FNC to host Abu Dhabi Session of Parliamentary Conference on WTO

The Conference brings together legislators who, as members of standing and select committees in their respective parliaments, specialise in international trade and finance.

The principal objective of the Conference is to mobilise parliamentary action in support of the promotion of global trade that is beneficial for all.

Sessions of the Parliamentary Conference are held annually and in connection with WTO Ministerial Conferences. The Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) will take place at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 26 to 29 February 2024.

Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC), said:''The UAE's hosting of the Parliamentary Conference accompanying the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference is a manifestation of the cooperation and partnership relationship between the Federal National Council and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and a continuation of the successes of the UAE's parliamentary diplomacy during its participation in international parliamentary events.

"The hosting also comes in line with the reputation and position that the UAE enjoys through its membership in the World Trade Organisation, as a major player in the multilateral global trading system, and a culmination of the UAE's efforts and position as a major gateway for global trade and investment."

Ghobash added that the organisation of the parliamentary conference is one of the goals of the FNC's parliamentary diplomacy, which aims to strengthen effective partnership relations with regional and international parliamentary unions and institutions, and to invest in the important role of these institutions in achieving development for the countries and peoples of the world and discussing regional and international issues.

“The conference emphasises the importance of the role played by parliaments in strengthening relations between the peoples of the world, and their contribution to promoting peace, stability and tolerance, and achieving the goals of sustainable development to ensure a better future for humanity.”

This session will be preceded by the 53rd session (in camera) of the Steering Committee of the PCWTO on 24 February 2024

The inaugural session will be addressed by Saqr Ghobash; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and representatives of the EU, IPU and WTO.

An interactive dialogue with senior WTO negotiators and officials will be held under the title "Abu Dhabi and beyond: Shaping and strengthening a multilateral trading system that delivers for all''.

Another session will see the presentation of reports and interactive debate on the substantive themes: "Trade and climate change: A win-win interaction'' and "Digital trade in the era of resilient economies".