Abu Dhabi, UAE – World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala opened the organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi today, urging member countries to collaborate and deliver concrete results amidst a complex global landscape.
Addressing the delegates, Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, rising inflation, and economic uncertainty. However, she emphasized the continued importance of trade as a driver of stability and a tool for tackling shared issues like poverty and climate change.
“Despite recent difficulties,” she stated, “global trade in goods and services remains near record highs, even as nearly 10% of the world’s population still faces hunger.” Okonjo-Iweala pointed out that the rules-based global trading system has fostered open markets, enabling businesses, households, and economies to adapt and navigate various crises.
Building on the success of the previous Ministerial Conference (MC12) in 2021, which yielded ten consensus agreements, the Director-General called for similar leadership and compromise at MC13. Key issues on the agenda include finalizing the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement – aimed at curbing harmful subsidies estimated at $22 billion annually – addressing development concerns of least-developed countries, and advancing WTO reform, including the dispute settlement system.
Okonjo-Iweala also highlighted the Secretariat’s ongoing efforts to support member countries through research, capacity building, and promoting inclusivity in trade. She expressed appreciation for a recent budget increase for the Secretariat, which had faced funding constraints for over a decade.
Concluding her remarks, the Director-General emphasized the need for leadership and compromise from all member countries, regardless of size or development status. This entails a willingness to find common ground and prioritize collective gains over solely national interests, ultimately leading to a stronger WTO that delivers for all. Echoing US Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, she urged members to “get to work!” and collaborate toward achieving shared goals through international cooperation.