Overview

The global trading system is undergoing a period of transition. Shifting economic circumstances, major advances in technology and the emergence of new players on the global scene all underscore that we are on the cusp of big changes. Persistent imbalances, driven largely by macro-economic factors continue to be a cause for concern in some major economies. In such a climate of uncertainty the WTO’s Member governments face the challenge of strengthening the global trading system, rendering it more equitable and relevant for those who trade in the 21st century. That objective was re-affirmed at the WTO’s Sixth Ministerial Conference, in Hong Kong, at the end of 2005. It remains the goal that drives the work of the organization in its pursuit of a successful conclusion to the Doha Round.