Somalia begins talks to join the World Trade Organization

Somalia begins talks to join the World Trade Organization

 A delegation from the Federal Government of Somalia, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Saleh Ahmed Jama, met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Geneva yesterday, Tuesday, marking the start of the process of Somalia’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

In a statement, the federal government described the meeting as a positive step towards achieving Somalia's goal of joining the World Trade Organization. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed the Somali government's commitment to accelerating accession procedures, stressing the country's desire to become a full member of the organization.

For her part, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala pledged to provide the necessary technical support to Somalia, stressing the organization’s role in facilitating trade and promoting economic development among member states.

The World Trade Organization currently has 166 member states, representing about 98% of global trade, and includes member states of the United Nations, the European Union, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.