Mohammed highlights UAE’s strong ties with World Trade Organisation

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday met with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the sidelines of the World Government Summit (WGS) 2023.

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the UAE’s strong relations with the World Trade Organisation, which reflects the country’s commitment to work closely with global multilateral institutions and the international community to raise the efficiency of trade flows worldwide. Sheikh Mohammed  further said that as a pivotal global trading hub, the UAE is committed to help further streamline global supply chains by embracing advanced technologies and digital solutions, as part of its vision to promote an inclusive future for trade built on trust and cooperation.

The meeting discussed ways to build resilience and stability in the global trading system, embed the highest principles of sustainability in global trade and create a more equitable global economy that brings benefits to people across the world.

The UAE will continue to invest in strategic projects both in the country and across the world to enhance the smooth flow of international trade, generate solutions for economic challenges and support the global community in ushering in a new phase of sustainable development, Sheikh Mohammed further said.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala thanked the UAE for providing a global platform for dialogue on shaping a new future for governments at the World Government Summit 2023. He expressed the WTO’s commitment to working closely with the UAE to achieve its goal of strengthening international cooperation to ensure the free flow of trade.

The WTO Director-General will engage in a conversation with CNN’s Richard Quest at a session titled ‘Post-Globalisation; What’s Next for Global Trade’ at the World Government Summit 2023.

The UAE is set to host the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the largest gathering of trade ministers from around the world, in Q1 2024. The hosting of the biennial meeting, which is expected to provide an impetus to international trade negotiations, signifies the country’s growing role in promoting global trade dialogue. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied at the meeting by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The meeting with the WTO Director-General was also attended by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group;  Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the WGS Organisation; Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.

This year’s edition of the WGS, which commenced today, has brought together more than 250 ministers and over 10,000 government officials, thought leaders and experts from across the world. Over 300 global speakers will be sharing their vision and discussing ideas and strategies for shaping a new future for government at more than 220 sessions at the Summit.

Meanwhile, Mattar Al Tayer, Commissioner-General for Infrastructure, Urban Planning and Wellbeing Pillar, Chairman of the Supreme Committee of Urban Planning in Dubai reaffirmed that fostering well-being and sustainability have become hot topics on the agenda of politicians and policymakers.

“These elements have become particularly pressing given the strategic challenges faced by metropolitan cities in terms of high-growth rates of population, urbanisation & urban sprawl, rapid technology revolution, and global climate change. All of these elements underscore the need to chart out models, plans and projects for serving humans,” said Al Tayer in a keynote speech to the World Government Forum 2023 entitled: “Urban Planning Pathway to Wellbeing.”

“Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, Dubai foresaw these challenges facing cities. In 2021, His Highness launched the Dubai Urban Plan 2040, a strategic and flexible transformational plan aimed at making Dubai as the best city for living in the world. The plan charts out an integrated future map for sustainable urban development in the emirate focused on human wellbeing, improved quality of life and enhanced global competitiveness of Dubai.

“Dubai 2040 aims to provide sustainable and flexible mobility options to ease the mobility of people. The plan envisages that 55% of Dubai’s population to live within  800 meters or less from public transport stations. It also aims to enhance investment opportunities by increasing the area of economic activities to 168 square kilometres, widening the area of hotel and tourism activities to 134% to attract more tourists, increasing green areas and recreational spaces by 105%, and extending public beaches by as much as 400%,” explained Al Tayer.

 “The plan identifies five urban centres: the Historical Centre of the city in Deira and Bur Dubai, the Economic and Financial Centre in the Burj Khalifa and Business Bay, the Tourism and Entertainment Centre in Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence, and the Exhibitions Centre at Expo 2020 City, and the Knowledge and Innovation Centre at Dubai Silicon Oasis.

WAM