WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 128 
13 June 2022 
(22-4585) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY HON. BÉATA UWAMALIZA HABYARIMANA  
MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY  
RWANDA  
Allow me to begin by first congratulating Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala on her election as the 
Director -General of this auspicious Organization.  
 
This twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference comes at a critical junction for the World Trade Organization. 
The global trading environment has been drastically impacted by significant issues that have 
immeasurably upen ded global trade and disrupted supply chains.  
 
At the same time, the WTO faces its most important test since the 1994 Marrakesh agreement was 
signed; how to strengthen and revitalize this multilateral body to shape the future global trading 
agenda.  
 
The task before us is monumental, and our citizens and the world depend on the outcomes and 
decisions we will reach during our week together. But I believe we have the critical mass and 
necessary convergence to achieve a successful ministerial conference.  
 
We align ourselves with the declaration of the Africa Group as presented and reassert the need 
"to preserve WTO principles and policy tools that promote development and inclusivity and deliver 
on outcomes that support the integration of Africa in the global economy. " 
 
We further align with the statement of the Republic of Kenya on behalf of the East African 
Community, convinced that developing countries and regions like East Africa offer significant 
potential to integrate further into the global trading envir onment with continued support and 
flexibilities inherent in Agreements of the WTO.  
 
We call on member states to support the LDC Ministerial Declaration, in particular, the need to secure 
sustainable transition periods for LDCs graduation, reduce non-tariff barriers for LDC market access, 
especially Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures, and provide financial assistance and capacity 
building programs on trade -related matters.  
 
Furthermore, the accession of new WTO members to this esteemed body should  be expedited, 
respecting the 2002 LDC Accession Guidelines, in particular the benchmarked levels of commitments 
and concessions laid out. We reiterate the EAC call for the accession of the Republic of South Sudan 
and urge member states to support this pro cess. 
 
We underscore the importance of special and differential treatment principles for developing 
countries and reemphasize the need to strengthen these provisions with a view of making them 
more precise, effective, and operational. We recall the Group o f 90 proposals as a starting point, as 
these will enable developing countries to achieve industrialization, structural transformation, and 
diversification of our economies.  
 
We welcome the progress that has been made in the negotiations for the fisheries and agricultural 
agreement and support the efforts of member states and the WTO Secretariat to conclude these 
negotiations. We recall the importance of eliminating subsidies that lead to illegal, unreported, and 
unregulated fishing, and maintain the releva nce of special and differential treatment for LDCs 
engaged in artisanal and small -scale fishing.  WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 128 
 
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  Despite global efforts to ensure vaccine access and equity, developing countries have faced an 
asymmetrical shortage that has not only continued to cause coun tless unnecessary hospitalization 
and deaths, but prolonged the economic misery and recovery efforts of developing countries. We 
call on member states to consider all possible means to scale up production, including through 
investments, technology transfer  and capacity building to developing countries and regions.  
 
With a view to effectively responding to the COVID 19 pandemic, we welcome the Ministerial 
declaration on WTO response to the pandemic, and reiterate the importance of transparency, 
inclusivity,  and cooperation in responding to the pandemic. We appreciate the efforts of the WTO 
Enhanced Integrated Framework and the Aid for Trade initiatives of partners states, in particular the 
technical and capacity support provided under the trade facilitation agreement implementation.  
 
We take note of the progress made through discussion groups on joint statement initiatives on 
Investment Facilitation, Domestic Services Regulations, MSMEs, and E -commerce. While discussions 
on these topics will help to revitali ze the negotiating mandate of the WTO and deepen multilateral 
principles and rules on these topics, we must ensure transparency, inclusivity, and coherence 
through this process.  
 
These initiatives must make a profound effort to include all member states, with a view of making 
them truly multilateral. They must not contradict efforts being made under the Africa Continental 
Free Trade Area Agreement Investment Protocol Negotiations, or ongoing domestic reforms related 
to investment.  
 
We wholeheartedly welco me the work towards the WTO reforms and believe that this process will 
be guided by consensus decision making, transparency, and non -discrimination. Importantly, 
reforms on notification and transparency should not become barriers and burdens on capacity 
constrained member states.  
 
Finally, in conclusion, allow me to recognize and appreciate the WTO Secretariat for having selected 
the University of Rwanda to participate in the WTO Chairs Program. As we develop our national 
capacity, this network will help e nhance the understanding and knowledge of civil servants, 
academia, and the private sector to become more engaged in the multilateral trading system.  
 
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