WT/MIN(24)/ST/31  
26 February 2024  
(24-1501) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth  Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: Spanish  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MS SONSOLES GARCÍA  
MINISTER OF PRODUCTION, FOREIGN TRADE,  
INVESTMENT AND FISHERIES  
ECUADOR  
I would like to begin by extending warm regards on behalf of the Government of Ecuador and 
President Daniel Noboa and by reaffirming  our willingness  to engage and our high hopes  for the 
outcome s of this Thirteenth Ministerial Conference, in which my countr y has the honour of 
participating.  
 
In today's  complex international environment , the World Trade Organization, with its basic principles 
of facilitating international trade and fostering cooperation among its Members, has become the 
organization called up on to promote a fair balance between economic, social and environmental 
matters , with a view to ensur ing the much sought -after development of our peoples.  
 
We know that global problems require collective action. Collaboration between nations  and 
coordinat ed efforts are key to achiev ing sustainable and inclusive economic recovery , as global 
challenges do not impact countries equally, and may affect  developing countries and least developed 
countries (LDCs)  in particular . 
 
This recovery  will very much depend on whether Members allow free, fair, and non -discriminatory 
trade without non -tariff barriers. We are witnessing the adoption of regulations based on 
environmental  criteria  that pursu e the legitimate objective of curbing climate change, and yet we 
must also consider the effect they might have on economies such as ours, which are depend ent on 
the export of certain agricultural products. We must discuss  how best  to achieve these aims , while 
always ensuring the effective and genuine participat ion of developing countries such as Ecuador that 
rely on agricultural exports  and seek to achieve sustained and sustainable development that provide s 
opportunities for their peoples.  
 
In the face of supply chain disruption, the effects of climate change on production and trade, 
restrictive  global financial conditions, financial tensions  in emerging markets and developing 
economies, and a shifting global geopolitical landscape, we need a  robust multilateral trading 
system, led by a strong World Trade Organization that can adapt to these changes, mitigate these 
impacts, and promote transparency, fairness  and predictability.  
 
In line with its strategic objectives, Ecuador has prioritized it s integration into the global economy 
and the attraction of  investment ; in this connection, we believe that multilateralism helps to establish 
common rules and regulations that facilitate economic interaction  between countries , thereby  
foster ing a more pre dictable environment for trade and investment.  
 
We welcome the outcome of the negotiations on investment facilitation, which has shown the extent 
of Members' willingness to achieve concrete results that benefit their nations .  
 
We are pleased to be one of the Latin American countries to have signed the "Statement on the 
Reform of the Multilateral Rules on Agricultural Trade", which urges us to continue working toward s 
an equitable and market -oriented system without barriers or arbitrary limits. Furthermo re, we must 
continue to seek, in a coordinated manner, spaces and opportunities for cooperation within the 
framework of the WTO agricultural negotiations.  
 WT/MIN(24)/ST/31  
 
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  Ecuador's vision is to have sustainability policies that protect the environment while still support ing 
trade. The main policies in this respect include the climate change action plan, the organic law on 
inclusive circular economy, and the organic law for the rationalization, reuse and reduction of single -
use plastics. In addition , Ecuador's expansion of the marine reserve around the Galapagos Islands 
and the entry into force of the law restricting  illegal and unregulated fishing are equally important.  
 
Regarding the latter, and in line with SDG target 14.6 and the WTO's negotiatin g mandates, Ecuador 
will support a fisheries agreement that preserves flexibilities in the form of  the inclusion of provisions 
for special and differential treatment and the effective protection of small -scale fishing in its broadest 
sense.  
 
Furthermore, w e recognize  special and differential treatment as a fundamental pillar of the 
multilateral trading system and as a right recognized in existing and future agreements. We urge 
Members to continue working to  make these provisions stronger, clearer, more effective and 
operational  to achieve growth for developing and least developed countries.  
 
Trade is a tool that  promot es sustainable development and can secur e the future of our countries 
and generations to come. The shift towards a resilient and sustainable e conomy does not happen 
uniformly across the world. It requires the promotion of  gradual processes, taking into account the 
different realities in each country, and the interconnections and interdependence of nations  in the 
global context.  
 
We welcome the initiatives that have taken place in the working group s on MSMEs and on trade and 
gender and call on Members to strengthen and further promote activities to gain more ground, as 
trade is an effective channel to promote the participation of women and MSMEs in international 
trade.  
 
Ecuador firm ly believes that the WTO reform process  should continue , especially in terms of 
promoting the preservation and strengthening of the Dispute Settlement Body , which  guarantee s 
the effective enforcement of multilateral tr ading rules and the proper functioning of the system.  
 
On behalf of the Republic of Ecuador, as a developing country from Latin America, I reiterate our 
commitment to strengthening multilateralism as a basis for addressing current and future 
challenges, and I hope that the necessary understandings  will be reac hed among all Members.  
 
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