Syllabus: GS-II, Subject: International relation, Topic: Regional and global grouping, Issue: WTO 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi
MC13 of WTO
- Despite lengthy discussions, no significant achievements were reached.
- Importance of the WTO is growing due to – global conflicts, disruptions in shipment routes, and supply chain adjustments.
- Additional threat – Inward-looking tendencies and tariff-heavy policies.
- The MC13 declaration acknowledges challenges such as ensuring open and resilient supply chains.
- Disagreements persist among WTO member countries, particularly on agriculture and fisheries subsidies. (Some progress has been made in agriculture discussions)
- Exemption of custom duties on e-commerce received a two-year extension, India’s concerns were not fully addressed.
- Efforts to revive the WTO’s dispute resolution body remain uncertain.
- India successfully opposed an investment facilitation pact led by China at MC13.
- India needs to intensify efforts to safeguard policy space, especially for sensitive sectors like agriculture.
