WT/MIN(22)/ST/48  
12 June 2022 
(22-4485) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR WALID KHALID OBEIDAT  
AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JORDAN  
JORDAN  
Allow me at the outset to express the gratitude of the Government of Jordan for the efforts of the 
WTO Secretariat and the Swiss authorities in hosting and organizing the 12th Ministerial Conference 
in cooperation with Kazakh Government.  
 
We meet today at a time where the world economy continues to face difficulties generated most 
notably by the COVID -19 pandemic and the current geo political challenges. Our economies have 
become firmly interconnected because of globalization and the multilateral trading system.  
Harmonious economic stability and growth in any region around the globe have become fundamental 
for the economic development  and sustainability of world economies. Hence, our central goal 
remains at this juncture to provide measures to combat the ensuing economic calamity.  
 
Jordan emphasizes the importance of strengthening the multilateral trading system 's critical roles 
to ens ure transparent and fair trade for all, which has proven to be a vital tool for regulating our 
trade relations; we should all remain committed to its principles, to enable economic growth and 
recovery.  
 
Jordan is a strong believer in the multilateral tradi ng system and is still committed to strengthening 
a free and fair global trade and supports the ongoing discussions on WTO reform and its role in 
transparency and inclusion. In addition, the development of a rule -based, equitable, transparent, 
and predicta ble environment could largely preclude unilateral and protectionist measures.  
 
We attach importance to the collective goal of advancing the Doha Round and its objectives for 
international trade in general, and for developing countries and LDCs in particula r. These trade 
negotiations have culminated in the successful conclusion  of the Trade Facilitation  Agreement  (TFA)  
in Bali, and in the formulation of  the pressing  needs of  the developing  countries  and LDCs.  
 
The single undertaking remains vital irrespective of trade negotiations. In this aspect, Jordan 
welcomes the recommendations regarding the TRIPS non -violation and situation complaints and the 
agreement to extend TRIPS transition period for LDCs.  
 
Consensus remains the basis for reaching agreements and understandings. Jordan supports the WTO 
membership to conclude the fisheries subsidies negotiations, and extending the exemption of 
electronic transmissions from customs duties, and their endeavors to exempting World Food Program 
humanitarian purchases from export restrictions which is an obvious step to contribute to food 
security.  
 
Jordan commends the WTO effort to tackle various difficulties and take the lead to advocate, 
coordinate, and collaborate with members and other internat ional organizations to respond to the 
Covid -19 pandemic. To maximize this response, we remain committed to the proposed waiver from 
TRIPS agreement as the appropriate and effective way to address the meaningful, balanced and 
comprehensive access to new vac cines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.  
 
Also, Jordan is delighted to be part of the large majority of the membership of the joint declaration 
on trade and women 's economic empowerment. We realize the potential inclusive trade policies can WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 48 
 
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  bring to increasin g women 's economics empowerment – as well as the added economic benefits it 
brings.  
 
Continued unrest and turbulences in the Middle East have shadowed Jordan for many years, a 
country with limited resources including by hosting waves of refugees over the y ears with massive 
economic and social challenges.   
 
At the time when the national economy was expected to recover from the slowdown trend which 
prevailed during previous years, the economic implications of Covid -19 drove the Jordanian  economy  
to enter  its first economic  contraction  in more than three decades, contracting by 1.6 %, the 
unemployment rate rose to unprecedented levels, exceeding 23 %. The external sector was one of 
the most affected sectors by the repercussions of the pandemic, as reflected by it s main indicators, 
following the decline of both, travel receipts by 75.7 %, and total exports by 4.5 %, which contributed 
to widening the current account deficit to 8.0 % of GDP.  
 
Taking into consideration the economic conditions imposed by the repercussion s of the pandemic on 
the national economy, the government took a wide range of measures to mitigate these 
repercussions on the economy in general and impacted economic enterprises and individuals in 
particular.  
 
These measures played an important role in a lleviating the contraction in the national economy in 
general. Also, the government took additional measures in terms of improving the investment 
environment and promoting Jordan as a preferable business enabling environment in the region.  
 
It is worth men tioning that since Jordan acceded to the World Trade Organization in the year 2000, 
Jordan has undertaken all necessary actions and policies to fulfill its commitments despite the 
extensive concessions made upon joining the organization as a Recently -Acced ed Member. 
Accordingly, Jordan supports the communiqué submitted by the Group of Article XII referring to the 
deep and extensive commitments made by the group members upon accession compared to early 
acceding Members.  
 
On a parallel track, Jordan, as one o f Net Food Importer Developing Countries, joins the calls for 
additional flexibilities within the agriculture negotiations to assure food security elements for 
developing countries and reaffirming the importance of an immediate WTO response to the food 
security crisis, especially in the light of high global shocks that lead to increases in the prices of 
foodstuffs and fertilizer.  
 
On accessions issue, the accession process enriches the rules -based multilateral trading system and 
should not be overly burdens ome for the LDCs and developing countries. Enlargement of its 
membership makes the WTO a universal organization indeed. In this context, I would like to draw 
Members ' attention to the fact that there are eight Arab countries seeking accession and that 
expediting and facilitating their accessions will contribute to strengthening the Multilateral Trading 
System. In addition, Jordan supports the request by Palestine for observer status in the General 
Council and its subsidiary bodies.  
 
I would like to seize th is opportunity to stress the need for a set of revised objective guidelines for 
granting observer status for all International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) in the WTO, 
including the request of the League of Arab States.  
  
In addition, Jordan supports  the communiqué from the Arab Group and would like to highlight the 
need to add Arabic as an official language at the WTO, which will significantly increase Arab countries 
involvement and contribution in the work of the WTO.  
 
Finally, we express our sincer e appreciation to the Republic of Kazakhstan for chairing the MC12 and 
for the Government and people of Switzerland for their hospitality and excellent work in hosting this 
Conference and wish this Conference all success, and look forward to reaching our m utual goals and 
having a balanced package for the benefit of all.  
 
To conclude, let me say that trade is not an end in itself, but should act as a driver of income growth 
and job creation to benefit people, the standard of living and stability across the world.  
 
__________