Canada’s Membership of International Organizations “Canada’s current and future prosperity depends on an international framework of rules that provides access to growing world markets and keeps pace with changes in technology, business practices, social priorities and public interests.” Organization World Trade Organization (WTO) Description Established in 1995 Multilateral institution through which global trade rules are negotiated and enforced. North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Established 1994, joining Canada, the US and Mexico forming the world's largest free trade area. The Group of 8 (G8) (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, USA) -Established in 1975 by 6 leaders of major democratic countries. Canada joined in 1976 and Russia in 1998. -Meet annually (summit) to discuss current world political and economic issues. The United Nations Objective is to maintain international peace and security; to develop friendly relations among nations; to cooperate in solving international economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems and in promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations in attaining these ends.