WT/MIN(22)/ST/59  
12 June 2022 
(22-4496) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H ON. MR DAMIEN O 'CONNOR  
MINISTER FOR TRADE AND EXPORT GROWTH  
NEW ZEALAND  
We are meeting at a time when the world is facing inordinate challenges to our security, health, food 
supply, and our climate. These challenges only serve to reinforce the importance of cooperation – 
of coming together in a multilateral forum like the WTO.   
 
I would like to state at the outset that New Zealand joins with the international community in 
condemning Russia 's unprovoked and unjustified atta ck on Ukraine.  
 
Russia 's illegal invasion has implications for every aspect of the international rules -based order – 
global peace, security, economic stability and international trade – actively undermining the work of 
the WTO and the multilateral cooperat ion underpinning it.  
  
In light of such atrocities, it is vital that we as WTO Members come together to condemn and make 
clear that this blatant disregard of the international rules -based order will not be tolerated.   
 
Russia 's actions have compounded the impact of pre -existing challenges to food security, and are 
causing a food supply crisis. We know that this food supply crisis is causing significant challenges 
for the immediate needs, well -being and development of our most vulnerable Members.  
 
We need t o respond.  
 
We should be agreeing to exempt from export restrictions food purchases by the World Food 
Programme.  We must also focus on how trade and ongoing agricultural reform can ensure food 
systems are inclusive for all people and sustainable for the planet. New Zealand will, therefore, be 
seeking a work programme on domestic support reform.  
 
COVID -19 has demonstrated the power of cooperation. We must continue to work together in our 
ongoing response to COVID -19. The pandemic has di srupted our lives in ways we never imagined 
and it continues to impact each Member differently. We must reach a meaningful outcome together 
at this conference that responds to the pandemic.  
 
New Zealand supports an outcome on trade and health that respond s to current pandemic realities 
and prepares us for future health crises.  This outcome should include a TRIPS waiver on COVID -19 
vaccines. We know this is important to many developing countries and we are happy to support it 
as part of the WTO 's pandemic r esponse.  
 
It is crucial this week that we look beyond current crises to longer term issues including addressing 
climate change. Let 's seize the opportunity of being together to start our work to limit and phase -
out the use of environmentally harmful subsi dies.  
 
New Zealand is proud to lead a statement on fossil fuel subsidy reform, and we encourage all 
Members to join us.   
 WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 59 
 
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  It is also time for us to deliver an outcome on fisheries subsidies. We all know that the elements for 
conclusion are on the table, M inisters must now deliver on our MC11 promise. For the health and 
well-being of fish, our fishing communities, and indeed food security, we must not let another 
deadline pass.  
 
Finally, we must reform, revitalise and strengthen the WTO, across all its fun ctions. New Zealand is 
committed to WTO reform.  
 
We will not achieve everything this year. However, as WTO Members we have an opportunity to 
demonstrate the WTO 's relevance and contribute multilateral solutions to global problems.  
 
Let us remain both pra ctical and ambitious.  
 
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