   
  
WT/MIN(24)/41  
 
5 March 2024  
(24-2041) Page: 1/5 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26  February –2 March  2024  Original: English  
 
 
LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (LLDC) MINISTERIAL DECLARATION  
WTO MINISTERIAL MEETING OF THE GROUP OF LANDLOCKED DEVELOPING  COUNTRIES,  
25 FEBRUARY 2024, ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES  
Theme: "Unlocking the opportunities for LLDCs in global trade:  
The role of the Multilateral Trading System " 
The following communication, dated 4 March 2024 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Botswana  on behalf of the L LDC Group.  
 
_______________  
 
 
We, the Ministers of Trade and Head s of delegation of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) met 
on 25 February 2024 in Abu Dhabi, on the margins of the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the 
World Trade Organization (WTO),  
 
We express appreciation to the Government of the United Arab Em irates for the hosting of the 
13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi and we look forward to a balanced and inclusive 
outcome that takes into account the needs of developing countries including LLDCs,  
 
Taking note that we are meeting in the run up to the Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs to 
be held in Kigali from 18 to 21 June 2024 and welcoming the generous offer of the Government of 
Rwanda to host the conference.  
 
Taking note with satisfaction the ongoing preparations for the third UN Conference on LLDCs and 
welcoming the convening of the three regional review meetings held in preparation for the  
Conference held for the Africa region in Gaborone on 29 and 30 May 2023; for the Latin America 
region in Asuncion on 27 and 28 July 2023; and for the Euro -Asia region in Bangkok on 22 and 
23 August 2023. We endorse the outcomes adopted at the three regional review meetings.  
 
Expressing with deep appreciation to the Government of Botswana for its able chairmanship, tireless 
efforts and excellent leadership provided to the landlocked developing countries as the Global Chair 
of the Group of Landlocked Developing Countries and look forward to its continued efforts to the 
promotion of the interests of the landlocked developing countries , 
 
Recalling th e Vienna Declaration and the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing 
Countries (VPoA) for the Decade 2014 –2024 adopted at the Second United Nations Conference on 
Landlocked Developing Countries held in Vienna, Austria, in 2014,  
 
Recalling also  the Political Declaration of the Comprehensive High -level Midterm Review of the 
Implementation of the VPoA for LLDCs for the Decade 2014 -2024, adopted by the General Assembly 
of the United Nations on 5 December 2019,  
 
Recalling the 2030 Agenda for Sustain able Development and the Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs), the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for 
Development; and the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate 
Change,  WT/MIN(24)/41  
 
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Recal ling the Ministerial Declaration adopted during the 22nd Annual meeting of Foreign Ministers of 
the LLDCs, held on 21 September 2023 in New York on the margins of the 78th Session of the United 
Nations General Assembly, which called for the convening of th e LLDCs Ministerial Meeting on Trade 
in the Margins of the 13th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization to provide inputs 
to the outcome of the third UN Conference on LLDCs,  
 
Recognizing that international trade offers extraordinary opportun ities for achieving economic 
growth, job creation and sustainable development and concerned that LLDCs are not able to harness 
the full potential of international trade owing to a lack of territorial access to the sea, remoteness 
from world markets, multip le border crossings and high trade costs and risks. These factors severely 
constrain the overall socioeconomic development of the LLDCs,  
 
Further recognizing that international trade is critically important for the LLDCs, accounting for a 
higher share of t heir Gross Domestic Product than the world average, however concerned that the 
LLDCs ' share in global merchandise exports was just 1.1 per cent of global trade in 2022 and their 
exports constitutes mainly of primary commodities and therefore are greatly af fected by external 
shocks,  
 
Concerned that the lingering effects of the COVID -19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions and current 
multiple crises, which increase pressure on inflation, energy and food prices, and financing, as well 
as disruptions in supply chai ns and elevated trade costs, impacts LLDCs efforts to integrate into the 
regional and global trade,   
 
