the World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between nations. Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. 

The result is assurance(保证，承诺）. Consumers and producers know that they can enjoy secure supplies and greater choice of the finished products, components, raw materials and services that they use. Producers and exporters know that foreign markets will remain open to them. 
The result is also a more prosperous, peaceful and accountable （有责任的）economic world. Decisions in the WTO are typically taken by consensus （.一致同意, 多数人的意见）among all member countries and they are ratified （批准）by members’ parliaments. Trade friction is channeled into the WTO’s dispute settlement process where the focus is on interpreting agreements and commitments（许诺, 承担义务）, and how to ensure that countries’ trade policies conform （使一致，使遵守）with them. That way, the risk of disputes spilling over into political or military conflict is reduced.

By lowering trade barriers, the WTO’s system also breaks down other barriers between peoples and nations.

At the heart of the system — known as the multilateral trading system — are the WTO’s agreements, negotiated and signed by a large majority of the world’s trading nations, and ratified in their parliaments. These agreements are the legal ground-rules for international commerce. Essentially, they are contracts, guaranteeing member countries important trade rights. They also bind （约束）governments to keep their trade policies within agreed limits to everybody’s benefit.

The agreements were negotiated and signed by governments. But their purpose is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.

The goal is to improve the welfare of the peoples of the member countries.

Facts:

Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Established: 1 January 1995
Created by: Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-94) 
Membership: 142 countries (as of 26 July 2001)
Budget: 127 million Swiss francs for 2000
Secretariat staff: 500
Head: Mike Moore (director-general)

Functions:

•  Administering WTO trade agreements
•  Forum for trade negotiations
•  Handling trade disputes
•  Monitoring national trade policies
•  Technical assistance and training for developing countries
•  Cooperation with other international organizations