WT/MIN(24)/ST/97  
26 February  2024 
(24-1607) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. PROF DR  ÖMER BOLAT  
MINISTER OF TRADE  
TÜRKIYE  
It is a pleasure to address you on the occasion of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, at the 
30th anniversary of the Marrakesh Agreement.   
 
I would like to express our gratitude to the Government and the people of the United Arab Emirates, 
especially my dear friend Minister Zeyoudi and his team, for hosting this important Conference in 
Abu Dhabi.  
  
During the last 30 years, our world has undergone a ground -breaking transformation. Trade has 
been a crucial part of this process.   
  
While the world trade has grown from 5 to 25 trillion dollars, the world GDP increased from 31 to 
100 trillion dollars and the world poverty rate decreased from 11% to 3%. WTO played a central 
role in this success, providing a predictable trading environment.  
  
However, in recent years , we have lost the momentum in the world trade and economy. Along with 
slowing trade and eco nomic growth, protectionist measures and the multiple -crisis of food, energy 
and macroeconomic imbalances have put the global development process in a fragile situation.   
  
Besides evolving economic environment, digitalization and climate change have also triggered a 
tectonic shift in the global economy.  
  
Against this backdrop, trade policies are being reshaped around new concepts of green and digital 
economy, as well as supply chain security and fair competition.   
  
Under these circumstances, our current global agenda requires concerted efforts and strong 
international cooperation. It is crystal clear that while unilateral measures can provide short -term 
relief to the current issues, structural solutions can only be provided by g lobal actions.   
  
In this sense, the WTO is a precious asset to address diverse our challenges. Therefore, the WTO 
should be reformed for a stronger and more responsive multilateral trading system in the face of 
pressing issues and global trade tensions.   
  
At the centre of this process, we need to deliver on Dispute Settlement Reform without further delay, 
addressing the concerns of the Members while maintaining the two -tier dispute settlement system.  
 
As a common global challenge, the climate change should also be one of the focus of the WTO, and 
the multilateralism should be the main approach for tackling the issues of trade and environment 
effectively.  
  
Similarly, for ensuring a sustainable and resi lient world agriculture, we have to review our rulebook 
and take swift actions at the WTO. To this end, we should reconsider our negotiating modalities and 
find constructive ways for advancing negotiations, providing a level playing field in global agricul tural 
trade.  
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  Also, in order to reflect the significant share of services in global trade and employment, we need to 
redouble our efforts to advance the discussions in services.   
  
On the other hand, WTO's engagement on trade and industrial policy would be instrumental to review 
the multilateral rules for fairer competition in trade of industrial goods. In our works we have to 
provide policy tools for developing economies to ramp up in global value chains.  
 
On fisheries, Türkiye submitted its instrument of acceptance for the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement 
on the occasion of the MC13. We look forward to the conclusion of negotiations on the second phase 
of the Agreement, regarding the subsidies leading to overcapacity and overfishing. A balanced 
agreement i n this area will be critical not only in terms of sustainability of the marine resources, but 
also for supporting livelihood fishing activities in developing world.  
 
Last but not least, Türkiye sees accessions valuable for strengthening the multilateral t rading 
system, in this sense, we welcome the accessions of Timor -Leste and Comoros to the WTO.   
  
In today's world, international trade is intertwined with a range of complex and pressing global 
issues. We need responsive trade policies and stronger rules -based multilateral trading system for 
keeping the benefits of free and fair trade for all. This requires us to double our cooperation.   
  
At the centenary of our Republic, we, as Türkiye, stand ready to engage in all efforts for a shared 
global prosperity.  We sincerely believe that the MC13 in Abu Dhabi will be a landmark achievement 
for this purpose.   
 
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