Abu Dhabi’s Thirty-Year Milestone: Hosting the Pivotal 13th WTO Ministerial Meeting

Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, marks thirty years since its establishment, it welcomes the thirteenth ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This event is the most significant international gathering in the last three decades, featuring participation from over 175 countries and United Nations bodies. It serves as a platform for dialogue and debate on topics related to international trade and supply networks. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of reforming the organization and addresses other key issues such as fisheries laws, agricultural policies, trade protection measures, preferential trading rights, and a variety of other diverse matters.

According to sources knowledgeable about the preparations and the expected topics of discussion, “The Abu Dhabi Declaration” will focus on exploring a variety of subjects and initiatives related to international business and the complex challenges that are still under discussion, as well as the efforts being made to address them.

The 166 members of the World Trade Organization, an increase from 164 countries following the accession of East Timor and the Comoros, acknowledge the importance of implementing reforms within the organization and strengthening the multilevel trade system to address global challenges. They affirm a notable progress in three main issues that are being examined in the context of discussions during previous ministerial meetings, particularly those related to agriculture, fisheries, and special and differential treatment in trade.

Members of the committee emphasize the significance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for national economies and stress the importance of the service sector in creating new employment opportunities. They also highlight the vital role that women play in supporting economic development.

It is anticipated that there will be a strong emphasis on fulfilling the commitment pledged by the members of the organization during their twelfth meeting. This involves their serious efforts toward implementing the necessary reforms for the organization and enhancing all its functions, acknowledging the progress that has been made so far in this regard.

There has been a significant recognition of the substantial accomplishments and efforts that have borne fruit to date towards enhancing the daily operations of the councils, committees, and negotiation groups of the World Trade Organization, with the aim of improving the organization’s efficiency, bolstering its effectiveness, facilitating its procedures, and increasing member participation in its activities. The General Council and its related committees are continuously tasked with advancing this work pattern, as well as preparing periodic reports on the progress made to be presented at the next Ministerial Conference when necessary.

The topic of revising the mechanisms for dispute resolution will be addressed.

The members aim to maintain and strengthen the multilateral trading system through the organization, making it an effective focal point for addressing contemporary trade challenges. They also strive to seize available opportunities and ensure the organization’s proper function, with a strong emphasis on delving into and closely examining key issues. Additionally, they recognize the importance of broadening the discussion on these topics.

Participants are expected to emphasize the importance of openness, inclusivity, adaptability, continuity, diversity, and trust. Additionally, they are likely to highlight the significance of global supply chains and their crucial role in facilitating a smoother recovery of production and trade from crises and challenges.

Commending the efforts undertaken by the organization’s departments and branches, particularly in relation to transparency which encompasses the sharing of information, and expressing appreciation for the endeavors aimed at enhancing the robustness and flexibility of global supply chains.

The commitment of the members of the organization to initiatives aimed at enhancing smaller economies will assist in integrating these economies into the comprehensive international trade system. This will be achieved by continuously highlighting their significant policies and striving to find solutions to challenges across all areas of the World Trade Organization’s work.

Members of the organization recognize the significant importance of holding specific sessions to discuss international transit issues within the Trade Facilitation Committee. It is expected that the Trade and Development Committee will be asked to organize sessions focusing on assessing the trade challenges that have been identified, with the aim of enhancing the more comprehensive integration of landlocked developing countries into the global multilateral trading system. The Trade and Development Committee will submit its report to the General Council and, if there are any, elevate its recommendations to the fourteenth session of the Ministerial Conference to be held in Cameroon.

It is anticipated that the “Abu Dhabi Declaration” will be issued, reaffirming the significance of the goals of the “Marrakech Agreement” and acknowledging its crucial role. Additionally, the declaration is expected to highlight the contribution of the multilateral trading system in achieving the objectives of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the related Sustainable Development Goals within the scope of the organization’s authority. Furthermore, the declaration will address the importance of trade and sustainable development and their impact on economic, social, and environmental aspects.

This text emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and fair multilateral trading system, as well as strengthening trade and economic ties among the member countries of the organization. The aim is to support the development goals and improve living standards, particularly in developing countries and the least developed nations, to ensure that the benefits of trade are widely shared among all parties involved, both individually and collectively. The text also highlights the importance of initiating constructive discussions on trade integration within the context of the multilateral trading relations of the members. These discussions should be carried out under the auspices of the General Council, which is tasked with submitting its reports as required for the fourteenth session of the Ministerial Conference.

Regarding the service sector, it is anticipated that its significance to the global economy will be emphasized, given its contribution of over two-thirds to the world’s economic output and its account for more than half of the total jobs available.

Services play a crucial role in securing a stable environment that contributes to economic growth and development, as well as in addressing global challenges. There is recognition of the importance of facilitating greater participation from developing countries. Members, including the least developed ones, focus on sectors and supply methods that hold export value for them within the global trade of services. The efforts made in the Council for Trade in Services, in both its regular and special sessions and its committees, deserve commendation, along with a determination to promote and rejuvenate its activities in the field of service trade.

The upcoming meetings in Abu Dhabi will reveal the level of progress and the desired objectives. This may be evident from clear decisions or statements and/or the implementation of specific actions or guidelines related to discussions on the following topics: A) The agricultural sector. B) Support for the fishing industry, either through providing declarations of approval or financial contributions. C) Special and preferred measures.

According to the “Marrakesh Treaty,” and based on Article 20 of the preliminary document, the members of the organization positively regard the increase in their number. The conference has completed the necessary procedures for the accession of two countries among the least developed, namely the Comoros and East Timor. The accession of these two countries is considered a significant boost to strengthen the mechanisms of multilateral international trade. This comes in light of the reaffirmed commitment of the organization’s members tasked with it during the twelfth session.

It is expected that there will be a discussion of the achievements and outcomes that have been reached, and how these are reflected in certain decisions or announcements, which direct the routine operations of the organization. This includes the e-commerce work program, the decision for voluntary cessation of violations against intellectual property rights agreements related to trade, and the complaints associated with this issue. In addition, this encompasses the work program aimed at developing small businesses and economies, advancing progress for less developed countries, and extending exemptions from intellectual property rights in the field of trade.