Historical Organization
World Trade Organization
World Trade Organization
Details
Organization Timeline
Doha Declaration backs access to medicines
📅 14 November 2001WTO members affirmed that intellectual-property rules should support protection of public health.
Trade ministers discuss patent flexibilities
📅 14 November 2001The declaration recognized members’ ability to use TRIPS provisions to address health needs.
Medicines access becomes a global trade issue
📅 14 November 2001Governments responded to concerns about affordable treatment during major health crises.
A ministerial declaration clarifies policy options
📅 14 November 2001The Doha text did not itself supply drugs; countries still needed to act on its provisions.
Doha Declaration puts public health before patent barriers
📅 14 November 2001WTO members affirmed that the TRIPS Agreement should be read to support members’ right to protect public health and promote access to medicines.
BRICS trade ministers address WTO reform during the pandemic
📅 23 July 2020Ministers issued a joint statement on the multilateral trading system and reform of the WTO amid pandemic disruption.
BRICS trade ministers agree on inclusive trade declaration
📅 21 May 2025The ministers called for World Trade Organization reform, greater developing-country participation and cooperation on the digital economy.
BRICS supports fairer multilateral trade rules
📅 12 September 2026Leaders reaffirmed WTO reform, special and differential treatment for developing members, and Ethiopia’s and Iran’s WTO accession bids.