Trade ministers from around the world are set to convene for the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from February 26 to 29, the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan reported. The event, which comes at a crucial juncture for global trade, will address a myriad of pressing issues against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions.
The agenda for WTO MC-13 encompasses over ten key topics central to the international trade landscape, ranging from trade and development concerns to the reform of the WTO dispute resolution mechanism, agricultural matters, fishing subsidies, e-commerce, global industrial and supply chains, and WTO accession, among others. The conference is poised to welcome two new members into the WTO fold - the Comoros Islands and the Republic of Timor.
In light of contemporary challenges, the WTO MC-13 assumes heightened significance as a pivotal forum for endorsing measures aimed at fostering growth and cultivating fresh opportunities within the realm of international trade and the global economy at large.
Kazakhstan's active involvement in these deliberations underscores its commitment to contributing to the advancement of world trade while safeguarding its own economic interests on the global stage. The achievements witnessed at the 12th Ministerial Conference, presided over by Kazakhstan, underscored the WTO's capacity to adapt and respond effectively to the imperatives of the modern economic landscape.
The successful outcome of MC13 is poised to reaffirm WTO members' dedication to pursuing necessary reforms essential for the organization to function adeptly in the contemporary milieu. Moreover, it will serve as a testament to the pivotal role that trade and the WTO can play in enhancing living standards and fostering stability amidst global uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's journey towards WTO accession, initiated in 1994, continues to be a subject of interest. Despite the protracted nature of the negotiations - marking one of the longest accession processes in WTO history - Uzbekistan's renewed determination to integrate into the international trading system signals a significant development. Among the former Soviet Union countries, Uzbekistan, along with Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Turkmenistan, remains outside the WTO fold.
To bolster Uzbekistan's efforts towards WTO accession, the International Trade Centre (ITC) has launched a new project in collaboration with the European Union (EU) titled 'Facilitating the process of Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO.' Commencing officially on November 10, 2020, during a high-level online event in partnership with the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan (MIFT), the project seeks to support Uzbekistan's economic modernization agenda by leveraging its WTO accession process.
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