Government is pleased with the agreement reached at the World Trade Organization ministerial conference

The Portuguese Government congratulates the agreement that came from the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference.

Despite the harsh international context, it was possible to reach consensus on the vast majority of the items on the agenda.

A particular note goes out to the agreement to solve the food crisis, including specific conditions for the World Food Programme and the response to Covid-19 and future pandemics. This agreement takes into consideration the concerns of developing countries without however jeopardising the protection of intellectual property, which is essential for investment and research. 

It was also possible to seal an interim agreement on sustainability of the fisheries sector, namely forbidding grants on illegal and unregulated fishing. This commitment includes continuing negotiations in order to meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.6. This outcome is especially important taking into account that next week the second UN Ocean Conference will be held in Portugal.

The extension of the Moratorium on e-commerce was also agreed on, which is of vital importance for consumers and companies, especially micro, small and medium-sized enterprises  

We underline the commitment on the WTO reform, one of the EU’s priorities. Work must be underway swiftly, in an inclusive and transparent manner, to modernise the WTO and giving it the mechanisms that allow it to face challenges, including an effective dispute solving mechanism.