ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES–After five days of rigorous negotiations, the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded, highlighting the challenging yet optimistic journey ahead in addressing unresolved issues in critical areas such as agriculture, dispute settlement reform, and fisheries subsidies.

“Given the different levels of development of the now 166 WTO Members, finding convergence on sensitive and important issues is expected to be challenging.  The WTO remains the core of the multilateral trading system, and its role in shaping policies in trade and related disciplines cannot be overemphasized.  That is why it has been proactive in addressing challenges in digital trade, sustainable development, and the environment,” DTI Secretary Pascual stressed.

The conference ended with a strong commitment from Ministers to preserve and strengthen the multilateral trading system’s capacity to address the evolving trade challenges.

The Ministers adopted the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration which highlights the importance of the development dimension in the work of the WTO, recognizing the multilateral trading system’s contribution to achieving the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. The declaration also recognized the impact of women’s economic empowerment and participation in trade on economic growth and sustainable development.

According to Secretary Pascual, “While there remains a lot of work to be done in agriculture, dispute settlement reform, and fisheries subsidies, the Ministerial Conference was still able to deliver on key outcomes such as the extension of moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmission, finalization of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, the entry into force of Service Domestic Regulations Agreement, the accession of Timor Leste and Comoros as new WTO members, and good progress in the negotiation of fisheries subsidies.”

Looking ahead to the next Ministerial Conference, Secretary Pascual emphasized the importance of focusing on the underlying issues and being driven by clear objectives to achieve convergence.  “Multilateralism remains relevant in this complex environment, what is important is that we are all working towards noble objectives and driven by a strong desire to serve the people”. Pascual added. ♦

Date of release: 03 March 2024

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