Al-Khater stresses WTO role as 'cornerstone' of global trading system

HE the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Sultan bin Rashid al-Khater participated in a virtual round table meeting that brought together trade ministers from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) along with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The meeting falls within the framework of discussions and preparations for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled to take place in the United Arab Emirates during the first quarter of 2024.
The meeting touched on the active role that GCC members can play to ensure the success of the conference and efforts to deliver on its objectives.
In his opening remarks, al-Khater voiced hope that the meeting would lay the foundations for co-operation and integration between GCC nations and the WTO.
He spoke about challenges and obstacles that hinder international trade and to find effective solutions through creative initiatives that cater to the economic aspirations of participating countries.
He also welcomed the “positive” outcomes of the 12th Ministerial Conference in respect of fisheries subsidies, trade, health, and food security.
Al-Khater noted that these “positive” developments emphasise the WTO’s role as the cornerstone of the global trading system.
Qatar stands in full support of efforts aimed at activating the WTO agreement. The fisheries subsidies are in line with the first goal specified in the SDGs in terms of supporting the fisheries sector as an important source of food security in the GCC region, noted al-Khater.
He also stressed the need to provide developing countries with this opportunity to grow and flourish in this sector to further support their economies.
The round table meeting touched on three main issues including the WTO agreement on fisheries subsidies, the contribution of GCC countries to the agreement’s support fund, and the aspirations of member states with regards to the 13th Ministerial Conference.
In his closing remarks, al-Khater expressed optimism that the upcoming Ministerial Conference will result in concrete outcomes on the issues that were discussed, such as e-commerce, investment facilitation and other areas of interest to the WTO.