Recalling and reaffirming the objectives and principles of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the 
WTO as a global trade rule making body and the need to  renew  and strengthen its negotiating 
function,  
 
We acknowledge the importance of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) and other WTO 
Agreements in addressing high trade costs faced by LLDCs and in promoting freedom of transit and 
recognize that ma ny LLDCs in collaboration with their neighbouring transit countries and with the 
support of development partners have made efforts to implement the Agreement,  
 
Recalling the outcome document of the Twelfth Ministerial Conference of the WTO instructing the 
Trade Facilitation Committee to hold a Dedicated Session on transit issues annually until the next 
review of the Trade Facilitation Agreement is completed and recognizing the importance of these 
sessions in providing a dedicated platform to discuss transit  related constraints and challenges faced 
by all landlocked WTO Members as well as best practices to address these issues,  
 
Recalling and reaffirming the outcomes of the WTO Senior Officials meeting at the level of assistant 
Minister, held in Geneva on 23  and 24 October 2023 and the belief that cooperation and goodwill is 
needed for a fruitful conclusion of the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the WTO,  
 
We welcome the adoption of an LLDC paragraph in the MC13 Abu Dhabi Ministerial Declaration.  
 
We reaffirm our commitment to contribute actively to the focused sessions to be held in the 
Committee on Trade and Development, to assess trade -related challenges identified for the fuller 
integration of LLDCs into the multilateral trading sy stem. This effort should allow the Group to 
enhanc e our role and establish a work programme for LLDCs in the future.  
 
Recognizing the importance of unfettered, efficient and cost -effective access for LLDCs to and from 
the sea, on the basis of freedom of transit and other related matters, in accordance with the 
applicable rules of international law,  
 
Recognizing also that high transport and trade transaction costs remain a major stumbling block to 
the LLDCs achieving their trade and development potentials,  
 
Recognizing the many crisis that the world confronts, which continue to expose the vulnerabilities 
of the LLDCs.  
 WT/MIN(24)/41  
 
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  Have adopted the following Ministerial Declaration:  
We recognize the need to "promote an inclusive, transparent and equitable rul e-based Multilateral 
Trading System (MTS) under the WTO " as core principles of the WTO;  
 
We acknowledge the ongoing efforts within the WTO to reform its operations and reiterate the 
importance of development and the principle of Special and Differential tr eatment as cornerstones 
of the WTO Agreements and emphasize that these principles should be an integral part of any WTO 
agreement;   
 
We acknowledge the importance of the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) and other WTO 
Agreements in addressing high trade costs faced by LLDCs and in promoting freedom of transit and 
recognize that many LLDCs in collaboration with their neighbouring transit countries and with the 
support of development partners have made efforts to implement the Agreement;  
 
We commend t he WTO 's Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility for its  remarkable  work in assisting 
developing countries, including LLDCs, in implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement, we 
emphasize the need for continued support in this regard and we encourage the Fac ility to expand its 
outreach and support mechanisms to help LLDCs to build their trade facilitation capacity, streamline 
customs procedures, and enhance their transit trade infrastructure;  
 
We also commend developed countries for their continued contributi on to the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement Facility, enabling it to provide targeted technical assistance, training,  and 
capacity -building initiatives to ensure that LLDCs can fully benefit from the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement;  
 
We emphasize the importance of  mobilizing adequate resources to accelerate the implementation of 
the TFA, particularly Category C measures, and call for continued solidarity with LLDCs including for 
strengthened partnerships between LLDCs, transit countries, development partners, the U nited 
Nations system, and international and regional organi zations, as well as the private sector and other 
stakeholders, to continue to provide technical, financial and capacity building assistance to LLDCs 
on a sustainable basis, for the effective implem entation of the Agreement and other trade facilitation 
reforms;  
 
We reiterate our call for constructive cooperation with transit countries for the effective and early 
implementation of disciplines that will contribute to reducing transit time and costs, si mplify 
procedures, enhanced transparency and greater certainty in cross -border trade;  
 
