UAE, WTO chair Mini-ministerial meeting on agriculture ahead of MC13

UAE, WTO chair Mini-ministerial meeting on agriculture ahead of MC13

DUBAI: The UAE and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) today chaired a Mini-ministerial meeting on Agriculture in preparation for the 13th World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13) from 26th to 29th February 2024 in Abu Dhabi.

Co-chaired by Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, the virtual meeting brought together a representative group of Ministers from member countries to consider how to move forward negotiations in agriculture, a key priority for all 164 WTO members.

Ministers discussed the growing urgency to reform agricultural trade to better address rising food insecurity and the challenges confronting agriculture, including the impact of climate change and meeting the nutritional needs of an increasing global population.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi said, "This was a positive meeting that took stock of progress on agriculture negotiations as the 13th Ministerial Conference approaches. We looked at advancing negotiations in this area and examined where we may find the compromises needed to unlock solutions. The discussion provided a significant platform for our future work and was an encouraging indication of high-level commitment. The Ministerial Conference is less than three months away and we must seize every opportunity to build