WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 8 
12 June 2022 
(22-4444) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H ON. MR RAMON CERVANTE S 
MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,  
FOREIGN TRADE , AND IMMIGRATION  
BELIZE 
Importance of MC12 in the context of numerous global uncertainties  
Colleagues, Belize congratulates all WTO Members on convening this historic twelfth Ministerial 
Conference. I thank and recognize the Chair of this conference – Kazakhstan, alongside the co -host 
Switzerland, for persevering that Ministers convene today. I also recognize the stellar and stabilizing 
leadership of our Director General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala. Since taking the helm of this 
organization in 2021, your efforts have brought about renewed engagement, and a credible sense 
of urgency to the important  work of the WTO. Congratulations to you and your team!  
 
This 12th Ministerial Conference comes literally at a most critical juncture for the world. As we have 
all witnessed, trade, and the smooth functioning of the multilateral trading system, continue to  be 
affected by numerous global challenges; from the devastating effects of climate change and the 
COVID -19 pandemic to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which all threaten global food security. 
Therefore, this conference cannot and must not be ordinary; we must  show resolve, and flexibility 
in order to deliver for our people and the planet, which depend on a functioning multilateral trading 
system.  
 
Belize aligns itself with the ACP Declaration, and with the Statement to be delivered on behalf of the 
CARICOM Gro up. 
 
WTO Reform  
In recent times, Belize has observed keenly the challenges facing the multilateral trading system. 
We have seen the gradual deterioration of the negotiating function of the WTO, and the crippling of 
the Appellate Body. The inability to agre e on issues gives rise to forum shifting away from the WTO. 
The WTO remains one of the most democratic Member -driven global institutions, and we must strive 
to make it better, and more responsive to changing global challenges.  
 
Therefore, Belize supports r eform of the WTO. Such reform must adhere to the principles of 
transparency, inclusiveness, consensus -based decision -making, fairness, and equity in the rights 
and obligations of WTO Members. The reform should also promote greater linkages between trade 
rules and development.  
 
Response to Pandemic  
It is unfortunate that the WTO has not been able to respond effectively to the COVID -19 pandemic. 
At the height of the pandemic, vaccine nationalism and inequity prevailed; and some Members grew 
comfortable with the imposition of export restrictions on essential products. These developments 
are at variance with the global solidarity that was required to decisively deal with the pandemic. As 
an organization, we must learn from experience and develo p a mechanism to respond to future 
pandemics in a timely and effective manner.  
 
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  Such mechanism should facilitate technology transfers, technical assistance, and capacity building 
for developing countries and Least -Developed Countries.  
 
TRIPS Waiver  
Belize recognizes the progress that has been made in the discussions on the TRIPS waiver. We 
emphasize that any waiver beyond the existing TRIPS flexibilities should make sure that states with 
limited or no production capacity, like CARICOM states, are abl e to import patented vaccines and 
other medications and share these supplies within their region. We support those clarifications of 
existing flexibilities to respond to the COVID -19 pandemic and future pandemics. The waiver must 
be fair, inclusive, and ac cessible to developing countries, especially LDCs.  
 
Fisheries subsidies  
For over a decade, an agreement has eluded the WTO on the removal of harmful fisheries subsidies; 
this is reflective of the challenges prevailing in the negotiating function of the WTO . As an 
organization, we must make the necessary changes. For Belize, the fisheries negotiations remain 
high on the agenda as we are rolling out our blue economy plan. With Small Island Developing States 
like Belize posing negligible impact on IUU fishing,  it is imperative that sufficient policy space and 
technical support be given to us to support the growth of sustainable fishing industries and the 
improvement of monitoring systems.  
 
Agriculture and food security  
A substantive agreement has eluded the WTO . While the divergence of Members interest is 
understood, Members must be flexible in negotiation. Belize calls for an outcome on agriculture that 
achieves a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security purposes that includes all 
products an d has food security as its objective. In addition, an outcome on agriculture must preserve 
the policy space for developing countries.  
 
Belize will support proposals aimed at eliminating export restrictions on food items, including food 
purchased for humani tarian purposes by the World Food Programme.  
 
In closing, we must do our citizens justice and address a most urgent matter for economic recovery 
- the rise in the cost of living. Rising shipping costs have increased the cost of living in Belize, 
hindering our post -pandemic recovery, even though we have shown tremendous resilience in 
recovering from the 2020 economic fallout. We therefore urge Members, especially from developed 
countries, and the WTO Secretariat to make all efforts for immediate resolution o f the issue of rising 
shipping rates. Failure to do so will further imperil the welfare of our people, especially those 
struggling on the margins of our society. Belize looks forward to working with you over the coming 
days, as we advance issues in our com mon interest.  
 
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