WT/MIN(24)/26  
 
29 February 2024  
(24-1928) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
 
COALITION OF TRADE MINISTERS ON CLIMATE  
COMMUNIQUÉ FROM COALITION MINISTERS  
The following communi qué, dated 2 9 February 2024, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of Ecuador, European Union , Kenya and New Zealand . 
 
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Recognizing the escalating pace and devastating impact of the climate crisis, we, the Coalition of 
Trade Ministers on Climate, comprising Ministers from all regions, varying development levels, and 
facing distinct climate vulnerabilities and trade circumstances, convene in Abu Dhabi in the margins 
of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization to reaffirm our commitment to 
addressing the nexus of trade, climate change and sustainable development.     
Our collective effor ts, initiated since the Coalition's launch on 19 January 2023, have focused on 
fostering synergies with the climate, finance and trade communities, as well as engaging relevant 
stakeholders to drive on -the-ground climate action and climate -resilient develo pment.  
Noteworthy achievements include the Coalition 's presence and engagements at COP28 and at the 
inaugural COP Trade Day, where we highlighted trade's positive role in contributing to the global 
response to climate change. Additionally, at the 2024 Worl d Economic Forum meeting, the Coalition 
facilitated a ministerial meeting between trade, finance, and climate Ministers to exchange views on 
how to break silos and work towards cooperation and collective action and the Coalition co -leads 
presented the Coal ition and its priorities to the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders.  
Looking ahead, our aim for the coming year is to build upon these achievements. We intend to 
actively encourage the involvement of the trade community in COP29 and continue to take steps to 
enhance engagement with finance and climate Ministers. Recognizing the important role of the 
private sector, we see a need for increased collaboration and contribution to identify how trade policy 
can drive decarbonization efforts and contribute to sustain able development, especially for MSMEs.  
Today, we have discussed the voluntary actions1 that we can take individually and collectively to 
implement the Coalition's priorities, in line with its principles. In this regard, we find it important to 
provide d ynamic and active leadership to stimulate inclusive cooperation at the WTO on the nexus 
of trade, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and sustainable development. We believe that 
further efforts are needed to foster open and inclusive dialogue, in th e ongoing work of various WTO 
bodies and initiatives, paying particular attention to the challenges faced by developing countries 
particularly those that are climate vulnerable, least developed countries, landlocked developing 
countries, small island state s and small, vulnerable economies.  
Accordingly, on the eve of MC13, we underline the importance of making the WTO more responsive 
to global environmental challenges.  We call for ambitious, concrete and forward -looking 
commitments in the WTO Ministerial De claration on how trade, trade policy and the WTO can support 
the global response to the climate crisis, bearing in mind sustainable development. Furthermore, in 
view of interlinkages between global environmental challenges, we urge all WTO Members to accep t 
 
1 See Coalition 's Menu of Voluntary Actions of February 2024 , WT/MIN(24)/2 7. WT/MIN(24)/26  
 
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  the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies as soon as possible and to deliver on additional provisions to 
achieve a comprehensive agreement on fisheries subsidies at MC13.  
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