Books
Los acuerdos de la OMC
Tercera edición
La presente publicación contiene el texto del Acuerdo fundacional de la OMC, el Acuerdo de Marrakech por el que se establece la Organización Mundial del Comercio, de 1994, y sus Anexos, con inclusión de todas las enmiendas y adiciones desde su entrada en vigor hasta septiembre de 2025. Entre ellas figuran una enmienda del Acuerdo sobre los Aspectos de los Derechos de Propiedad Intelectual relacionados con el Comercio (Acuerdo sobre los ADPIC), que entró en vigor en enero de 2017. Otras enmiendas y adiciones son el Acuerdo sobre Facilitación del Comercio (AFC), que entró en vigor en febrero de 2017; una enmienda del Mecanismo de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales adoptada en julio de 2017; y una enmienda al Acuerdo sobre Contratación Pública (ACP), que entró en vigor en abril de 2014. El ACP enmendado sustituyó al ACP de 1994 en relación con todas las Partes en este último Acuerdo a partir de enero de 2021. La presente publicación incluye también el Acuerdo sobre Subvenciones a la Pesca, que entró en vigor en septiembre de 2025.
Good regulatory practices to facilitate trade in services
Services are currently the largest and most dynamic sector of many economies, underpinning growth, productivity and employment. Yet, the costs of trading services remain significantly higher than those for goods, largely due to regulatory and governance differences across economies. Furthermore, opaque and inefficient authorization procedures for service providers can limit participation in services trade, particularly for developing economies. To address these challenges, over 70 WTO members adopted new Disciplines on Services Domestic Regulation, which entered into force in 2024. These disciplines aim to embed good regulatory practices (GRPs) into services policies and facilitate services trade by fostering transparency, predictability and efficiency in regulatory frameworks. This publication examines how GRPs can reduce trade costs, enhance economic performance and support financial inclusion. It outlines 14 core GRPs for improving transparency and efficiency in authorization and licensing processes, with the aim of promoting international regulatory cooperation. Four case studies, focusing on Costa Rica, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, illustrate how reforms anchored in clear legal frameworks can reduce compliance costs, enforce quality standards and reduce processing times. The publication also introduces the Diagnostic and Reform Planning Tool, a new instrument developed to assist policymakers and regulators in mapping their domestic regulatory frameworks against the 14 GRPs set out in this publication.
Trade Policy Review: Vanuatu 2025
The second review of the trade policies and practices of Vanuatu takes place on 10 and 12 December 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Vanuatu.
El Acuerdo sobre Subvenciones a la Pesca de la OMC
¿Cuáles son sus objetivos y los benefi cios previstos?
El Acuerdo sobre Subvenciones a la Pesca de la OMC, que entró en vigor en septiembre de 2025, establece nuevas normas multilaterales vinculantes para reducir las subvenciones perjudiciales, un factor clave del agotamiento generalizado de las poblaciones de peces en el mundo. Este folleto analiza por qué es importante el Acuerdo, qué subvenciones están prohibidas y las obligaciones de transparencia de los Miembros de la OMC establecidas en el Acuerdo. También aborda los benefi cios previstos del Acuerdo, desde proteger los medios de subsistencia de las comunidades pesqueras de todo el mundo hasta fomentar un futuro más sostenible para nuestros océanos.
L’Accord de l’OMC sur les subventions à la pêche
Quels sont ses objectifs et ses avantages attendus?
L’Accord de l’OMC sur les subventions à la pêche, qui est entré en vigueur en septembre 2025, établit des règles multilatérales contraignantes visant à réduire les subventions préjudiciables, un facteur clé de l’épuisement généralisé des stocks de poissons dans le monde. Cette brochure examine pourquoi l’Accord est important et quelles sont les subventions prohibées et les obligations de transparence des Membres de l’OMC au titre de l’Accord. Elle présente également les avantages attendus de l’Accord, qui vont de la protection des moyens de subsistance des communautés de pêcheurs du monde entier au fait de soutenir un avenir plus durable pour les océans que nous partageons.
WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
What are its objectives and the expected benefits?
