Ministry of Foreign Affairs website published on 1st the Statement of the Heads of State Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on supporting the multilateral trading system, the full text is as follows:
We, the leaders of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (hereinafter referred to as "SCO"), recognize that the current world economy faces increasing uncertainty, and restrictive trade measures are spreading, and the multilateral trading system should play an important role in promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development, and addressing global challenges.
We support a multilateral trading system based on the rules of the World Trade Organization (hereinafter referred to as "WTO"), decision-making based on consensus, open, transparent, fair, inclusive, equal, and non-discriminatory, and reiterate that the provisions of giving special and differential treatment to developing countries, including the least developed countries, are an integral part of the WTO and its agreements.
We oppose trade measures that violate WTO rules and principles, and emphasize the necessity of constructive cooperation among SCO member states within the framework of the WTO Ministerial Conference outcomes.
We are deeply concerned about the growing tension in international economic relations, which seriously threatens the development of the world economy, international trade, and the realization of sustainable development goals.
We call on all parties to engage in dialogue and cooperation, abide by international trade laws, including WTO rules, and eliminate restrictive measures that violate WTO rules.
We emphasize the importance of reforming the WTO under the condition of maintaining its basic principles, to enhance its effectiveness, improve global economic governance, and promote fair and inclusive economic growth. In this regard, we reiterate the need to quickly restore a complete, normally functioning, two-tier dispute settlement mechanism of the WTO.
We reiterate the importance of development issues in the work of the WTO.
We call for continued progress on development issues, including but not limited to improving the provisions on special and differential treatment for developing countries, promoting trade development, helping developing members achieve industrialization, and supporting the least developed countries to better integrate into the multilateral trading system.
We recognize that global food security is facing more and more challenges, including restrictive measures that do not conform to WTO rules. Therefore, we should ensure global food security through expanding agricultural production, improving efficiency, ensuring the diversity and smooth operation of the food supply chain, especially protecting the interests of developing countries and the least developed countries.
We support accelerating discussions on the WTO e-commerce work program and forming a resolution acceptable to all parties in the field at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, including promoting development-related issues on the basis of compliance with domestic laws and national policy objectives, emphasizing the importance of overcoming digital inequality, enhancing digital connectivity, and boosting consumer and business confidence in e-commerce.
We support work in the field of services trade under the WTO framework, including promoting the exchange of experience and sharing best practices.
We note that WTO members have been discussing ways to promote the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, and support the formation of a common position on related issues within the SCO framework.
We emphasize that open, inclusive, stable, resilient, and diversified supply chains are essential to achieving sustainable development goals.
We express concern over measures that disrupt the stability of global supply chains.
We note the work carried out by relevant WTO bodies on strengthening international cooperation on global supply chains, and encourage further work to achieve practical results in enhancing the resilience of global supply chains.
We emphasize the importance of further increasing the number of members, improving regional representation, expanding the inclusiveness of the multilateral trading system, and attracting more developing countries, including the least developed countries, to join.
We support the Republic of Belarus, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Republic of Uzbekistan to join the WTO as soon as possible in accordance with Article 12 of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization.
We look forward to the 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO to be held in Cameroon in 2026 achieving practical results.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7545393373016785427/
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