WT/MIN(24)/ST/89  
26 February 2024  
(24-1595) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth  Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: Spanish  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR ALEJANDRO ENCINAS NÁJERA  
UNDER -SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN TRADE,  
MINISTRY OF THE ECONOMY  
MEXICO 
Nearly two years have passed since our last Ministerial Conference. During this time, the World 
Trade Organi zation and the multilateral trading system have faced a number of challenges to their 
core functions, including the serious questioning of  multilateralism and, in particular, how the 
Organization works; the imposition of trade measures and countermeasures; the impasse in the  
Appellate Body; and its limited success as a negotiating forum . In addition, the world is facing 
increasingly severe  climate change, as well as various geopolitical crises, which, in addition to the ir 
tragic human cost, are having a sign ificant impact on key sectors of the global economy and supply 
chains.  
While it must be acknowledged that, in the face of this adversity, the WTO has been able to manage 
and, to a certain extent, safeguard international trade flows with clear and transpar ent rules, much 
remains to be done  to address current and future challenges.  
Today more than ever, it is important that the WTO help meet those needs with tangible outcomes, 
and the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference certainly provides us with the opportuni ty to do that.  
Mexico considers it essential to promote the  strengthen ing of  our Organization , by ensur ing that  it 
functions properly, remains  relevan t, and is able to address emerging challenges.  
For Mexico, a rules -based multilateral trading system is a necessary condition for levelling the 
playing field in favour of less developed economies, so that the logic of force should not prevail, but 
rather the force of reason.  
We believe that the predictability and certainty of our rules and their application bolster the relevance 
of the Organization. To that end, r e-establishing the Appellate Body and improving the negotiati on 
and implementation pillars will be critical to revitalizing the WTO as a cornerstone of international 
trade , and having  a multilateral trading system that implements  its mandate  fully. 
We urge Members to move forward the discussion s to find permanent solutions to the current crisis 
in the system, with the aim of achieving consensus that would provide for a fully functioning dispute 
settlement mechanism , in line with the commitment made at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference. 
Discussion s must consider an impartial and independent appeal mechanism.  
Achieving a fully operational dispute settlement system is an absolute priority. We canno t continue 
with the mechanism that is designed to ensure the fulfilment of the rights and obligations 
safeguarded by our Organization  indefinitely suspended . We must aim for a fully functional WTO 
that can guarantee a stronger rules -based trading system.  
Mexico reaffirms its commitment to finding solutions that will enable us to resolve the system 's 
current difficulties for good . Reforming the WTO dispute settlement system does not mean accepting 
either inherited inequities or proposals that would exacerba te imbalances. Any reform must be 
acceptable to all Members to be meaningful.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/89  
 
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  Mexico is convinced  that our priority, at home and abroad , must be the well -being of our peoples. 
This can only be achieved if no one is excluded or left behind. We therefore bel ieve that international 
trade should not lose sight of the fact that its objective must not be to merely create wealth, but to 
ensure that it is equitably distributed and improves the well -being of all people, starting with those 
who have the least.  
Mexico  will continue to work constructively to reach agreements that support the well -being of our 
peoples. Throughout our discussions over the next few days, you will be able to count on Mexico's 
active participation to achieve tangible outcomes that benefit al l Members.  
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