ACCESSIONS
12th China Round Table on WTO AccessionsARAB PERSPECTIVES ON WTO ACCESSIONS AND THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM
Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Hall 10, Room B - In-Person
23 FEB 2024 24 FEB 2024
The 12th China Round Table (CRT-12) will take place on 24-25 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the margins of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13). This is the first Round Table organized in the Arab region. The focus of this Round Table will be Arab Perspectives on WTO Accessions and the Multilateral Trading System.
The Arab region is one of the most under-represented in the WTO. Of the 22 members of the Arab League, only 13 are WTO Members and nine are observers of different types. Out of the 13 Members, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen joined the WTO through the accession process pursuant to Article XII of the Agreement Establishing the WTO (the Marrakesh Agreement) between 2000 and 2014. Today, Algeria, Comoros, ""Iraq"" (observer), Lebanese Republic, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and the Syrian Arab Republic are in the process of Article XII accession, while Palestine has had an ad hoc observer status in the WTO Ministerial Conferences since 2005. The eight Arab acceding governments have been pursuing accession, on average, for approximately 20 years, with some of the accession processes being inactive for a long time. Together with Timor‑Leste, Comoros is a candidate to join the WTO at MC13.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted during the 2nd High-Level Regional Dialogue on WTO Accessions for the Arab Region: "With several Arab acceding governments expected to step up engagement at the WTO this year, especially in the case of Comoros, we should step up our joint efforts to support them. One potentially useful point of action could be to put together a study detailing the accession and post-accession experiences of Article XII members from the region. This could serve as a guide for Arab countries working to revive their accession negotiations and would yield insights for how best the international community could support Arab accessions or Arab countries' participation in the WTO more generally." Commenting on the Trade for Peace programme, the Director-General noted that "The Trade for Peace agenda has brought to light how reforms associated with the WTO accession process can help Arab countries build resilience and foster prosperity, peace and stability."
Programme
OPENING
Opening Ceremony
09:30-10:00 Abu Dhabi Moderator Ms. Maika OshikawaDirector, Accessions Division, World Trade Organization
Opening remarks H.E. Mr. Juma Al KaitAssistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs, Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates
Opening remarks H.E. Ambassador LI ChenggangPermanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the World Trade Organization
Opening remarks Mr. ZHANG XiangchenDeputy Director-General, World Trade Organization
SESSION 1: Best Practices in WTO Accessions for Arab Region: Lessons from Past and On-going accessions in the region
10:30-12:30 Abu Dhabi"Best Practices in WTO Accessions for Arab Countries: Lessons from Past and On-going Accessions" is a joint study with the collaboration of four partner organizations (WTO, the Arab Monetary Fund, the Islamic Development Bank and the Islamic Center for Development of Trade). The study aims at providing factual accounts of past and on-going Arab accessions, as well as the post-accession performance of Article XII Arab Members, including their participation in the WTO. This session will present the main findings and recommendations of the Joint Arab Study for WTO Accessions. This will be followed by an open discussion among participants.
Moderator Dr. Mena HassanEconomic Affairs Officer, Accessions Division, World Trade Organization
Speaker Representatives from Arab acceding governments: Algeria, Comoros, ""Iraq"", Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and MC13 Observer: Palestine Speaker Representatives from Arab Article XII Members: Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen Speaker Dr. Linda F. KassemInternational Trade Lawyer & Public Policy Consultant
Speaker Mr. Stephen KaringiDirector, Regional Integration and Trade Division, Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
SESSION 2: "What's Next? Translating into Policy action and Technical Assistance/Capacity Building Support"
14:00-15:30 Abu DhabiThis session will look at how partner organizations can design future technical assistance and capacity building (TA/CB) programmes and activities for the Arab region, based on the findings and recommendations of the study. This will be followed by an open discussion among participants.
