The World Trade Organization (WTO) conference, which took place in Abu Dhabi from February 26 to March 2, convened ministers from around the globe to deliberate on the organization's future work. The conference was chaired by H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
During the conference, ministers adopted the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration, commemorating the 30-year anniversary of the WTO's establishment. The declaration reiterated commitments made at a previous session aimed at enhancing the daily operations of WTO councils, committees, and negotiating groups. According to the draft Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration, it also underscored the significance of incorporating developing members into the multilateral trading system and maintaining open, inclusive, sustainable, and reliable global supply chains.
Originally slated for February 26-29, the conference was extended to allow participants to reach consensus on various issues, as reported in a news release dated March 1. The event saw attendance from nearly 4,000 ministers, senior trade officials, delegates from WTO's 164 member countries as well as observers and representatives from media outlets, businesses and civil society.
According to the same news release dated March 1st, members urged WTO councils and bodies to reflect on lessons gleaned from the COVID-19 pandemic and devise strategies for potential future pandemics.
Decisions were made on several topics during the conference including dispute resolution. A draft document dated March 1 outlined these decisions: it recalled commitments made at the 12th Ministerial Conference aimed at improving access to dispute settlement systems for all members; acknowledged progress towards this goal; and directed officials to expedite discussions in an inclusive and transparent manner so as to build on this progress.
Fisheries subsidies were also discussed during these negotiations. In a press release dated March 1 announcing the conclusion of the 13th Ministerial Conference, WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated, "In the second wave of fisheries subsidies negotiations, you narrowed some outstanding gaps, but several more remain. While I had hoped that we could finish these negotiations in Abu Dhabi, you have prepared the ground for its conclusion at the next Ministerial Conference, if not earlier. The livelihoods of 260 million people who depend directly or indirectly on marine fisheries are at stake."