DAVOS, Jan 23 (QNA/APP): Qatar took part in the informal ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) held Thursday in Davos, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum.
Qatar was represented by HE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sayed.
The meeting was chaired by HE President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, and attended by HE Director-General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, along with trade and economy ministers from member states.
Discussions focused on enhancing the multilateral trading system and strengthening cooperation among WTO members. Ministers also explored ways to integrate cooperative initiatives between groups of countries, including the Investment Facilitation for Development initiative. Other topics included the potential extension of the suspension of customs duties on e-commerce and advancing negotiations on key WTO files.
The meeting also addressed the WTO’s role in the global economy amid current challenges, including the most-favoured-nation principle, dispute settlement mechanisms, industrial policy impacts, national security considerations, and the intersection of trade with development and environmental protection.
Ministers exchanged views ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled in Yaounde, Cameroon.
The session concluded with general findings aimed at achieving tangible progress on global trade priorities in preparation for upcoming ministerial commitments.