WT/MIN(22)/ST/135  
15 June 2022 
(22-4672) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. ABDULLAH BIN TOUQ AL MARRI  
MINISTER OF ECONOMY  
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES  
I wish to join other delegations in thanking the Government of Kazakhstan and the Government of 
Switzerland for their hospitality and the organization of this meeting.  
 
The United Arab Emirates is one of the world 's most open economies for trade and investment.  
Over the past few years, we have conducted an unprecedented series of structural reforms to further 
enhance competitiveness and make  the business environment more stable and predictable.  
Today,  trade represents an ever increasingly important means of creating jobs and prosperity to our 
population.  
 
The UAE has always been a staunch supporter of the rules -based multilateral trading syst em with 
the WTO at its center.  We all have a shared responsibility to safeguard the multilateral trading 
system by injecting stability and building resilience.  
 
We should revive the dispute settlement process and move expeditiously with filling vacancies i n the 
Appellate Body.  We also should adopt effective solutions for fisheries subsidies and non -violation 
complaints under TRIPS.  The special and differential treatment (S&D) for developing countries 
continues to be a defining feature of this system and it must be preserved.  
 
Moreover, we must work together to safeguard trade and protect the most vulnerable from the 
effects of ongoing supply chain disruptions.  This requires ensuring the seamless flows of food, 
vaccines, essential medical goods, and critical supplies from/to all countries and increasing MSME 
participation in the global value chains (GVCs).  
 
There are other areas that require our collective focus, too, as the world shifts to embrace 
digitalization and the fourth industrial revolution.  Issues su ch as knowledge -sharing, the free flow 
of human capital and technology, and digital trade rules will need to be addressed if we want to 
make sure our global trading system is adaptable, future -proofed, and fit for purpose.  
 
The WTO provides the central framework to tackle the complex challenges and manage the 
significant transformations facing world trade.  Our Conference today comes at a critical time for the 
multilateral trading system and the decisions we make here will have a lasting impact on  the global 
economy for years to come.  It will require vigorous leadership, but it also is what the world expects 
us to do.  
 
The UAE firmly believes that we have the obligation to deliver a more inclusive future for global 
trade—one that is built on trust and cooperation.  We support the WTO and want to work together 
to shape a stronger, sustainable, more inclusive global economy that benefits all people.  It is critical 
that we place environmental sustainability, food security, and health front and center in  our 
decision -making.  
 
We look forward to engaging in a constructive and positive spirit with all members on these critical 
discussions.  Moreover, the UAE is ready to participate in the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic 
Regulation to ensure greater tra nsparency, predictability, and efficiency of international trade in 
services.  WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 135 
 
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  Finally  - before I conclude my intervention  - I would like to express, on behalf of the 
UAE government, my country 's keen interest in hosting the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in 
Abu Dhabi.  The UAE has been the host of major global events, constantly showing its ability to 
deliver world -class meetings on international policy.  We are honored to seek and count on your 
support to host MC13 and advance the multilat eral trade agenda together.  
 
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