WT/MIN(24)/ST/115  
26 February 2024  
(24-1671) Page: 1/6 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth  Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: French  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR SOULEYMANE DIARRASSOUBA  
MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY  
CÔTE D'IVOIRE 
The delegation of Côte d'Ivoire thanks the UAE authorities for organizing the Thirteenth Ministerial 
Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO).  
 
The work of this Conference is once again taking place in a global climate of uncertaint y, which 
exposes the fragility of the multilateral trading system, and reminds us how much the world needs 
a reformed WTO, capable of contributing effectively to the collective international response to 
present and future challenges.  
 
With this in mind, the Ivorian delegation would like to state the following.  
 
Côte d'Ivoire expresses its disappointment at the possibility of another Ministerial Confe rence ending 
without concrete outcomes on agriculture, including food security and cotton,  issues which are 
of high priority for our country, particularly food insecurity which is a serious problem for LDCs and 
net food -importing developing countries.  
 
Côte d'Ivoire would also like to call for resources to be mobilized as a matter of urgency, with a view 
to finding tailored solutions by shifting the paradigm and reconsidering this issue in relation to global 
stability and human security.  
 
Furthermore, while  remaining fully committed to sustainable development and environmental 
issues , Côte d'Ivoire would like to point out that the WTO's reflection on sustainability should focus 
primarily on the social and economic dimensions of this concept, and take due acc ount of the 
principles underpinning multilateral environmental action, high adjustment costs and reductions in 
export competitiveness, particularly for micro -, small and medium -sized enterprises (MSMEs).  
 
Similarly, Côte d'Ivoire reiterates its long -standi ng concerns regarding the adoption of 
SPS measures  that are not based on scientific data or evidence.  
 
With regard to fisheries , and in accordance with its vision and commitment to the multilateral 
agenda for sustainable fisheries, Côte d'Ivoire deposited its instrument of acceptance of the 
Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 23 October 2023, and is now a Member of the Steering 
Committee of the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism, and we welcome the work to operationalize it.  
 
For the second wave of t he negotiations, we reiterate the need for constructive engagement by all 
Members on the challenges related to the depletion of marine resources, while preserving special 
and differential treatment (S&DT).  
 
With regard to the Ministerial Declaration on the  TRIPS Agreement and the response to the 
COVID -19 pandemic , my delegation should like to call for a proactive commitment by delegations, 
with a view to extending the Agreement to COVID -19 diagnostics and therapeutics, while widening 
the scope of  this mecha nism to  cover  future pandemics and emergencies.  
 
With regard to WTO reform , Côte d'Ivoire welcomes the first results on the "reform by doing" 
component, and reiterates that it is imperative that the WTO reform process preserve the WT/MIN(24)/ST/115  
 
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  Organization's fundamenta l principles with a focus on the development dimension, in line with the 
proposals of the G90 and the African Group on S&DT and industrial development.  
 
With regard to the dispute settlement system , my delegation notes with concern the current 
impasse in t he Appellate Body and reiterates the need for an inclusive, open, and transparent reform 
process, with operational outcomes conducive to the increased participation of developing countries 
and LDCs.  
 
On the matter of e -commerce , the discussions on the Work  Programme have confirmed the digital 
divide and the major challenges that persist in developing countries and LDCs, for which firm and 
inclusive international action is needed.  
 
In addition, Côte d'Ivoire should like to stress that substantive discussions  on the moratorium on 
electronic transmissions must be pursued as a matter of urgency.  
 
On trade finance , Côte d'Ivoire would particularly like to thank the Director -General of the WTO 
and the Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC ) for their personal 
commitments to and advocacy for access to trade finance for MSMEs.  
 
In closing, Côte d'Ivoire echoes the statements made by the African Group, the ACP Group, the C -4, 
the G33 and the WAEMU member countries.  
 
It reaffirms its commitment  to the WTO and the multilateral trading system, and would like to pledge 
its commitment to working positively with other delegations towards the success of MC13.  
 
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SUBMITTED BY CÔTE D'IVOIRE ON BEHALF OF THE WAEMU  
We, the Trade Ministers of the member States of the West African Economic and Monetary Union 
(WAEMU);  
 
Reaffirming our commitment  to a fair, equitable and inclusive multilateral trading system, serving 
all Members;  
 
Convinced that  only a development -oriented multilateral trading system can contribute effectively 
to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals, and the prompt achi evement of the objectives 
set out in the preamble to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO;  
 
Recalling  the positive efforts that Members have pledged to make, since the establishment of the 
WTO, to ensure that developing countries, and especially th e least developed countries, secure a 
share in the growth of international trade commensurate with the needs of their economic 
development;  
 
