Supply-chain Accessibility is Key to Economic Growth, Says UAE at G20 Trade and Investment Working Group
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has demonstrated its commitment to fostering an open, rules-based trade system aimed at promoting sustainable economic development, employment, industrialization, and shared prosperity. This was evident during the G20 Trade and Investment Working Group meeting.
Participating as a specially invited guest of South Africa, which holds the G20 presidency for 2025, the UAE delegation emphasized the importance of integrating developing economies into global supply chains, achieving a just green transition, and undertaking ongoing reforms of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Such reforms are crucial to uphold a free, fair, and inclusive multilateral trading system.
Leading the UAE delegation was His Excellency Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs at the Ministry of Economy, supported by representatives from the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Investment.
During his address to the working group, Al Kait highlighted that the UAE’s trade agenda aligns closely with the priorities of South Africa’s presidency. A significant area of focus is the structural transformation of the African continent and the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Al Kait noted that the UAE has concluded Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with five African nations: Kenya, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Morocco, and Mauritius. Discussions are ongoing with many more to extend the advantages of free trade and boost investments in vital sectors.
The UAE is also investing in regional value chains, as illustrated by its Africa Economic Corridor Strategy, which aims to bolster trade by supporting the development of new logistics hubs across Sub-Saharan Africa. Contributions from Abu Dhabi Ports and DP World in developing integrated logistics solutions for African businesses further reinforce these efforts.
In addition to these initiatives, the UAE is supporting green industrialization, a core focus of South Africa’s G20 presidency. Al Kait emphasized the UAE’s substantial investments in renewable energy, with over $16.8 billion committed across 70 countries, predominantly in the developing world.
In the final session, the UAE highlighted the importance of ensuring the WTO continues to fulfill its mandate as the custodian of the global trade system, particularly in addressing economic disparities. Al Kait acknowledged the remarkable progress achieved in agriculture and fisheries sectors during the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) of the WTO, hosted in Abu Dhabi in February 2024. The UAE expressed optimism for reaching a consensus at the upcoming MC14 in Cameroon.
Al Kait emphasized that the Working Group presents a valuable opportunity to build consensus among the global trading community and advocate for open, rules-based trade. He stated, “The United Arab Emirates believes that trade is the main driver of sustainable economic development, positively impacting investment, industrialization, job creation, and innovation. It is incumbent on us to ensure the global trading system is inclusive and accessible—especially as we confront a rapidly evolving trading landscape.”
The Trade and Investment Working Group, held virtually between March 18-20, marked the first session under South Africa’s G20 presidency. Three additional sessions of the Working Group are scheduled before the Ministerial Meeting on October 10 in Gqeberha, South Africa, with the G20 Presidential Meeting set for November in Johannesburg.
