Page 671 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2024

The General Council, the highest decision-making body of the WTO outside of
the Ministerial Conference, offered ambassadors and permanent representatives
a last opportunity to formally negotiate on the major issues ahead of MC13.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi commended the delegates on their hard work to date, and

encouraged them to demonstrate the same flexibility and consensus in the run
up to MC13, which takes place in the UAE capital between 26-29 February.

He remarked, “The 13th Ministerial Conference is an important opportunity to

review and refine the rules of international trade and ensure that supply chains
remain open, agile and resilient. It is important that we come together, think

creatively and collaboratively, and work to reconcile our national positions with
the long-term promise of a sustainable and inclusive global trading system.”

Statements at the General Council revealed that while all delegations shared a
commitment to the rules-based trading system, there were still a number of gaps

between nations that will need to be bridged ahead of MC13. Acknowledging
these differences and the hard work required to achieve consensus against a

backdrop of broader tensions in international trade, His Excellency expressed his
hope that delegations will continue to seek out areas of agreement and common

ground. He stressed that the upcoming Ministerial Conference was part of a
continuum, and encouraged delegations to take the long view, ensuring that
outcomes at MC13 built on those of MC12, and set the stage for MC14 and

beyond.

https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/other/al-zeyoudi-addresses-final-wto-general-council-ahead-of-
mc13-in-abu-dhabi/ar-BB1ihgD2