The next meeting of international trade ministers and senior officials from the World Trade Organisation's 164 members will take place at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), during the week of 26 February 2024. H.E. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates, has been elected Chairperson for this event.

“The UAE stands ready to make the necessary contribution to the ongoing efforts with a view to making international trade part of the solution, shedding more light on the expertise of the WTO and highlighting the role of the multilateral trading system,” he stated. “The government of the United Arab Emirates will do its utmost to ensure that all WTO members have the opportunity to advance the ongoing discussions and to take part in shaping outcomes for the benefit of all nations.”

Among the issues WTO members need to focus on for MC13 are WTO reform and in particular reform of the WTO's dispute settlement system; securing the entry into force of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and concluding the second wave of fisheries subsidies negotiations; advancing talks on agriculture; and delivering on the development agenda in order to maintain the belief and trust of developing countries in the organization.

“It has become clear that trade policy extends far beyond the scope of trade itself,” he has stated. “It is about shaping our common future that takes into account the environment, global health and poverty. It is our collective responsibility to contribute to a predictable, rules-based and open trade and investment environment that creates prosperity for all. And this is precisely why success at MC13 is so imperative.”

Background

The Ministerial Conference is topmost decision-making body of the WTO, which usually meets every two years. It brings together all members of the WTO, all of which are countries or customs unions. The Ministerial Conference can take decisions on all matters under any of the multilateral trade agreements.

The previous Ministerial Conference (MC12) was held in Geneva in June 2022.