WT/MIN(24)/ST/119  
26 February  2024 
(24-1678) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original:  English  
 
  
STATEMENT BY HON. PROF. JEAN CHRYSOSTOME NGABITSINZE  
MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY  
RWANDA  
The Thirteenth WTO Ministerial Conference is a key opportunity for reviewing the Multilateral Trading 
System and setting direction on future WTO work. It comes at a time where the global economy 's 
recovery has begun after several disruptions, though further work is clearly needed.  
Noting the gravity of the situation and profound implications that will be felt from the outcomes that 
this forum facil itates, I am confident that we will effectively leverage this opportunity for global 
cooperation and deliver a productive MC13.  
Rwanda acknowledges that economic development is fostered and enhanced through international 
cooperation, such as the work done at WTO and through the robustness of the Multilateral Trading 
System. Therefore, Rwanda encourages the maintenance and strengthening of the flexibilities 
reflective of different countries ' capabilities. Rwanda, thus aligns itself with calls to make these 
flexibilities more precise, effective and operational as per the G90 's Agreement Specific Proposals.  
These flexibilities allow developing countries to effectively engage in the global community and 
economy, which we acknowledge as critical to attaining sust ainable development. It is in this spirit 
that Rwanda has participated actively in regional trading initiatives such as the East African 
Community, Common  Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the African Continental Free 
Trade Area and its Guided Tr ade Initiative.  
Rwanda 's commitment to multilateralism and its power to improving lives means that we cherish 
our membership in the WTO and the role we have played in the Commonwealth of Nations, where 
His Excellency, President of the Republic of Rwanda cu rrently holds the Chair -in-Office. During the 
Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting in June 2023, Ministers unanimously endorsed Rwanda 's 
proposal to deliver a joint statement in support of the Multilateral trading system on behalf of the 
Commonwealth Membe rs. Therefore, I am pleased, on behalf of the Commonwealth Trade Ministers, 
with an exception to India, to communicate the following agreed statement:  
1. We the Commonwealth Trade Ministers met in London on 5 -6 June 2023 to reaffirm our 
strong commitment t o a transparent, equitable, inclusive, fair, non -discriminatory, open and 
rules-based multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core.  
2. The multilateral trading system is important for all our Members and in particular for 
developing countries, inc luding least developed countries and small and vulnerable economies, 
including small island developing states and landlocked developing countries, to achieve the 
Sustainable Development Goals.  
3. We are deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on all our members and call 
for urgent actions to tackle the climate crisis while ensuring a just and inclusive transition to 
a green economy.  
4. We recognize the ongoing discussions on policy coherence between trade and investment 
with industrial policy a nd note the role that regional economic integration can play in 
strengthening the participation of Member countries in the multilateral trading system.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/119  
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  5. We reiterate our support for WTO reform in all its functions in a balanced and inclusive 
manner, incl uding development issues, that continues to serve the needs of all its Members. 
We recognize the current momentum in WTO institutional reform and underscore the 
importance of continued engagement in improving the operation of WTO bodies and 
supporting deve loping country participation in the WTO.  
6. We underline the importance and urgency of re -establishing a fully and well -functioning 
dispute settlement system that is accessible to all Members by 2024.  
7. We call for continued reform of the multilateral trading rules for agriculture and the smooth 
functioning of supply chains, with a view towards achieving reductions in trade distorting 
support and protection, to enhance food security, especially for net food importing developing 
countries.  
8. We recognize the need for supportive and collaborative policies to narrow the digital divide 
and enhance digital literacy so that all WTO Members can participate equitably in digital trade.  
9. We urge Members to conclude negotiations on outstanding issue s related to the Agreement 
on Fisheries Subsidies, with due regard to the principle of special and differential treatment, 
and ratify and implement the Agreement, including with the support of the Fisheries Funding 
Mechanism.  
10. We urge members to decide on an extension of the TRIPS waiver to cover the production 
and supply of COVID -19 diagnostics and therapeutics.  
11. We express our determination to continue to work collectively and collaborate with all 
Members with a view to achieving a successful outcom e during the 13th WTO Ministerial 
Conference to strengthen the multilateral trading system.  
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