STATEMENT
ON SUPPORTING THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM
BY
THE COUNCIL OF HEADS OF MEMBER STATES OF
SHANGHAI
COOPERATION ORGANIZATION[1]
1 September 2025, Tianjin
The
following statement is being circulated at the request of the delegation of
China.
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We, the
leaders of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO),
recognize that the rising global economic uncertainty and spread of restrictive
trade measures make it imperative for the multilateral trading system to play an
important role in promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable
development and responding to global challenges.
We
support the open, transparent, fair, inclusive, equitable and
non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, which is based on World Trade
Organization (WTO) rules and make decisions by consensus, and reaffirm that the
provisions of special and differential treatment for developing members
including the least developed countries, are an integral part of the WTO and
its agreements.
We
oppose trade measures that contravene WTO rules and principles, and emphasize
the need for SCO member states to cooperate constructively within the framework
of the outcomes and mandates of WTO Ministerial Conferences.
We are
deeply concerned about the growing tensions in international economic
relations, which seriously endanger world economy, international trade and
achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
We call
on all parties to engage in dialogue and cooperation, to abide by international
trade law including WTO rules, and to eliminate restrictive measures that
violate WTO rules.
We
stress the importance of WTO reform while preserving its fundamental principles
in order to strengthen its efficacy, improve global economic governance and
promote fair and inclusive economic growth. In this regard, we reiterate the
urgent need to restore a fully and well-functioning two-tier WTO dispute settlement
mechanism.
We
reaffirm the centrality of development issues in the work of the WTO.
We call
for advancement of development-related work, including but not limited to,
improving the provisions of special and differential treatment for developing
members, promoting trade development, assisting developing members in
industrialization and supporting better integration of the least developed
countries into the multilateral trading system.
We
recognize that global food security faces increasing challenges, including
trade restrictive measures inconsistent with WTO rules. Therefore, we will
safeguard global food security, in particular the interests of developing
members and least developed countries by expanding agricultural production,
raising efficiency and ensuring diverse and unimpeded food supply chains.
We
support accelerating discussions on the WTO Work Programme on Electronic
Commerce and adopting an outcome acceptable to all at the 14th WTO
Ministerial Conference (MC14). Such an outcome should give due attention to
development related issues, address digital inequality, foster digital
connectivity and boost consumer and business confidence in e-commerce, while
respecting domestic law and national policy objectives.
We
support the WTO work in the area of trade in services, including the exchange
of experiences and sharing of best practices.
We take
note of discussions among WTO Members to facilitate the implementation of the
WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement and support achievement of a common position
on related issues under the SCO framework.
We
emphasize that open, inclusive, stable, resilient and diversified supply chains
are vital for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.
We
express concern over measures that disrupt the stability of global industrial
and supply chains.
We take
note of the work undertaken by relevant WTO bodies to strengthen international
cooperation on global supply chains and encourage further efforts to achieve
practical outcomes that enhance supply chain resilience.
We
underscore the importance of further expanding membership, improving
geographical representation, increasing the inclusiveness of the multilateral
trading system and attracting more developing countries including the
least-developed ones, to join the WTO.
We
support the early accession of the Republic of Belarus, the Islamic Republic of
Iran and the Republic of Uzbekistan to the WTO in accordance with Article XII
of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization.
We look
forward to practical outcomes at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference
to be held in Cameroon in 2026.
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