Distinguishing Between the United Nations & the World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a successor body to GATT, established in 1995 during the Uruguay round of talks when members could not agree on setting up the International Trade Organization (ITO) to facilitate global trade. The WTO is a permanent body providing guidelines to member countries for international trade in goods and services. With 153 members representing over 96% of the world population, the WTO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and is led by Director General Pascal Lamy. Although not an organ of the United Nations (UN) or one of its specialized agencies, the WTO maintains close relations with the world body and its other agencies.

An agreement was signed between the UN and WTO on November 15, 1995, laying out the guidelines for the relations between the two bodies. This agreement is referred to as arrangements for effective cooperation with other intergovernmental organizations. The Chief Executive Board is an organ for coordination between different bodies under the UN system, and the WTO Director General participates in its meetings. The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) organizes an annual meeting during spring, attended by all Bretton Woods institutions, the WTO, and UNCTAD. The Chief Executive Board meets twice a year and is attended by all Bretton Woods institutions and the WTO. These meetings are led by the UN Secretary-General and address issues of common interest.

Key Takeaways

• The WTO is a permanent body providing guidelines to member countries for international trade in goods and services.
• While not an organ of the UN or one of its specialized agencies, the WTO maintains close relations with the world body and its other agencies through the Chief Executive Board and ECOSOC.
• The Chief Executive Board and ECOSOC meetings involve all Bretton Woods institutions and the WTO, addressing issues of common interest and discussing the activities of the bodies.