Thus, the Kyrgyz Republic became the 47th country to join the centre.

On behalf of the country, the protocol was signed by Omar Sultanov, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the WTO. On behalf of the Advisory Centre on WTO Law, the document was signed by Niall Meagher, Executive Director of the Centre.

The Kyrgyz Republic’s accession to the Advisory Centre on WTO Law was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Kingdom of Norway, which donated the accession fee to the ACWL. Petter Ølberg, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Norway to the WTO, also participated in the signing ceremony.

The ACWL is an intergovernmental organization founded in 2001. Its primary mission is to provide developing countries with qualified legal support on WTO law and trade dispute resolution.

Joining the centre offers Kyrgyzstan a number of practical advantages.

First, the country will gain access to professional legal opinions on WTO matters at no additional cost, which is especially important given the country’s limited expertise in this highly specialized area.

Second, legal support for trade disputes will be provided at a preferential rate, and at all stages of the proceedings—from initial consultations to the enforcement of decisions—Kyrgyzstan will be able to count on full legal support from ACWL experts.

Third, the centre will provide free training to government officials on WTO legal matters, which will help build its national expertise in the long term.

Thus, joining the Consultative Centre will provide the Kyrgyz Republic with equal opportunities to protect its national trade interests within the WTO and will allow it to fully exercise the rights provided by the country’s membership in this organization.