WGS 2018: Global Policy Platform Attempts To Find Balance Between Cooperation And Competition In Trade

The final Global Policy Platform on day two of the World Government Summit discussed multilateral, bilateral and regional approaches to trade at a high-level panel that also explored ways to encourage better cooperation.

Titled ‘The Future of Trade and Globalization’, the panel headed by Roberto Carvalho de Azevêdo, Director General of the WTO, and His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, drew the participation of Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of the International Trade Center; Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary General of UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development); and Amina Mohamed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for Kenya.

Discussing the recent political environment with countries trading less freely, Roberto Azevêdo said: “We see a lot of reports about shifts in groups of voters – who are going against anything that is foreign, including trade. This permeates from the political environment. I think the wrong answer is to go against trade.” Concurring with the viewpoint, His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri said: “Leaders should not be going against open free trade for their own political gain – and hence trade should not be politicized.  In the United Arab Emirates, there are a lot of challenges arising. Going forward, to ensure the best possible movement of trade, we need to focus on building superior infrastructure and framework. We also have the responsibility as a nation to help less developed countries.”