Arab ministers to gather in Lebanon for UN-backed meeting on trade

The United Nations-backed Arab ministerial meeting is set to kick-off tomorrow in Beirut to clarify the position of regional countries on various trade issues in order for them to speak with a concerted voice during the World Trade Organization (WTO) conference to be held later in the year.

The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said the Ministers would also examine progress made in current negotiations with the WTO and issues of priority to Arab countries, including energy services.

ESCWA said it hoped the two-day Arab Ministerial Meeting will better prepare the region to participate in the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the WTO from 10 to 14 September in Cancun, Mexico. The WTO meeting aims to take stock of progress in negotiations and other work under the Doha Development Agenda.