Mohammad Al Tuwaijri, Saudi Arabia's candidate for director general of the WTO, attends a General Council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 17. Courtesy: WTO
Mohammad Al Tuwaijri, Saudi Arabia's candidate for director general of the WTO, attends a General Council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 17. Courtesy: WTO
Mohammad Al Tuwaijri, Saudi Arabia's candidate for director general of the WTO, attends a General Council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 17. Courtesy: WTO
Mohammad Al Tuwaijri, Saudi Arabia's candidate for director general of the WTO, attends a General Council meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on July 17. Courtesy: WTO

Saudi pick for WTO chief pledges to restore trust in Geneva-based body


Deena Kamel
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia’s nominee to head the World Trade Organisation pledged to restore confidence in the Geneva-based body that has been undermined by a series of ongoing trade disputes.

Mohammad Al Tuwaijri, the kingdom’s former minister of economy and planning, said at a virtual press conference on Sunday that the trade row between the US and China, the world’s two biggest economies, could not be fully resolved overnight and required a series of small steps to bridge the differences in opinion.

Mr Al Tuwaijri is one of eight candidates who appeared before the WTO’s General Council, the decision-making body composed of envoys from the 164 member countries, to make a case for their suitability for the role of director general last week.

He proposed a series of administrative reforms to the WTO as part of his agenda.

“The organisation has to be ready for the 21st century challenges,” he said, pointing to the rise of e-commerce, protectionism and the economic uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 crisis.

Mr Al Tuwaijri said he would bring to the role 28 years of experience in the public and private sectors, during which he was responsible for the kingdom’s national transformation and economic diversification plans.

He said Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a blueprint to overhaul the economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenue, was relevant to the work of the WTO.

The economic blueprint seeks to transform the kingdom into a trade and logistics hub that connects Asia, Europe and Africa, as well as diversify the economy, create employment and ensure fairness in trade, Mr Al Tuwaijri said.

A decision on the new director general will be made by the WTO General Council by August 31, when the current leader, Roberto Azevedo of Brazil, steps down.

The specs

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Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km

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Price: Dh149,000

 

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

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Super Rugby play-offs

Quarter-finals

  • Hurricanes 35, ACT 16
  • Crusaders 17, Highlanders 0
  • Lions 23, Sharks 21
  • Chiefs 17, Stormers 11

Semi-finals

Saturday, July 29

  • Crusaders v Chiefs, 12.35pm (UAE)
  • Lions v Hurricanes, 4.30pm
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India  1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps

While you're here
Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon

Roger Federer's record at Wimbledon

1999 - 1st round

2000 - 1st round

2001 - Quarter-finalist

2002 - 1st round

2003 - Winner

2004 - Winner

2005 - Winner

2006 - Winner

2007 - Winner

2008 - Finalist

2009 - Winner

2010 - Quarter-finalist

2011 - Quarter-finalist

2012 - Winner

2013 - 2nd round

2014 - Finalist

2015 - Finalist

2016 - Semi-finalist