(WTO) ministerial conference kicked off in Abu Dabi on Monday (Feb. 26).
With the objective of the WTO which is to help its members use trade as a means to raise living
standards, create jobs and improve people’s lives. The WTO has been understood to operates the
global system of trade rules and helps developing countries build their trade capacity. It also
provides a forum for its members to negotiate trade agreements and to resolve the trade problems
they face with each other.
This year’s member nations will discuss issues such as banning subsidies contributing to
overfishing and digital taxation, against the backdrop of instability and the uneven recovery from
the pandemic.
The outcome of the deliberations of the WTO’s topmost decision-making body will be closely
watched.
A speech given by Director General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
where she pleading with people of the world not to pretend that everything will be easy. “If we
thought the world looked tough in May 2022, when we were slowly emerging from the pandemic
and the war in Ukraine had taken food and energy security. We are in an even tougher place
today,” the Nigerian said.
“Looking around uncertainty and instability everywhere. Geopolitical tensions have worsened.
Conflict has spread, as we see here in the Middle East and away from the headlines across parts
of Africa and the Arab world. We must not forget the conflict in Sudan, which has displaced
close to 8 million people internally and across borders, or the conflict in the east of the
Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The WTO’s General council chairperson emphasized the urgency of the gathering.
Athaliah Lesiba stressed the need for collective action amidst economic uncertainties and
geopolitical tensions.
Lesiba underscores the importance of steering the WTO towards effectively addressing
contemporary challenges.
+ There are no comments
Add yours