How the WTO is structured s top-level decision-making The WTO’ body is the Ministerial Conference, which usually meets every two years. Jan 20, 2023 · The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) on 17 June 2022, marks a major step forward for ocean sustainability by prohibiting harmful fisheries subsidies, which are a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks. Accession shall take place by deposit with the Director-General of the WTO of an instrument of accession that states the terms so agreed. Mexico and the WTO. The decision was taken at a 24 July meeting of the WTO’s General Council. Paraguay has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995. 2 million people, Turkmenistan is rich in natural resources, mainly in oil and natural gas. The member States of the EU are also WTO members in their own right. In 2022, 53 new trade concerns were discussed by the TBT Committee. Essentially, members raise STCs to find out more about the scope WTO Member status has been gained through two avenues: original membership under XI, Article and accession , primarily under Article XII of the WTO Agreement. Click any member to see key information on trade statistics, WTO commitments, disputes, trade policy reviews, and notifications. All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities Membership of regional trade agreements and preferential trade agreements. Accession. They are listed in the table below according to their designated full names as of the date of membership, or according to the names as subsequently submitted to the WTO Secretariat. Apr 13, 2023 · Over the same period, available data indicate that the simple average tariff applied by WTO members on a most-favoured nation basis — by which WTO members extend the same trade treatment, including tariff rates and market access, to all other members — has declined by 44 per cent, falling from 13. The 163 members of the WTO alliance, listed with area and population (94% of world population) All members have joined the system as a result of negotiation and therefore membership means a balance of rights and obligations. In recent years, WTO members have agreed to streamline Aug 9, 2021 · Membership of regional trade agreements and preferential trade agreements. This page gathers key information on Canada's participation in the WTO. “mask” or “pharmaceutical”. Essentially, members raise STCs to find out more about the scope Membership of regional trade agreements and preferential trade agreements. Sep 17, 2021 · Delivering results at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) to enable least-developed countries (LDCs) to become more resilient and more integrated into the global economy is critical for meeting sustainable development goals, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told Geneva-based ambassadors from LDCs on 16-17 September in Montreux, Switzerland. This page gathers key information on Hong Kong, China's participation in the WTO. Mar 1, 2021 · Addressing the WTO General Council immediately after taking office on 1 March, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called on members to “do things differently” to achieve reforms necessary to keep the WTO relevant, starting with swift action to curb harmful fisheries subsidies, and to help scale up COVID-19 vaccine production and distribution. Japan has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 10 September 1955. The WTO is built on WTO The European Union (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European Communities for legal reasons) ( more info) has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995. For developing countries, the cuts are 24 and 10 per cent, respectively, to be implemented over ten years. WTO members/observers use the TBT and SPS Committees to discuss specific trade concerns (STCs). The Declaration calls on relevant WTO bodies to continue or initiate work on lessons learned and challenges experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Secretariat employs over 600 staff, and its experts — lawyers, economists, statisticians and communications experts — assist WTO members on a daily basis to ensure, among other things, that negotiations progress smoothly, and that the rules of international trade Mar 1, 2024 · WTO members concluded the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi on 2 March with the adoption of a Ministerial Declaration setting out a forward-looking, reform agenda for the organization. B. Pakistan has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995. The WTO is run by its member governments. According to the WTO Agreement, a Member formally Membership of regional trade agreements and preferential trade agreements. All EU member States are WTO members, as is the EU (until 30 November 2009 known officially in the WTO as the European The Netherlands has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 1 January 1948. Ministers also took a number of ministerial decisions, including renewing the commitment to have a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system by 2024 and to improve use of the special and We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Ambassador Gunnarsson will chair the second wave of fisheries subsidies negotiations, following the historic Agreement WTO members' trade policy reviews. Mar 4, 2021 · There are 164 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO), accounting for the majority of the 195 in the world. Brunei Darussalam has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995. This page gathers information on Germany's participation in the WTO. Today the extreme poverty rate is less than 10%, the lowest ever. Feb 26, 2024 · The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) opened in Abu Dhabi on 26 February with a call to WTO members to seize the full potential of the multilateral trading system so that it delivers for the people it serves, accelerating the green transition and fostering socio-economic inclusion around the world. Non-member Disputes between members: 0 cases. Public domain image by Danlaycock via Wikimedia Commons. General assignments Assignments given to interns are intended to enhance the individual's understanding of the WTO and of trade policy more generally. At the meeting, which was held at the end of WTO Trade and Environment Week 2022, members also discussed ways to move forward with work on sustainability WTO members/observers use the TBT and SPS Committees to discuss specific trade concerns (STCs). They can also use the WTO’s dispute settlement Nov 11, 2022 · WTO members agreed on the process for undertaking the work programme aimed at identifying and addressing challenges in the implementation of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures. She is the first woman and first African to lead the organization. A prerequisite for both original and acceding WTO Members is having valid goods and services schedules annexed to the GATT 1994 and the GATS, respectively. 