MONT BLANC TRADE NEWS WTO MC13 SPECIAL EDITION ADDRESS DEVELOP­MENT #03|2024 Editorial Learn the right lessons p 2 The Memory Bowl Remembering the past can provide lessons for the future p 2 Dispute Settlement reform top priority An interview with the Ambassador of Australia p 3 Time to build on modest gains An interview with the Ambassador of Pakistan p 4 H.E. Mrs Lillian Bwalya, Permanent Secre ­tary – Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Zambia Did MC13 achieve outcomes on the three is­sues of key importance to your country? Why or why not? Prior MC13, the three most important issues for Zambia included: a. Inclusion and strengthening of the devel­opment aspects in the outcome document in line with the Marrakesh Agreement and para­graph 44 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration adopted in 2001. b. Incorporation of least developed country (LDC) graduation issues; and c. Revising and strengthening the Aid for Trade(A4T) framework including sustenance of the Enhanced Integrated Framework(EIF) programme. Therefore, Zambia welcomes the MC13 Min­isterial Decision on WTO smooth transition support measures in favour of graduating LDCs. Zambia also welcomes the Declaration on Special and Differential Treatment(S&DT) that acknowledges the challenges LDCs face related to SPS and TBT matters and calls for improvements in training, technical assis­tance, and transparency measures. During MC13, Zambia and other Member States witnessed support from various Mem­ber States contributing to the EIF Interim Fa­cility. This support is crucial for sustaining ef­forts in empowering LDCs, which continue to face persistent economic vulnerabilities and pressing developmental needs. What were the reasons for the success(or failure) of MC13? The key factors which could have necessitat­ed the above-mentioned positive outcomes mainly hinged political economy issues and utilisation of several means of engagement. In sum, the positive outcomes could have been attributed to the following factors. 1) Coalitions among like-minded countries in the LDC Group; 2) Compromise on other discussions such as e-commerce by countries such as India, South Africa and Indonesia; and, 3) Consensus and good will from others of the WTO Membership. Despite the foregoing, the large majority of issues under the Doha Development Agenda and the WTO reform process remain on the negotiating table. The WTO needs to address real issues affecting development and competitiveness of LDCs. Was the process of negotiations during MC13 inclusive from the perspective of your coun­try? In the lead up to MC13, preparation of key draft outcome documents and decisions had an inclusive approach. The Zambian delega­tion in Geneva was actively involved in the discussions and shared with capital-based officials for their input on the documents. Further, the planned substantive sessions for negotiations at MC13 were open and each member, time allowing, was given an oppor­tunity to deliberate issues of their interest. However, these being negotiations, some is­sues required informal consultations to nar­row differences among countries that held strong positions. What is the most important lesson from MC13? MC13 brought significant lessons. Among the notable ones included the following; 1. With the accessions of Comoros and Timor­Leste, it signifies that economies still want to join the WTO. The WTO now has 166 mem­bers and 22 can­didate coun­tries still in the acces­sion queue. None of the current members have ever expressed a desire to leave. Whatever criticisms there may be on the WTO, governments still believe there is value in membership. 2. MC13 underscored that if members want to accomplish anything, informal and small group consultations are an important fabric to narrowing positions and reaching consen­sus. Some important lessons were learned in Abu Dhabi about how results from these ne­gotiations might be implemented. What do you think should be the priority is­sues for the WTO after MC13 and what will be the challenges to address them? Save for the progress made on a few issues of interest to LDC and the continuation of the moratorium on e-commerce as well as the remaining plurilateral agreements, time is ripe for us WTO members to immediately commence focused discussions on virtually all major outstanding issues. The discussions should not restrict room for maneuver and crush any inclination to compromise. As I conclude, let me re-emphasize that the WTO needs to address real issues affecting development and competitiveness of LDCs. This includes leveraging more resources to­wards Aid for Trade and elimination of trade distorting support especially in sectors such as agriculture. 1