WT/MIN(24)/ST/6  
26 February  2024 
(24-1419) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR VALDIS DOMBROVSKIS  
COMMISSION EXECUTIVE VICE -PRESIDENT  
AND EU TRADE COMMISSIONER  
EUROPEAN UNION 
There is no doubt: We are living at a time of high uncertainty.  
 
Geopolitical tensions are on the rise. We are faced with crises wherever we look. All of this has 
important impacts on trade and investment, but also more broadly, on the rules -based global order.  
This tense geopolitical environment makes multilateral org anizations like the WTO much  more, not 
less, important.  
 
Let us be clear: three -quarter of world trade still takes place on WTO terms.  
 
In fact, it is the most favoured nation principle that is behind much of the resilience we have seen 
in trade throughout  the dramatic global challenges of recent years.  
 
And the WTO, together with its predecessor the GATT, has a track record of delivering stability and 
predictability for over 75 years now.  
 
Without those multilateral rules, we would have a vastly different world.  
 
Let's picture that for a moment : 
 
• What business would be willing to export its goods, if it didn 't know what exact tariff it might 
end up paying at the border of another country? What if tariffs kept changing every day?  
• What if countries started retaliating to take revenge for the 'unfair ' treatment of their 
companies abroad?  
• Who, then, defines what is 'unfair '? 
 
The world has changed. And institutions like the WTO need to evolve too. But that doesn 't mean it 
is obsolete.  
 
On the contrary. This is precisely  why we need to advance much -needed WTO reform.  
  
I am excited to join Ministers at the 13th WTO Ministerial C onference in Abu Dhabi. This is an 
important opportunity to drive forward the big -ticket items. We need to make progress along three 
tracks in particular:  
 
First, we need to work together to fix the dispute settlement system. We hear the criticism of the 
current system loud and clear. And that 's why we are working hard to reform dispute settlement at 
the WTO.  
 
Second, we need to design trade policy to meet the new global challenges. The 21st century is the 
digital century – e-commerce is a rapidly growing force in global trade. Working with partners across 
the board, we will give e -commerce negotiations further impetus at MC13, and also work hard to 
extend the e -commerce moratorium.  WT/MIN(24)/ST/6  
 
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  Third, trade rules need to catch up with the realities of today 's world. On e prime example is the 
need for updated rules on industrial subsidies , including in the context of climate and sustainability.  
We also need to conclude negotiations on fisheries subsidies . And we need a balanced outcome on 
agriculture, reflecting also on f ood security aspects . There are of course differences between the 
various constituencies. And we need to bridge them.  
 
The 13th Ministerial Conference comes at a crucial moment. So, let 's roll up our sleeves and turn this 
into the success story that the WT O – and global trade – needs right now . 
 
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