World Trade Organisation
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About
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an organization that aims to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization was officially founded on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement. It replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). While the GATT focused on the trade of goods, the WTO includes in its scope the trade of services, inventions creations and designs. The organization includes 153 member countries and 30 countries with observer status that intend to join in the future. Negotiation, debate and rules are used by member countries to settle disputes, lower or eliminate trade barriers and create policies that contribute to an international free flow of trade. [1]
In 2001, the WTO introduced the Doha Development Agenda (or Doha Round) to enhance the participation of poorer countries.
Main Functions
The WTO provides a framework for negotiating and formalizing trade agreements of member governments. The organisation also provides principles of the trading system that include but are not limited to non-discrimination, reciprocity, binding and enforceable commitments, transparency and safety valves.[2]
WTO and UNESCO
Academics, media and industry professionals have commonly cited the WTO and UNESCO's divergent views on and approaches to globalization. The WTO champions free trade whereas UNESCO seeks to provide additional support to countries and industries where such measures can protect culture and cultural diversity. Through its Doha Agenda, the WTO has recognized that free trade can, in a number of contexts, put poorer, developing countries at a disadvantage, however, critics of the organization continue to site the organization's tendency to work to the favor of wealthy states.
Video
On 29th of June, 2010 the Director-General Pascal Lamy talks about the Millennium Development Goals in Geneva, Switzerland:
References
See Also
External Links
