For Bangladesh as a transitional least developed country, the recently held Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (26 February-1 March 2024) held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Emirates, was of particular significance. It is well known that Bangladesh will be promoted from least developed country to non-least developed developing country in November 2026. Bangladesh's participation in the Thirteenth Meeting (MC 13) was based on a three-dimensional identity: as least developed country, least developed country in transition and developing country.

Bangladesh has to maintain solidarity with the less developed countries on the one hand; at the same time, it has to prioritize its own interests as a transition less developed country, and on the other hand, as a developing country in the near future, its interests and issues have to be taken into consideration. From the experience of participating in the conference as a representative of the civil society, it can be said that this year's M.C. The preparation of Bangladesh government delegation in 13th was quite good. Preparatory discussions are always very important in this type of conference. In consultation with the Ministry of Commerce, the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva, MC 12 and M. C. 13 has played an active role in various World Trade Organization negotiations and its benefits have been seen in Abu Dhabi. M. C. On the 13th, the Honorable Minister of State for Commerce Mr. Ahsanul Islam MP. Under the leadership of the State Minister, the government delegation consisting of the senior secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and the head of the Bangladesh Mission in Geneva and other members actively participated in the green room (participatory talks with a limited number of countries in the World Trade Organization) and general discussions in Abu Dhabi and also utilized various opportunities for bilateral exchange. As a result, although it is not possible in all cases, decisions on several important issues have come in favor of Bangladesh, which at the end of the conference.M. C. 13 as reflected in the ministerial announcement.

In this year's ministerial meeting, the priorities of Bangladesh as a transitional least developed country were several: a) expansion of duty-free, quota-free market facilities; b) time-bound expansion of other international assistance programs payable to least developed countries, c) time-bound special benefits for transitional least developed countries in the negotiation of fisheries subsidies; d) Ensuring the interests of least developed and developing countries in the multilateral trading system in negotiations on reforming the World Trade Organization. Apart from this, the exclusion of agricultural subsidies for government food procurement from the ceiling of agricultural subsidies (which is equivalent to 10% of agricultural GDP), the end of the tariff embargo on e-commerce since 1998, the stance on participating in multilateral negotiations held outside the WTO's institutional platform determination etc.

Most important for Bangladesh as a transition LDC was the expansion of duty-free and quota-free market facilities. In this regard, however, earlier, on 23 October 2023, a positive decision was taken at the General Session of the World Trade Organization, which M. C. 13 was approved. Three points are noteworthy in this regard: First, the decision is taken on a 'best Endeavour' basis, i.e. it is not mandatory, but is left to the discretion of the members. Secondly, no specific period has been mentioned in this regard, although the first proposal in this regard by the least developed countries mentioned 12 years, which was later brought down to 6-9 years. Thirdly the proposal applies only to countries that have least developed country-specific market preference schemes. For example, since the United States has no such scheme, the decision will not apply to that country.

Despite this, it is worth saying that M. C. The 13th decision created an opportunity for Bangladesh and other transition LDCs to expand market access through bilateral negotiations. It should be noted here that the European Union (Everything But Arms or EBA) and the United Kingdom (Developing Countries Trading Scheme or DCTS) have extended their respective LDC schemes post-transition for LDCs. A three-year extension has been announced. It can be used as a reference point in negotiating market opportunities with other countries. Bangladesh is now bilaterally with Canada, Japan, South Korea, China, India and other countries. C. Discussions should continue in the light of the decision of 13. M. C. 13 It was also decided that technical assistance and capacity building assistance to the least developed countries in transition will be provided for another three years after the transition.

Another important decision is that transitioning LDCs can enjoy the same due restraint benefits as LDCs for another three years post-transition. This means that no member of the World Trade Organization can file a complaint against these countries in the Dispute Settlement Body of the World Trade Organization for three years after transitioning from underdeveloped countries.

