General Authority of Foreign Trade Participates in WTO General Council Meeting

The General Authority of Foreign Trade (GAFT) participated in the General Council meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO), held during the period December 16–17.

 The meeting aimed to prepare for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled to be held from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

 The agenda will be presented to the ministers, and the views of the heads of delegations will be sought, including the file on reforming the World Trade Organization.

 GAFT Deputy Governor for International Agreements and Organizations Fareed bin Saeed Al-Asaly reviewed the Kingdom’s request to host the 15th Ministerial Conference (MC15) in 2028, affirming the Kingdom’s desire to host the conference, welcome all member states to Riyadh, and work toward organizing an exceptional ministerial conference.

 The General Council convenes quarterly (every 3 months) at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva, with member states rotating the council presidency. The council is chaired by one of the ambassadors or permanent representatives of the member states for a one-year term, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia chairs the General Council for 2025.

 The Kingdom’s presidency of the council affirms its leading role within the organization and its assumption of numerous positions.