On June 9 this year, a Working Group of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan headed by Deputy Minister B. Abidov participated in a video-conference involving an nformal group of countries accessing to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

This event involved 35 representatives from 17 countries accessing the WTO, including from Belarus, Serbia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, East Timor, etc.

WTO Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff opened the meeting and said that the accession of the new countries to the WTO strengthens the multilateral trading system. Accession to the WTO provides the countries with the opportunity to enjoy the privileges that are designated and guaranteed by multilateral agreements.

He said that many WTO meetings have successfully begun to be held via video conferencing, including informal meetings of heads of delegations, meetings of the General Council, and various committees, which provided organization's works under routine operation. Moreover, the participants were informed that it is planned to gradually resume official events by the WTO authorities from June 15th, including the meetings of Working Groups on accession of the new countries to the Organization.

The participants of the meeting also were informed that June 8 this year was marked by nominations for the position of the next WTO head.

For reference: previously, on May 14 this year, current WTO's Director-General Roberto Azevêdo announced his decision to retire from service on August 31 this year before he expiration of his period of office in 2021.

It was confirmed that Uzbekistan sent to the Secretariat and WTO member countries a full package of documents required for the 4th meeting of the Working Group on Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO. Alan Wolff also assured the Uzbek side that the WTO Secretariat was ready to proceed with the consideration of this issue as soon as possible.

The meeting also included the addresses of the representatives from a number of counties on the current progress in their accession to the Organization. In particular, Uzbekistan, as well as such countries as Belarus, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, Comoros and East Timor undergo an active phase of accession and expect the decision on meetings of relevant working groups. Somalia and Curacao undergo the initial stages of the accession.

The meeting resulted in agreement to continue an active exchange of information under the further meetings of the informal group to discuss current WTO's agenda.