The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a global organization established in 1995 to oversee international trade rules between member nations. It is composed of 164 member countries and replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. The WTO aims to raise living standards, ensure full employment, expand production and trade in goods and services, and optimize the use of the world's resources sustainably. However, some argue WTO agreements may erode the autonomy of developing nations' governance and priorities by favoring developed countries' interests over self-reliant growth.