The island nations of Comoros and Timor-Leste became WTO members at the 13th Ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, becoming the 165th and 166th members of the body .
- Ministers formally approved the WTO membership terms of Comoros and Timor-Leste at a special ceremony held at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi on 26 February 2024.
- Comoros had been going through the application process since 2007, Timor-Leste since 2016. Both countries are least developed countries.
- Both governments will now submit their Protocols for ratification by their legislative assemblies. In keeping with WTO rules, Comoros and Timor-Leste will become members of the WTO 30 days following the deposit of the respective instruments of acceptance of the Protocol.
- WTO is the only multilateral organisation overseeing the rules of trade between nations, dedicated to enabling member states to use trade as a means to raise living standards, create jobs, and improve people’s lives across the world.
- The Ministerial Conference, its topmost decision-making body, meets biannually.