Moderator Ms. Maika OshikawaDirector, Accessions Division, World Trade Organization
Speaker Mr. Nazar Mohamed Eltahir DiabSenior Regional Integration Specialist, Cooperation and Capacity Development Department, Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
Speaker Ms. Latifa ElbouabdellaouiDirector-General, Islamic Center for Development of Trade (ICDT)
Speaker Mr. Pierre SauvéSenior Trade Specialist, Global Trade and Regional Integration, World Bank
Speaker Mr. Taisuke ItoChief, Trading Systems Section, Trading Systems, Services and Creative Economy Branch, Division on International Trade and Commodities, UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Speaker Ms. Devika RajeevAssociate Programme Officer, Trade Policy Trade Facilitation and Policy for Business, Division of Market Development, International Trade Centre (ITC)
Speaker Dr. Abdelkrim GuendouzSenior Economist and Studies and Statistics Division Chief, Economic Department, Arab Monetary Fund (AMF)
SPECIAL EVENT: Pre-Launch of Book "Trade for Peace: An Integrated Perspective on the Role of Trade to Support Peace and Economic Development"
16:00-17:00The session will feature a discussion around the main themes and insights from the forthcoming publication entitled "Trade for Peace: An Integrated Perspective on the Role of Trade to Support Peace and Economic Development". The new publication showcases the linkages between trade and peace through revisited economic evidence and cases studies, and more specifically, highlights the socio-political, governance and macro-economic determinants that are needed to allow trade and trade policy to make a positive contribution to peace.
Moderator Ms. Amanda Sayuri MiashiroLegal/Economic Affairs Officer, Accessions Division, World Trade Organization
Speaker Dr. Patrick Lowformer Chief Economist, WTO
Speaker Mr. Alan Wolffformer Deputy Director-General, WTO
Speaker Mr. Stephen KaringiDirector, Regional Integration and Trade Division, UNECA
Commentator Dr. Simon EvenettProfessor of Economics at the University of St.Gallen, and Founder of the Global Trade Alert | | | |
Home
» MM&C The Iraqi Private Banks Association told NEWS: These are the results of the Prime Minister’s me
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
» Deputy: The general amnesty law will be passed
» A change in the fuel smuggling map... “control” over the central ports and “laxity” in the north
» Al-Sudani takes three urgent decisions to block the wheat mafias in Iraq
» Electricity embarks on an 11-axis plan to develop the energy sector
» “Thug and smuggler.” A female representative talks about a crocodile in Parliament blackmailing exec
» Al-Sudani told the US State Department: Iraq is keen to strengthen its democratic system
» The Central Bank sells more than $275 million at auction today
» The Minister of Commerce stresses the observance of the Iraqi standard in the supply of goods
» The Iraqi Trade Bank announces its participation in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdis
» Iraq adopts an advanced system to combat money laundering and terrorist financing
» Increase in Euphrates River levels due to Turkish water releases
» Demands the need to legislate the capital law
» Parliament decided to extend the legislative term by one month
» A bank participating in the process of localizing the salaries of employees in the region
» Parliamentary request to the Ministry of Finance regarding defense mobilization dues/document
» Dollar prices in Baghdad and Kurdistan today
» Al-Rasheed decides to increase the ceiling for granting “construction” loans to 75 million dinars
» A government plan to expand the construction of water harvesting dams
» Frozen or banned? An Iranian official reveals the fate of Tehran’s money in Baghdad
» The Iraqi Trade Bank participates in the process of localizing the salaries of Kurdistan Region empl
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
» After targeting its branch in Kurdistan... Dana Gas announces a decrease in its profits to $38 milli
» A parliamentary understanding to extend the legislative term to approve the 2024 budget schedules
» Stopping the Commission’s procedures regarding the region’s elections
» Foreign oil companies violate Iraqi laws
» The position of Speaker of Parliament depends on the political agreement
» The Ministry of Finance decides to send the April salary to the Kurdistan region
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
» 88 projects awaiting resolution.. What will happen to the stalled laws in Parliament? - Urgent
» Al-Sudani receives the US Undersecretary of State
» It did not reach the Council.. Parliament determines the mechanisms for dealing with the 2024 budget
» Advisor to Al-Sudani: Sanctions on 32 private banks caused financial problems inside Iraq (video)
» An expert comments on the use of the Iraqi currency in commercial transactions with Iran
» Why does Iraq depend on foreign banks for dollar transfers?
