WT/MIN(22)/ST/ 91 
12 June 2022 
(22-4529) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY HON. MR MMUSI KGAFELA  
MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY  
BOTSWANA  
The Botswana delegation wishes to express its gratitude to the host, Switzerland for the facilities 
that have been extended to us since our arrival in Geneva. Let me also extend my gratitude to the 
Director -General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr. Okon jo-Iweala and the WTO Secretariat for 
organising this Conference. We do not take light your tireless efforts in putting together the 
preparations for this meeting especially given the numerous postponements on the backdrop of the 
COVID -19 pandemic.  
 
Let m e also acknowledge Honourable Ministers who have also made every effort to participate in 
this twelfth session of the WTO Ministerial Conference. It is testimony to your commitment to the 
multilateral trade agenda for the facilitation of commercial activit ies between our Members, and by 
extension, for the betterment of the lives of our people. Trade was severely undermined during 
COVID -19, which demonstrates our co -dependence on each other. I have no doubt that the 
resuscitation of trade talks at the multil ateral level is critical to rebuild our economies.  
 
The Eleventh Ministerial Conference, held four years ago in December 2017 (MC11) in Buenos Aires, 
discussed and agreed on continuous deliberations among others, on Fisheries Subsidies, Electronic 
Commerc e, TRIPS non -violation and situation complaints as well as issues relating to challenges 
affecting the Small Economies. It is important that we revisit discussions on these issues to bring 
them to conclusion.  
 
Botswana understands the need to bring back to  the table work discussions on the Special and 
Differential Treatment (S&DT), to address the real needs of developing and least -developed 
countries. And our wish is that such discussions should deliver tangible outcomes for the affected 
economies. While we  note our differences in these issues, we however look forward to some 
favourable outcomes on the key issues of interest particularly to the developing countries such as 
Botswana. We suggest that more focus should be geared towards such issues. You will ag ree with 
me that COVID -19 has aggravated the plight of the lesser developed countries to withstand global 
pandemics. Our already ailing economies were brought to their knees as, even with financial 
resources, they watched in desperation as their economies succumbed to the ravaging effects of 
COVID -19. I am confident that there can be no losers if we strengthen the ability of developing 
countries to fully participate in the global trade space, for with trade you, can 't go alone.  
 
Botswana therefore appeals to the 12th Ministerial Conference to make provisions for aiding 
availability of COVID -19 related products particularly to developing states who do not have the 
capacity to manufacture their own. Universal access to health care remains critical. Also, the WTO 
should develop rules for trading in situations of pandemics in such a way that we achieve equity and 
balance between the profit motive and the critical human right issues to safeguard all lives. We need 
to ensure that intellectual property does not bec ome a deterrent where human lives are at stake.  
 
To that effect, Botswana joins other Members in support for the endorsement of a TRIPS waiver for 
COVID -19. This temporary waiver would create an enabling environment to augment and diversify 
production of COVID -19 medical products to address the existing inequitable access.  
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  Another topical issue now is food security. We have seen unprecedented levels of hyper -inflation. 
I can confirm that access to food has become a common phenomon especially for the lesser 
developed countries. There is no doubt that the Multilateral Trading System needs to have hard 
conversations on food security issues as a matter of urgency.  
 
We therefore, look forward to the MC12 outcomes that address food security challenges facin g the 
Net Food Importing Developing Countries (NFIDCs) and the Least Developing Countries (LDCs). We 
need to resolve outstanding issues and reach consensus on issues relevant to the small economies; 
hence the need to make sure that international trade is i nclusive, fair and development -centred.  
 
Botswana reaffirms her commitment to the rules based Multilateral Trading System and continues 
to have complete faith in the relevance of the WTO operations and its contribution to global growth 
and economic stabil ity of its Members. Our views are fully aligned to the African Group and the 
African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and G33 Ministerial Declarations.  
 
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