Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, participated in the General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva today, the final meeting before the upcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi of which he is Chair.

The General Council, the highest decision-making body of the WTO outside of the Ministerial Conference, offered ambassadors and permanent representatives a last opportunity to formally negotiate on the major issues ahead of MC13.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi commended the delegates on their hard work to date, and encouraged them to demonstrate the same flexibility and consensus in the run up to MC13, which takes place in the UAE capital between 26-29 February.

He remarked, “The 13th Ministerial Conference is an important opportunity to review and refine the rules of international trade and ensure that supply chains remain open, agile and resilient. It is important that we come together, think creatively and collaboratively, and work to reconcile our national positions with the long-term promise of a sustainable and inclusive global trading system.”