» Deputy: The fuel smuggling map in Iraq has “radically changed” from what it was years ago
» Petroleum Products announces a decrease in gasoline imports by about 8 million liters
» Government advisor: Collections will shift almost completely to electronic payment in the middle of
» Complete decisions of the Council of Ministers session
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
» The National University holds its second international scientific conference with the participation
» Parliamentary proposals to extend the legislative term of the House of Representatives to resolve th
» Hanoun: We are working on preparing a six-year strategy to combat corruption based on technology
» The Ministerial Council for the Economy decides to stop the import of 6 crops due to their abundance
» Minister of Industry: He turned to Chinese companies to supply Iraq with spongy iron ores
» A foreign report reveals the existence of an undeclared Iraqi-British agreement regarding asylum see
» “Fares Issa” visits the Ministry of Finance and Economy in the Kurdistan Region
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
» The position of Speaker of Parliament.. Representatives confirm: “There is no amendment to the bylaw
» Demands to put an end to foreign workers
» Iranian official: We do not have frozen funds in Iraq
» Entering 31 countries in the world without a visa.. A look at the Iraqi passport during 2024
» An Iranian plan to export goods to Iraq worth $3 billion
» The Board of Commissioners decides to suspend the technical and financial procedures for the Kurdist
» Baghdad Governorate approves the two paths of the development road
» Mawazine publishes the full decisions of the Council of Ministers at its session today
» Asaib: The Sunnis are accustomed to having an external actor leading them
» The Iranian ambassador in Baghdad: The Sudanese government enjoys the support of the Shiite and Sunn
» Politician: Representatives of Taqadum “hurt” Al-Halbousi and their party
» “Deficit” is the password.. Parliamentary Finance decodes the budget delay
» Al-Sudani: The tourism sector will be a substitute resource for oil in the coming years
» Finance confirms the Iraqi government's desire to benefit from the expertise of French companies
» utube 5/4/24 MM&C Iraq Dinar- IQD Update - No Float of Exchange Rate - Budget -2024 - Schedules -
» After a break of more than 9 years.. the resumption of a government trade meeting between Iraq and A
» A deputy in finance expects the Council of Ministers to approve the budget schedules in today’s sess
» A deputy resolves the controversy over the “transfer supplement” in two ministries
» Al-Halbousi’s “vacant” seat.. Will the coordination framework end the “Taqaddum” dream of an allianc
» The Federal Government issues a state order to stop the Commission’s work procedures regarding the K
» Including the freedom to choose the bank and withdraw the salary for “free”... “My Account” features
» The Central Bank sells more than $250 million during its daily auction
» Al-Sudani receives a delegation from the Union of Arab Banks
» Iraq and the United States of America hold trade meetings in Washington
» In pictures... The activities of the Union of Arab Banks conference in Baghdad, “Day Two”
» The Director General of Ports announces the completion of berths (3) and (4) in Al-Faw Grand Port
» The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Sudani
» Parliament publishes the agenda of its session for next Thursday
» A government measure to reduce "money laundering" using the buying and selling of real estate in Ira
» Iraq proposes establishing a specialized council to combat corruption in Arab countries
» Al-Mawarid intends to establish infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
» The Federal Court issues a decision regarding postponing the election of the Speaker of the House of
» A government meeting to discuss financing and implementation mechanisms for the Development Road Pro
» Al-Sudani: Iraqi banks are on the right track with financial transfers
» Al-Khazali: The Turkish side is still imposing its conditions on Iraq
» Rights: We refuse to amend the bylaws of Parliament under political influence and desires
» Nechirvan Barzani: We want to address all problems with Iran and begin a new phase of relations
» Today, Iraq and Iran signed the minutes of a joint meeting related to trade
» KPMG International begins auditing the revenues of telephone companies operating in Iraq
» Oil: The seventh batch of equipment for the gas manufacturing project in the Nasiriyah and Gharraf f
» Al-Sudani assures the French ambassador of Iraq’s openness to “fruitful” partnerships
» Government move to install gold screening devices at 4 airports
» Sudanese Advisor: The oil sector is witnessing a rapid renaissance
» Opening offices specialized in employing people with disabilities
» Infrastructure and investment projects for the water sector in Iraq
» Adopting the electronic system in the next census
» Al-Sudani chairs the first meeting to restructure the government apparatus
» Business Council: Efforts to open a branch of the Chinese Bank in Iraq
» Iraqi diplomacy is balanced openness