WT/MIN(24)/ST/96  
24 February 2024  
(24-1614) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth  Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: French  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR FRANCK RIESTER  
MINISTER DELEGATE TO THE MINIST ER FOR EUROPE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS, 
RESPONSIBLE FOR FOREIGN TRADE, ECONOMIC ATTRACTIVENESS, FRANCOPHONE 
COUNTRIES AND FRENCH NATIONALS ABROAD  
FRANCE  
I am very pleased to be able to address you today at this Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the 
World Trade  Organization.   
 
The Conference opens in the context of the sad anniversary of the Russian aggression against 
Ukraine, which reminds us that the war has now been  going on  for two years  on the European 
Union's doorstep . France would like to take this opport unity to reaffirm its support for Ukraine. I 
reiterate that we strongly condemn this aggression and call for an immediate withdrawal of the 
Russian armed forces from Ukrainian territory. From a trade perspective, it is essential that Ukraine 
be able to carry out its agricultural exports, which have been blocked by Russia for two years – to 
the detriment of food security in many countries around the world.   
 
Geopolitical crises are multiplying all over the world. This can be seen in the Middle East. France h as 
underlined the urgency of concluding a ceasefire agreement and is doing its utmost to prevent a 
regional escalation. The European Union's joint mission in the Red Sea, to protect commercial 
vessels, is an example of this, as the initial effects of the I srael-Hamas conflict on international trade 
have been felt there.   
 
The mounting  trade tensions  seen in recent years, while symptomatic of the state of international 
relations and the proliferation of conflicts, has highlighted the flaws in our current mul tilateral trading 
system and its difficulty in curbing latent trade protectionism.  
 
In this context, France and the European Union are primarily seeking to protect the stability of world 
trade rules by engaging the entire international community.  
 
The Worl d Trade Organization is an indispensable – I repeat , indispensable – institution 
for the proper functioning of world trade, for the good health of our economies, and for 
inclusive global growth.  Its founding principles provide predictability and security f or trade, which  
is fundamental for our economic actors.  
 
Director -General , dear  Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, I welcome the impetus that you have given to the 
institution for the past three years so that it can play its role  fully. 
 
The WTO is a forum for universal dialogue on trade matters that has no credible alternative. Its 
dispute settlement system has long helped to keep tensions in check and prevent escalation that is 
harmful to all. It is imperative that it resume this role.   
 
If this Thirteenth  Ministerial Conference is a major event , it is because only coordinated 
responses can set us on the path to solutions.   
 
That is why, following on directly from the successes achieved at the last Ministerial 
Conference in Geneva, we must  continue our discussions this week in a spirit of unity and 
responsibility, and bearing in mind , first and foremost,  the need to reform the 
Organization.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/96  
 
- 2 - 
 
   
Above all, this means that we must work to reform its working methods and re -establish its dispute 
settlement system.   
 
It also means  that we must make greater effort s to ensure that the WTO and its Members can 
tackle the challenges that trade faces today.  
 
I am, of course, thinking of the need to ensure sustainable economic growth , and to restore fair and 
equitable competitive bases , which enable the development of our industries and ensure the 
resilience of our economies. It is with this in mind that the European Union, with the support of 
France, has made proposals to work together to strengthen the l inks between our trade, industrial 
and environmental policies. I thank Valdis Dombrovskis for his decisive involvement in these 
matters.  
 
Ultimately this means  that we must be able to definitively conclude important negotiations, such 
as those on fisheries . Like many of you, I was present in Geneva in June 2022 to seal the first part 
of that Agreement. We are aware of the issues relating to subsidies that contribute to overfishing 
and overcapacity, and we are mindful of the pressing need to prioritize susta inable development. It 
is time to conclude this negotiation.   
 
Let us make this Ministerial Conference a collective success ; let us rebuild trust  and hope in the 
multilateral trading system , this key tool of global governance.   
 
__________