Qatar participates in the 9th United Nations conference on competition and consumer protection
A delegation from the State of Qatar, led by Mr. Hassan bin Sultan Al Ghanim, Assistant Undersecretary for Consumer Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, participated in the 9th United Nations Conference on Competition and Consumer Protection, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Organized under the auspices of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the conference focused on discussing national and international policies and practices related to competition and consumer protection. It also provided a platform to assess the implementation of the United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection and the UN Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices.
The event explored several emerging topics, including consumer protection in areas such as artificial intelligence, the circular economy, and competition within global food value chains. Discussions further examined the enforcement of international principles aimed at curbing restrictive business practices, reflecting on two decades of voluntary peer reviews of national competition laws and policies.
Key subjects addressed during the conference included the integration of competition and consumer protection policies, as well as the influence of competition laws on food supply chains. Additionally, sessions featured reports from informal working groups on cross-border monopolistic conglomerates, product safety, and consumer protection in e-commerce.
Within this broader regulatory context, intellectual property rights continue to play a significant role, as they frequently intersect with competition law, particularly concerning exclusive rights and market fairness.
Qatar’s engagement in the conference underscores its dedication to actively participating in international forums and to upholding principles that foster competitiveness and protect consumer rights in alignment with global economic developments.
For more details or inquiries, please contact us at: Qatar@oneworldip.com
