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Accessions

Any state or customs territory having full autonomy in the conduct of its trade policies may become a member (“accede to”) the WTO, but all WTO members must agree on the terms. This is done through the establishment of a working party of WTO members and through a process of negotiations.


Accessions in progress:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Andorra
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Belarus
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
> Comoros
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Iran
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Lebanese Republic
Liberia, Republic of
Libya
Montenegro
Russian Federation
Samoa
Sao Tomé and Principe
Serbia
Seychelles
Sudan
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Yemen

  

Completed accessions:
Albania
Armenia, Republic of
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Cape Verde
China
Croatia
Ecuador
Estonia
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Georgia
Jordan
Kyrgyz Republic
Latvia
Lithuania
Moldova
Mongolia
Nepal
Oman
Panama
Saudi Arabia
Chinese Taipei
Tonga
Ukraine
Viet Nam


News  back to top

  


See also:

WTO membership in brief

Summary table of ongoing accessions

Introduction  back to top

Basic information on becoming a member of (“acceding to”) the WTO
Links to the section of the WTO Guide “Understanding the WTO” on how to join the WTO.

A technical explanation on how to become a member of the WTO

Handbook on accessions — online version with self-assessment questions

Interactive e-training course on the accession process

  

The mandate  back to top

The legal provisions on becoming a member of the WTO

Click for Doha Development Agenda gatewayAccessions and the Doha Development Agenda

Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration

Detailed information documents on accessions procedures  

Technical note on the accession process    help
Provides a detailed analysis of the process of becoming a WTO member

> Video: explanation of GATT Article XII procedures for accession

 

Work in the WTO on accessions  back to top

A working party of WTO members guides the accession process and negotiations for each membership applicant.

WATCH THIS SPACE ...
  CASE STUDIES

 

Cambodia’s Accession to WTO: ‘Fast Track’ Accession by a Least Developed Country
  

Mongolia’s WTO Accession: Expectations and Realities of WTO Membership
 

Nepal: The Role of an NGO in Support of Accession
  

Vanuatu’s Suspended Accession Bid: Second Thoughts?
  

Preparation by Viet Nam’s Banking Sector for WTO Accession
  

WATCH THIS SPACE ...

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