Functions of WTO

Go back to Tutorial

Functions of WTO

Let’s learn more about the Functions of WTO. WTO is a new international organisation set up as a permanent body. The World Trade Organization is an intergovernmental organization that is concerned with the regulation of international trade between nations.. It is designed to play the role of a watchdog in the spheres of trade in goods, trade in services, foreign investment, intellectual property rights, etc. Article III has set out the following five functions of WTO:

• The WTO shall facilitate the implementation, administration and operation and further the objec­tives of this Agreement and of the Multilateral Trade Agreements, and shall also provide the frame work for the implementation, administration and operation of the plurilateral Trade Agreements.

• The WTO shall provide the forum for negotiations among its members concerning their multilateral trade relations in matters dealt with under the Agreement in the Annexes to this Agreement.

• The WTO shall administer the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes.

• The WTO shall administer Trade Policy Review Mechanism.

With a view to achieving greater coherence in global economic policy making, the WTO shall cooperate, as appropriate, with the international Monetary Fund (IMF) and with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and its affiliated agencies.

Go back to Tutorial