Latest news with #14thMinisterialConference
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India urges WTO to act on past ministerial mandates as delay may worsen hunger crisis
India on Wednesday said that the WTO members should not delay in resolving past ministerial mandates, including issues related to public stockholding of food grains, as it would worsen the global hunger crisis and violate human rights, an official said. During an informal meeting of the WTO's Committee on Agriculture in Geneva, India indicated that ahead of MC14 the primary concern should be ensuring food security and protecting livelihoods. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack A Chinese shadow falls on Pahalgam terror attack case probe How India can use water to pressure Pakistan Buzzkill: How India can dissolve the Pakistan problem, not just swat it India called for realistic solutions to these issues, emphasising the need for flexibility in agricultural support . WTO (World Trade Organisation) members have agreed that the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) will take place from 26 to 29 March 2026 in Cameroon. MC is the highest decision making body of the multi-lateral organisation. It meets once every two years. The last one was held in Abu Dhabi in 2024. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Iraq: Jewelry On Sale For Half Price! (See Price List) Luxury Jewelry | search ads Undo "Delaying decisions on past ministerial mandates, such as PSH (public stockholding) and SSM (special safeguard mechanism), exacerbates the hunger crisis and violates human rights," a Geneva-based trade official said. He added that the current agreement's rules, favouring developed nations with outdated subsidy systems, are flawed and do not account for inflation. Live Events "Developed countries can provide substantial support without limits, while developing countries, including LDCs, struggle to offer even minimal support due to restrictive policies," the official added.
Zawya
20-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Arabia's Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026
RIYADH — The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. This marks a historic milestone, as Al-Moqbel becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to assume this prestigious position. The WTO General Council, which convenes throughout the year, oversees the organization's operations between ministerial conferences, held biennially. As the highest decision-making body at the level of heads of missions, the council plays a crucial role in shaping global trade policies. During Saudi Arabia's presidency, the General Council is set to address several key issues, including preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference, scheduled to be held in Cameroon in March 2026. The agenda will also focus on essential WTO reforms, particularly the dispute settlement mechanism; advancing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement; and addressing agriculture, food security, and development concerns. Other priorities include integrating multilateral agreements, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework. Commenting on the appointment, President Al-Moqbel emphasized that Saudi Arabia's leadership in the WTO General Council reflects its growing role in the international economic landscape, leveraging its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
19-02-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia's Al-Moqbel appointed WTO General Council president for 2025–2026
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. This marks a historic milestone, as Al-Moqbel becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to assume this prestigious position. The WTO General Council, which convenes throughout the year, oversees the organization's operations between ministerial conferences, held biennially. As the highest decision-making body at the level of heads of missions, the council plays a crucial role in shaping global trade policies. During Saudi Arabia's presidency, the General Council is set to address several key issues, including preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference, scheduled to be held in Cameroon in March 2026. The agenda will also focus on essential WTO reforms, particularly the dispute settlement mechanism; advancing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement; and addressing agriculture, food security, and development concerns. Other priorities include integrating multilateral agreements, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework. Commenting on the appointment, President Al-Moqbel emphasized that Saudi Arabia's leadership in the WTO General Council reflects its growing role in the international economic landscape, leveraging its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation.
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-02-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Assumes WTO General Council Presidency for 2025–2026
The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has unanimously appointed Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term. In a historic milestone, Al-Moqbel becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to assume this position, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday. The WTO General Council, which convenes throughout the year, oversees the organization's operations between ministerial conferences, held biennially. As the highest decision-making body at the level of heads of missions, the council plays a crucial role in shaping global trade policies. During Saudi Arabia's presidency, the General Council is set to address several key issues, including preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference, scheduled to be held in Cameroon in March 2026. The agenda will also focus on essential WTO reforms, particularly the dispute settlement mechanism; advancing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement; and addressing agriculture, food security, and development concerns. Other priorities include integrating multilateral agreements, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework. Commenting on the appointment, Al-Moqbel emphasized that Saudi Arabia's leadership in the WTO General Council reflects its growing role in the international economic landscape, leveraging its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation.
Egypt Independent
28-01-2025
- Business
- Egypt Independent
FM: Egypt backs WTO goals, principles
The Egyptian government pays great attention to advancing the developmental objectives of the World Trade Organization (WTO), by encouraging preferential treatment for developing countries in all WTO agreements, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty said. This also involves developing technical support and capacity-building programs to support developing countries and ensure their effective engagement in international trade and global supply chains, Abdelatty added during a meeting with WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, held as part of the minister's visit to Geneva on Monday. Congratulating the organization chief on her appointment to a second term as Director-General of the WTO, Abdelatty underscored the government's full support for the organization's goals as well as the principles of a fair and multilateral rules-based trade system. He also emphasized Cairo's interest in trade as a key pillar of development. During the meeting, Abdelatty also touched on Egypt's relentless efforts to restore calm in the Middle East and prevent the region from plunging into an all-out war that could disrupt international trade and navigation. He also highlighted the severe damage Egypt incurred from escalating regional and international geopolitical tensions since the onset of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023, which resulted in nearly a 70 percent drop in the Suez Canal revenues. Abdelatty also reiterated Egypt's commitment to maintaining its active and constructive engagement in all WTO mechanisms to reach a consensus on the main issues under discussion, especially those related to reforming the organization's dispute settlement system, the negotiations on reforming the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) and promoting food security, and encouraging special and preferential treatment for developing countries. He expressed hope that this engagement would pave the way for coming up with tangible results on these issues during the WTO 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), set for March 2026 in Cameroon.