Acknowledging  and welcoming the major breakthroughs made at the Twelfth Ministerial 
Conference, including the concl usion of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the commitment to 
strengthen the multilateral trading system and to reform of the WTO, as well as the Ministerial 
Decision on the TRIPS Agreement, authorizing the use of the subject matter of a patent required  for 
the production and supply of COVID -19 vaccines;  
 
Concerned  about the long -term effects of the COVID -19 pandemic on the economies and budgetary 
resources of developing countries, particularly LDCs;  
 
Taking  into account the need to enhance the resilienc e of the economies of developing countries 
and LDCs in the face of future pandemics and emergencies;  
 
Concerned  about the current food security challenges, particularly those faced by LDCs and net 
food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs), due to the in ternational context marked by various 
crises, the rising price of food, inputs and fertilizers, and the proliferation of measures prohibiting 
and restricting the export of essential foodstuffs;  WT/MIN(24)/ST/115  
 
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Fearing  that the digital divide and associated challenges rel ated to digital infrastructure, 
connectivity and the development of e -skills, pose a major obstacle to the promotion of the digital 
economy in developing countries, especially LDCs, and to their full integration into international 
e-commerce;  
 
Noting  with concern that paragraph 8 of the MC12 Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement 
concerning the extension of the Agreement to cover the production and supply of COVID -19 
diagnostics and therapeutics, has not been implemented;  
 
Recalling  that special and differential treatment, which is an integral part of the multilateral trading 
system, is essential for developing countries and LDCs, and must remain central to the work of 
the WTO;  
 
Recognizing  the need to continue providing and strength ening funding for targeted technical 
assistance and capacity -building programmes;  
 
Recalling  United Nations Resolutions A/RES/59/209 and A/RES/67/221 on the smooth transition 
strategy for countries graduating from the list of LDCs;  
 
Recognizing  the need to  facilitate access to trade finance for micro -, small and medium -sized 
enterprises (MSMEs), especially those from developing countries and LDCs, particularly in a crisis 
context;  
 
Declare  that: 
 
1. Regarding WTO reform, including development and the dispute settlement system  
 
1. We call for meaningful reforms with improved rules, taking due account of the realities 
and concerns of developing countries and LDCs.  
 
2. We stress that the reform should not call into question the principles and 
decision -making pr ocedures of the multilateral trading system, rather it should focus 
on addressing the challenges of integrating developing countries and LDCs into the 
value chain of the global production and trade system, and on proposing ways to 
enhance assistance for th em. 
 
3. We urge the WTO Secretariat to continue to provide and increase support to developing 
countries in need, and in particular LDCs, to overcome the difficulties the y experience 
in implementing notification obligations.  
 
4. We reaffirm our commitment to a tw o-tier dispute settlement system and call upon 
Members to make the Dispute Settlement Body fully functional. We stress the need for 
the WTO dispute settlement reform process to be open, transparent, inclusive and 
consensual, and to result in rules and mech anisms that improve developing countries' 
and LDCs' access to and participation in the system.  
 
5. We call for an outcome on special and differential treatment in accordance with 
paragraph 44 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, paragraph 2 of the MC12 Outcom e 
Document, and the agreement -specific proposals submitted by the G90.  
 
2. Regarding agriculture, including food security, and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) 
measures  
 
1. We welcome the constructive efforts of the Chair of the Committee on Agriculture in 
Speci al Session (CoASS) to reach a consensus decision on agriculture and related 
matters linked to food security.  
 
2. We express our utmost concern at the lack of results or even significant progress in 
the negotiations on agricultural trade reform.  
 WT/MIN(24)/ST/115  
 
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  3. We call on Members to demonstrate greater openness and commitment to addressing 
the issue of agriculture, including food security, which remains a priority for the 
countries of our Union.  
 
4. We call for a consensual approach to the principles that should guide further 
agricultural negotiations after MC13, while stressing the need for concrete and effective 
action to be taken as a matter of urgency within the WTO to address the food insecurity 
risks to which LDCs and net food -importing developing countries (NFIDCs) remai n 
highly exposed.  
 
5. We take note of the discussions held with a view to further enhancing implementation 
of the SPS Agreement as part of a work programme. We remain, however, deeply 
concerned about the increase in the number of arbitrary and non -science -based 
SPS measures.  
 
3. Regarding cotton  
 
1. We actively support the efforts of the Sectoral Initiative in Favour of Cotton 
(C-4 + Côte d'Ivoire) for concrete, ambitious, timely and specific outcomes at MC13, 
and reaffirm our support for the draft decision on cotton proposed by the C -4 countries 
and Côte d'Ivoire, as an interim solution.  
 
