At the 13th Ministerial Conference held in February 2024, ministers emphasized the significant role of services in the global economy, noting that they contribute to more than two-thirds of global economic output and account for over half of all jobs. The conference highlighted the importance of advancing work on trade in services at the World Trade Organization (WTO). In response, the Council agreed to hold an informal discussion on a WTO-World Bank report titled "Trade in Services for Development." The ministerial mandate concerning this topic is detailed in paragraph 18 of the MC13 Declaration.
Several members expressed interest in exploring how services trade intersects with the green transition. The WTO's Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States announced its efforts to update a note on vulnerable ACP state service sectors affected by COVID-19, initially submitted in 2021. A suggestion was made to organize a workshop on crisis preparedness following the MC13 mandate.
The WTO LDC Group presented a new questionnaire aimed at assessing how Least Developed Country (LDC) service suppliers are engaging with consumers and enterprises, especially within member economies that have notified preferences for LDCs. This initiative seeks to identify challenges faced by these suppliers. Members reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing LDC participation in global services trade as outlined in both the MC12 Outcome Document and the MC13 Declaration. They also reiterated support for implementing the Services Waiver formalized at the 2011 Ministerial Conference, under which 51 WTO members have notified preferences for LDC services and suppliers.
In discussions related to e-commerce, some members proposed complementing work done by the General Council with a focus on digitally delivered services, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and financial inclusion. The importance of making digital trade more inclusive and increasing developing economies' participation was underscored.
Specific trade concerns were revisited during discussions involving cybersecurity measures and mobile applications. Japan and the United States reiterated their concerns about China's and Vietnam's cybersecurity measures. China repeated its concerns regarding certain U.S. service measures and India's policies related to mobile applications.
In financial services discussions within one of the Services Council’s subsidiary bodies, Pakistan highlighted financial services' crucial role in supporting crisis management frameworks. It stressed reinforcing developing economies' capacities as mandated by ministers at MC13 (see paragraph 21 of the Ministerial Declaration). Members expressed readiness to explore ways to discuss this further.
China introduced a proposal addressing electronic payments infrastructure needs among developing economies, suggesting that emerging technologies heavily impact international economic activities. This proposal will be discussed at an upcoming Committee meeting scheduled for December.
Efforts to establish a work program focused on reducing remittance service costs did not reach consensus among members; however, there was support for exploring how WTO can complement discussions held within other international forums.