**G20: Saudi Trade Chief Pushes For WTO Changes**

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Post on Nov 01, 2024

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G20: Saudi Trade Chief Pushes for WTO Changes

The G20 summit in India is heating up, and trade is front and center. Saudi Arabia's trade minister, Majid Al-Qasabi, has thrown down the gauntlet by calling for a major overhaul of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Al-Qasabi argues that the WTO, as it currently stands, is "not fit for purpose" in the 21st century. He's got a point!

The WTO, established in 1995, was designed for a different world. Back then, globalization was booming and trade was flowing freely. Now, things are different. We've got trade wars, rising protectionism, and a whole lot of new challenges like climate change and the digital economy. The WTO needs to step up its game, and Al-Qasabi's call for change is a timely one.

So what does Al-Qasabi want? He's calling for a "modernization" of the WTO's rules and regulations. Specifically, he wants the organization to focus on addressing new challenges like e-commerce and digital trade. He's also pushing for greater transparency and inclusivity in the WTO's decision-making process.

This isn't just a Saudi talking point. A growing number of countries are calling for WTO reform. The organization itself has been working on its own reform agenda for years, but progress has been slow. Al-Qasabi's intervention could kickstart a more serious conversation about what the WTO needs to do to stay relevant in the 21st century.

Whether this will actually lead to significant change remains to be seen. The G20 summit will be a good opportunity for countries to discuss these issues and hopefully forge a path forward. But, let's be honest, the WTO is a complex beast, and reforming it won't be easy. It's going to take some serious effort and a commitment from all member countries to make the WTO work for the world we live in today.