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which entered into force in September 2025, establishes binding, multilateral rules for curbing harmful subsidies, a key factor in the widespread depletion of the world’s fish stocks. This brochure looks at why the Agreement is important, which subsidies are prohibited, and WTO members’ transparency obligations under the Agreement. It also covers the expected benefits of the Agreement, from protecting the livelihoods of fishing communities around the world to supporting a more sustainable future for our shared oceans.
World Tariff Profiles 2026
World Tariff Profiles 2026 provides comprehensive information on the tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 150 countries and customs territories. The publication starts with a breakdown of the tariffs imposed by these economies. Tariff data are presented in comparative tables and in one-page profiles for each economy. A summary table on selected indicators on the imports and exports profile for these economies is also presented. Statistics on non-tariff measures by economy and by product group complement the data on tariffs. The publication is jointly prepared by the World Trade Organization, the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
Trade Policy Review: Japan 2026
The sixteenth review of the trade policies and practices of Japan takes place on 27 and 29 May 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Japan.
Trade Finance in Central America and Mexico
Trade finance is routinely supplied to exporters and importers by banks and other financial intermediaries, mitigating the financial and payment risks involved in cross-border trade. However, significant shortages exist in many developing economies. To better understand the trade finance ecosystem in these economies, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the WTO have engaged in a series of surveys aimed at examining the specific obstacles faced by lenders and borrowers in low-income regions. This latest study focuses on three developing economies in Latin America — Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.
Global Trade Outlook and Statistics: March 2026
March 2026
The WTO’s “Global Trade Outlook and Statistics” presents the WTO Secretariat’s forecasts for world trade in 2026 and 2027. Breakdowns of merchandise and commercial services trade by sector and region are provided, together with details on leading traders. An analytical chapter looks at the continuing importance of most-favoured-nation terms for global trade. The report is timed to coincide with the release of the WTO’s latest quarterly and annual trade statistics, which can be downloaded from the WTO’s online database at https://stats.wto.org/.
Trade Policy Review: Gambia 2026
The fourth review of the trade policies and practices of The Gambia takes place on 4 and 6 February 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of The Gambia.
Trade Policy Review: Papua New Guinea 2026
The fourth review of the trade policies and practices of Papua New Guinea takes place on 11 and 13 February 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Papua New Guinea.
Trade Policy Review: Belize 2026
The fourth review of the trade policies and practices of Belize takes place on 4 and 6 May 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Belize.
Trade Policy Review: Uruguay 2026
The Sixth review of the trade policies and practices of Uruguay takes place on 10 and 12 June 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Uruguay.
Trade Policy Review: Philippines 2026
The sixth review of the trade policies and practices of the Philippines takes place on 24 and 26 June 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of the Philippines.
WTO Dispute Settlement: One-Page Case Summaries 1995–2025
2026 edition
This publication provides handy one-page summaries of the key findings of every dispute panel report issued up to the end of 2025 and the relevant Appellate Body report or arbitration under Article 25 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding issued over this period. Each one-page summary comprises the core facts, the key findings contained in the reports and any other matters of particular significance. Two indexes list the disputes by WTO agreement and by WTO member responding to the complaint.
Best practices in WTO accession for Arab countries
Lessons from past and ongoing accessions in the Arab world
International trade plays a critical role in driving growth and development but the Arab world remains less integrated than other regions into the multilateral trading system. Only 14 of the 22 Arab League countries have joined the WTO while many of the remaining countries are engaged in lengthy and complex accession negotiations. The path towards WTO membership has confronted Arab economies with a mix of legal, economic and political hurdles, highlighting the need for broad-based reforms and stronger institutional capacities. This publication offers policymakers and stakeholders in the Arab world a practical roadmap for achieving successful WTO accession and implementing effective post-accession reforms. Drawing on the experiences of Arab countries that have joined the WTO since 1995 - including Comoros, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Yemen - as well as those currently in the accession process, it addresses the challenges faced throughout membership negotiations. The publication explores how WTO accession reshapes policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks and presents recommendations on developing strategies to fully leverage WTO membership and technical assistance. Based on high-level consultations, extensive interviews and comprehensive policy analysis, this publication provides essential insights into how to advance sustainable economic development and reinforce regional stability across the Arab world.