Muscat: The high-level three-day event, held in cooperation with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, will run under the theme “Advancing Arab Economies: From Strategic Accession to Global Trade Integration.”

The roundtable reflects Oman’s broader efforts to enhance international cooperation and reaffirm its commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system. The event will feature five major sessions alongside a high-level forum marking the 25th anniversary of Oman’s accession to the WTO, celebrating its progress and leveraging its global membership.

The opening day will spotlight the economic strategies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, exploring how trade can drive diversification and global economic integration.

On day two, a joint Arab study on WTO accession best practices will be officially launched, focusing on the journeys of recently acceded Arab countries and those still in the process. Discussions will delve into how regional economic integration can ease WTO accession, the significance of technical support, and recent developments in accession procedures.

The final day will highlight Oman’s economic diplomacy and its contribution to regional growth and stability. It will also explore how the private sector can advance Arab integration within the WTO and support ongoing economic reforms.

Faisal bin Ali Al Hinai, Deputy Head of Oman’s Mission to the WTO, emphasized the importance of the roundtable as a high-level platform for dialogue among current and aspiring WTO members. “These meetings comes at a time when the Arab region is experiencing limited representation in the World Trade Organization, as 14 of the 22 member states of the League of Arab States are members of the organization,” he said.

He added that Oman’s hosting of the roundtable aims to bolster Arab and international cooperation within the WTO and solidify Oman’s reputation as a regional hub for trade diplomacy and economic dialogue.