The following is a 26 July 2012 press release from the World Trade Organization.
Today, at the General Council, Vanuatu officially notified the WTO that it had ratified its accession package which spells out its membership terms. Vanuatu will join the WTO as a full-fledged member on 24 August 2012, becoming the 157th member of the WTO.
“In 30 days, Vanuatu will take a seat at the WTO family table. Its WTO membership will facilitate Vanuatu’s integration in the global economy. This is crucial for a least-developed country such as Vanuatu, since trade can be an engine for growth and poverty reduction. Vanuatu will benefit from a predictable and stable basis for development,” said WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy.
This release is available in its entirety at:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres12_e/pr669_e.htm