A commitment to inclusive and equitable trade was reiterated by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Alpha Sesay, during the 13th session of the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He underlined the value of inclusivity, multilateralism, and attending to the needs of weaker economies inside the WTO framework.
Sierra Leone, a developing country, is aware of the transformative potential of trade in promoting economic expansion, generating employment, and reducing poverty. The Trade Minister did acknowledge the ongoing difficulties and inequalities, especially for the weakest and least developed states. To ensure that no country is left behind, he called for actions to encourage these states’ integration into the world trading system.
Sesay called for a new approach that is centred on inclusivity and is driven by a new paradigm and reform agenda. He underlined how critical it is to support developing nations’ efforts to diversify their sources of income, accelerate their transition to higher-productivity industries, and build resilience against shocks in the future. He claimed that carrying out this action is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and advancing shared and equitable growth and development.
The World Trade Organization’s Director General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, commended the United Arab Emirates for their excellent conference planning. She greeted Comoros and Timor-Leste as new members, bringing the total number of members in the organisation to 166, and expressed hope that the four-day event would produce significant results.
Throughout his speech, the Minister emphasised Sierra Leone’s dedication to making positive contributions to the debates and choices influencing future global trade. He underlined how critical it is to attend to the issues and worries of economies that are vulnerable and to push policies that encourage their integration into the world trade system.
The WTO Conference’s advocacy by Minister Sesay for fair and inclusive trade highlights Sierra Leone’s commitment to using trade to advance sustainable development, economic expansion, and the reduction of poverty. His proposal for a new reform agenda and strategy that emphasizes inclusivity and shared growth demonstrates the nation’s commitment to making sure that all countries can take advantage of the advantages that come with international trade.
