As the coordinating chair of the Group of Least Developed Countries, the Republic of Djibouti organized a virtual meeting of the trade ministers of the group, with the participation of the Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
During the work of this meeting, which was chaired by the Minister of Trade and Tourism, Mr. Mohamed Warsmah Dirih, in close cooperation with the Ambassador of Djibouti in Geneva, Mrs. Khadra Ahmed Hassan, the draft Declaration of Ministers of the Least Developed Countries, which was prepared by the delegations in Geneva, was discussed and approved. Before these countries, with the aim of referring it to the World Trade Organization.
The aforementioned declaration sets out the expectations of the Group of Least Developed Countries regarding the 13th Ministerial Conference, and will serve as a guide for the group’s work throughout the current year 2024.
During the meeting, the ministers of the least developed countries explained that their countries face many challenges, including food security, digital divides, vaccine disruption, in addition to complex humanitarian emergencies and armed conflicts.
Despite these challenges, the ministers of the least developed countries appeared steadfast and resolute in their response to the needs of the population. They also acknowledged that their interventions within the World Trade Organization had strengthened their goals and enabled them to defend their countries’ positions to confront existing challenges.
The Ministers highlighted the strengths of the LDCs' excellent performance, including the group's important achievements in the World Trade Organization.
The least developed countries have been able to achieve rapprochement with other members. In addition, the Group made its voice heard on WTO issues, such as the work program on e-commerce, aid for trade, the Enhanced Integrated Framework, trade and environment, and WTO reform.