. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(03)/ST/142
13 September 2003
(03-4942)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fifth Session
Cancún, 10 - 14 September 2003Original:  English
YEMEN
Statement by H.E. Dr Khaled Rajed Sheikh Dawood
Minister for Industry and Trade
(Speaking as an Observer)
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Yemen, I would like to extend my sincere
congratulations and appreciation to the Government of the United States of Mexico and the
Organizing Committee for their excellent arrangements, hospitality, and friendly reception.  Cancún,
as we all would agree, is an excellent venue for such an important international event.
I would like also to congratulate Dr Luis Ernesto Derbez Bautista, for his election as
Chairman of the WTO Fifth Ministerial Conference,  and the Executive Bureau, whom I believe would
lead this meeting to a very successful conclusion:  I equally would like to congratulate the Director-
General, his colleagues at the WTO Secretariat, an d the General Council Chairman for their continued
efforts and dedication for preparation of this important Conference.
As delegates went back to their capitals from Doha in 2001, after a successful Fourth
Ministerial Session, developing and, in particular, least-developed countries felt that theirdevelopment partners were committed to assist the continuous endeavour to achieve developmental
goals.  The first test was the declared support to  integrate LDCs into the multilateral trading system
and the global economy.  Doha Ministerial Conference was the first step to ensure that the world was
willing to engage in multilateral trading negotiations, taking into account the needs of its less
fortunate Members.  The Cancún Ministerial is the real test ground for such a courageous step.
The Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference comes at a crucial juncture, as negotiations on many
issues have made some progress, while others need stronger political will to make the necessary
progress to reach the Doha Development Agenda's goals, as expressed by the Doha Ministerial
Declaration.
LDCs, in particular, are looking forward to more just settlement of many issues of interest to
their under-developed economies.  Special and differential treatment, technical assistance and
capacity-building, and accession are high on their agenda.  More attention is needed to address these
issues and other LDCs concerns.  Dhaka Declaration and LDCs Negotiating Position for the DohaDevelopment Agenda need to be taken seriously, if LDCs are to be fully and justly integrated in the
MTS.
Accession to the WTO, in particular, is of major concern to several LDCs, Yemen included.
Emphasis on facilitating and accelerating their accession have been repeated in many occasions, but
remains difficult to achieve as envisaged in many Declarations, Initiatives and Decisions.WT/MIN(03)/ST/142
Page 2
On this occasion, we congratulate Cambodia and Nepal for the conclusion of their accession
negotiations, being the first LDCs to become Members of WTO since its establishment in 1995, after
long difficult years of negotiations.  Meantime , we are looking forward to seeing more LDCs
accessions' finalization before the next session of the WTO Ministerial.  This would only be made
possible through the full adherence to the letter and spirit of the General Council's decision on"Guidelines on Accession of LDCs".  Moreover, bi lateral negotiations of acceding LDCs should not
contradict the same.
We equally look forward to seeing Arab countries accession moving smoothly through,
without unnecessary delays or obstacles.
As you are aware, Yemen, as an LDC, has applied for WTO membership in 2000.  We expect
to begin accession negotiations in the very near future.  However, when people hear stories about the
accession process and difficult negotiating pressures placed upon small acceding countries, people
become more worrisome on the prospects of their own country's prospects, and we cannot ignore their
concerns.  Support and understanding of our deve lopment partners during accession negotiations are
very critical, and Yemen is looking forward for such valuable support.
Yemen has started doing her homework since 1995, when a comprehensive Economic,
Financial, and Administrative Reform Programme was embarked upon with the support of the
International Monetary Fund and World Bank.  Trade liberalization was an integral part of this
Programme.  Trade, investment legislations a nd procedures, and in particular customs, were
simplified and streamlined.
We thank our development partners for their continued efforts to support our endeavour to
integrate in the global economy.  Their commitments are highly appreciated, and we are looking
forward to seeing these commitments being delivered in the due course of accession.
We equally appreciate the contributions made to the Global Trust Fund and the Integrated
Framework process.  However, we would like to see more funds channelled to implement the DTIS
Action Plans for participating LDCs, Yemen included.  We welcome the Director-General's report on
paragraph 41 of the Doha Ministerial Conference on Technical Assistance and Capacity-Building, and
looking forward for more enhanced and targeted assistance, particularly during the accession process.
Finally, I sincerely wish this Ministerial Conference the success it deserves, as a mid-term
review for the ongoing negotiations.  Hoping that  it would come up with the necessary decisions to
move the negotiating agenda forward to reach its ultimate goal.  Such goal, however, needs to address
the development dimension and concerns of developing and LDCs, to deserve the title of the "Doha
Development Agenda".
Looking forward to a very successful meeting and responsible decisions on all issues at stake
in the current negotiations.
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