WT/MIN(24)/ST/104  
26 February  2024 
(24-1651) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY HON.  MR MATAI SEREMAIAH  
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS,  
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND EXTERNAL TRADE  
VANUATU  
It gives me great pleasure today to deliver this statement on behalf of the Government , and the 
people of the Republic of Vanuatu. I wish to acknowledge as we look forward to the warm hospitality 
of Abu Dhabi and the great people of United Arab Emirates.  
 
International Trade and Development agenda has been the core pillar for deve lopment,  contributing 
to economic growth. Vanuatu had committed to its National Sustainable Development Plan to 
increase trade, create employment and development opportunities for its people. But like many 
countries, Vanuatu is prone to the economic shock caused by the recent pandemic and not to 
mention the ongoing natural disasters affecting our development, health, trade and social protection 
systems.  
 
The World Trade Organi zation Ministerial Conference is a significant forum, which provides an 
opportunit y to discuss and to make concrete decisions that support fair trade among Members and  
contribut e to the economic wellbeing and benefit  of our people . 
 
It is significant that this WTO Ministerial forum delivers , and ensuring that the multilateral trading 
system remains relevant , and responsive to the global trade, and development challenges.  
 
The Organization and Members ' decision on the international trade rules should continue to promote 
transparency, inclusiveness  in international trade, and ensuring that the special and differential 
treatment continues to prevail for small developing states.  
 
My government acknowledged the conclusion of the first phase of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement 
negotiation. The commitme nt has delivered on the Sustainable Development Goal 14.61 in 
disciplining harmful subsidies affecting our fisheries resources, however as a small country we want 
to see a complete agreement that fully addresses the discipline on overcapacity and overfish ing. 
 
Agriculture remains a priority for our food security, trade and development contributing to the 
economy, where 80% of the population engaged in agriculture activities, ranging from subsistence 
farming to smallholder commercial farming.  
 
The technology era has placed the importance of the e -commerce development, and Vanuatu wishes 
to see the ongoing supports of the e -commerce work program and the extension of the moratorium.  
 
With regards to the WTO Reform, Vanuatu will support the discussion,  but we want to see the work 
to be open, transparent and be inclusive in order to consider the development issues of our interest.  
 
Vanuatu is supporting the Investment Facilitation initiative, as a small economy, because attracting 
and retainin g investment is a key priority, and having a relevant mechanism that can facilitate 
investment inflows, information -sharing and best practice is encouraging.  
 
1 Prohibiting subsidies that contribute to overcapacity, overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to 
illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing, and effective and appropriate special and differential treatment for 
developing and least  developing count ries. WT/MIN(24)/ST/104  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Trade and Environment is important for a small developing state like Vanuatu, the discussion on it s 
measures should address the ongoing pollution and not to mention the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform 
as a matter of priority in order to prevent the harmful effects in particular on the agriculture and 
fisheries sectors.  
 
As Vanuatu welcomes the WTO MC13 agen da and for any other discussions around groupings to be 
recognise at the WTO. Vanuatu wishes to support the Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) to be 
defined, and be included in the outcome. The policy consideration would distinguish the countries 
vulne rability and the need for flexibility.  
 
While we support the outcome2 of previous meetings, the implementation is paramount, but limited 
resource is always a challenge. I seek the WTO Secretariat to support Members in expediting the 
obligations, and findi ng resources to support Members to fulfill their obligations.  
 
The organization of Aid for Trade support and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is important 
to us and ha s contributed to the development through strengthening of our productive capacity and 
economic infrastructure.  
 
Despite the limited resources affecting Vanuatu implementing its obligations, the  WTO Trade 
Facilitation Agreement  implementation has been our success story. The establishment of the single 
window project had co ntributed and boost  our business environment through reduction of cost and 
time of trading across border.  
 
Vanuatu cannot do this by itself,  and I sincerely acknowledge the Development partners  and 
International Organizations to support implemen tation of  our obligations.  
 
Chair, may I commend you on your leadership, Director -General and respective Ambassadors for 
their tireless effort, commitment and dedication to the WTO negotiation agendas at the General 
Council and to this Ministerial meeting.  
 
In closing , let m e reaffirm Vanuatu 's commitment in support of the Multilateral Trading system , and 
to defend the principles of transparency , non-discrimination  and fair trade for all . 
 
I thank you Chair and I wish everyone a successful WTO MC13 outcome.  
 
__________  
 
2 MSMEs, Gender & Trade, Work program on small economies and Work on 
Electronic  - Commerce