WT/MIN(22)/28  
WT/L/1139  
 
22 June 2022 
(22-4784) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 202 2   
 
 
MINISTERIAL DECLARATION ON THE  
EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO FOOD INSECURITY  
ADOPTED ON 17 JUNE 2022  
Concerned  that trade disruptions, record prices and excessive volatility for food and agricultural 
products could undermine food security in all Members, including in developing countries, and 
particularly in least -developed and net food -importing developing countr ies, who by virtue of their 
fiscal and other capacity -related challenges, as well as deteriorating terms of trade, are 
disproportionately affected by the crisis;  
 
Concerned also  that rising prices of food, agricultural products, and production inputs, incl uding 
fertilizers,  and associated trade restrictions, as well as increasing energy and transportation costs, 
could have lasting consequences for global food security in the coming years;  
 
Determined  to make progress towards the achievement of a fair and ma rket-oriented agricultural 
trading system, ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, promoting 
sustainable agriculture and food systems, and implement resilient agricultural practices that enhance 
productivity and production in fulfilm ent of Sustainable Development Goal 2 of the United Nations, 
taking into account the interests of small -scale food producers in developing countries;  
 
Acknowledging that progress towards this Goal has been undermined, with the Food and Agriculture 
Organiza tion of the United Nations and the World Food Programme (WFP) in particular estimating a 
significant increase in the number and share of undernourished and food insecure people;  
 
1. We, the Ministers, have met in Geneva from 12 to 1 7 June 2022 at our Twelf th Session of the 
Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, and have adopted this declaration on 
the emergency response to food insecurity . 
 
2. We agree that trade, along with domestic production, plays a vital role in improving global 
food security in all its dimensions and enhancing nutrition.   
 
3. We commit to take concrete steps to facilitate trade and improve the functioning and long -
term re silience of global markets for food  and agriculture , including cereals , fertilizers, and 
other agriculture production inputs. Particular consideration will be given to the specific needs 
and circumstances of developing country Members, especially those of least -developed and 
net food -importing developing countries.  
 
4. We underscore the need for agri -food trade to flow, and reaffirm the importance of not 
imposing export prohibitions or restrictions in a manner inconsistent with relevant WTO 
provisi ons.  
 
5. We resolve to ensure that any emergency measures introduced to address food security 
concerns shall minimize trade distortions as far as possible; be temporary, targeted, and 
transparent; and be notified and implemented in accordance with WTO rul es. Members 
imposing such measures should take into account their possible impact on other Members, 
including developing countries, and particularly least -developed and net food -importing 
developing countries.  
 WT/MIN(22)/28 • WT/L/1139  
 
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  6. We resolve to cooperate with a view to ens uring enhanced  productivity  and production , trade, 
availability and accessibility and affordability of food for those who need it, especially in 
humanitarian emergencies.  
 
7. We reaffirm the disciplines on export competition in the Agreement on Agricultur e, as well as 
the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition, including especially those on International Food 
Aid, and encourage donor countries to undertake efforts to make food available to poor and 
vulnerable countries, including through the WFP.  
 
8. We re affirm the importance of effective implementation and monitoring of the Marrakesh 
Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on 
Least -Developed and Net Food -Importing Developing Countries. In this regard, we commi t to 
having a dedicated work programme in the Committee on Agriculture to examine how this 
Decision could be made more effective and operational pursuant to Article 16 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture and to consider concerns raised by Members in their curr ent and future 
submissions. The work programme shall consider the needs of LDCs and NFIDCs to increase 
their resilience in responding to acute food instability including by considering the best possible 
use of flexibilities to bolster their agricultural pr oduction and enhance their domestic food 
security as needed in an emergency.    
 
9.  We understand the importance of providing technical and financial assistance to LDCs and 
NFIDCs , including through international and regional financial institutions , with a  view to 
improving their agricultural productive capacity, infrastructure and access to agricultural 
inputs.  
 
10. We recognize that adequate food stocks can contribute to the realization of Members' domestic 
food security objectives and encourage Members w ith available surplus stocks to release them 
on international markets consistently with WTO rules.  
 
11. We emphasize the importance of promptly sharing relevant information about policies that 
may affect trade and markets for food and agriculture, includi ng by complying with WTO 
notification commitments and by actively participating in other relevant mechanisms for 
information exchange. We invite the Secretariat to provide regular updates on trade and 
market developments in the wake of the current food pri ce spikes and excessive price 
volatility, in cooperation with other relevant international organizations.  
 
12. We acknowledge the positive role of the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) in 
enhancing agricultural market transparency and policy re sponses for food security.   
 
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