The 13th Ministerial Conference (CM13) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded on Friday (01.03.2024) with the adoption of the “Abu Dhabi Package”, after days of intense negotiations.
The top decision-making body brought together nearly 4.000 ministers, senior trade officials and other WTO delegates, 164 members and observers, as well as representatives of civil society, businesses and global media. Expected The Conference was extended to 26 and 29 February in a last-ditch effort to reach conclusions on the various issues at stake.
At MC13, multilateral and plurilateral initiatives shared the spotlight, unlike at MC12, where the trade community's attention was focused primarily on the multilateral negotiating agenda. In WTO jargon, multilateral negotiations refer to those issues where all WTO members are developing new rules. In comparison, so-called plurilateral initiatives involve several WTO members, but not all have chosen to participate at this stage. Many of these plurilateral initiatives were launched at the Buenos Aires Ministerial Conference, namely: initiatives on trade and women's economic empowerment, e-commerce, investment facilitation, domestic regulation of services, and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
The outcome document underlines the central importance of the development dimension in the work of the WTO, recognizing 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 recognized the contribution of women's economic empowerment and women's participation in trade to economic growth and development.
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Chairman of MC13, He thanked members for their active participation during the Conference. He noted that while not everything delegations had committed to achieve could be fulfilled, the commitment demonstrated would further strengthen the multilateral trading system.
With regards to dispute resolution reform, members adopted a ministerial decision recognizing the progress made towards making it fully operational by 2024. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the progress made with contributions from members. “Let us continue to roll up our sleeves to move forward on this reform and deliver by 2024,” she said.
Ministers adopted a Ministerial Decision responding to a 23-year mandate to review the provisions on tspecial and different time for developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs) with a view to making them more precise, effective and operational. “This is a victory for development, which will help developing countries, especially LDCs, to fulfil their WTO commitments, exercise their rights and better integrate into global trade,” said DG Okonjo-Iweala.
In another, ministers engaged in talks on sustainable development and socio-economic inclusion. DG Okonjo-Iweala stressed the recognition by members of the role that trade and the WTO can play in empowering women, expanding opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and achieving sustainable development in its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental.
The ministers officially approved the mandates of new members: Comoros and Timor-Leste. They also agreed on a ministerial decision on concrete measures to facilitate the path towards graduation from the least developed country category. They also adopted a Ministerial Decision reaffirming their commitment to the Work Programme on Small Economies.
CM13 also saw the entry into force of new disciplines on national regulations. services, which is expected to reduce trade costs by more than $125 billion worldwide. This joint initiative, backed by 72 WTO members, is designed to facilitate trade in services by streamlining and simplifying regulatory procedures. It includes the first commitment in a WTO agreement to ensure non-discrimination between men and women when applying for permits to supply services.
In addition, ministers representing 123 WTO members issued a Joint Ministerial Declaration marking the finalization of the Trade Facilitation Agreement. Investment Development (DDI) and made it publicly available. Participants represent three-quarters of WTO members, including nearly 90 developing economies and 26 least developed economies.
As to electronic commerce, Ministers adopted a Ministerial Decision instructing the General Council to undertake periodic reviews of the work programme on electronic commerce with a view to submitting recommendations for action to the Ministerial Conference. They agreed to continue the current practice of not to impose customs duties electronic transmissions until the 14th Session of the Ministerial Conference (MC14) or 31 March 2026, whichever is earlier. The moratorium and the Work Programme expire on that date.
Ministers also adopted a Ministerial Decision to extend the moratorium on non-violation and status complaints relating to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) until CM14.
The impetus of the Agreement of fishery The pace continued to increase, with South Africa submitting its instrument of acceptance before the close of the Conference. Prior to the Conference, ten WTO members – Brunei Darussalam, Saudi Arabia, Chad, Malaysia, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, South Africa, Togo and Turkiye – deposited their instruments of acceptance of the Fisheries Agreement, bringing the total number of WTO members that have officially accepted the Agreement to 71.
Regarding negotiations on fisheries subsidies, “the ground has been set for their conclusion at the next Ministerial Conference, if not before, since the livelihoods of 260 million people who depend directly or indirectly on marine fisheries are at stake,” according to the WTO.
With regards to farming, members were unable to find convergence. Divergences remain on public livestock holdings for food security purposes and on the timelines, expected outcomes and extent of flexibility to be provided to countries most vulnerable to food imports from export restrictions.
Looking ahead, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala said: “The WTO remains a source of stability and resilience in an economic and geopolitical landscape plagued by uncertainties and exogenous shocks (…) We have worked hard this week. We have accomplished some important things and failed to complete others. Let us rest for a while, then regroup and resume,” she concluded. (Thirteenth Ministerial Conference)
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
