In a Special Session of the Committee on Trade and Development on February 8th, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala underscored the imperative of delivering development-related outcomes at the forthcoming 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13), slated to convene in Abu Dhabi from February 26th to 29th. The focus of discussions remains on operationalizing flexibilities for developing economies enshrined in WTO agreements, aiming to empower these nations for a more active role in international trade.
“Development holds a central position in the WTO’s agenda,” emphasized DG Okonjo-Iweala. “We must address the needs and concerns of developing countries, constituting two-thirds of the WTO membership. Moreover, beyond our existing agreements, there exist opportunities for developing nations to leverage what we term ‘re-globalization’ and the decentralization of supply chains.”
The G90 group of developing WTO members has tabled 10 Agreement-specific proposals aimed at enhancing existing flexibilities, also known as “special and differential treatment,” within WTO agreements. These proposals seek to render them more precise, effective, and operational.
During the meeting, Ambassador Kadra Ahmed Hassan of Djibouti, chairing the Special Session, appointed representatives from Brazil and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to facilitate discussions on two G90 proposals concerning the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs) and Article 66.2 (Least-Developed Country Members) of the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Further consultations are underway regarding the appointment of a facilitator for a third G90 proposal concerning Section B of Article XVIII (Governmental Assistance to Economic Development) of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.
Recent months have witnessed focused discussions among members on the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT). The G90’s proposals pertaining to these agreements have garnered attention, with several developing members sharing their experiences and challenges in these domains. Reflecting on consultations, the facilitator from Singapore urged members to demonstrate flexibility and creativity in advancing tangible outcomes at MC13.
In March 2023, members unanimously agreed to the G90’s proposal to conduct focused discussions on each of the ten Agreement-specific proposals. The G90 reaffirmed its commitment to promptly circulate additional communications related to its other proposals.
Concluding the session, Ambassador Hassan stressed the substantial work ahead, urging members to sustain their efforts both leading up to and following MC13. “The world looks to the WTO for progress on development,” she remarked. “With the requisite political will, commitment, and pragmatism, we can—and must—fulfill this mandate.”
