ACC25-1

Following CRT-12 in Abu Dhabi, the first Round Table organized in the Arab region, the 13th China Round Table (CRT-13) will convene on 12-14 May 2025 in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. This event, building on the achievements and outcomes of the previous round table, including the Arab Study, will further delve into Arab perspectives on WTO accessions and the multilateral trading system, with particular insights from Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) , all of which are either Original Members or Article XII Members. The CRT-13 aims to leverage the momentum and insights gained to support Arab acceding governments in navigating the accession process, utilizing WTO membership to foster economic policy coherence, and achieving economic growth and development through accelerated accession. The focus of this Round Table will be Advancing Arab Economies: From Strategic Accessions to Trade Integration. Additionally, with the recent accession of Comoros and active efforts by other countries, there is some momentum toward greater WTO representation for the region and beyond. This Round Table will explore post-accession progress and how such experiences can inform the strategies of other acceding countries.
Against this background, the 13th China Round Table will comprise the following sessions:
• High Level Session: Commemorating Oman's 25th Anniversary of WTO Membership
• Special Event: Oman's Economic Diplomacy: Leveraging Trade for Regional Prosperity
• Session 1: Economic Visions of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Role of Trade: Strategies for Diversification and Global Integration
• Session 2: Publication Launch: Joint-Arab study: "Best Practices in WTO Accessions for Arab Region: Lessons from Past and On-going accessions in the region"
• Session 3: Regional Economic Integration and WTO Accession
• Session 4: Road to MC14: State of Play of Ongoing Accessions
• Session 5: The Private Sector’s Role in Arab WTO Integration