Ethiopia participates at the 12th China Round Table meeting on WTO Accessions

Addis Ababa, February 25, 2024 (FBC) – On the eve of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference set to commence on February 26th in Abu Dhabi, A high-level delegation led by Gebremeskel Chala, Minister of Trade and Regional Integration of Ethiopia, participated at the 12th China Round Table meeting on WTO accessions held on today 25 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The meeting was held under the theme of “Arab perspectives on WTO Accessions and the Multilateral Trading System.”

During the meeting, Gebremeskel Chala, delivered a statement and underscored the shared concerns and challenges between the Arab region and Ethiopia, particularly in the context of the WTO accession processes.

The Minister also emphasized the importance of drawing lessons from countries that have successfully completed the accession process and advocated for a comprehensive understanding of domestic environments and institutional coordination.

He acknowledged the intricate nature of the WTO accession process, stressing the need to tackle both internal and external challenges, especially in balancing market access demands with developmental imperatives.

Providing an update on Ethiopia’s accession process, the minister said that Ethiopia is in the final stages of preparation for the fifth Working Party Meeting, and reaffirming Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment and diligent efforts to conclude the accession process.