Page 528 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2024

Ministerial Conferences are the highest decision-making body of the WTO and serve as

crucial forums for member states to address trade challenges, refine trade rules, and
set the agenda for global trade policy.

The 13th Ministerial Conference is set to build on the progress achieved during MC12,
held in Geneva in June 2022, which made substantive breakthroughs on fisheries

subsidies, food insecurity, and e-commerce. Focus areas will include improving the

ability of developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to access the
global trading system, intellectual property, and WTO's dispute resolution mechanism.

The forum will also provide an opportunity to explore greater collaboration and

partnership with non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and civil society to
enhance the effectiveness of trade policies and programmes via a series of side events.

These include the TradeTech Global Forum, promoting the use of technology in global
supply chains, and sessions on trade facilitation in partnership with Etihad Credit

Insurance, trade finance with HSBC, SMEs with the Abu Dhabi Department of

Economic Development (ADDED), the WLP Logistics Challenges with DP World, Future
of Cargo in collaboration with Emirates, and Sustainable Trade Africa.

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Chair of the
MC13, emphasised the significance of the upcoming conference, stating, "A robust and

inclusive multilateral trading system is essential for fostering economic growth, creating

jobs, and raising living standards. At MC13, ministers and senior officials worldwide can
help ensure that global trade lives up to this promise by reviewing and refining its rules,

confronting issues that prevent the free flow of goods and services, and supporting the

needs of every nation that wishes to benefit from the multilateral trading system. We
look forward to welcoming all the MC13 participants to Abu Dhabi and providing a

platform conducive to positive, collaborative discussions on the future of trade."

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, said, "We look forward to welcoming the

international trade leaders and shapers to tackle the pressing issues and devise

innovative solutions to current and future challenges. Hosting the 13th Ministerial

https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/uae-to-welcome-175-ministers-officials-for-wto-s-
13th-ministerial-meet-124022201356_1.html