WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 121 
12 June 2022 
(22-4561) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. RICHARD YAKAM  
CHIEF TRADE OFFICER, NATIONAL TRADE OFFICE,  
HEAD OF DELEGATION  
PAPUA NEW GUINEA 
PNG being a coastal state attaches great importance to the state of the health of the ocean and its 
resources. The successful conclusion of the fisheries subsidies negotiations, therefore, remains a 
priority for my country and thus urges members to agree to ban harmful fisheries subsidies. The 
delegation of PNG welcomes the Chair 's text issued on 24 November 2021 to br idge the gaps and 
address the imbalances. Unfortunately, it remains disproportionate in the application of rights and 
obligations, especially requiring additional modifications to capture Pacific concerns in particular with 
regards to fulfilling the mandat e of SDG 14.6.  
 
PNG underscores the need for policy space to develop the sector through the exclusion of small -scale 
and artisanal fisheries and exclusion of discounted licenses from the agreement for food and 
livelihood security; and a de minimis level th at is considerate of the Pacific views, and where, 
transparency measures are not burdensome and where notification is not a conditionality for SDT.  
 
Trade interdependencies and efficient supply chains have a major influence on the production, 
distribution and administration of vaccine supplies. The COVID -19 pandemic exacerbated 
vulnerabilities that already existed due to climate change and natural disasters and exposed millions 
of people to greater socio -economic challenges. While we are seeing positive sig ns of recovery, our 
efforts to combat the disease should not wane and we must remain committed to ensuring vaccines 
and essential goods reach our people, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.  
 
I believe that the full implementation of  the WTO TFA would also help to reduce the trade costs 
associated with facilitating movement of COVID 19 vaccines and essential goods across borders.  
I, therefore, call on members in a position to step up efforts with helping countries comply with their 
Category B and C commitments.   
 
I hope to join other delegations to adopt a text on WTO 's Response to COVID -19 Pandemic and any 
other health situations in future. We should note that the content and form that the proposed text 
takes will be a reflection of t he commitment, as Ministers responsible for Trade, place in fighting the 
COVID -19 pandemic.  
 
On Agriculture, given that there is still no convergence on the areas of negotiations included in the 
revised Chair 's Text circulated on 21 November 2021, PNG sup ports a MC12 outcome of a Work 
Programme outlining future work for each area under negotiation. PNG urges delegations to delink 
the negotiations in Agriculture to the other negotiations especially the Fisheries Subsidies as linking 
the issues will not only  destabilize a successful MC12 outcome but affect the lives and economies of 
many of the most vulnerable members such as the Pacific.  
 
On WTO Reform, my Delegation is in support of calling for the launch of the reform process as an 
outcome of this Conference. The multilateral trading system needs to be updated to meet 
present  day and upcoming demands.  Enhancing SDT for developing countries and LDCs with respect 
to the Marrakesh Agreement Principles is vital for PNG.  
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  On the Trade Facilitation Agreem ent and its implementation, PNG like other economies is still 
recovering from the Covid19 pandemic and is on track again in implementing the outstanding articles 
of the TFA. I would like to remind the WTO that the TFA implementation remains a priority for PNG 
as it would complement our effort to facilitate essential goods/products. In addition, PNG still needs 
the assistance and support from the developed economies and partners to fully implement the TFA.  
 
PNG recognizes the opportunities of e -commerce and  supports the extension of the Work Program 
on Electronic Commerce. While we also support the extension of the moratorium on customs duties 
on electronic transmission, we call for assistance to be made available to members who wish to 
conduct national anal ysis to determine the costs and benefits of a permanent moratorium on 
applying customs duties to electronic transmissions.   
 
On the JSIs, PNG is pleased to announce that it has co -sponsored the initiatives on Investment 
Facilitation for Development and MSM Es. These are vital frameworks that will guide us in economic 
recovery and resilience efforts.   
 
Trade is cross -cutting, and we welcome member initiatives to have more dedicated work and 
discussion on how WTO can contribute to addressing Climate Change. We , therefore, welcome the 
initiatives on fossil fuel subsidy reform and sustainable plastics trade.  
 
We have travelled far and wide to gather at this Conference. We have braved the inherent risks 
associated with traveling amidst the COVID -19 pandemic with t he hope of returning with results that 
improves the quality of life for our people. Our gathering here today and what we achieve will be a 
testament to our credibility. Let us not return empty -handed.   
 
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