WT/MIN(24)/ST/99  
26 February  2024 
(24-1630) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR HONG DIEN NGUYEN  
MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE  
VIET NAM 
Since the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva, today I once again have the fortunate 
opportunity to meet you to discuss important and urgent issues of the multilateral trading system, 
as well as share Viet Nam 's position on such issues.  
 
Over the past year, the world economy and global trade in general and the multilateral trading 
system in particular have always dealt with many difficulties and challeng es due to the consequences 
of the COVID -19 pandemic, the adverse effects of climate change and the impacts of geopolitical 
fluctuations in numerous regions in the world. These challenges have severely affected economic 
growth, caused inflationary pressures , and deteriorated the livelihoods of businesses and people in 
countless economies. In particular, the trend of trade protection through trade defense measures 
and new "technical barriers", such as increasingly strict regulations and requirements on labor and 
environmental conservation, exerting notable influence on global trade flows.  
 
Nevertheless, I am happy to see that the WTO has effectively shown its leading role in promoting 
the trade liberalization process in such a challenging situation. The outcom es achieved at MC12 with 
the "Geneva Package" have been operationalized quite positively. In particular, an increasing 
number of WTO Member s have ratified the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement; and initiatives on WTO 
reforms as well as promotion of trade and i nvestment continue to be fostered and generate 
advancements. The Senior Official Meeting held last October has further consolidated and deepened 
those achievements, creating an important premise for MC13.  
 
The year 2024 is forecast to continue to have comp lex and unpredictable developments and may 
pose many challenges to the world trade and economy. As the Organization coordinating multilateral 
trade rules, the WTO should strive to promote sustainable development and create opportunities for 
businesses and the people. MC13 will be a precious chance for the WTO to send a strong message 
about the benefits that trade liberalization can bring, which includes not only improving living 
standards but also ensuring sustainable, civilized and balanced development for  all Member  
economies.  
 
Towards this goal, I propose that WTO Member s promote the outcomes of the 2023 Senior Official 
Meeting (SOM), focusing on matters that have made substantial progresses to narrow the gap and 
to reach consensus among Member s, in which  the reform of WTO 's dispute settlement mechanism 
plays a highly crucial role. In addition, agriculture also requires attention from all of us. Despite the 
fact that it has brought livelihoods to billions of people around the world, trade in agricultural 
products is facing a lot of barriers in various forms. Furthermore, Ministers need to find appropriate 
solutions to development topics, thereby fundamentally resolving differentiated views among 
Member s on the issue of special and differential treatment in the current context, to ensure a balance 
of rights and obligations of all Member s as well as consistency with each country 's level of 
development.  
 
For its part, Viet Nam has been fully implementing the results achieved at MC12. Like many other 
responsible  Member s, Viet Nam is committed to supporting efforts and initiatives to reform the WTO 
to improve the effectiveness of this Organization 's operation. In particular, reforms relating to 
environmental factors, labor, and sustainable development must be tran sparent, compatible  with 
the unique  characteristics of each country , and comply with WTO 's fundamental principles, including WT/MIN(24)/ST/99  
 
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  the most-favored nation  (MFN)  and national treatment  (NT). I would  like to also emphasize that 
reform s should aim to promote liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment instead of 
creating additional technical barriers. On this occasion, I would also like to announce that Viet Nam 
is actively considering participating in the Multi -Party Appeal  Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) and 
the E-Commerce Initiative.  
 
Finally, I hope the 13th Ministerial Conference will achieve its set goals, creating an important 
premise to  continue negotiations as  well as enforcing WTO rules and commitments , bringing pract ical 
and considerable  benefits to the world 's general development process.  
__________