WT/MIN(24)/ST/103  
26 February  2024 
(24-1635) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN HAMAD BIN QASSIM AL THANI  
MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY  
QATAR 
Let me begin by expressing my gratitude towards the United Arab Emirates for hosting the 
13th Ministerial Conference and for their warm hospitality.   We highly value the positive results and 
recommendations that have emerged from the broad and constructive participation of all Members 
on a wide range of issues since the Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) in 2022 and we hope that 
this 13th Ministerial conference will be conducive to even more success.  
 
Over the course of the last two years, we have been engaged in productive discussions focused not 
only on outstanding issues from the past, but also on infusing new energy into the WTO so that it 
can better respond to 21st century challenges.  
 
Through this statement, we would like to clarify our expectations from MC13 on the following key 
areas:  
 
First, Qatar seeks to emphasize the centrality of the Dispute Settlement system in preservi ng the 
security and predictability of the rules -based trading system and for the effective functioning of the 
WTO.  Accordingly, and in furtherance of the mandate by MC12, Qatar urges the importance of 
re-establishing the Appellate Body for a full and well-functioning DS system. We urge Members to 
find common ground and restart the appointment process for the Appellate Body members.  
 
Second, Qatar considers food security as one of the biggest development challenges of the 
21st century.  For a net food im porting country such as Qatar, addressing this development challenge 
is associated to tangible progress in agriculture reform negotiations at the WTO. Qatar encourages  
the Membership to pursue  solutions -oriented discussions on outstanding agricultural issu es, such as 
public stockholding for food security and export restrictions.  
 
Third, we would like to congratulate all participants on concluding negotiations for the Investment 
Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement. We believe that the IFD Agreement will enhance the 
investment climate and foster greater participation from developing and least developed countries 
in global investment flows. Qatar fully supports the addition of the IFD Agreement to Annex 4 of the 
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO  and we consider it as a high level priority during  MC13.  
 
Fourth, Qatar wishes to take this opportunity to remind the Members that the WTO had momentously 
adopted a development agenda in Qatar 's capital city of Doha, more than 22 years ago. Yet, we 
gather  here today, despite our exemplary efforts, with outstanding issues from the Doha 
Development Agenda. Qatar advocates for a comprehensive conclusion of these issues which would 
better integrate least developed and developing countries into the world tradin g system.   
 
Fifth, Qatar notes the alarming decrease in fishing stocks globally and the undeniable evidence that 
we have before us demonstrating the impact that fisheries subsidies have on overfishing and 
overcapacity. Qatar expresses its full support to bring the outstanding negotiations on Fisheries 
Subsidies into effect at MC13. Qatar emphasizes the importance of special and differential treatment 
in these negotiations. Relatedly, we are pleased to announce that Qatar 's ratification process o f this 
Agreement is in its final phase.  
 WT/MIN(24)/ST/103  
 
- 2 - 
 
  Sixth, we would like to congratulate Comoros and Timor -Leste  on their achievements and look 
forward to witnessing their accessions as one of the outcomes of MC13. Qatar looks forward to 
supporting the accession of A rab countries and encourage s Members to consider such accessions on 
an expedited basis.  
 
Finally, on e -commerce, we see evidence on the benefits of a moratorium and consider that the WTO 
should send a positive signal to the business sector that it is able  to provide certainty, in these 
challenging times, through the extension of the E -Commerce moratorium. Qatar also supports the 
reinvigoration of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce with a focus on its development 
dimension pursuant to the decision at  MC12.   
 
In conclusion, we confirm our resolve to work with all Members and contribute to a successful 
13th Ministerial Conference. Our collective effort will ensure that the WTO remains a pivotal 
Organization that can expertly navigate the evolving global  landscape and foster a brighter future 
for nations worldwide.  
 
__________