WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi Ends Without Consensus on Agriculture, Fisheries & More

The 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), hosted in Abu Dhabi, wrapped up on a somber note late Friday, failing to achieve consensus on pivotal topics such as agriculture and fisheries. Despite an extended day of negotiations and considerable efforts, member nations, including prominent players like India, the US, and the European Union, could not bridge their differences on these essential subjects, leaving the conference inconclusive on these fronts.

E-Commerce Moratorium Extended Amidst Divisions

In a development, the assembly was of the agreement to prolong the moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions for an additional two years, extending it until the next ministerial conference (MC14). This decision, initially met with resistance from India and South Africa, was eventually adopted following a persuasion by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the host country.

India Champions Food Security and Fisheries Subsidies

India emerged as a vocal advocate for the rights of developing nations, especially in securing food security for its population and defending the interests of its small-scale and artisanal fishermen. The Indian commerce minister, Piyush Goyal, expressed satisfaction with the outcomes, highlighting India's successful opposition against linking public stockholding of grains with broader agricultural trade reforms. This stance is crucial for India, allowing it to support its agricultural sector without the threat of legal challenges under the WTO's dispute system. Moreover, India's proposal sought special treatment for developing countries in extending fisheries subsidies, underlining the critical role of fishing for the livelihoods of millions.

The conference also underscored the collective commitment towards a fully operational dispute settlement system by 2024 and enhanced support for developing and least developed countries through special and differential treatment provisions. However, the unresolved issue of fisheries subsidies and the ongoing debate over the China-led Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) plan, with India maintaining its opposition due to sovereignty and global trade system integrity concerns, highlighted the complexities of reaching unanimous agreements within the WTO framework.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reflected on the mixed outcomes, acknowledging both the achievements and the incomplete tasks. The conference's close reiterates the challenges the WTO faces in navigating the diverse interests of its members, underscoring the need for continued dialogue and compromise to advance global trade objectives.