. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/ST/125
12 November 2001
(01-5712)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth SessionDoha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  Spanish
BOLIVIA
Statement by H.E. Mrs Ana María Solares Gaite
Vice-Minister for International Economic Relations
and Integration
I should first of all like to place on record our gratitude to the Government and people of
Qatar for the organization of this Conference and, above all, the warm hospitality with which we have
been received.
I would also like to highlight the efforts made by the Chairman of the General Council,
Mr Stuart Harbinson, and the Director-General, Mr Mike Moore, and to congratulate them on their
work.
The Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization comes at a very difficult
juncture in world affairs, at the beginning of a marked economic recession compounded by the
regrettable events of 11 September, the full consequences of which we are as yet unable to gauge,
either in economic, political or social terms.
Against that backdrop, the challenge before us is enormous, for not only must we preserve the
system, the credibility of which was brought into question and diminished by the failure of Seattle,but we must also renew it so as to make it a factor that contributes to harmonious and increasingly
convergent development of the world as a whole.
Aware of these pressing needs in the world order, Bolivia has come to Doha to support the
start of the new phase in the WTO that should follow from the application of the programme ofnegotiations on which we will agree.
In this perspective, it is becoming clear to us that all countries agree that if we are not to
repeat the mistakes of the last, unsuccessful negotiations, development must be placed at the very core
of the multilateral trading system.  We fully share and support this view.
We cannot help wondering, however, just how genuin e is that level of agreement, for as soon
as we turn to more specific issues and the consideration of concrete proposals to enhance the
development of those countries most in need of it, many of these statements turn out to be
inconsistent.
Bolivia is amongst those countries that consider it indispensable to take steps that do not
further polarize development amongst the countries of the world.  Failing this, tensions will be
aggravated leading to uncontrollable reactions that will affect all countries in the long run.WT/MIN(01)/ST/125
Page 2
In this connection, my country considers it a priority for all sectors involved in international
trade to be treated in a balanced manner.  We therefore cannot accept further delay in bringing
agriculture under the rules and disciplines of the Organization.
We have stated and we repeat it.  For us too, this sector involves other concerns and
implications distinct from the merely trade-related aspect.  These pertain to reduction of poverty,
eliminating the conditions of extreme poverty in  which Bolivians live in rural areas.  The
development prospects of this sector and its integration into international markets will also dictate
whether we will be able to maintain the progress we have made at great sacrifice by eliminating coca
leaf plantations.  In this way we have made an appreciable contribution to humanity as a whole, as it
has meant the removal from circulation of more than 220 tonnes of cocaine, which until recently were
undoubtedly being distributed in the major capitals of the world.
For Bolivia, full compliance with the comm itments assumed within the WTO framework is
exacting a very high economic, social and political price.  Nevertheless, this has not been matched by
my country's participation in international markets, where it is facing considerable difficulties arising
in large measure from non-compliance or " sui generis " interpretations in the application of
Agreements.  For this reason and because we believe that the only way to secure the credibility of the
system is by complying with what has been agreed, we consider it of the highest importance for
adequate treatment to be given to this sensitive topic at this Conference.
Moreover, Bolivia is one of the countries most convinced of the need to conserve and protect
the environment.  It was therefore one of the first developing countries to have an Agenda 21, with
clear and unambiguous national rules, even to the de triment of exportation, which it so badly needs.
Nevertheless, we are opposed to any attempt to utilize this issue for the purposes of market protection.
We do not think it would be a wise decision to include it in the WTO agenda.  There are other more
appropriate and effective forums for this if the objective is really to take care of our planet.
I wish to underscore the importance of the declaration that we will approve in due course
linking intellectual property and public health, as it will represent a meaningful legal instrument and a
political message, giving a human face to the World Trade Organization.  It is our hope that the terms
on which we agree will be forceful in giving priority to health and human life over the interests of
invention.
I cannot conclude without stating my country's special satisfaction at the accession of the
People's Republic of China the World Trade Organization, as it marks an historic milestone for that
country and for our Organization.  This means that only now can it really purport to be of global
reach, with the inclusion of over 1,200 million inhabitants representing one-fifth of the world's
population.
We must henceforth ensure that the WTO will also have a balanced global impact that
benefits all countries equitably.  This makes it necessary to distinguish between the various levels of
developing countries and accord appropriate treatment to countries with small and more vulnerable
economies.
It is our hope that the outcome of this Fourth Ministerial Conference will make it possible for
the actions of a renewed and invigorated WTO to contribute to building a world that is fair,
prosperous, united and based on solidarity, these being objectives of which we must be mindful, now
more than ever.
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