Final WTO General Council Meeting Sets Stage for MC13 in Abu Dhabi

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, recently made a significant appearance at the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva. This meeting is pivotal as it precedes the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi, where Dr. Al Zeyoudi will serve as Chair. The General Council, recognized as the WTO's supreme decision-making entity outside of the Ministerial Conference, provided a crucial platform for ambassadors and permanent representatives to engage in final negotiations on key issues before MC13.

During his address, Dr. Al Zeyoudi lauded the efforts of the delegates thus far and urged them to continue demonstrating flexibility and consensus as they approach MC13, which is set to occur from 26-29 February in the UAE capital. He highlighted the significance of MC13 as an opportunity to revisit and refine international trade rules and emphasized the necessity of maintaining open, agile, and resilient supply chains. Dr. Al Zeyoudi called for creative and collaborative thinking to align national positions with the broader vision of a sustainable and inclusive global trading system.

It was noted in statements at the General Council that while there is a shared commitment to the rules-based trading system among delegations, disparities between nations still exist and need to be addressed before MC13. Dr. Al Zeyoudi acknowledged these challenges and expressed optimism that delegations would find common ground. He emphasized that the upcoming Ministerial Conference is not an isolated event but part of a continuum aiming to build on the achievements of MC12 and lay groundwork for future conferences.

The WTO, with its 164 Member States, stands as the sole multilateral organization overseeing global trade rules. It aims to empower member states to leverage trade for enhancing living standards, creating jobs, and improving lives worldwide. The biannual Ministerial Conference is the WTO's highest decision-making forum.

As MC13 approaches, the focus remains on bridging gaps between nations and fostering a consensus that supports a robust, fair, and sustainable global trading framework. The outcomes of this conference are eagerly anticipated, as they will set the direction for future trade policies and international cooperation.

With inputs from WAM