ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State, urged developing nations to prioritize sustainability during a high-level panel at the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi.
The panel, chaired by Cameroon’s Trade Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, focused on the link between trade and sustainable development. Al Sayegh, representing the UAE, highlighted the dangers of replicating past industrial practices that disregarded environmental and social consequences.
“Developing countries cannot simply mimic the industrial policies of the past,” he stated, “ignoring the negative environmental and social impacts of such development.” He emphasized the need for policies that avoid repeating past mistakes, calling the current era “the greatest industrial challenge since the Industrial Revolution.”
Al Sayegh drew a crucial distinction between past successes and future challenges. “The industrial policies of developed nations, established over a century ago, led to economic prosperity,” he acknowledged. “However, these policies ultimately proved unsustainable, and the 21st century demands a more sophisticated and efficient approach to industrial development.”
He emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes, stating, “Developing countries need to strengthen their industries and devise tailored strategies based on the lessons learned, not simply replicate past models.”
Al Sayegh also called for collective action within the WTO’s Committee on Trade and Environment. He urged members to utilize existing mechanisms to ensure sustainable trade practices that maximize resources in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, while prioritizing environmental protection.
In this regard, he reiterated the UAE’s strong support for the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, expressing hope for widespread ratification to ensure its effective implementation.
The panel discussion aimed to explore ways the WTO can enhance trade regulations, particularly regarding industrial subsidies, to promote sustainable development, ensure equitable opportunities, and address contemporary challenges like climate change and youth unemployment.