Review of the 12th WTO ministerial conference (MC12) outcomes and preparations of the 13th WTO ministerial conference

Attended a stakeholder workshop to review the 12th WTO ministerial conference (MC12) outcomes and commence preparations for the 13th WTO ministerial conference, from 27TH NOVEMBER – 1ST DECEMBER 2023, GELIAN HOTEL, Machakos organised by the Ministry of investments, trade and industry state department for trade. The main objective of the workshop was to review the MC12 outcome, 'Geneva Package' as well as commence preparatory activities for MC13. The workshop covered the following: Introduction to the WTO and Presentation on the 12th Ministerial Conference Package (Geneva Package); Presentations on MC12 Outcomes- Ministerial Declaration on the Emergency Response to Food Insecurity and Ministerial Decision on World Food Programme (WFP) Food Purchases Exemptions from Export Prohibitions or Restrictions. Update on Agriculture Negotiating Topics; Public Stockholding for Food Security; Special Safeguard Mechanism; Export Restriction; Export competition and Transparency. It also covered MC12 Outcomes such as Ministerial Declaration on the WTO Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Preparedness for Future Pandemics; Ministerial Decision on the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and Ministerial Decision on TRIPS Non-violation and Situation Complaints. Decision on the E-commerce Moratorium and Work Programme and Ministerial Decision on Work Programme on Small Economies; Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; State of Play on Fisheries Subsidies Phase II negotiations; Status of the ratification of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies; Ministerial Declaration on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration for the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference: Responding to Modern SPS Challenges; Update on WTO reforms & state of play; update on Trade and Environment; and Development- G 90 agreement specific proposals.