The United Arab Emirates is preparing to host the thirteenth ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi from February 26 to 29, an important event that brings together trade ministers and senior officials from around the world to discuss the rules and regulations governing global trade activities. This conference will host 175 delegations from member states and observer members, along with leaders from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and representatives from civil society, providing the international community an opportunity to collaborate towards achieving a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive trading system.
The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade and the President of the thirteenth ministerial conference, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, emphasized the importance of this conference in reshaping the future of global trade. He stated, "Having a strong and inclusive multilateral trading system is essential for boosting economic growth, creating jobs, and raising living standards. The thirteenth ministerial conference will provide trade ministers around the world with the opportunity to help ensure that global trade can meet this promise by reviewing and developing its rules, addressing issues that hinder the free flow of goods and services, and supporting the needs of every country that wishes to benefit from the multilateral trading system. We look forward to welcoming all participants to Abu Dhabi and providing a platform for positive and fruitful discussions on the future of trade."
Meanwhile, the Head of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, remarked, "We look forward to welcoming global trade leaders to discuss the most pressing issues and find innovative solutions to current and future challenges. Hosting the thirteenth ministerial conference of the WTO in Abu Dhabi reinforces our position as a global hub." He added, "Trade and the exchange of goods, ideas, and innovations with the rest of the world are integral to Abu Dhabi's history and its modern renaissance. Free and fair trade will play a central role in our future as we work to enhance the UAE and Abu Dhabi’s status as a preferred destination for talents, businesses, and investments, and a main connector in international supply chains. As the host of the thirteenth ministerial conference, we will provide the necessary support to ensure its success, enabling the global trading system to uplift economies and improve the livelihoods of people."
Ministerial conferences are the highest decision-making body of the WTO and serve as important forums for the 164 members of the organization to address trade challenges, develop trade rules, and set the agenda for global trade policies. Participants in the thirteenth ministerial conference will seek to build upon the achievements made during the twelfth ministerial conference held in Geneva in June 2022, which witnessed significant progress regarding fisheries support, food security, and electronic trade.
The conference will also focus on enhancing the capacity of developing and least developed countries to access the global trading system, intellectual property, and the dispute resolution mechanism within the WTO. The global event will also provide an opportunity to explore more avenues for cooperation and partnership with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society to enhance the effectiveness of trade policies and programs through a series of side events, including a Global Trade Technology Forum that will support the use of technology in global supply chains, trade facilitation sessions in partnership with "Union for Export Credit", trade finance with HSBC, small and medium enterprises with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, logistical challenges of the "Global Logistics Passport" initiative with DP World, future shipping in collaboration with Emirates Airlines, and the Sustainable Trade Forum in Africa.
The World Trade Organization, established in 1995, is the international body overseeing global trade rules. Its ministerial conference, held every two years, is the highest decision-making forum, gathering ministers and senior officials from all member states to review, update, and expand the treaties that form the global trading system.
