29 February 2024
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopia is participating in the 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13) which is taking place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from February 26 to 29, 2024.
A high-level delegation led by H.E Gebremeskel Chala, Chief Negotiator for Ethiopia’s WTO accession and Minister of Trade and Regional Integration, is attending the conference. The delegation also includes H.E. Ambassador Mesganu Arga, Deputy Chief Negotiator, Dr. Eyob Tekalegn, State Minister for the Ministry of Finance, and Ambassador Oumar Hussein, Ethiopia’s Ambassador to the UAE.
The conference, themed “Delivering for people through trade,” aims to address crucial matters, promote collaboration for a stronger global economy, and advance progress for developing nations. Over 7,000 participants from various countries are attending the event.
During the MC13, Comoros and Timor-Leste officially became members of the WTO, reducing the number of aspiring members to 22. Ethiopia has pledged to finalize its negotiations and join the organization by the next Ministerial Conference in 2026.
The WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, emphasized the significance of the multilateral trading system for economic development and the need for WTO reforms in her opening speech. The conference is chaired by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
Ethiopia’s delegation will engage in bilateral and multilateral discussions with trade ministers and leaders from other WTO member countries throughout the conference.
