Geneva:Addis Ababa During the Eighth Working Party meeting held in Geneva, Ethiopia has urged members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to align their efforts with the nation's political commitment in order to secure a mutually beneficial outcome for its accession.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Trade Minister and Chief Negotiator Yasmin Wohabrebbi led the Ethiopian delegation, which included State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Hadera Abera and other officials. The delegation emphasized that obtaining WTO membership remains a top national priority, a goal reinforced by recent economic reforms launched after the new government took office in October.
Progress in the accession process includes the review of over 460 legal instruments, submission of updated documents, and reforms to align with WTO standards. Minister Yasmin expressed Ethiopia's preparedness to finalize bilateral market access negotiations, advocating for a flexible and development-sensitive approach.
WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang, along with several member states, praised Ethiopia's reforms and showed support for its integration into the global trading system, which would engage its market of 130 million people. The meeting, which took place from November 9 to 10, aimed to address remaining multilateral issues and outline the final steps towards membership. Entry into the WTO is anticipated to bolster Ethiopia's economic growth, expand exports, and enhance its role in regional frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
