Chapter Three WTO.pptVIP

Chapter Three WTO 一、 WTO （一）General introduction of WTO The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations, which was created on 1?January?1995 by the Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-94)?. It is located in Geneva, Switzerland and has 153 member countries up to now.  The goal of the organization is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business. （二） 6 basic functions of WTO 1. to implement, administer, and carry out the WTO Agreement and its annexes; 2. to act as a forum for ongoing multilateral trade negotiations; 3. to serve as a tribunal for resolving disputes; 4. to review the trade policies and practices of member states; 5.to provide technical assistance and training for developing countries 6. to cooperate with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in order to achieve greater coherence in global economic policy making. （三）Structure of the WTO The WTO has 3 main organs: 1. Ministerial Conference: The WTO’s top level decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference. The Ministerial Conference is made up of representatives from all the member states. They meets at least every other year to oversee the operation of the WTO. Five standing committees deal with: trade and development; balance of payments restrictions; budget, finance, and administration; trade and the environment; and regional agreements. 2. General Council: Below Ministerial Conference is the General Council (normally ambassadors and heads of delegation in Geneva) which meets several times a year in the Geneva headquarters. The General Council carries on the functions of the Ministerial Conference in the intervals between the meetings of the Conference. It can also function as the Dispute Settlement Body and Trade Policy Review Body of WTO. The General Council has three subordinate councils: the council for trade in goods , the council for trade in services,