  
  
WT/MIN(24)/ST/36  
26 February  2024 
(24-1515) Page: 1/1 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February  2024  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR CARLOS CUERPO  
MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY, TRADE AND BUSINESS  
SPAIN 
I would like to begin by thanking the Government of the United  Arab Emirates and the city of 
Abu Dhabi for their willingness to host this Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization.  
I am convinced that we can deliver fruitful outcomes for international trade.  
The past few years at the WTO have been marked by a series of challenges to the pillars that 
historically have underpinned  the Organization.  
The pandemic and the complex geopolitical context of recent years have had an impact on the 
multilateral trading system.  
All of this raises the question of how we can move forward with our shared objectives in order to 
adapt the WTO to the times we live in.  
In this connection, I would like to underscore three objectives that are priorities for Spain.  
First, we consider it a priority to address WTO reform in a comprehensive manner at this 
Ministerial  Conference, especially as regards the Dispute Settlement Body. We need a dispute 
settlement system that is functional, independent and which cannot be blocked. The very legitimacy 
of the WTO depends on this.  
Second, as a nation with a  long fishing tradition , Spain has the highest of ambitions in this area. Our 
main priorities are to include new disciplines in the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies that ensure 
maximum support for the sustainability of marine fishery resources.  
Lastly, for the successful transformation  of the agricultural sector, i ts needs must be reconciled  with 
global food  security  needs, while also safeguarding its profitability and guaranteeing its long-term 
sustainability.  
I would like to convey our utmost willingness to work together in any way to achieve these 
objectives.  
I would like to conclude by reaffirming Spain's commitment to multilateralism which underpins the 
principles of the WTO.  
The e vents of recent years have taught us that only together can we respond to global challenges, 
such as climate change or digitalizatio n. 
Defence of open strategic autonomy must go hand in hand with an open policy , based on trade and 
multilateralism, in order to create and share prosperity as a tool for economic development. I am 
confident  that we will succeed.  
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