WT/MIN(22)/ST/71  
12 June 2022 
(22-4508) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. M RS MARGIT SZŰCS  
AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE  
HUNGARY  
On behalf of the government of Hungary let me express my most appreciation to the government of 
Switzerland for the kind hospitality and excellent working conditions created in Geneva for this 
Ministerial Conference, as well as to the government of Kazakhstan for chairing it. We also commend 
the Director General 's able leadership on the challenging road that brought us here today.  
 
Hungary is an open , export -oriented and relatively small economy. Our exports surpassed 119 billion 
euros in 2021 and while Hungary was ranked at 95th place globally in terms of population, in export 
performance was ranked 34th place globally. We are fully committed to an o pen, strong and 
rules-based multilateral trading system and firmly believe that open markets generate growth and 
create jobs both at the international and national level. This is even more important now, given the 
COVID -19 pandemic and its devastating econ omic effects. The WTO has a central role to play in 
defining and enforcing global trade rules and in fostering trade and economic development globally. 
Restoring the centrality of multilateralism in the area of trade requires a successful MC12.  
 
We find it  regrettable that all three functions of the WTO are facing serious challenges. The 
negotiating machinery of the organisation has stumbled through the last two decades and in many 
instances the applicable rules are not able to address the current economic realities. The dispute 
settlement mechanism is not fully able to fulfil its task due to the dysfunction of the Appellate Body 
and the monitoring system has its deficiencies too.  
 
In our opinion one of the main reason for the challenges of the organisation is the fact that the WTO 
has not been able to adequately reflect in its rules and activities the dramatic changes in the power 
lines of the world economy in the last 2 decades. Hungary welcomes the clear emergence of trading 
partners that resulted in marke d changes in the relative competitiveness of WTO Members however 
further amplified the diversity and differences existing in the developing world. We are afraid that 
unless we find ways to translate these changes into differentiated expectations regarding market 
opening and available flexibilities under WTO rules, moving forward the multilateral negotiating 
agenda may remain very difficult. The flexibilities should be assessed on the basis of actual needs 
of the WTO Members and on a case by case basis. Neve rtheless, it goes without saying that the least 
developed countries and the most vulnerable Members of this organization should be able to enjoy 
the necessary flexibilities in order to reap the benefits of multilateral trade.  
 
To ensure a strong and effect ive multilateral trading system in the future, a reform of the World 
Trade Organization is needed. MC12 should be a turning point where this reform process starts. A 
crucial outcome of MC12 for the credibility and legitimacy of the WTO is a mandate to work  on the 
institutional reform of the WTO with a view to setting out clear guidelines for MC13. In our view, it 
is inevitable to reform all three functions of the WTO to make the organisation relevant again for its 
Members and business too. We need a fully f unctional organisation that has updated and enforceable 
rules and is able to deal with the current economic realities.  
 
Now let me turn to other possible deliverables at MC12. The outcomes on the negotiations on trade 
and health will be key for the succes s of MC12. Therefore a meaningful Ministerial Declaration 
providing the WTO response to the COVID -19 pandemic is crucial. Hungary is interested in a 
successful Ministerial Conference, with a positive outcome in agriculture ensuring a credible 
contribution to food security challenges. The impact of the Russian aggression in Ukraine on global WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 71 
 
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  food security is of critical importance and we should address this as part of the MC12 agenda. The 
WTO has a legitimate role to play. We support the focus on a multilate ral food security package at 
MC12 including a decision exempting World Food Programme humanitarian purchases from export 
restrictions. Furthermore, recognizing the crucial and ever -increasing role of digital trade in the 
world economy and in particular in the post -Covid recovery, we strongly support the extension of 
the e -commerce moratorium. On the plurilateral front, we welcome the conclusion of the Joint 
Statement Initiative on services domestic regulation and the progress made in the e -commerce and 
investment facilitation negotiations, as well as the work on Micro and Small and Medium Sized 
Enterprises.  
 
Additionally, Hungary would like to emphasize the importance of the accession of new Members to 
the WTO as it would further strengthen the organisation and make it more relevant. We strongly 
support the prompt completion of accession negotiations that are in their final stages, including with 
Serbia as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.  
 
Finally, let me express our deep sadness at the devastatin g human losses and profound suffering 
and we reiterate our full solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Hungary supports the people of 
Ukraine and seeks to facilitate the Ukrainian exports as well as the access and transit for exports 
from Ukraine to global  markets.  
 
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