April 2nd 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – A high-level South Sudan delegation led by the country’s Presidential Advisor on Economic Affairs, Aggrey Tisa Sabuni, is meeting leaders of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva over possible admission into the world body.
The 13-member delegation also included senior officials from South Sudan’s the Ministry of Trade, Industry and East African Community (EAC) Affairs, the Ministry of Petroleum, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Bank of South Sudan as well as a member of the Legislative Assembly.
“All journeys, short or long, start by a mere single step,” Sabuni who is also the Chief Negotiator for South Sudan said during speech in Geneva. “Stands committed to undertake the required reforms for WTO accession in accordance with the principles of the rule of law, transparency, good governance and respect for human rights.”
He further added that it is this context that “draws us to multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organization for guidance and inspiration. It is through institutions such as the WTO that we can prove our commitment to reforms at all costs.”
The WTO Deputy Director-General, Alan Wolff, said he believe “the most compelling reason for optimism for the multilateral trading system is that conflict-affected countries like South Sudan see in the WTO what the founders of the multilateral trading system saw in its creation in 1947.”
“You see a path toward economic growth, leading to greater domestic stability, and a better chance to attain and sustain peace. South Sudan is the timely reminder of the backbones of the multilateral trading system,” he added
