WT/MIN(24)/W/12  
 
16 February 2024  
(24-1442) Page: 1/3 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024    
 
DRAFT ABU DHABI MINISTERIAL DECLARATION  
We, the Ministers, have met in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 26 to 29 February 2024 for 
our Thirteenth Session. As we conclude our session, we would like to express deep appreciation to 
the Government and people of the United Arab Emirates for thei r excellent organization of the 
Conference and the warm hospitality we have received in Abu Dhabi.  
 
1. Our Thirteenth Session takes place as we mark the 30th anniversary since the establishment 
of the WTO. On this occasion, we reaffirm the principles and obje ctives enshrined in Marrakesh 
Agreement and underline the critical importance of the rules -based, non -discriminatory, open, fair, 
inclusive, equitable and transparent multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.  
 
2. We acknowledge that during these 3 0 years, WTO Members have sought to fulfil the objectives 
reflected in the Preamble to the Marrakesh Agreement consistent with Members' respective needs 
and concerns at different levels of economic development. Important progress has been made. We 
resolve to further strengthen the multilateral trading system to provide meaningful impetus to 
address global challenges.  
 
3. We stress the importance of implementation of the WTO agreements, Ministerial Decisions 
and Declarations and take note of the progress on som e issues reflected in the reports from the 
General Council and its subsidiary bodies. We instruct the relevant WTO bodies to expedite further 
work.  
 
4. We reaffirm our commitment made at our Twelfth Session to work towards necessary reform 
of the WTO to impro ve all its functions and acknowledge the progress made in this regard. We note 
and value the work done to date to improve the daily functioning of WTO Councils, Committees and 
Negotiating Groups with a view to enhancing the WTO's efficiency, effectiveness,  and facilitation of 
Members' participation in WTO work.1 We instruct the General Council and its subsidiary bodies to 
continue to conduct this work and report progress as appropriate to the next Ministerial Conference.  
 
5. [Dispute Settlement  Reform]  
 
6. We resolve to preserve and strengthen the ability of the multilateral trading system, with the 
WTO at its core, to provide meaningful impetus to respond to current trade challenges, take 
advantage of available opportunities, and ensure the WTO's proper functioning. [We acknowledge 
that Members have engaged on and explored some of these issues and recogni se the need to deepen 
dialogue.]  
 
7. We underscore the importance of open, inclusive, resilient, sustainable, diversified and reliable 
global supply chains, and their role in ensuring that production and trade can more easily recover 
from crisis and disruptions. We note the work being done in WTO bodies, especially on transparency 
including information sharing, and welcome efforts to promote the resili ence of global supply chains.  
 
8. We reiterate the centrality of the development dimension in the work of the WTO. We 
recogni se that the full integration of developing Members , including least-developed countries 
(LDCs), in the multilateral trading system is important for their economic development and stress 
the need to make positive efforts so that the gains from trade benefit them in accordance with the 
Marrakesh Agreement.  
 
1 A report containing the state of play of this work since MC12 can be found in document WT/MIN(24)/7 . WT/MIN(24)/W/12  
 
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  9. We recogni se the particular vulnerability and special needs of LDCs. In this regard,  we 
underscore that their interests should be given due priority for them to secure meaningful integration 
into the multilateral trading system.  
 
10. Recalling that , at our Twelfth Session , we recognised the role that certain measures in the 
WTO can play to fa cilitate smooth and sustainable transition for Members after their graduation from 
LDC Category, we welcome the Decision adopted by the General Council in WT/L/1172 . 
 
11. We recogni se the importance of the Aid for Trade initiative for developing Members, in 
particular LDCs, for trade -related capacity building. We look forward to the outcomes of the Ninth 
Global Review and recogni se the continuing need for this Initiative.  
   
12. We reaffi rm our commitment to the Work Programme on Small Economies and to facilitate 
the integration of small, vulnerable economies (SVEs) into the multilateral trading system by 
continuing to highlight their priorities and seek solutions in all aspects of the wor k of the WTO.  
 
13. We acknowledge the importance of dedicated sessions on transit at the Committee on Trade 
Facilitation. We instruct the Committee on Trade and Development to hold focused sessions, to 
assess trade -related challenges identified for the fuller integration of Landlocked Developing 
Countries  (LLDCs)  into the multilateral trading system. The Committee on Trade and Development 
shall report to the General Council and propose recommendations, if any, to the Fourteenth Session 
of the Ministerial Confer ence.  
 
14. In recalling the objectives in the Marrakesh Agreement and in recognizing the role that the 
multilateral trading system can play in contributing towards the achievement of the UN 2030 Agenda 
and its Sustainable Development Goals, in so far as they relate to the WTO mandate, we underscore 
the importance of trade and sustainable development in its three pillars – economic, social, and 
environmental.  
 
