The Sultanate of Oman is participating in the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), hosted by the city of Yaoundé in Cameroon, with wide participation from trade ministers of member states.

The WTO Ministerial Conference is the Organization’s highest decision making body and is held at least once every two years. It addresses issues related to multilateral trade agreements and reflects the level of political commitment of member states and the continuity of institutional work.

Oman’s delegation is headed by Pankaj Khimji, Adviser for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion. It also includes Ambassador Idris bin Abdul Rahman Alkhanjari, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, and Faisal bin Ali Al Hinai, Deputy Head of the Sultanate of Oman’s Mission to the World Trade Organization.

The Conference is focused on key issues, including reform of the World Trade Organization, agriculture, fisheries subsidies, e-commerce and development, as well as facilitating investment for development.

Pankaj Khimji said that Oman’s participation reflects its commitment to playing an active role in supporting the multilateral trading system and strengthening economic and trade cooperation among countries. He noted the aspiration to achieve balanced outcomes that meet the priorities of developing and least developed countries. This needs to be achieved in the context of the challenges facing the global economy, including rising conflicts, increasing uncertainty and their impact on trade, investment and sustainable growth.

He said that the World Trade Organization plays a central role in consolidating inclusive international trade, reaffirming Oman’s adherence to the principles of a rules based trading system, openness, fairness and transparency.

Ambassador Idris bin Abdul Rahman Alkhanjari said that Oman’s accession to the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement represents an important step which reflects its commitment to international efforts to curb harmful subsidies linked to overfishing and to protect marine ecosystems. He noted Oman’s aspiration to complete negotiations to establish comprehensive disciplines, alongside the importance of continued technical support and capacity building for developing countries.

He added that achieving tangible progress in agriculture will require intensified going forwards. He highlighted the need to reach balanced outcomes before the 15th Ministerial Conference, while keeping development at the core of the multilateral trading system, strengthening special and differential treatment provisions and supporting technical assistance programmes.

Faisal bin Ali Al Hinai, the Deputy Head of Oman’s Mission to the World Trade Organization affirmed Oman’s support for a comprehensive and constructive reform process of the WTO, which needs to address challenges related to decision making, development, and equal opportunities. He highlighted the importance of restoring an effective and integrated dispute settlement system and of ensuring that the reform process is conducted transparently with the participation of all members.

He also affirmed Oman’s support for integrating the agreement for Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) within the Organization’s framework, given its role in enhancing transparency and improving the investment environment, particularly in developing and least developed countries.

On the sidelines of the conference, the Omani delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with a number of member state delegations, during which they discussed ways to develop trade relations, strengthen economic cooperation and explore opportunities to expand investment partnerships.