THE 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has kicked off in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi.
The event serves as a platform for ministers and senior officials worldwide to discuss rules and regulations concerning international trade.
The conference will focus on areas such as improving the ability of developing countries and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to access the global trading system, explore greater partnerships, promote the use of technology in global supply chains, and enhance the effectiveness of trade policies, among others.
Meanwhile, UAE’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan announced the UAE’s $10 million contribution to the World Trade Organization funds, just a day before the event.
The high-level meeting will serve as a turning point in whether participants will reach a breakthrough in making changes to the eight-decade global trading system amid disagreements and geopolitical tensions.
All major decisions require consensus among all its member states.
More than 120 countries and regions, including China and the European Union, are expected to attend.
The global conference is scheduled from the 26th through the 29th of February.
