WTO AT A GLANCE

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Established: Jan. 1, 1995

Created by: Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-1994)

Membership: 132 countries (as of September 1997)

Budget: $93 million (1996)

Secretariat staff: 500

Director General: Renato Ruggiero

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

Source: World Trade Organization