On 1 September 2020 the World Trade Organisation (WTO) published an update on accession negotiations for countries aiming for membership of the organisation.
The WTO currently has 164 member countries and covers 98% of world trade. The WTO agreements provide regulations for trade among its member countries and for the settlement of trade disputes between members.
WTO working party meetings are to be held in the autumn in relation to two least developed countries that are candidates for membership. On 14 September 2020 the accession working party for Comoros will meet; and on 1 October 2020 Timor-Leste will hold its first accession meeting with WTO members.
Earlier this year Ethiopia and Uzbekistan relaunched their accession working parties and there will be follow-up meetings during the autumn. In total there are now 23 countries in the course of applying for WTO membership.
The WTO Secretariat is continuing to support accession countries with technical assistance and has organised other activities for the autumn.
