WT/MIN(24)/ST/24  
26 February  2024 
(24-1479) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY HON. MR TODD MCCLAY  
MINISTER FOR TRADE  
NEW ZEALAND  
I would like to begin my statement by acknowledging the Chair of the thirteenth Ministerial 
Conference of the WTO, His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, my fellow Vice -Chairs and 
Director -General, Dr Okonjo -Iweala.   
Excellencies, it is my privilege to once again address you as New  Zealand 's Minister for Trade.  
This year 's Ministerial Conference occurs within a challenging political and economic context. 
Memb ers around the world are grappling with the cost of living crisis. There are also ongoing 
challenges to their food and energy security. These issues are exacerbated by conflicts and climate 
change. Against this backdrop, it is imperative that the 13th Ministerial Conference demonstrates the 
WTO's ability to deliver substantive outcomes for the global economy.   
New Zealand recogni zes the critical importance of food security to the well -being and livelihoods of 
citizens of WTO Members. Here at MC13 we must de liver an outcome which will enhance global food 
security. Recent research indicates that NZD 851 billion dollars is being spent on trade and 
production distorting, and environmentally harmful, agricultural subsidies.  This is over four times 
the amount bein g spent on development assistance. At MC13 we must make progress towards 
strengthened disciplines on agricultural subsidies.  New Zealand believes that we must grasp this 
opportunity and establish parameters for a negotiation on agriculture that addresses a ll issues in a 
comprehensive and holistic manner.   
New Zealand is proud to have ratified the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement in September last year. 
I congratulate those Members that have also ratified the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and 
encourage those th at have not yet ratified to do so as soon as possible.  In addition, we must 
complete the unfinished business in the negotiations and agree to the second phase of disciplines 
on subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. Effective discipline s will have a 
significant positive impact on the environment and on livelihoods, particularly for small island 
developing nations who depend on maintaining sustainable fisheries stocks for their development.   
New Zealand considers a fully -functioning dispu te resolution system to be a critical element of the 
multilateral trading system. I acknowledge the excellent work that has been undertaken so far to 
reform the system. But more heavy lifting is critical for reaching agreement on difficult issues, such 
as the two -tier appeals system, within the timeframe mandated by MC12.  
As a facilitator of the Work Programme on e -commerce, I will be working hard with all WTO Members 
to reconcile the different views, particularly on the customs duties moratorium, and achi eve an 
outcome.   
We must also not lose sight of the need for the WTO to remain a forward -focused Organization . In 
this regard I welcome the deliberative discussions on trade and inclusion and trade and sustainability 
that provide the opportunity for the WTO to respond to current challenges.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/24  
 
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  The Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform initiative launched by New  Zealand in 201 7 is an example of such 
work. At MC13 we will be aiming for a Ministerial Statement that will build momentum for action at 
the WTO to eliminate such subsidies.   
New Zealand is pleased to welcome progress in plurilateral initiatives to deliver new rules to help 
modernise the WTO to reflect contemporary trade concerns.   
New Zealand also joins the Membership in warmly welcoming Timor -Leste and Comoros to the WTO. 
This is an endorsement of the ability for the rules -based trading system to deliver, including for  least 
developed countries.  
In closing, this Ministerial Conference represents an opportunity to demonstrate that the WTO can 
deliver on its core business. As Minister for Trade of New  Zealand, as one of three Vice Chairs of the 
Ministerial Conference and  in my role as E -commerce facilitator, I am committed to working hard to 
make this Conference a success .  
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