Wto and Its Agreements Pdf
5th October 2021
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization that deals with the rules of trade between nations. It was established in 1995 and currently has 164 member countries. The primary objective of the WTO is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.
To achieve this objective, the WTO works to develop and implement various agreements among its member countries. These agreements cover a wide range of issues related to international trade, such as tariffs, quotas, subsidies, intellectual property rights, and technical barriers to trade.
If you`re interested in learning more about the WTO and its agreements, you can find a wealth of information in the WTO`s official documents. One such document is the “WTO Agreement Series,” which is a collection of all the agreements that have been negotiated and signed by WTO members.
The WTO Agreement Series is available in PDF format on the WTO`s website, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the different agreements that make up the WTO`s legal framework. Some of the most important agreements included in the series are:
1. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT): This agreement is the backbone of the international trading system, and it sets out the rules for the reduction and elimination of tariffs and other trade barriers.
2. The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement): This agreement sets out the rules for the protection of human, animal, and plant health in trade. It aims to ensure that trade is not used as a means of spreading diseases or pests.
3. The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement): This agreement sets out the minimum standards for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
4. The Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM Agreement): This agreement sets out the rules for the use of subsidies in trade. It aims to ensure that subsidies are not used to distort trade or give unfair advantages to certain industries or countries.
These agreements are just a few examples of the many that are included in the WTO Agreement Series. Each agreement provides specific rules and obligations for WTO members, and they help to ensure that international trade operates fairly and transparently.
In conclusion, the WTO and its agreements play a crucial role in international trade. If you`re interested in learning more about the WTO`s legal framework, the WTO Agreement Series is an excellent resource. It provides a comprehensive overview of the different agreements that make up the WTO`s legal framework and can help you understand the rules and obligations that govern international trade.