We recognize the importance of Aid for Trade support in addressing the trade -related capacity 
constraints and supply -side constraints of LLDCs and we call upon developme nt partners to increase 
their allocations to LLDCs. We also reiterate that the Aid for Trade should give special consideration 
to the special needs and requirements of LLDCs, including capacity -building for the formulation of 
trade policies, implementation  of trade facilitation measures, trade finance, development of trade 
related infrastructure as well as the diversification of export products and strengthening of 
productive capacities;   
 
We acknowledge the persistent challenges to trade and transport conn ectivity, particularly in LLDCs, 
and we call for increased Aid for Trade, including international development assistance and 
multilateral financing in the development and maintenance of transport infrastructure;  
 
We recognize the importance of deepening re gional connectivity and integration including through 
interconnected and resilient transport infrastructure, energy and digital infrastructure connectivity; 
increased intraregional trade and the development of regional value chains; improving the quality 
and effective implementation of regional integration agreements. We call upon the UN system, and 
other international organizations to strengthen their technical, financial and capacity building support 
to LLDCs and transit countries to enable them to advanc e their regional integration efforts;  
 
We urge the United Nations and other international organizations to increase their technical, 
financial, and capacity -building assistance to LLDCs and transit countries so that they can advance 
their regional integration initiatives;  
 WT/MIN(24)/41  
 
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  We recognize the need to reduce commodity dependence and LLDCs ' vulnerability to external 
shocks, as demonstrated by the consequences of the COVID -19 pandemic, and call for concerted 
measures and actions to support LLDC efforts, s uch as assistance in diversifying their export bases 
and improving commodity processing, investment facilitation, trade diversification, trade finance, 
and the creation of a conducive business and trade environment;  
 
We continue to make efforts to mainstre am the building of productive capacities in our development 
strategies and call for international support including financial, technical and capacity -building 
assistance to support these endeavours;  
 
We emphasize that agriculture, including the role of tra de in achieving food security, is of critical 
importance to the LLDCs and emphasize that the continuation of the reform process in order to 
promote market access, a reduction of distortive domestic support measures, the total elimination 
of all forms of ex port subsidies, and the promotion of fair rules for agriculture sector, will constitute 
an important tool for the promotion of economic activities and development in LLDCs;  
 
We reiterate our concern that challenges including inadequate infrastructure, limi ted internet access, 
high cost of broadband, inadequate digital skills and regulatory and data policies continue to persist. 
Noting with concern that the LLDCs dependence on their neighboring and costal countries for access 
to submarine cables and internat ional Internet bandwidth raises the cost of, and reduces the quality 
of, their Internet access. We call on increased support towards facilitating cost -effective means 
including ease access to submarine cables and satellite -based internet connectivity;   
 
We aim to foster favorable conditions for the development of the digital economy by creating 
appropriate enabling environment including the necessary policies, legal and regulatory framework 
to support ICT development in particular the development of broadba nd, enhancement of digital 
skills, promotion of digital inclusion, increased adoption and utilization of ICT applications and 
services;  
 
We acknowledge the need for harnessing the potential of e -commerce as it presents a transformative 
opportunity for LLDC s and we call for enhanced support to LLDCs to assist in building their digital 
ecosystems, encompassing widespread internet access, robust digital infrastructure, and appropriate 
personal data protection measures, as well as investment in enhancing the sk ills and capabilities of 
small businesses, enabling them to fully leverage the advantages offered by e -commerce;  
 
We recognize that foreign direct investment (FDI) can be a catalyst for structural transformation, 
raising the value added of the domestic eco nomy and linking it more effectively into global value 
chains and we commit to continue promoting conducive policies to attract FDI that promotes trade 
as well as sustainable development of LLDCs;  
 
