Basics

– Location: Geneva, Switzerland

– Established: 1 January 1995

– Created by Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-94)

– Membership: 153 countries (as of 23 July, 2008) + about 31 applicants (WTO“observers”).

– Budget: 182 Mio. Swiss Francs for 2007

– Secretariat Staff: 625

Headed by:

– Director-General Pacal Lamy (2005 – till)

– Supachai Panitchpakdi (2002-2005)

– Mike Moore (1999-2002)

– Renato Ruggiero (1995-1999)

– World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between nations.

–  Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.