Speaking at the WTO Ministerial Conference, Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Prudence Sebahizi, emphasized the challenges facing global trade and their impact on smaller economies.
“This Ministerial takes place at a critical moment for the multilateral trading system,” he said, citing geopolitical tensions, climate challenges, and supply chain disruptions affecting global markets.
He noted that these challenges have particularly significant implications for developing countries and Least Developed Countries.
Rwanda used the platform to advocate for reforms that prioritize development and ensure equitable participation in global trade.
“WTO reform must remain development-centred, ensuring that the interests and capacities of developing countries and Least Developed Countries are fully reflected,” Sebahizi said.
He added that reforms should strengthen the WTO’s key functions while maintaining inclusiveness and consensus-based decision-making.
A major concern raised by Rwanda was the weakening of the dispute settlement system, which the country described as essential for fairness and predictability.
“A fully functioning and accessible dispute settlement system remains a cornerstone of the multilateral trading system,” he said.
Rwanda also emphasized the importance of Special and Differential Treatment and Aid for Trade in helping developing countries overcome structural challenges, improve infrastructure, and participate more effectively in global trade.
The minister highlighted agriculture as a key priority, calling for progress in negotiations to address long-standing imbalances in global agricultural trade.
“Progress remains critical to addressing long-standing imbalances in global agricultural trade and ensuring food security,” he said.
Rwanda also expressed support for discussions on emerging areas such as digital trade and investment facilitation.
“We support continued engagement on electronic commerce, while ensuring that discussions take into account the development needs and digital capacities of developing countries,” Sebahizi said.
He added that initiatives aimed at improving the investment climate could contribute to sustainable development, particularly for developing countries.
As the conference continues, Rwanda urged WTO members to deliver concrete outcomes that restore confidence in the system.
“Let us use this Ministerial Conference to reaffirm our shared commitment to a fair, inclusive, and development-oriented multilateral trading system,” Sebahizi said.
The Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, warned that the global trading system is at a turning point.
“The world order and multilateral system we used to know has irrevocably changed. We will not get it back… we must look to the future,” she said, urging WTO members to take decisive steps to adapt the system to new economic realities and ensure it continues to deliver for all.
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