The World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a not-for-profit, non-political association dedicated to the establishment and effective operation of World Trade Centers as instruments for trade expansion representing 289 members in 85 countries. The WTCA's founding principles are:

• To encourage the expansion of world trade;
• To promote international business relationships and understanding among nations;
• To foster increased participation in world trade by industrializing nations;
• To create and encourage mutual assistance and cooperation among members; and
• To promote and further the concept of the World Trade Center.

The WTCA is governed by a 20 member international Board of Directors, composed of executives from WTCA members around the world, and elected by the membership. Eight permanent committees have been established to carry on the work of the Association in the following fields:

• Committee on Facilities and Functions
• Committee on International Relations and Development
• Committee on Planning and Finance
• Committee on Public Relations and Information
• Committee on Tourism, Hospitality and Cultural Exchange
• Committee on Trade Education, Training and Research
• Committee on Trade Fairs, Trade Marts and High Tech Parks
• Committee on WTC Standards and Quality
• Committee on Peace & Stability Through Trade

The physical presence of this association are the World Trade Center buildings that can be found in most major cities worldwide; most notably the World Trade Center New York and the World Trade Centre, London.