The majority of G-33 nations, a coalition of developing countries within the World Trade Organization (WTO), have collectively called upon all WTO members to reach consensus and adopt a permanent resolution regarding the issue of public stockholding for food security objectives.
In a ministerial statement on Agriculture Trade Negotiations issued on February 25, it was emphasized that the G-33 members recognize the crucial significance of public stockholding for food security, particularly for developing countries, including least developed countries (LDCs) and net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs), in addressing food and livelihood security as well as rural development needs, including support for low-income or resource-poor producers.
Among the active coalitions within the WTO, the G-33, also known as the “Friends of Special Products,” advocates for flexibility in limited market opening in agriculture. Comprising 47 countries, this coalition includes India, China, and Indonesia.
Expressing disappointment over the lack of substantial progress in agriculture trade negotiations, the G-33 members underscored the urgent need to address outstanding mandates from previous ministerial conferences. India, notably, intends to abstain from discussing agricultural issues at WTO ministerial-level meetings until a permanent solution is reached regarding public stockholding for food security.
While certain WTO members have raised concerns regarding India’s Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme for key agricultural products and recent export restrictions on items like rice, India asserts its obligation to safeguard the interests of poor and vulnerable farmers alongside addressing domestic food security needs.
Additionally, the G-33 reaffirmed the right of developing country members to the Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) as a vital tool against significant import surges or abrupt price declines, urging WTO members to agree and implement a decision on SSM during the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference.
The statement further emphasizes the need for the WTO and its agreements to uphold special and differential treatment for developing nations, while also considering non-trade concerns of members in agriculture trade negotiations.
Scheduled from February 26 to 29, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) will convene ministers worldwide to review the multilateral trading system’s functioning and decide on future WTO work. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE’s minister of state for foreign trade, will chair the conference.
