Wednesday February 19, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – A Somali federal government delegation,
led by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, met with World Trade
Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Geneva on Tuesday,
marking the beginning of Somalia’s accession process to the global trade
body.
In a statement, the federal government described the meeting
as a pivotal step in Somalia’s bid for WTO membership.
Deputy Prime Minister
Jama reiterated the government’s commitment to navigating the accession
process, emphasizing Somalia’s goal of becoming an official member of the WTO.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala assured the Somali delegation of the WTO’s
technical support, highlighting the organization’s role in promoting trade
facilitation and economic development among member states.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) currently has 166 member
countries, representing 98% of global trade. Its members include United Nations
states, the European Union, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.