WT/MIN(22)/20  
 
14 June 2022  
(22-4642) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 202 2   
 
MC12 OPENING SESSION  
STATEMENT BY H.E. AMBASSADOR DIDIER CHAMBOVEY  
CHAIRMAN, WTO GENERAL COUNCIL  
SUNDAY, 12 JUNE  2022 
1.  Good afternoon. It is a great honour and privilege for me to address you at this Twelfth Session 
of the WTO Ministerial Conference. On behalf of the WTO Membership, I would like to express my 
sincere appreciation to the Government of Kazakhstan and to the WTO led by the Director -General, 
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, for co -hosting this Conference. Our deep gratitude  also goes to you, 
Excellency Mr. S uleimenov , for your continued commitment in chairing this Conference.   
2.  This Conference brings you, the Ministers, together after almost five years. During this time, our 
Organization has faced challenges across its funct ions. However, it has never ceased in its efforts to 
support the multilateral trading system as a tool to improve people's lives. Your presence here, 
Honourable Ministers, will provide us with the much -needed impetus to strengthen and invigorate 
this funda mental role of the WTO.  
3.  Before you are the Annual Reports that document the work of the Organization, which were to 
be submitted to you when the Conference was postponed last year.  
4.  Since the circulation of these Annual reports, work has continued in all areas, with some notable 
results - allow me to highlight some of them to you. In March this year, the General Council adopted 
a Decision on Tariff Rate Quota Administration in the area of Agriculture, which was a direct follow -
up to the mandate that Minist ers gave in Bali at the ninth Ministerial Conference. In April, the 
Committee on Rules of Origin also adopted a decision in direct follow -up to a mandate from the tenth 
Ministerial Conference. Furthermore, in February this year, the General Council agreed to establish 
the Working Party on the Accession of Turkmenistan. This is another step towards achieving the 
Organization's aim of universal membership.  
5.  I also have the pleasure to report to you that, just before the Conference was postponed last 
year, the  General Council had agreed to forward two draft decisions, which are before you for 
adoption: one decision on the Work Programme on Small Economies, and another decision on the 
Moratorium on TRIPS Non -Violation and Situation Complaints.  
6.  In addition, let me draw your attention to a draft "Sanitary and Phytosanitary Declaration for the 
Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference: Responding to Modern SPS Challenges". I have been informed 
that the two remaining reservations made at the 7th of June Special Meeting of the General Council 
regarding this draft declaration, have now been lifted. Therefore, I take it that this Declaration can 
be adopted by you, the Ministers, at this Conference.  
7.  In parallel to this work, Members have worked tirelessly in several different areas in preparation 
for this Ministerial, in an effort to achieve results. These efforts have led to the draft texts that are 
before you for your consideration during this Conference.  
8.  You will have an opportunity to hear detailed reports on the state of play in the respective areas 
immediately after this Opening Session.  WT/MIN(22)/20  
 
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  9.  Let me seize this opportunity to report on the draft Ministerial outcome document. Consultations 
began last year, led by my predecessor as Chair of the General Council, Ambassador Dacio Castillo 
of Honduras. I am grateful for his commitment, perseverance and achievements.  
10.  The draft outcome document would provide the Organization with much -needed ministerial 
guidance. The key issue that will need your attention relates to WTO reform to im prove all its 
functions. Discussions over the last year have shown that this is a matter of crucial importance to 
all Members. Tangible progress has been made on this issue although one specific aspect of the 
modalities of the work to be undertaken remains  to be settled. The other outstanding issues relate 
to the paragraphs on Women Economic Empowerment; Micro, Small and Medium -sized Enterprises; 
and Environment . I understand that discussions among Members on these issues are continuing with 
a view to findi ng a consensus. We count on your leadership as Ministers to bridge the remaining 
gaps.   
11.  On electronic commerce, in December 2019, the General Council adopted a Decision on the 
Work Programme. In that Decision, the General Council was instructed to periodi cally review 
progress and to report to this Ministerial Conference.  
12.  Since the last Ministerial Conference, discussions on e -commerce have continued as reflected 
in the respective annual reports.  
13.  Two draft Ministerial Decisions were received and are before you. One calls for the continuation 
of the Work Programme and the extension of the Moratorium on customs duties on electronic 
transmissions until the next Ministerial Conference. The other contai ns language recognizing the 
development challenges and calls for the reinvigoration and continuation of the Work Programme 
until the next Ministerial Conference.  
14.  The main divergence relates to whether or not the moratorium should be extended. Despite 
efforts to bridge the gaps, Members could not agree on a single draft Ministerial Decision. Hence two 
separate draft Decisions are before you. I very much hope that this Ministerial Conference will enable 
Members to find a mutually acceptable solution.  
15.  I shoul d also note that Members have been active in tabling proposals on a range of matters, 
including proposals by the LDC Group, the Least Developed Countries Group, related to "a smooth 
transition package in favour of Members graduating from the LDC category".  Despite  positive 
exchanges, differences remain. However, I have observed a strong backing of the Membership to 
support LDCs in their integration into the multilateral trading system.  
16.  Honourable Ministers, as Chair of the General Council, you have my cont inuous engagement to 
work with everyone to reach convergence.  
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