MUSCAT: In a significant development, a young Omani has become the first GCC national to be accepted into the Accessions Internship Programme of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Muhanna al Lawati, who is currently in the final year of his master’s programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute (Switzerland), is among just four candidates selected from around the world to be part of the 2024 cohort.
The 10-month WTO Accessions Internship Programme is remarkable for its direct engagement with the processes and challenges of WTO accession. It offers the opportunity to work with acceding governments at different stages of the process, including understanding the comprehensive negotiations, legal commitments, and economic reforms that WTO accession requires.
Muhanna completed his bachelor's at the University of Toronto, where he specialized in the history, political economy, and international relations of the Middle East. He is currently researching state-building in the Gulf as part of his master's programme at the Geneva Graduate Institute, Switzerland.
His interest in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Accessions Internship Programme is driven by a desire to understand firsthand the processes involved in a nation's accession to the WTO, particularly as completed by the Sultanate of Oman under Article XII of the Marrakesh Agreement. This programme offers a direct avenue to study how countries like Oman navigated the accession process before its membership in 2000 and aligned their trade practices with WTO rules and standards.
However, despite Oman's successful accession journey, the Arab world remains one of the most underrepresented regions within the WTO framework. Given the region's unique challenges and opportunities, he hopes to leverage his knowledge and expertise of the Arab region to meaningfully contribute to enhancing Arab representation and participation within the WTO.
Muhanna applied to the programme because the work done in the context of WTO accessions has a direct impact on global trade and economic development. Interns contributing to this process are part of efforts to promote fair and equitable trade practices worldwide, making a tangible difference in how countries engage with each other economically. For individuals from regions underrepresented in international trade discussions, such as the Arab world, the internship is a platform to bring unique perspectives and advocate for the interests and challenges of their regions.
In addition to accession work, Muhanna has had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of research projects, technical assistance and capacity-building programmes, and outreach initiatives through the Accessions Division. These include research projects in which he analyzed past and ongoing Arab accession, as well as the post-accession economic performance of Article XII Arab Members, including their participation in the WTO.
Furthermore, he assisted in the management of the Trade for Peace Programme, which aims to highlight the role of trade and economic integration in promoting peace and security.
His interest in international trade stems from its critical role in fostering economic development, enhancing global cooperation, and promoting sustainable growth. Specifically, Muhanna is intrigued by the potential for trade to drive economic diversification, a key priority for Oman as it seeks to reduce its dependency on oil revenues.
His goal is to contribute to shaping Oman's trade policies and negotiations in a way that aligns with the Country`s national development goals and promotes economic interests on the international stage. Additionally, he aspires to contribute to regional efforts that enhance economic integration and cooperation within the Arab world.
Lastly, his advice to those from Oman and the wider Arab region interested in working with international organizations like the WTO would be to stay informed on global economic trends, trade policies and geopolitical developments. Additionally, invest in yourselves. This could mean pursuing volunteer opportunities, undertaking language classes, or attending relevant conferences and events.
Muhanna hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy and foreign affairs, specifically in the context of international trade.
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