ABU DHABI: The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has a significant role in fostering the trade of environmental goods and services, which will help world nations to meet their climate targets, Ville Tavio, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
As a leader in clean technologies, Finland advocates for more open and free trade in this sector, he said in an interview during WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), which started on Monday in Abu Dhabi.
“There is a lot to do to get level playing field where the low-energy technologies can be traded. I think WTO will play a significant role in this sector as well,” said Tavio, who is the head of Finnish delegation to MC13.
Finland has ambitious climate neutrality goals for 2035, has developed low-energy, clean technologies, and is deploying them across all sectors through digitalisation, he explained. The minister stressed that open and free trade of clean technologies will help meet climate targets.
“I think we
should be more ambitious on trade and environment. Looking beyond MC13, facilitation and liberalisation of trade in environmental goods and services should be a longer-term goal for the WTO.”
High hopes on UAE
Holding crucial global trade talks, the four-day MC13 will continue until Thursday, 29th February, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Around 164 nations and trading blocs are participating in the Ministerial Conference, the WTO’s top decision-making body, which meets usually every two years.
Talking about the UAE as host of MC13, the minister said, “I have a very good experience with the Emirates hosting the COP 28 Climate Conference, which I attended last year. This is a great country to host these events and I think UAE can definitely host more of these events in the future.”
e-commerce, circular economy
Tavio affirmed Finland’s support for extending the moratorium on customs duties on e-transmissions.
This sector is growing year by year and we want more e-commerce, he noted. ”
So, we hope that it can be a free sector and keep it that way. It is quite important to have customs-free trade worldwide and this is a benefit for everyone.”
The minister recommended further discussion on the circular economy to globally promote its best practices.
He is participating in an MC13 side event examining how the global trading system can support the transition to a circular economy, hosted by Finland in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
“We must also make the most of trade in solving global development challenges, especially by integrating the least developed countries (LDCs) better into the international economy,” Tavio stressed.
Finnish-UAE trade ties
The minister emphasised that the UAE is Finland’s largest trade partner in the Gulf region.
“We have a lot to do to develop our trade in terms of digitalisation in which Finland is a world leader. A wide variety of technologies can be exported and imported between both countries.”
Tavio affirmed that Finland remains committed to
strengthening bilateral economic cooperation. There is great potential to increase trade and investments, especially in information, communications and technology (ICT), digitalisation, clean energy and circular economy. Furthermore, he explained that possible areas for joint ventures include smart city and mobility solutions, along with other innovative technologies in the health sector and education.
Source: Emirates News Agency
