The United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) was established by the General Assembly in 1966 ( Resolution 2205(XXI) of 17 December 1966). In establishing the Commission, the General Assembly recognized that disparities in national laws governing international trade created obstacles to the flow of trade, and it regarded the Commission as the vehicle by which the United Nations could play a more active role in reducing or removing these obstacles.
Archival documents predating the establishment of UNCITRAL
The General Assembly gave the Commission the general mandate to further the progressive harmonization and unification of the law of international trade. The Commission has since come to be the core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law.
The Commission is composed of sixty member States elected by the General Assembly. Membership is structured so as to be representative of the world's various geographic regions and its principal economic and legal systems. Members of the Commission are elected for terms of six years, the terms of half the members expiring every three years.
As from 25 June 2012, the members of UNCITRAL, and the years when their memberships expire, are:
| Algeria | 2016 |
| Argentina | 2016 |
| Armenia | 2013 |
| Australia | 2016 |
| Austria | 2016 |
| Bahrain | 2013 |
| Benin | 2013 |
| Bolivia (Plurinational State of) | 2013 |
| Botswana | 2016 |
| Brazil | 2016 |
| Bulgaria | 2013 |
| Cameroon | 2013 |
| Canada | 2013 |
| Chile | 2013 |
| China | 2013 |
| Colombia | 2016 |
| Croatia | 2016 |
| Czech Republic | 2013 |
| Egypt | 2013 |
| El Salvador | 2013 |
| Fiji | 2016 |
| France | 2013 |
| Gabon | 2016 |
| Georgia | 2015 |
| Germany | 2013 |
| Greece | 2013 |
| Honduras | 2013 |
| India | 2016 |
| Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 2016 |
| Israel | 2016 |
| Italy | 2016 |
| Japan | 2013 |
| Jordan | 2016 |
| Kenya | 2016 |
| Latvia | 2013 |
| Malaysia | 2013 |
| Malta | 2013 |
| Mauritius | 2016 |
| Mexico | 2013 |
| Morocco | 2013 |
| Namibia | 2013 |
| Nigeria | 2016 |
| Norway | 2013 |
| Pakistan | 2016 |
| Paraguay | 2016 |
| Philippines | 2016 |
| Republic of Korea | 2013 |
| Russian Federation | 2013 |
| Senegal | 2013 |
| Singapore | 2013 |
| South Africa | 2013 |
| Spain | 2016 |
| Sri Lanka | 2013 |
| Thailand | 2016 |
| Turkey | 2016 |
| Uganda | 2016 |
| Ukraine | 2014 |
| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | 2013 |
| United States of America | 2016 |
| Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) | 2016 |
General Assembly elects new UNCITRAL members ( Press release *)