Ethiopia Reaches New WTO Milestone with Thailand Trade Deal

Addis Ababa, July 8, 2026 —Ethiopia has reached another key milestone in its bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) after signing a Bilateral Market Access Protocol with Thailand at the WTO headquarters in Geneva.

The move anticipated to strengthen the Ethiopia’s progress toward full membership in the global trading system.

The agreement was signed by Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew Daka, Ethiopia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, and Ambassador Pimchanok Pitfield, Thailand's Permanent Representative to the WTO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both countries, representatives of the WTO Secretariat, and Thailand's Vice Minister for Commerce, Dr. Kirida Bhaopichitr.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Tsegab described the agreement as a significant breakthrough in Ethiopia's WTO accession negotiations.

The ambassador also reaffirmed that WTO membership remains a strategic national priority under the government's comprehensive macroeconomic reform agenda.

 

He said the successful conclusion of the bilateral negotiations demonstrates Ethiopia's commitment to a transparent, predictable, and rules-based multilateral trading system while opening new opportunities for trade, investment, and sustainable economic growth.

"The Protocol is more than the conclusion of bilateral negotiations," Ambassador Tsegab said.

He further added that:  "It reflects the enduring friendship between Ethiopia and Thailand, our shared confidence in the multilateral trading system, and our common commitment to expanding trade, investment, and economic cooperation."

The ambassador noted that every successfully concluded bilateral market access agreement brings Ethiopia closer to WTO membership and reinforces international confidence in the country's ongoing economic reforms.

Thailand's Vice Minister for Commerce, Dr. Kirida Bhaopichitr, welcomed the signing as another important milestone in the growing economic partnership between the two countries.

She reaffirmed Thailand's strong support for Ethiopia's WTO accession, expressing confidence that the agreement will deepen bilateral trade, stimulate investment, and unlock broader opportunities for economic cooperation.

Dr. Kirida also reiterated Thailand's commitment to working closely with Ethiopia in promoting an open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based multilateral trading system that advances sustainable development and shared prosperity.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the multilateral trading system and underscored the strategic importance of Ethiopia's WTO accession in accelerating the country's economic transformation, enhancing sustainable development, and deepening its integration into the global economy.

 

On the occasion, Ambassador Tsegab expressed Ethiopia's appreciation to the Government of Thailand for its constructive engagement and steadfast support throughout the negotiations. He also commended the WTO Secretariat, the Accessions Division, the Chair of the WTO Working Party on Ethiopia's Accession, and WTO members for their continued technical assistance and cooperation in advancing Ethiopia's accession process.

The latest agreement is expected to add to Ethiopia's growing list of successfully concluded bilateral market access negotiations, bringing the country another step closer to securing WTO membership and reinforcing its commitment to an open, competitive, and globally integrated economy.