Page 365 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2024

2/28/24, 10:19 AM 'Let’s show WTO is alive': UAE foreign trade minister says conference can be 'launch pad' for global trade
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chair of the 13th
WTO Ministerial Conference 2024, noted the event can be the 'launch pad' for the future of

global trade and reform and address challenges.

“We can and must achieve this,” Dr Al Zeyoudi said while making a passionate plea during
the opening address of the four-day event bringing together ministers and top officials to

discuss international trade rules and regulations.

“I ask all of you to show the world that the WTO is alive and well, and fully capable of
delivering results that matter to people everywhere. We also need to show through the

outcomes of this conference that trade and the multilateral system can and will contribute
to development. We have the unique opportunity to collectively shape the future of trade. It

rests in each of our hands. Let us seize this moment to ensure a prosperous future for all

countries.”

Dr Al Zeyoudi noted that the WTO has been a 'global safety net' offering stability,

transparency, and predictability to international trade.

“The WTO has contributed to raising living standards, improving employment
opportunities and enabling the expansion of trade and goods and services.”

Dr Al Zeyoudi said that through international trade, the UAE has rapidly transformed into a

global and regional trade hub.

“Our economic transformations over the past 50 years are evidence of the opportunities

that come with international trade and its numerous potential to improve people’s lives.”

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and
Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attended the opening ceremony. On Saturday,

the UAE announced providing a $10 million grant to support several key initiatives of the
WTO. It will be allocated to the Fisheries Funding Mechanism, the Enhanced Integrated

Framework (EIF), and the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund.

Global trade at 'critical juncture'

https://www.zawya.com/en/economy/gcc/lets-show-wto-is-alive-uae-foreign-trade-minister-says-conference-can-be-launch-pad-for-global-trade-vxfqce… 2/4