15. We recognise the importance of an inclusive and equitable multilateral trading system that 
enhanc es WTO Members' relations in the field of trade and economic endeavour with a view to 
supporting development and raising standards of living, including for developing Members and LDCs, 
and contributes to ensuring the gains of trade benefit all, within and among [Members]. [We 
welcome further work by Members to hold thematic discussions on trade inclusiveness [insofar as 
they relate to Members concerning their multilateral trade relations]. Such thematic sessions shall 
be under the overall supervision of the  General Council, which should report, as appropriate, to the 
Fourteenth Session of the Ministerial Conference.]  
 
16. [We recognise that women's economic empowerment and women's participation in trade 
contributes to economic growth and sustainable development.  We take note of WTO work, including 
in collaboration with other relevant international organizations, through activities such as 
capacity -building initiatives and sharing experience to facilitate women's participation in trade.[2]] 
 
17. [We recognise the important role that Micro, Small and Medium -sized Enterprises (MSMEs)  
play in economic growth, sustainable development, and poverty reduction in all WTO Members, while 
noting the differences in context, challenges, and capabilities of MSM Es among Members.  We take 
note of  the WTO work, including in collaboration with other relevant international organizations  
through activities such as capacity -building initiatives, sharing of experience, and relevant tools and 
platforms  to facilitate MSMEs  participation in international trade.[3]] 
 
18. Members recognise the role and importance of services to the global economy as it generates 
more than two -thirds of global economic output and accounts for over half of all jobs. Services play 
a critical role in providing a stable environment for economic growth and development and tackling 
global challenges. We acknowledge the need to facilitate the increased participation of developing 
Members, including LDCs, in global services trade paying particular attention to sectors and modes 
of supply of export in terest to them. We acknowledge the importance of the work undertaken in the 
Council for Trade in Services (in regular and special session) and its subsidiary bodies and commit 
 
2 [These are general messages on cross -cutting issues that do not change the rights or obligations of WTO 
Members and do not relate to any Joint Statement Initiatives. ] 
3 [These are general messages on cross -cutting issues that do not change the rights or obligations of WTO 
Members and do not relate to any Joint Statement Initiatives. ] WT/MIN(24)/W/12  
 
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  to reinvigorate [their] work on trade in services [[within the mandate of the GA TS and other 
[existing] mandates] including through further thematic, evidence -based discussions].  
 
19. [We acknowledge progress /welcome outcomes as reflected in specific decisions/declarations/ 
decide or guide on WTO Negotiations:  
a. Agriculture  
b. Fisheries Subsi dies 
i. Welcome deposits of instruments of acceptance and thank contributions to Fish 
Fund  
ii. Fish 2  
c. S&DT  
d. [catch all messaging on other negotiating areas in Negotiating Groups]]  
 
20. We celebrate the enlargement of the Organization in accordance with Article XII of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization. We note with satisfaction that this 
Conference has completed the accession procedures for two least -develo ped countries , Comoros and 
Timor -Leste. We recogni se the contribution of accessi ons to strengthening the multilateral trading 
system [and recall our commitments at our Twelfth Session].  
 
21. We recogni se the special situation of the Members that acceded in accordance with Article XII 
of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade  Organization who have undertaken 
extensive commitments at the time of accession, including in market access. This situation shall be 
taken into account in negotiations.  
 
22. We recogni se the short -term challenges faced by Members, in particular developing Members, 
including  LDCs, confronting global and domestic crises including disasters caused by natural hazards. 
We encourage relevant WTO bodies to continue Member -driven work, aimed at supporting resilience 
and disaster preparedness. Discussions may focus on how the WTO agreements can support crisis 
management frameworks, as well as how they contribute to preventing new risks, reducing existing 
risks, and increasing resilience. Discussions may include other relevant international organizations 
to promote coher ence.  A report of work undertaken and any recommendations for future action, as 
appropriate, based on Member's suggestions, shall be presented to the General Council ahead of 
MC14.  
 
23. We recall the Declaration in MC12 on the "WTO Response to the COVID -19 Pa ndemic and 
Preparedness for Future Pandemics" and take note of the work done in relevant WTO Councils and 
Committees, as reflected in the General Council report in document WT/MIN(24)/8 . We encourage 
the relevant WTO bodies to continue their work as directed by the Declaration, based on Members' 
submissions, to review and build on all the lessons learned and the challenges experienced during 
the COVID -19 pandemic, to build effective solutions in case of future pandemics in an expeditious 
manner. We also note the work of the WTO Secretariat in supporting this work with data, analysis 
and technical cooperation, including through trilateral cooperation with the World Health 
Organization ( WHO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization  (WIPO ), and cooperation wi th 
other relevant international organizations, and encourage it to continue doing so going forward, as 
appropriate.  
 
24. [We acknowledge progress/welcome outcomes as reflected in specific decisions/declarations/ 
decide or guide on WTO Regular Work  including on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, 
the Moratorium on TRIPS Non -Violation and Situation Complaints, the Work Programme on Small 
Economies, LDC Graduation – Annex 2,  and TRIPS Waiver Extension , among others .] 
 
 
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