The Ministerial Conference brought together approximately 4,000 ministers, senior trade officials, and other representatives from 164 WTO member and observer countries, as well as representatives from civil society, business, and the global media. The meeting was originally scheduled for February 26-29, but was extended in a final effort to reach results on various outstanding issues.
Member countries adopted the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration, pledging to maintain the capacity of the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core and strengthen its ability to respond to current trade challenges.
The Ministerial Declaration emphasizes the centrality of the development dimension to the work of the WTO and recognizes the role that the multilateral trading system can play in contributing to the achievement of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. It also acknowledged that women's economic empowerment and women's participation in trade contribute to economic growth and sustainable development.
Members recognized the role and importance of services to the global economy, as services generate more than two-thirds of global economic output and account for more than half of all employment. The two leaders urged relevant WTO bodies to review and build on all lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and work to quickly build effective solutions for future pandemics. encouraged them to continue.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Chairman of MC13, thanked members for their active engagement during the meeting. He noted that although the delegation would not be able to achieve everything it sought to achieve, the commitments made would further strengthen the multilateral trading system. His full statement can be found here.
On dispute resolution reform, Member States adopted a ministerial decision recognizing the progress made towards achieving a complete and well-functioning dispute resolution system available to all Member States by 2024. Ministers instructed authorities to accelerate discussions and build on the progress already made. Address unresolved issues. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the progress made by contributions from Member States. “Let us continue to work hard to move this reform forward and deliver it by 2024,” she said.
Ministers respond to a 23-year mandate to review special and differential treatment (S&DT) provisions for developing and least developed countries (LDCs) with a view to making them more accurate, effective and operational. The decision was adopted. “This is a victory for development, enabling developing countries, especially least developed countries, to fulfill their WTO commitments, enforce their rights and better integrate into global trade,” Okonjo-Iweala said. the Director-General said.
In another first, Ministers will explore how trade relates to sustainable development and socio-economic inclusion, two pressing issues at the heart of today's political, economic and environmental challenges. We had a dialogue about. Director-General Okonjo-Iweala said, “The role that trade and the WTO can play in empowering women, expanding opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and achieving sustainable development on three economic and economic dimensions.'' He emphasized the members' awareness of “. Both socially and environmentally. ”
At the beginning of the meeting, ministers formally approved the terms of WTO accession for Comoros and Timor-Leste, the first new members in almost eight years. Member States also agreed to a ministerial decision on concrete measures to ease the path to graduation from the least developed country category. In addition, Ministers adopted a ministerial decision reaffirming their commitment to the work program on small-scale economies.
Regarding e-commerce, the Ministers adopted a ministerial decision instructing the General Council to regularly consider the e-commerce work program, with a view to submitting recommendations for action to the Council of Ministers. Member States also agreed to maintain the current practice of not imposing tariffs on electronic transmissions until the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) or 31 March 2026, whichever is earlier. The suspension period and work program will expire on that date. The Ministers also adopted a Ministerial Decision extending the suspension period for non-compliance and status claims under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) until MC14.
Momentum for the fisheries subsidy agreement continued to gather momentum, with South Africa submitting its letter of acceptance to Director-General Okonjo-Iweala just before the meeting closed.
At the beginning of the conference, ten WTO members – Brunei, Chad, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Togo and Turkiye – deposited their instruments of acceptance of the Fisheries Agreement, bringing the total number of WTO members to this point. did. Member States have formally accepted up to 71 agreements, putting the historic agreement on ocean sustainability on track for entry into force at a record pace.
“The second wave of fishing subsidy negotiations has closed some outstanding gaps, but some more remain,” Okonjo-Iweala said. “I had hoped that we would be able to conclude these negotiations in Abu Dhabi, but we are now set to conclude them at the next ministerial meeting, if not sooner. The livelihoods of 260 million people who depend directly or indirectly on marine fisheries are at risk.”
On agriculture, despite intense negotiations during the MC13, members were unable to find convergence. Disagreements remained regarding public stockpiling for food security (PSH) and the timeline, expected results, and extent of flexibility that export restrictions would allow for food imports by the most vulnerable countries.
Commander-in-Chief Okonjo-Iweala recalled that this has been in the works for over 20 years. “In MC12 we couldn't even agree on the text. Despite the challenges, we got the text for the first time. We couldn't finish the work here. Now let's go back to Geneva and deliver!” she said. Ta.
Commander-in-Chief Okonjo-Iweala said the meeting was held in a global context marked by economic and geopolitical uncertainty, and that members were seeking to resolve difficult issues. He expressed his gratitude for his efforts. “We have worked hard this week. We have accomplished some important things, but we have yet to accomplish others. Nevertheless, we have made those works important. “At the same time, we delivered several milestone achievements to the WTO and laid the foundations for further development,” she said. Her full comment can be found here.
Other issues
MC13 also brings into force new disciplines on domestic regulation of services, which are expected to reduce trade costs by more than $125 billion worldwide. This joint initiative is supported by 72 WTO members and aims to facilitate trade in services by streamlining and simplifying regulatory procedures. This includes a WTO agreement-first commitment to ensure non-discrimination between men and women when seeking permission to provide services.
Co-sponsors of the WTO's three environmental initiatives announced at the conference the next steps they are taking to advance work on plastic pollution, environmental sustainability and fossil fuel subsidy reform. Learn more about each environmental initiative's presentation at MC13.
Furthermore, on February 25, ministers representing 123 WTO members issued and made available to the public a joint ministerial declaration marking the completion of the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement. Participating countries represent three-quarters of the WTO members, including nearly 90 developing countries and 26 least developed countries.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala stated the following regarding the future. “The WTO remains a source of stability and resilience in an economic and geopolitical context full of uncertainty and exogenous shocks. Trade improves people's lives and helps businesses and countries It remains an important force to help us cope with the effects of these shocks. Let's rest for a while and then pick ourselves up and start again,” she concluded.
Her full comment can be found here.
Find all MC13 documentation here.
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