WT/MIN(22)/W/17  
 
10 June 2022 
(22-4433) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 202 2  
 
 
DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECLARATION ON TRADE AND FOOD SECURITY  
Concerned  that trade disruptions, record prices and excessive volatility for food and agricultural 
products could undermine food security in all Members, including in developing countries, and 
particularly in least -developed and net food -importing developing countr ies, who by virtue of their 
fiscal and other capacity -related challenges, as well as deteriorating terms of trade, are 
disproportionately affected by the crisis;  
 
Concerned also  that rising prices of food, agricultural products, and production inputs, incl uding 
fertilizers,  and associated trade restrictions, as well as increasing energy and transportation costs, 
could have lasting consequences for global food security in the coming years;  
 
Determined  to make progress towards the achievement of a fair and ma rket-oriented agricultural 
trading system, ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, promoting 
sustainable agriculture and food systems, and implement resilient agricultural practices that enhance 
productivity and production in fulfilm ent of Sustainable Development Goal 2 of the United Nations, 
taking into account the interests of small -scale food producers in developing countries;  
 
Acknowledging that progress towards this Goal has been undermined, with the Food and Agriculture 
Organiza tion of the United Nations and the World Food Programme (WFP) in particular estimating a 
significant increase in the number and share of undernourished and food insecure people;  
 
1. We, the Ministers, have met in Geneva from 12 to 15 June 2022 at our Twelf th Session of the 
Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, and have adopted this declaration on 
trade and food security.  
 
2. We agree that trade, along with domestic production, plays a vital role in improving global 
food security in all its  dimensions and enhancing nutrition.   
 
3. We commit to take concrete steps to facilitate trade and improve the functioning and long -
term resilience of global markets for food  and agriculture , including cereals , fertilizers, and 
other agriculture productio n inputs. Particular consideration will be given to the specific needs 
and circumstances of developing country Members, especially those of least -developed and 
net food -importing developing countries.  
 
4. We underscore the need for agri -food trade to flow, and reaffirm the importance of not 
imposing export prohibitions or restrictions in a manner inconsistent with relevant WTO 
provisions.  
 
5. We resolve to ensure that any emergency measures introduced to a ddress food security 
concerns shall minimi ze trade distortions as far as possible; be temporary, targeted, 
transparent, and proportionate; and be notified and implemented in accordance with WTO 
rules. Members imposing such measures should take into account  their possible impact on 
other Members, including developing countries, and particularly least -developed and net food -
importing developing countries.  
 
6. We resolve to cooperate with a view to ensuring enhanced  productivity  and production , trade, 
availabi lity and accessibility and affordability of food for those who need it, especially in 
humanitarian emergencies.  
 WT/MIN(22)/W/17  
 
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  7. We reaffirm the disciplines on export competition in the Agreement on Agriculture, as well as 
the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition, i ncluding especially those on International Food 
Aid, and encourage donor countries to undertake efforts to make food available to poor and 
vulnerable countries, including through the WFP.  
 
8. We reaffirm the importance of effective implementation and monit oring of the Marrakesh 
Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on 
Least -Developed and Net Food -Importing Developing Countries. In that regard, we request 
the Committee on Agriculture to examine how this Decisio n could be made more effective and 
operational pursuant to Article 16 of the Agreement on Agriculture.  
 
9. We recognize that adequate food stocks can contribute to the realization of Members' domestic 
food security objectives and encourage Members with av ailable surplus stocks to release them 
on international markets consistently with WTO rules.  
 
10. We emphasize the importance of promptly sharing relevant information about policies that 
may affect trade and markets for food and agriculture, including by complying with WTO 
notification commitments and by actively participating in other relevant mechanisms for 
information exchange. We invite the Secretariat to provide regular updates on trade and 
market developments in the wake of the current food price spi kes and excessive price 
volatility, in cooperation with other relevant international organizations.  
 
11. We acknowledge the positive role of the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) in 
enhancing agricultural market transparency and policy response s for food security.   
 
12. With these considerations in mind, we reaffirm our commitment to intensify the agriculture 
negotiations in all areas in accordance with Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture, and 
other relevant mandates, including the Minis terial Decision on Agriculture we have adopted at 
this Session.   
 
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