A high-level Somali 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 formal start of Somalia’s journey toward WTO membership.
During the discussions, Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling the requirements for accession, emphasizing its ambition to integrate into the global trade system. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala assured Somalia of the WTO’s technical assistance, stressing the organization’s role in fostering trade facilitation and economic growth for its members.
With 166 member states representing 98% of global trade, the WTO plays a key role in shaping international commerce. Somalia’s accession process is expected to involve negotiations and economic reforms aimed at aligning with global trade standards.