Maailmakaubandusorganisatsiooni

Maailmakaubandusorganisatsioon (WTO) is an international organization established on January 1, 1995, to oversee and liberalize international trade. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and its official languages are English and French. The WTO consists of 164 member countries, which collectively represent over 98% of global trade. The organization's primary goal is to facilitate international trade by reducing trade barriers, such as tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and by providing a forum for negotiating trade agreements.

The WTO operates under the Marrakesh Agreement, which established the organization and its governing structures. The WTO's main functions include administering and enforcing the agreements that its members have signed, settling trade disputes, and providing a forum for negotiating new trade agreements. The organization's decisions are made through consensus, which means that all members must agree to any changes or new agreements.

The WTO has played a significant role in shaping global trade policies and has been instrumental in promoting economic growth and development. However, it has also faced criticism for its slow progress in addressing issues such as intellectual property rights, agricultural subsidies, and labor standards. Despite these challenges, the WTO remains a vital institution in the global economy, providing a platform for countries to negotiate and resolve trade disputes and promote free and fair trade.