Tonga's Minister for Trade & Economic Development, Hon. Dr. Viliami Uasike Latu is joining the World Trade Organization 13th Ministerial Conference (WTO MC13), held from 26-29 February 2024, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The World Trade Organization members negotiate and make decisions on new global trade rules,

The WTO ministerial conference is the highest decision-making body of the WTO. Its members meet every two years. The decisions in the WTO are taken by consensus and 164 members, six of which are from the Pacific: Tonga, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

Five priority areas are expected to be in discussions and decided at this MC13. These priorities are Agriculture, Fisheries Subsidies, Development issues, WTO Dispute Settlement Reform, and Work Program on Ecommerce and Moratorium.

"The agreement on a comprehensive fisheries subsidies is one of the main issue to be discussed and decided upon at this MC. Tonga with other Pacific islands with the support of the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat office in Geneva, are working hard at ensuring that the positions of our Pacific nations are realised, negotiated, and reflected in this agreement," Tonga Ministry of Trade & Economic development stated.

The Conference is chaired by UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Trade, HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.