WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 125 
12 June 2022 
(22-4565) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY HON. MR CHIPOKA MULENGA  
MINISTER OF COMMERCE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY  
ZAMBIA 
Chairperson, on behalf of the Zambian delegation, I wish to congratulate you on your appointment 
to preside over this 12th session of the WTO Ministerial Conference. Zambia has full confidence in 
your leadership and ability to steer the deliberations of this Ministerial Conference towards a positive 
outcome.  
 
Zambia aligns itself with the statements delivered by Jamaica on behalf of the Group of  OACP States, 
Chad on behalf of the LDC Group, Cameroun on behalf of the African Group, and Botswana on behalf 
of the LLDC Group. My delegation wishes to make the following remarks in its national capacity.  
  
Let me begin by congratulating Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, the Director General of the WTO for her 
dedication to upholding the fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system in order to 
ensure that it delivers for all particularly in these unprecedented times.  
 
Chairperson, this Ministerial Con ference is being held in the midst of a global health crisis brought 
about by the COVID -19 pandemic. The pandemic has brought into prominence some of the major 
challenges faced by many LDCs and low -income countries arising from weaknesses in our domestic 
productive capacities. Similarly Chair, what this crisis has also shown us is how interconnected our 
world has become, that is, a world in which the weakest link matters in any long -term recovery 
efforts.   
 
It is evident that the current crisis has not been  beneficial to any member of the WTO. The rich 
countries are not going to get out of this crisis unless the poorest countries are able to effectively 
handle and address the pandemic, through access to affordable vaccines, diagnostics and 
therapeutics as we ll as enabling them to build the capacity to implement policies that will drive their 
economies towards long -term recovery and sustained resilience. Hence, Zambia joins others that 
have spoken before us in calling for an MC12 outcome that will deliver a co mprehensive WTO 
response to the pandemic. The comprehensive WTO response to the pandemic should include, 
among others, a waiver on TRIPS obligations to enable mass production of vaccines and therapeutics 
for COVID -19 and future pandemics, so that no Member  will be left behind.   
 
Chairperson, the Twelfth Ministerial Conference is also being held in the midst of the Russia – Ukraine 
conflict which has led to global short supply in the energy and agriculture sectors, especially in gas, 
petroleum and cereals such as wheat. This has re sulted in high cost of doing business and general 
price increase around the globe.  
 
Chairperson, learning from what has been happening with the COVID 19 response, it is evident that 
global crises require inclusive global responses that leave no one behind . All Members of the WTO 
should therefore enhance their collaboration to ensure that a global solution to mitigate any current 
and future shortages in supply chains is arrived at. Zambia remains committed to working with all 
WTO Members in this regard.  
  
Chairperson, it is the role of the World Trade Organisation to ensure that LDCs participate in the 
Multilateral Trading System in a manner that alleviates their poverty, in line with the Marrakesh 
Agreement, by helping them to remain buoyant in economic sh ocks such as those created by the 
COVID 19 pandemic and the Russia – Ukraine conflict.  WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 125 
 
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If the WTO has to remain relevant in the area of poverty reduction, this Ministerial Conference is 
challenged to make a decision on ramping up and preserving support, under various Special and 
Differential Treatment Provisions, that would enable LDCs, including those that are earmarked for 
graduation, to enhance their participation in global trade.    
 
Similarly, Zambia' s strategic focus in its new economic transformatio n agenda is to address the 
supply side constraints in order to boost domestic productive capacity and create jobs. In this regard, 
it is our sincere hope that Ministers will have progressive and positive engagements on Special and 
Differential Treatment in  line with the Doha Ministerial mandate. For us, this remains a priority if we 
are to create the necessary policy space particularly for LDCs to foster structural transformation, 
diversification and industrialization that supports long term recovery and su stainable development.  
 
In the same vein, Zambia calls for an MC12 outcome that will ensure a smooth transition for all 
graduating LDCs. A positive outcome on this will not only allow LDCs the space to implement polices 
that guarantee a smooth transition p ost-graduation but will also provide predictability and legal 
certainty, which are cornerstones of the Multilateral Trading System. To this end Chair, I wish to call 
upon all Members that have not joined the consensus to exhibit utmost flexibility and show  solidarity 
towards the noble cause to uplift the most vulnerable grouping in the WTO.  
 
Chairperson, with regard to agriculture, this pillar is an area of significant interest to Zambia as 
Agriculture is one of the main drivers of our new economic diversif ication agenda. To this end, we 
strongly support the call to see concrete outcomes achieved on domestic support, Public 
Stockholding, Special Safeguard Measures and on cotton.  
 
The Zambian delegation therefore supports calls for substantial reduction of tr ade distorting support 
especially under the domestic support pillar in order for our farmers to be able to compete and 
participate in the Multilateral Trading System, on a level playing field. In the same vein, Zambia 
supports the call for a permanent solu tion on Public Stock -Holding and Special Safeguard measures. 
Zambia, like many others, use public stock -holding programmes to address genuine food security 
concerns.  
 
Lastly, the Zambian delegation reaffirms its support for launching the selection process to fill the 
vacancies of the Appellate Body parallel to WTO Reforms in the Dispute Settlement Body.  
 
With that said, Zambia remains committed to negotiating at this Ministerial Conference in an 
inclusive, transparent and constructive manner in order to ach ieve tangible outcomes for the benefit 
of all.  
 
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