State Minister of Finance, Eyob Tekalign, delivered a strong statement at the WTO General Council meeting, reaffirming Ethiopiaโs unwavering commitment to completing its accession process by the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundรฉ.
Eyob expressed the Ethiopian governmentโs deep appreciation to WTO members for their continued support throughout the accession journey, during the China Round Table on WTO Accessions, and he also extended sincere gratitude to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her dedicated attention and assistance in advancing Ethiopiaโs membership.
Highlighting Ethiopiaโs ongoing Macroeconomic Reform Program, Eyob underscored the structural economic changes underway to enhance resilience, encourage private sector-led growth, and create a business environment consistent with WTO principles. โEthiopiaโs current realities call for increased trade and investment, not as a matter of choice, but as a necessity,โ he noted, emphasizing Ethiopiaโs young population of over 130 million and its rapidly growing market economy as a unique opportunity for the global trading community.
Eyob stressed that despite Ethiopiaโs long journeyโspanning more than two decades since the accession process beganโthe current government is re-engaging with renewed purpose and full political commitment. He reaffirmed Ethiopiaโs determination to meet its 2026 accession timeline, pointing to substantial progress over the past year and the recent appointment of a dedicated full-time ambassador in Geneva focused solely on WTO accession matters as proof of Ethiopiaโs resolve.
โIn conclusion, we understand that WTO accession is a marathon, not a sprint,โ Eyob remarked. โAs a nation known for its marathon runners, we have the stamina, focus, and resilience needed to reach the finish line. We are now in the final mile of this long journey, where endurance is tested and determination matters most. We sincerely seek your constructive engagement and continued support to help us cross the finish line and successfully advance our accession to this esteemed Organization.โ
Via foreign. a
