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2/28/24, 10:21 AM 'WTO champions global trade stability, prosperity' - TRENDS Mena
‘WTO champions global trade stability,

prosperity’

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Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, chairs the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

By TRENDS STAFF Comoros and Timor-Leste sign Protocols of Accession, set to join WTO w
February 27, 2024 7:59 am
30 days.

Accessions signify global confidence in the WTO and promise their econo
growth.
ABU DHABI — The WTO has played an important role in providing “stabilit
transparency and predictability for international trade,” contributing to “raisin
living standards, improving employment opportunities and enabling the expan
of trade in goods and services” around the world, said Dr. Thani bin Ahmed A
Zeyoudi, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chair of the 13th WT
Ministerial Conference (MC13).

His remarks came as the conference celebrated the accessions of the Comoros
Timor-Leste, both classified as least-developed countries.
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The Presidents of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, and Timor-Leste, José Manuel
Ramos-Horta, signed their respective Protocols of Accession to the WTO
alongside WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Following this, both
governments will seek ratification from their legislative bodies.

According to WTO rules, Comoros and Timor-Leste will officially join the W
30 days after submitting their instruments of acceptance for the Protocol.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi said, “The decisions on the accession of Comoros—an island L
in Africa—and Timor-Leste—an island LDC in Asia—reflect global confidenc
the WTO and the multilateral trading system. I am convinced that their future
WTO membership will provide stable and predictable economic engagement
frameworks with other countries, which will enhance trade, growth, and
prosperity.”

The MC13 opening ceremony also marked a significant moment for the
Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, with eight members submitting their
acceptance instruments. This act moves the groundbreaking agreement for oce
sustainability closer to enforcement at an unprecedented rate.

Ministers from Brunei Darussalam, Chad, Malaysia, Norway, Rwanda, Saudi
Arabia, Togo, and Türkiye presented their instruments to Director-General
Okonjo-Iweala.

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