WTO Updates The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business. The WTO quantitative and qualitative reports and information on economic and trade policy issues.   The International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO (ITC) is the focal point in the United Nations system for technical cooperation with developing countries in trade promotion.   General Agreement on Tarriffs and Trade - WTO 1986   WTO Legal Texts -

. . .   - Location Switzerland - Established 1-1-1995 - Created by Uruguay Round negotiations 1986-94 - Membership 145 countries (as of 5 February 2003) - Budget 154 million Swiss francs for 2003 -Secretariat staff is 550 Functions: • Administering WTO trade agreements • Forum for trade negotiations • Handling trade disputes • Monitoring national trade policies • Technical assistance and training for developing countries • Cooperation with other international organizations