WT/MIN(24)/ST/81  
24 February 2024  
(24-1582) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth  Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: French  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MS MARIE PAULETTE PARFAITE AMOUYEME OLLAME  
MINISTER OF TRADE, SMALL AND MEDIUM -SIZED ENTERPRISES,  
SMALL AND MEDIUM -SIZED INDUSTRIES, AND WITH  
RESPONSIBILITY FOR  INCOME -GENERATING  
ACTIVITIES  
GABON 
I am particularly pleased to take the floor during the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the World 
Trade Organization. The international context for this Conference is just as difficult as it was for the 
previous one.  
 
Firstly, I should like to express my wa rm congratulations to H.E. Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi , 
Minister of State for Foreign Trade, the Chair of this Conference.  
 
In this regard, I should like to acknowledge the ever -increasing efforts of the Director -General of 
the World Trade Organization, Dr Ngozi OKONJO -IWEALA , and her clear determination in guiding 
the work of our Organization.  
 
This session, Chair , is very important for the establishment of a strengthened and reinvigorated 
global partnership on the global economy, bringing together State s, civil society, the private sector, 
academia and other relevant actors. This inclusive approach reflects our commitment to doing 
everything possible to ensure the well -being of our peoples.  
 
It is in this connection that my country attaches particular im portance to this Conference in terms 
of the challenges and issues raised here, including fisheries subsidies, agriculture, development and 
the Work Programme on E -Commerce, as well as issues related to WTO reform.  
 
On fisheries subsidies , a major step was taken on 17 June 2022, when Trade Ministers 
unanimously concluded the first part of these negotiations. However, we need to redouble our efforts 
to ensure that the mandate of SDG 14.6 is achieved globally.  
 
As you know, Gabon was the third African country to deposit its instrument of acceptance of the 
Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. I encourage Members who have not yet done so to ratify the 
Agreement.  
 
My country also welcomes the launch on 31 January 2024 of the activities of the Steering Committee 
of the Fisheries Funding Mechanism Trust Fund.  
 
With regard to agricultural reform , it is time for a favourable conclusion to be reached regarding 
the rules – which are much maligned and have been under discussion for many years – as they are 
harmful to the most vulnerable countries.  
 
I am convinced that this reform would certainly contribute to enhancing food security, promoting 
rural development and ensuring livelihood security for our peoples.  
 
On trade and development , Ministers reaffirmed at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference the 
importance of special and differential treatment, which is an integral part of the WTO rulebook. The 
expectations of our countries in this area are legitimate and cannot be disguised, especially as they 
are a fundamen tal part of the desire to industrialize our economies.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/81  
 
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With regard to the Work Programme on E -Commerce , it is self -evident that the decision taken 
by Ministers in June 2022 to continue and reinvigorate the Programme on the basis of the existing 
mandate sh ould be of concern to us. Indeed, its primary aim – to explore a number of issues and to 
clarify certain definitions and subjects – has not been achieved. The priority for us in this area is to 
ensure the development of infrastructure and the establishment  of coherent regulatory and 
legislative frameworks at the national and regional levels.  
 
On the question of WTO reform , my country is in favour of a relevant multilateral trading system 
which guarantees the transparency and predictability of the rules, wit hout any discrimination, in 
order to ensure the well -being of all. As such, in view of the challenges facing the Organization, the 
current rules, adopted almost 30 years ago, need to be reviewed and amended.  
 
To this end, I support all initiatives that adv ocate a post -Abu Dhabi work programme.  
 
Similarly, the ongoing impasse in the Appellate Body selection process must come to an end, so that 
the two -tier system is operational, while ensuring its credibility.  
 
In the same vein, my country supports the exten sion of the moratorium on customs duties on 
electronic transmissions until MC14.  
 
I hope that our work has a successful outcome.  
 
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