2. We welcome the decision by the General Assembly of the United Nations to celebrate 
World Cotton Day on 7 October each year, highlighting the unique characteristics and 
import ance of cotton for the economies of cotton -producing and -exporting developing 
countries and LDCs, and for the hundreds of millions of people whose lives and 
livelihoods depend on it.  
 
3. We call on Members and partners to step up  cotton development assistanc e. We 
welcome the Memorandum of Understanding between the WTO and the Fédération 
Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), concluded on 27 September 2022, an 
important aspect of which is promoting the cotton of the C -4 countries and 
Côte d'Ivoire, by taking actions to strengthen their participation in the global value 
chain of the football economy.  
 
4. Regarding fisheries subsidies  
 
1. We welcome the adoption of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in June 2022. We 
call on Member States to accelerate interna l processes for the deposit of instruments 
of acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies. We reaffirm the 
commitment of the WAEMU member States to continue their efforts to ratify the 
Agreement as soon as possible in order to consolidate region al gains.  
 
2. We welcome the effective launch  of the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism to assist 
developing and least -developed country Members in the implementation of the 
Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, and express our gratitude to the Fisheries Funding 
Mechanism Trust Fund donors.  
 
3. We reaffirm our support for the second wave of negotiations on disciplines for fisheries 
subsidies, and call for outcomes that represent a meaningful WTO contribution to the 
international effort to conserve marine resources, and that take full account of special 
and differential treatment.  
 
5. Regarding e -commerce  
 
1. We commend the efforts of the Facilitator of the e -commerce work programme and 
moratorium that have reinvigorated this Programme.  
 
2. We reaffirm our determination to contrib ute to a consensual solution on e -commerce, 
and we support Members in finding proposals.  
 WT/MIN(24)/ST/115  
 
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  3. We call for all actors to mobilize efforts to significantly narrow the digital divide, 
including through increased international financial and technical support, in o rder to 
build the capacity of developing economies, improve connectivity and skills, and 
enhance international cooperation in areas related to digital trade.  
 
4. We welcome the joint WTO -World Bank initiative on e -commerce entitled "Turning 
Digital Trade into  a Catalyst for African Development". We reiterate our high 
expectations regarding the contribution of this initiative to meeting the challenges of 
the beneficiary countries' national digital trade ecosystems, while at the same time 
hoping that this initia tive will be extend to all the countries of our Union when it is fully 
rolled out.  
 
6. Regarding trade -related intellectual property rights  
 
1. We note the lack of implementation of paragraph 8 of the Ministerial Decision on the 
TRIPS Agreement. We invite Members to take a decision to extend the TRIPS waiver 
to cover the production and supply of COVID -19 diagnostics and therapeutics.  
 
7. Regarding the implementation of decisions in favour of LDCs  
 
1. We call for the full implementation of the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Ministerial 
Decisions in favour of LDCs. We reaffirm our support for the Aid  for Trade Initiative 
and its 2023 -2024 Work Programme, which focuses on partnerships for food security, 
digital connectivity and mainstreaming trade, and look forward to its effective 
implementation.  
 
8. Regarding LDC graduation  
 
1. We welcome the decision adopted by the WTO General Council on 23 October 2023, 
encouraging WTO Members to provide a smooth and sustai nable transition period after 
the entry into force of a decision by the UN General Assembly to graduate a country 
from the LDC category.  
 
2. We support the LDC Group's proposal for 17 LDC -specific S&DT provisions in 
WTO agreements and decisions, and call on a ll Members to work constructively towards 
a decision on S&DT at MC13 or thereafter.  
 
9. Regarding micro -, small and medium -sized enterprises (MSMEs)  
 
1. We call for the strengthening of initiatives and capacity -building for MSMEs to facilitate 
their access to tr ade information and to better integrate them into international trade.  
 
10. Regarding Aid for Trade and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)  
 
1. We are pleased to note that the WTO continues to prioritize Aid for Trade. We 
particularly welcome the establishmen t of an interim arrangement to support the 
transition from Phase 2 of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) to the future 
programme.  
 
2. We call for the future programme to be launched no later than January 2025, and 
encourage financial partners to place pa rticular emphasis on the processing of products 
that have benefited from previous programmes.  
 
11. Regarding trade, environmental sustainability and inclusion  
 
1. We are of the view that the WTO and the multilateral trading system can help to 
address  the global environmental challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and 
pollution.  
 
2. We note with concern the proliferation of unilateral measures taken for so -called 
environmental purposes, the effects of which act as non -tariff barriers to market access 
for the products and goods concerned.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/115  
 
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3. We call on Members and development partners to intensify their respective efforts to 
step up the contribution of trade to the  empowerment of women and youth.  
 
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