The President's special representative, Azizbek Orunov, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ahadbek Haydarov, recently visited Geneva to discuss the issue of accelerating Uzbekistan's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO). The visit aimed to update member states on the progress made in Uzbekistan's WTO membership process and participate in the 15th meeting of the Working Group on Azerbaijan's WTO membership.
During the visit, the Uzbekistan delegation held meetings with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Deputy Director General Xianchen Zhang. They also engaged in bilateral negotiations with countries from Latin America, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the Arab world, focusing on market access for goods and services.
The leadership of the WTO commended the recent decision by the president of Uzbekistan to activate the country's membership process. The WTO Secretariat expressed its commitment to providing comprehensive assistance to Uzbekistan in the membership process and facilitating bilateral cooperation to address any emerging issues.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also expressed her willingness to offer technical assistance to Uzbekistan for conducting bilateral and multilateral negotiations with WTO member states. The parties discussed the possibility of engaging international consultants to provide expert support.
During the visit, the Uzbekistan delegation, in collaboration with the WTO Secretariat, prepared the necessary documents for the upcoming 7th meeting of the country's working group on WTO membership, tentatively scheduled for September-October 2023.
In June, Uzbekistan established the position of special representative for WTO matters to coordinate efforts in expediting the country's accession process and ensuring the effectiveness of relevant ministries and agencies.
The benefit to Uzbekistan from WTO membership
Membership in the WTO offers several benefits to Uzbekistan. Firstly, it provides access to new markets, allowing the country to expand its exports and attract foreign investment, leading to economic growth and job creation. Secondly, joining the WTO requires Uzbekistan to adhere to international trade rules, enhance the business environment, promote transparency, and combat corruption.
Additionally, WTO membership offers intellectual property protection, which is crucial for Uzbekistan's growing technology and creative industries. Lastly, the WTO provides a platform for dispute settlement in international trade. By becoming a member, Uzbekistan gains access to a mechanism that facilitates fair and impartial resolution of trade disputes with other countries.
Membership in the WTO will help Uzbekistan integrate more fully into the global economy, improve trade practices, and foster economic development. Notably, negotiations in this regard have made significant progress in recent years.
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