The forum provided an opportunity for the two least-developed countries (LDCs) to present their visions and expectations for their WTO membership. The event also heard a pledge from the international community to grant Liberia and Afghanistan post-accession support to help them advance their domestic reforms and their trade and development agenda. 

In his opening remarks, WTO Deputy Director-General Yonov Frederick Agah said: “This Forum is symbolic in many ways, as last December, in this same city and the same venue, the Protocols on the Accession of Liberia and Afghanistan were formally approved by WTO Ministers during the Tenth Ministerial Conference held in the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.  As many of you may recall, the decisions on the two LDC accessions provided inspiration and generated positive momentum for the historic outcomes which were achieved at the Nairobi WTO Ministerial Conference.”

Mr Agah encouraged the international community to help Liberia and Afghanistan implement their post-accession strategies: “I would like to appeal to the international community, including WTO members, to sustain this momentum as you (Liberia and Afghanistan) embark on your post-accession endeavours.” His full speech is available here.

H.E. Mr Humayoon Rasaw, Minister of Commerce of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and H.E. Mr Axel Addy, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Liberia, highlighted their respective post-accession strategies.

Mr Rasaw said: “Afghanistan is committed to maximize the benefits of WTO membership by sustaining modernization and reform of the economy, enhance growth and development, secure stable and non-discriminatory access for Afghan exports, improve our business environment, and integrate into the rules-based global economy. We understand that the continued post-accession support will remain critical in this process.” His full speech is available here.

Mr Addy said: “For us, the WTO accession was never an isolated process, but instead tied in with Liberia’s national development plan, the Agenda for Transformation. Hence, our accession is seen as a critical component of our domestic reforms agenda targeted at diversifying our economy, promoting international trade, and encouraging local and foreign investments beyond the traditional extractive industries.” His full speech is available here.

The Forum was attended by LDCs currently negotiating their WTO accession, newly-acceded governments and bilateral and multilateral development partners.  The full programme is available here.

Liberia became the 163rd WTO member on 14 July and Afghanistan will become the 164th WTO member on 29 July 2016.