2 million, is the last of the former Soviet republics to apply for WTO membership. The WTO Internship Programme provides an opportunity for post-graduate students from WTO member and observer countries to gain valuable experience from working at the WTO. This page gathers key information on Mexico's participation in the WTO. At the Fourth Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, in MEMBER INFORMATION. History is made: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala chosen as Director-General. 1 Membership of regional trade agreements and preferential trade agreements. In the fourth of a series of dedicated discussions held this year under the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, members highlighted the need for more exchanges on issue of the e-commerce moratorium, focusing in particular on its definition, scope, and implications We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. They enjoy the privileges that other member-countries give to them and the security that the trading rules provide. See the RTAs gateway for explanations and background. members since , with dates of WTO membership. In-person TBT technical assistance resumed following the easing of At a meeting of the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) on 21 October 2022, members underscored the importance of transparency and cooperation to prevent trade frictions and the need to harness trade policies to protect the planet. This page gathers key information on Japan's participation in the WTO. Zimbabwe has been a member of WTO since 5 March 1995. Members were also informed at the General Council meeting that MC13 will take place from We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. When she takes office on 1 March, Dr Okonjo-Iweala will become the first woman and the first African Hungary has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 9 September 1973. Jan 27, 2023 · WTO members confirmed on 27 January the appointments of Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson of Iceland and Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Türkiye as new chairs of the Negotiating Group on Rules (NGR) and of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session (CoASS), respectively. Essentially, members raise STCs to find out more about the scope We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Dispute settlement 84 WTO members bring disputes to the WTO if they think their rights under trade agreements are being infringed. Several WTO members have questioned the WTO practice of “self-designation” whereby a member can declare whether or not it is a developing country. 2 While these accounted for an Current WTO chairpersons. The EU is a single customs union with a single trade policy and tariff. Jul 7, 2020 · WTO members welcomed the resumption of WTO membership negotiations for Uzbekistan when the working party on the country’s accession to the WTO met on 7 July 2020 — almost 15 years after its last formal meeting. The Agreement represents a historic achievement for the membership as the first Sustainable Development Goal A map of WTO members and observers, showcasing the countries involved in global trade agreements. MEMBER INFORMATION: Pakistan and the WTO - This page gathers key information on Pakistan's participation in the WTO. E. “The past 75 years have seen an exceptional growth in world trade. Turkmenistan, a country in Central Asia with a population of about 6. You can also search by typing in the search field on the blue bar, e. The number of trade concerns raised by WTO members at the TBT Committee in 2022 decreased by 6%. All the Members of GATT 1947 decided by the end of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations (1986-1994) to take on the greatly enlarged rights and obligations of the new organization they had negotiated — the World Trade Organization (WTO), which came into force on 1 January 1995 with 128 original Members. In return, they had to make commitments to open their markets and to abide by the rules — those commitments were the result of the membership (or In brief, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. WTO members regret the absence of a negotiating outcome at MC13 on agriculture, including cotton, Ambassador Acarsoy said, especially as the text on cotton was considered largely stabilized. Note: In its communication of 4 January 2021 ( WT/GC/226 ), the United Kingdom indicated that until the expiry of the transition period on 31 December 2020, the United Kingdom was treated as a Member State of the European Union for the purpose of ongoing WTO disputes to which the European are being properly implemented. With a population of 6. At its creation, the World Trade Organization included 125 member countries. Canada has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 1 January 1948. Today, there are 164 members. When differences arise, members are encouraged to consult each other. In 2021, the WTO reached a significant milestone with the receipt of its 600th trade dispute for settlement. On average, each new trade concern covers imports with a value of USD 29 billion in the year it is first raised. Italy has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 30 May 1950. MEMBER INFORMATION: Kenya and the WTO - This page gathers key information on Kenya's participation in the WTO. Kenya has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995. The Russian Federation has been a member of the WTO since 22 August 2012. They joined to enjoy the benefits of greater international trade conferred by the WTO. WTO members concluded an agreement on trade facilitation in 2013 but negotiations on many other agenda items remain open. It is a member State of the European Union ( more info ). uronrhiisgmnqgulvsui