Doha: Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has been granted a World Trade Organization (WTO) Chair, with the College of Law's Dr. Georgios Dimitropoulos, Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Research, named as chairholder.
According to Qatar News Agency, the WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) was established to enhance knowledge and understanding of the international trading system through research, policy outreach, and teaching. The program supports academic institutions working to build expertise in trade-related areas.
The WTO's selection of Dr. Dimitropoulos is a significant achievement for Qatar and HBKU, marking a milestone in the region's contribution to global trade discussions. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar, through its Geneva office, supported the initiative. As WTO Chair, Dr. Dimitropoulos will lead programs and activities that bridge academic research and policymaking, focusing on issues that pertain to trade and investment in the digital economy, with an emphasis on emerging economies and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Dr. Ala Al Fuqaha, Acting Provost and Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning at HBKU, stated: "I would like to congratulate Dr. Georgios Dimitropoulos for being appointed WTO Chair. Focusing on issues that pertain to the digital economy, the Chair examines the evolving role of industrial and digital policies in achieving sustainable development, with a focus on bridging digital divides in the Global South, particularly in the Western Asia and MENA regions."
Susan L Karamanian, Dean of the College of Law, remarked on the importance of the WTO Chair: "Qatar is one of the world's leading trading hubs, linking Asia and Africa with Europe and beyond. Thus, it is fitting that one of the prestigious WTO Chairs be housed at a university in Qatar. It is further appropriate that Dr. Dimitropoulos is WTO chairholder, given his extensive research on contemporary trade issues, his broad network of researchers around the world, and his interdisciplinary approach that blends trade, international relations, and policy."
The Director of the State of Qatar to the WTO, Ahmed Al Sulaiti, expressed pride in the recognition of Qatar's commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation in the global trading system through this prestigious initiative. He emphasized that the selection of their proposal under the WTO Chairs Program underscores Qatar's forward-looking vision in addressing critical challenges such as digital transformation, sustainability, and national security.
Dr. Dimitropoulos expressed his honor in being appointed as a WTO Chair, stating that it is an institutional milestone for HBKU and the College of Law, which have become a global hub for research in international economic and digital law. He expressed gratitude to all involved, including the WTO and HBKU leadership, as well as Her Excellency Dr. Hend Al Muftah, Qatar's Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva.
Dr. Dimitropoulos' research focuses on redefining the boundaries of domestic and international law, with an emphasis on economic sovereignty and the impact of digital technologies on traditional legal models.