Outreach 166
The WTO maintains regular dialogue
with the business community,
non-governmental organizations,
parliamentarians, other international
organizations, the media and the
general public to enhance cooperation
and raise awareness of trade issues.
Spotlight: 25th anniversary
of the WTO 171
Dispute settlement
activity in 2020 136
WTO members bring disputes to the
WTO if they think their rights under
trade agreements are being infringed.
Settling disputes is the responsibility
of the Dispute Settlement Body.
Secretariat and budget 190
The WTO Secretariat has over 600
regular staff and coordinates the
activities of the WTO. Most of the
WTO’s annual budget consists of
contributions by its members.
4 7
5
8
6
9
How the WTO is structured 204
WTO Chairpersons (as of 31 December 2020) 205
Directors-general 1995-2021 206
Membership of the WTO (as of 31 December 2020) 207
Abbreviations and further information 209
Trade negotiations
and discussions 38
Changes to the rules of trade
require the agreement of WTO
members, who must reach
a decision through negotiations.
Implementation
and monitoring 66
Various WTO councils and
committees seek to ensure that
WTO agreements are being properly
implemented. All WTO members
undergo periodic scrutiny of their
trade policies and practices.
Spotlight: COVID-19
and world trade 76
Supporting development and
building trade capacity 144
The WTO aims to help developing
countries build their trade capacity
and allows them a longer time
to implement trade agreements.
Hundreds of training courses are
organized each year for officials
from developing countries.
003
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
