Deputy Director General of WTO to speak at Asia House conference in Dubai

The Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Yonov Agah, will give a keynote speech at Asia House’s major conference in Dubai in April.

Focusing on the major changes taking place in the global trade architecture, from policy shifts to the disruption of tech, The New Global Trade Order – held in partnership with DMCC – will offer predictive analysis and insights on key issues such as the future of trade, the Belt and Road Initiative and the digitalisation of the global trade system.

With the US imposing new tariffs, China’s growing influence in the global economy, and the redrawing of trade deals such as the TPP, global trade is in a period of transition. The WTO has itself come under pressure over its response to trade practice concerns and a cooling of US support for multilateralism.

As a member of the World Trade Organization’s senior leadership team, Mr Agah will bring unique insights to this important discussion, taking place in Dubai on 22 April.

Mr Agah began his first term as Deputy Director-General of the WTO on 1 October 2013, before being reappointed for a second four-year term which he commenced on 1 October 2017.

His areas of responsibility include the Trade Policy Review Body, which tracks developments in trade policy and reviews the trade policies of WTO members, and the Development Division – the focal point for all policy issues related to trade and development. He also has responsibility for the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation.

Before serving as Deputy Director General, Mr Agah was appointed as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the WTO in 2005. In that capacity, he served as the Alternate Chief Negotiator for the Doha Round and Head of Nigeria’s Trade Office to the WTO in the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United Nations Office in Geneva.

Find out more about The New Global Trade Order conference, taking place in Dubai on 22 April.