• Administering WTO trade agreements
• Serving as a forum for trade negotiations
• Handling trade disputes
• Monitoring national trade policies
• Providing technical assistance and training for developing countries
• Cooperating with other international organizations

147 Member countries as of 23 April 2004

Consensus

In 1998 the WTO decided in the Geneva Ministerial Declaration on Global Electronic Commerce to "examine all trade-related issues relating to global electronic commerce." At that same time, Members pledged to "continue their current practice of not imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions." These arrangements were subsequently reaffirmed. (See below for the specific Decisions.)

This decision was reaffirmed at the Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001.