Expectations for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi

The WTO Ministerial Conference returns to the region after almost 23 years. It takes place from 26 until 29 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The last time the ministers met in the region was in 2001 in Doha, Qatar. That momentous conference took place under the shadow of 9/11 and managed to adopt an ambitious and balanced negotiating agenda dubbed as Doha Round which recognised that the interests and concerns of developing countries are at the centre of the WTO. It was an unequivocal affirmation to multilateralism in the face of a divided world.

While the message from Doha was one of faith in the WTO, the subsequent stalemates in the Doha Round prompted many to call in question the continued relevance of the WTO in a fast-changing world. Indeed, the WTO has had a bumpy ride through the last couple of decades, alternating between some successes and several failures.

MC13 takes place at a critical time in international relations. The world is beset with challenges and crises – climate change, war in Ukraine, war in Gaza, continuing hangover of COVID19, growing calls for protectionism, rising poverty, and geo-politics – to name some. Coordinated international responses have been few with many countries preferring a me-first approach. The multilateral trading system, represented by the WTO particularly, has been on the retreat with its crown jewel, the binding dispute settlement system, disabled and the Doha Round of negotiations all dead except in name. WTO Members remain far apart on a number of issues. While developing and least developed countries complain of lack of progress on issues of key interest to them like agriculture and special and differential treatment, developed countries point out the need to deal with the issues of 21st century like e-commerce.

However, MC13 has the chance to build on the achievements of MC12 that was held in Geneva in June 2022 and adopted some important decisions, including on response to COVID19, food security, and a partial agreement to discipline harmful fisheries subsidies. That outcome showed that the WTO Members have the capacity to shape their common future that takes into account development, environment, and social imperatives of its members.

We are happy to provide you with unusual reporting about this major event. You will be able to read three issues of the “WTO MC 13 Special Edition”; this one, a second one to be published during the Conference (hopefully) and a third one a few weeks after MC13. The first presents the context and some expectations before the official start of the MC, the second, some views on the process and progress during the MC, and the third, some taleaways and reflections on the MC outcome. We want you to read from countries and stakeholders themselves, some of whom might for some reasons sometimes be overlooked and overheard during such conferences.

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