We recognize that the COVID -19 pandemic highlighted that d igital transformation and connectivity 
creates tremendous opportunity for achieving the SDGs and emphasize that LLDCs face fundamental 
challenges including inadequate infrastructure, limited internet access, high cost of broadband, 
inadequate digital skill s and regulatory and data policies;  
 
We recognize that the growth in e -commerce provides international trade opportunities, including 
new market opportunities for LLDCs, and we call on UN -OHRLLS, UNCTAD, ITU, ITC and partners to 
provide technical assistanc e to promote e -commerce in LLDCs, including through capacity building 
and advice on developing the necessary legal framework and improving digital infrastructure;  
 
We recognize the importance of a conducive multilateral trade framework for the promotion of  digital 
inclusion and the development of e -commerce in LLDCs and we commit ourselves to fully take into 
account our interests in multilateral, regional and bilateral negotiations on this subject including our 
fundamental challenges specially the inadequat e infrastructure, the underdeveloped legal and 
regulatory framework as well as the limited digital skills;  
 
We recognize that the LLDCs ' share in world services exports remains very low and emphasize that 
an efficient and productive services industry will contribute significantly to productivity growth and 
for the overall competitiveness of LLDCs ' economies;  
 
We recognize the importance of a conducive multilateral trade framework for the development of 
the services sector in LLDCs as well as the importance of addressing supply side constraints and we WT/MIN(24)/41  
 
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  commit ourselves to fully take into account their interests and constraints in multilateral, regional 
and bilateral negotiations on this subject, including the granting of economically relevant preferential 
access to their markets;  
 
We call on international organizations and bilateral donors to assist the development of the services 
sector in LLDCs and in that regard we affirm our commitment to develop the service sector with the 
view to addressing supply side co nstraints, and call on development partners and international 
organizations to support LLDCs to develop their services sectors and provide market access to LLDCs 
service providers;  
 
We commit to strengthen the works of the LLDCs group in Geneva in order to maintain regular 
meetings, share experiences, and seek enhanced support, including capacity building for LLDCs in 
the main areas of work of the WTO including monitoring, rules making, dispute settlement and 
capacity building. This effort should al low the Group to enhance our role and establish work plan;  
 
Given the persistent difficulties that LLDCs face in international trade, we emphasize the importance 
of having a dedicated Work Programme for LLDCs in the WTO that will assess the distinctive 
challenges and possible recommendations that can facilitate LLDCs improved participation in the 
MTS and we request that exploratory discussions on the development of this Work Programme take 
place in the Committee on Trade and Development, and that the Genera l Council report on the 
outcome of these discussions to the Ministerial Conference;  
 
We recognize the increasing role of environmental sustainability in international trade, and the 
impact of climate change on trade of the LLDCs and in this regard we call upon the LLDCs to pay 
more attention to address their trade -related environmental issues, provide comprehensive review 
on this matter, and share their best practices based on their experiences;  
 
We acknowledge the critical importance of trade as a catalyst  for sustainable development and 
poverty eradication in our nations as we embark on shaping the Third United Nations Programme of 
Action for the LLDCs in the coming months and we affirm our commitment to consider the strategic 
priorities of LLDCs in the re alm of trade;  
 
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by LLDCs in accessing global markets due to geographical 
constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and limited institutional capacities, we emphasize the 
necessity for tailored policies and support mecha nisms to enhance their participation in multilateral 
and regional trading systems;  
 
We request UN –OHRLLS, WTO, UNCTAD, UN Regional Commissions, UNDP, ITC, ITU, and WCO, 
among others in close cooperation and coordination with relevant organizations and stak eholders of 
recipient countries to continue to assist the LLDCs in their effective participation and negotiations in 
international trade;  
 
We reiterate our commitment to participate at the Third UN Conference on LLDCs at the Head of 
State and Head of Gover nment level and invite our transit countries and development partners to 
participate also at such high level. We invite the international and regional organizations as well as 
other stakeholders to participate at the highest possible level.  
 
__________  