A proposal was also put forward that LDCs in transition could enjoy the benefits for an extended period post-transition keeping interests in mind. However, any specific decision about this M. C. Not accepted at 13. LDCs in transition, especially Bangladesh, would have benefited if they were able to enjoy additional time on issues such as intellectual property rights, pharmaceuticals and intellectual property rights, export subsidies, etc. M. C. 13 decided that the relevant talks would continue in Geneva and M. C. 14 will present the results of the discussion on this issue. Bangladesh Mission in Geneva surely M. C. 13 will play an active role in reaching specific decisions in view of the related proposal (so-called Annex 2 proposal) through active participation in the subsequent discussions. It is well known that intellectual property rights flexibility has played a significant role in the development of pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh in particular.

No decision has been taken on the issue of subsidy in the fisheries sector, although a decision on the subsidy payable on illegal, unfounded, unreported fishing has been made by M. C. 12 was accepted. Reduction of subsidy payable for over-capacity fishing was the main theme of the second round of negotiations.

Transitional LDCs to be given the same benefits as LDCs in providing subsidies in the fisheries sector; Bangladesh was keen on that, but the text discussed in Geneva could not reach a consensus (many brackets remained in the text). Abu Dhabi has not been able to resolve the large differences in subsidies especially with developed and rich countries with India. India's contention was that there should be no cap (at least for 25 years) on the subsidy payable in respect of small-scale and artisanal fisheries. Bangladesh's interests in this regard were similar to India's, especially as a future developing country.

The discussion text contained a threshold of 0.8% of the world's marine fisheries catch for relaxation in subsidizing marine fisheries, which Bangladesh sought to increase (since Bangladesh's marine fisheries catch exceeds the 0.8% threshold if hilsa is considered a marine fish). Many developing countries also strongly objected to the concessions proposed in the text for subsidies to large marine fishing companies from large fishing countries. However, there is no reason for Bangladesh to be upset as there is no decision on this matter and the status quo is prevailing. But M. C. 13 and M. C. Bangladesh should participate in the 14th Interim Talks keeping in mind the dual interests of the transitional least developed countries and developing countries.

The discussion of the 'peace clause' regarding the agricultural sector remained largely divisive, due to which no decision could be reached. Subsidies payable by the agricultural sector in India exceed the 10% limit if subsidies paid on government food purchases are included in the calculation; India's argument was that the subsidy was similar to a 'green subsidy' as it was aimed at providing food assistance to marginalized people. Several countries oppose this arguing that India also exports a portion of this food. India's demand was to make the 'Peace Clause' permanent. Several other countries were of the position that the discussion should be part of a larger discussion on the agricultural sector. In the end, no consensus could be reached due to the stubborn stand of both sides.

A ban on tariffs on e-commerce, which has been in place since 1998, has been contested by several countries, including India, South Africa and Indonesia, benefiting developed countries that export e-goods and services; and the importing developing countries are being deprived of the tariff. In a sense, this argument applies to Bangladesh as well. According to CPD's research, every year the Bangladesh government is deprived of about 40 million dollars in customs due to this ban. Bangladesh's outlook on e-commerce, however, is somewhat mixed. In this case, Bangladesh has defensive interests as well as offensive interests. That's because Bangladesh also exports services, and if the ban is lifted, tariffs will be imposed on exports to destination countries, which may adversely affect the competitiveness of these exports. It was decided in Abu Dhabi that if there is no progress in further negotiations then 31 March 2026 or M. C. 14. The ban will be lifted from the date whichever comes first. In the case of transitional LDCs, a certain amount of exports will not be subject to any duty (for a specified period), a decision that would be positive for Bangladesh.

World Trade Organization reform talks in Geneva and later Abu Dhabi M. C. 13 gets special importance. Note that the World Trade Organization D. S. B. Currently largely useless because the United States d. without concluding reform negotiations. S. B. is barring any appointment to the Appellate Body. But D. S. B.' has been called the 'jewel in the crown' of the World Trade Organization which has given the organization exceptional distinction. Several developed countries, including the United States, argue that in the absence of comprehensive reforms, the World Trade Organization is failing to play an effective role. They have been opposing both the existing institutional structure and the ongoing decision-making process of the WTO. Consensus decisions of the World Trade Organization are 'nothing if nothing is agreed upon'.