Luanda - An Angolan delegation, led by the minister of Industry and Trade, Rui Miguéns, is taking part from Monday (26th) until Thursday (27th) in the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The global meeting evaluates the trade policies and programmes of the 164 member countries and is attended by several ministers, heads of delegations from the participating countries and representatives of international economic and trade organisations.
According to a press release to which ANGOP had access, the Ministerial Conference is the WTO's highest deliberative body that regulates and facilitates global trade and is the only organisation that represents 98% of global trade and global Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Rui Miguéns considered positive Angola's participation in the WTO meetings, which bring together various leaders and decision-makers from around the world with a view to mobilising consensus on key issues of urgency in order to stimulate global trade and said that the country's contributions to that international organisation had been welcomed.
The note states that the conference is discussing the rules and regulations governing global trade activities, exchanging ideas and visions on appropriate solutions to the challenges faced by international trade, as well as exploring ways to promote economic development.
Thus, the event participants will debate several topics related to the exploration of marine resources, as well as how countries can make sustainable use of marine resources in a coordinated and planned way, without risking their extinction.
However, in the special evaluations within the framework of the WTO Assembly, Angola raised several concerns, most notably the inclusion of artisanal fishing as an essential element for maintaining the national economy and safeguarding the interests of families working in the fishing industry, which is highlighted in one of the articles drawn up by the WTO.
Regarding the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD), the issue discussed before the kick off of the meetings, Angola permitted the project to meet in this IFD Agreement, which is a broad acceptance of the many investment needs both for the developed and least developed countries which are fundamental to eradicate poverty, economic diversification and sustainable development.
The IFD should mobilise financial and technical support, as well as the reinforcement of the capacities as without it the generosity can not be turned into investment opportunities for the sustainable development of the least developed countries.
"The organisation deals with the regulation of trade between its member countries, provides a framework for the negotiation and formalisation of trade agreements and a dispute resolution process that aims to strengthen participants' adherence to WTO agreements, which are signed by representatives of the governments of the member states," the note says.
It stresses that the Angolan government has benefited from the facilities provided by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), taking part in various training cycles linked to investments.
The Ministerial Conference also approved the official accession of the Comoros and East Timor to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the first new members since 2015.
WTO membership will allow the two new countries to participate fully in the international trade system, accelerating their development efforts and providing more incentives for the international investments needed to support their economies.
The Angolan delegation to the event includes the Secretary of State for Fisheries and Marine Resources, António José da Silva, and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Angola to the United Arab Emirates, Júlio Belarmino Gomes Maiato, Staff from the ministries of Industry and Trade and Fisheries and Marine Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) and the Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency.
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