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Organs of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

• The Ministerial Conference is the supreme organ of the WTO, meeting at least once every two years, with representatives from all members.
• The General Council, composed of representatives from all members, plays a central role in conducting the functions of the WTO between Ministerial Conference meetings.
• The Dispute Settlement Body, established under the Dispute Settlement Understanding, operates within the General Council and includes panels and the Appellate Body.
• The WTO has three special councils for trade in goods, trade in services, and trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, which operate under the guidance of the General Council.
• The Ministerial Conference establishes committees, including the Committee on Trade and Development, the Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions, and the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration, which carry out assigned functions.
• The Secretariat is headed by the Director-General and is responsible for supporting the functions of the WTO.
• The Director-General and Secretariat staff have international responsibility and are not subject to instructions or influence from governments or outside sources.
• The WTO has international legal personality, legal capacity, and privileges and immunities necessary for the exercise of its functions.
• Members of the WTO accord the organization privileges and immunities necessary for the independent exercise of their functions.
• The privileges and immunities accorded to the WTO, its officials, and representatives are similar to those stipulated in the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Specialized Agencies.
• The WTO may conclude a headquarters agreement.
• The Committee on Trade and Development periodically reviews special provisions in Multilateral Trade Agreements in favor of least-developed country members and reports to the General Council for appropriate action.