Abu Dhabi is poised to host the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) from February 26-29, as announced in a media release on Thursday.
This conference serves as a pivotal event, convening ministers and senior officials worldwide to deliberate on the regulations governing international trade. With 175 Member States participating alongside private sector leaders, NGOs, and civil society representatives, the gathering presents an opportunity for global collaboration towards fostering a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive trading system.
Ministerial Conferences are the highest decision-making bodies of the WTO, playing a critical role in addressing trade challenges, refining trade regulations, and setting the agenda for global trade policy.
Building upon the progress made during MC12 in June 2022, held in Geneva, MC13 aims to further advancements in areas such as improving access to the global trading system for developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), intellectual property, and the WTO’s dispute resolution mechanism.
The conference will also facilitate collaboration and partnerships with non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and civil society through a series of side events. These include the TradeTech Global Forum, focusing on technology’s role in global supply chains, as well as sessions on trade facilitation, trade finance, SMEs, logistics challenges, the future of cargo, and sustainable trade in Africa.
Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade and Chair of the MC13, underscored the importance of the conference in fostering economic growth, job creation, and raising living standards through a robust and inclusive multilateral trading system.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, expressed Abu Dhabi’s commitment to addressing pressing trade issues and devising innovative solutions, highlighting the city’s role as a global trade hub.
Established in 1995, the World Trade Organization oversees the rules of international trade. Its biannual Ministerial Conference serves as the premier decision-making forum, bringing together representatives from all member states to review and update the rules shaping the global trading landscape.
