Addis ababa: The Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has praised Ethiopia for its sustained efforts and commitment in the accession process to join the global trade body. Speaking at a recent 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the determination of countries seeking membership despite ongoing global challenges.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala noted that 22 economies are currently in the process of acceding to the WTO, with some having pursued membership for decades. She acknowledged that the WTO accession process is arduous and commended all applicant countries for their resilience, patience, and hard work.
She gave special recognition to Ethiopia and Uzbekistan, noting that both nations have intensified their efforts and are making significant progress toward joining the organization this year. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala expressed optimism about their potential success and highlighted the dedication of the accession working group chairs, including South Korea and the United Kingdom, in guiding the process.
Ethiopia's accession to the WTO is seen as a key step toward deeper integration into the global economy, potentially enhancing trade opportunities, investment flows, and economic reform.