For the sixth year in a row, the WTO is holding its annual meeting on issues such as sanitation, sewage handling, and the construction of new restrooms. No, not that WTO -- this is the World Toilet Organization. This WTO wants to influence governments to pay more attention to a wide range of issues regarding toilets, and the Summit is just one of their ways they advance the cause. World Toilet Day, which falls on November 19, is another. (Note for Dave: maybe add a new section to PoopReport for this?)

Surprisingly, the WTO uses toilet humor to get people's attention. "Have you ever wondered why we made the acronym WTO? We use humor to propagate our message," explains Jack Sim, founder of the group. "When people are inhibited, to break the ice, you make them laugh. After they laugh, then they are listening and eventually they become serious. And they take action."

Hey, that sounds familiar...

But while many people find it a lighthearted subject, toilets are serious business. And the WTO knows it. Sim tells CBS news that the average person spends about four years of their life on the toilet; and WTO presents an opportunity for people to make the most of that time. The Summit features an expo with items like custom-made toilet paper holders, fancy Japanese toilet seats, and even high-tech public toilets.

This year's meeting is in Moscow. Why Moscow? Because Russia lags far behind the rest of the world when it comes to toilets. Russia has very few public toilets, although many porta-potties have recently been set up for public use, albeit with a small fee. Worse, nearly a third of homes still rely on outhouses.

It's not just Russia, though. Nearly 40% of the world's population lacks indoor plumbing.

This PoopReporter thinks the WTO is a great idea, although I'm rather surprised that they use toilet humor to lure people before getting serious. I totally agree that people need to be informed of toilets, sanitation, and other such issues. Everyone has a right to poop in peace without catching diseases from it. Holding the meeting in Russia is even better, as they can make a lot of people aware of something they don't have. Something that could make life a lot more enjoyable. Four years of life, in fact.