WTO and ITC hold first joint technical assistance in Mogadishu for Somalia's WTO accession
WTO and ITC conducted first joint technical assistance in Mogadishu to help Somalia prepare for second Working Party meeting on WTO accession, aimed for 2027.
The story in focus
The WTO and ITC held their first joint technical assistance activity in Mogadishu from 10 to 15 October 2026 to support Somalia's preparations for the second meeting of the Working Party on its WTO accession, which parties aim to hold in 2027.
- The WTO-ITC event in Mogadishu was the first joint in-person technical assistance activity for Somalia's WTO accession.
- Participants worked on replies to WTO members' questions and preparation of initial market access offers.
- A stakeholder consultation was held to design the forthcoming Trade for Peace Somalia Initiative.
Joint technical assistance in Mogadishu
The World Trade Organization and the International Trade Centre conducted their first joint technical assistance activity in Mogadishu, Somalia, from 10 to 15 October 2026. The event supported Somalia's preparations for the second meeting of the Working Party on the country's WTO accession, with parties aiming to hold that meeting in 2027. The first Working Party meeting took place in February 2025.
The activity was coordinated by Somalia's Office of the Chief Trade Negotiator, led by Sadiq Abdikarim Haji Ibrahim, and brought together technical experts from several ministries and agencies. Supported by the United Kingdom through the Making Trade Happen programme, it marked the first joint in-person event in Somalia's accession preparations.
Focus on accession documents and market access
During the week, technical sessions focused on finalizing replies to questions raised by WTO members at the first meeting, completing accession-supporting documents and discussing preparation of Somalia's initial market access offers on goods and services. Axel Addy, Liberia's former trade minister and chief trade negotiator, participated as an ITC adviser to the Office of the Chief Negotiator.
A dedicated session addressed synergies between WTO accession, integration into the East African Community and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The delegation also attended the East African Conference 2026, which focused on deepening Somalia's EAC integration through domestic incorporation of treaties, strategic investments and improvements in education and training.
Trade for Peace consultation
The visit included the first stakeholder consultation to support the design of the Trade for Peace Somalia Initiative, which will be officially launched in the near future. The initiative will include a Trade for Peace Academy supported by Interpeace and the WTO.
At a wrap-up discussion, the Government of Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to the accession process and to timely finalization of technical inputs for the second Working Party meeting in 2027.
When is Somalia's second WTO Working Party meeting planned?
Parties are aiming to hold the second meeting of the Working Party on Somalia's WTO accession in 2027. The first meeting took place in February 2025.
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