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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between UN and WTO?

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The United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) are distinct international organizations with different purposes and structures. The main differences between them are:

  1. Purpose: The UN is a global intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, and promote social progress, better living standards, and human rights. The WTO, on the other hand, is the only international organization dealing with the global rules of trade between nations.
  2. Structure: The UN is a broader organization with various specialized agencies and funds, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP). The WTO is not a UN specialized agency and is not part of the UN system.
  3. Membership: The UN has 193 member states, while the WTO has 164 member countries.
  4. Cooperation: Although the WTO is not a part of the UN system, it maintains strong relations with the UN and its agencies. They cooperate through various events and mechanisms, such as the High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the Chief Executive Board (CEB).

In summary, the UN is a broader organization focused on international peace, security, and social progress, while the WTO is a more specialized organization dealing with global trade rules. They maintain cooperative arrangements and practices with each other to ensure effective collaboration on common goals.

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  • What is the Difference Between UN and WTO?
  • Comparative Table: UN vs WTO

    • Comparative Table: UN vs WTO

    The United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) are two distinct international organizations with different objectives and areas of focus. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:

    Feature UN WTO
    Purpose The UN is a global organization with a wide range of objectives, including maintaining international peace and security, promoting social progress, and improving the human rights situation around the world. The WTO is the only international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations, aiming to provide a legal ground-rules for international trade.
    Establishment The UN was established on October 24, 1945. The WTO was established on January 1, 1995.
    Scope The UN has numerous specialized agencies, funds, and programs that address various global issues, including economic development, social affairs, health, education, and the environment. The WTO primarily focuses on trade, with its agreements covering trade in goods, services, and intellectual property.
    General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) was created primarily to implement the GATT. The GATT was the predecessor of the WTO, and its trading system evolved through several rounds of negotiations.
    Relationship with Other International Organizations The WTO maintains strong relations with the UN and its agencies, and the two organizations work together through various events and initiatives. However, relations between the WTO and some UN agencies, such as UNCTAD, can be strained due to differences in institutional cultures and priorities. The WTO is not a UN specialized agency, but it actively collaborates with the UN through events like the High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) session and the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

    Despite their differences, the UN and the WTO share a common goal of promoting global economic development and cooperation. They collaborate on various initiatives and events to achieve these objectives.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.