The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference agreed on many important contents.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13) held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) has just concluded, ending a week of intense and dramatic work. The conference took place in a complex context, including major power strategic competition, dynamic shifts in supply chains in the process of global economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, and especially in the face of upcoming elections this year in the United States, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Mexico, etc.

The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference has concluded, ending a week of intense and dramatic work.

Thanks to the determined efforts of all members in negotiations, and the promotion of many active members, including the Vietnamese delegation led by Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, MC13 achieved a package of results with important main contents.

First, the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration represents significant progress from the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in 2022, marking the 30th anniversary of the WTO (1994-2024).

Along with reaffirming the principles of the WTO, the Declaration acknowledges the results achieved in the actual process of WTO reform; affirms the consensus of all members on the open and future-oriented orientation of the WTO to cope with global challenges and fluctuations, take advantage of new opportunities in the dynamic development of the world; and continues to focus on development in the activities of the WTO.

Within the framework of the Conference, the WTO held a ceremony to admit two new members, Comoros and Timor Leste, bringing the total number of WTO members to 166. The statement acknowledged the event with the meaning of affirming that the WTO is always developing, expanding and recommitting to supporting new members in the post-integration period.

In addition, the declaration shows the importance of specific development aspects, including encouraging discussions on trade and technology transfer, promoting negotiations on trade in services to benefit developing and least developed country members, promoting discussions on small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women's economic empowerment; the "graduation" of least developed country (LDC) members, supporting and facilitating small and vulnerable members (SVE), landlocked members, members facing natural disaster crisis...

Second , MC13 unanimously adopted a Ministerial Decision on dispute settlement reform, which reaffirmed the commitment to this reform, acknowledged the progress made, and directed the direction to continue to promote discussions with a view to achieving results this year.

Third, the Ministers’ decision on supporting LDC “graduates” during the transition period. In addition to noting the decision of the WTO General Council in October 2023 to encourage members to voluntarily continue to consider extending the preferential treatment period for LDC “graduates” under unilateral programs (such as the Generalized System of Preferences - GSP), the Ministers agreed to allow LDC “graduates” to continue to enjoy the preferential treatment provided to LDCs under the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) and the WTO Technical Assistance and Training Mechanism for a period of 3 years, and directed the WTO to continue to consider extending a number of other incentives.

Fourth, the Ministerial Decision on the Maintenance of the Practice of Zero Customs Duty on Electronic Transmissions (Ecom Moratorium). With this decision, the Ministers agree to maintain this practice (in conjunction with the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce) until the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) or 31 March 2026.

Fifth, through the Ministerial decision to continue to refrain from initiating situational complaints that do not violate the WTO TRIPS Agreement (TRIPS Moratorium). Ministers agreed to maintain this practice until MC14.

Sixth, the Ministers' decision on the determination to effectively implement the special and differential treatment provisions in the WTO SPS and TBT Agreements. The Ministers directed to strengthen the implementation of technical assistance, training, notification and transparency work, and promote discussions on removing SPS and TBT barriers for developing and least-developed Members.

Seventh, the Ministerial Decision on the Work Programme on Small Economies. With this Decision, the Ministers adopted the draft decision that had been agreed by WTO members at the WTO General Council meeting late last year on strengthening and expanding the consideration and discussion of supporting small economies in the face of global challenges.

For Vietnam, the above documents are all in the negotiation plan. The project has been submitted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and approved by the Prime Minister.

At the MC13 Conference, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, on behalf of the Vietnamese Government, spoke and strongly lobbied on the sidelines with many other partner Ministers to promote and support the WTO in reaching consensus on these documents, making a solid contribution to maintaining and strengthening the role of the multilateral trading system in international trade.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien worked with Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for International Trade, Ministry of Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In addition to directly participating in plenary negotiation sessions and closely directing members of the delegation to meet in small groups during MC13, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien attended the 43rd Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting; consulted with the Chairman of MC13 - Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for International Trade, Ministry of Foreign Trade of the UAE; talked with the Director General of the WTO - Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; had bilateral meetings on the sidelines with many important members such as: The Chinese delegation led by Minister of Trade Vuong Van Dao; met with the US Semiconductor Industry Association led by its President Jhon Neuffer...

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