WT/MIN(22)/ST/64  
12 June 2022  
(22-4501) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12-15 June  2022 Original: Spanish  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MS TATIANA CLOUTHIER CARRILLO  
SECRETARY  OF THE ECONOMY  
MEXICO 
More than four years have passed since our last Ministerial Conference, during that time, both the 
WTO and the multilateral trading system have been subject to a number of challenges in key areas, 
including:  
 
● serious questions being raised about multilateralism, and in particular the functioning of the 
Organization;  
● the imposition of trade measures and countermeasures;  
● the paralysis of the Appell ate Body;  
● its limited results as a negotiating forum;  
● one of the most devastating health crises of recent times, which has already led to the grievous 
loss of millions of human lives and has resulted in a serious decline in the economy and in 
living st andards in many regions of the world; and  
● a geopolitical crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is having a significant impact 
on the prices of agricultural products, fuels and fertilizers, raising the possibility of a severe 
food crisis.  
 
While it must be acknowledged that, in the face of this adversity, the WTO has been able to direct 
and, to a large extent, safeguard international trade flows with clear and transparent rules, we still 
have much to do to overcome the effects of the pandemi c and to address future challenges.  
 
Today more than ever, it is important that the WTO, through the results that we have within our 
grasp, helps to meet those needs. The Twelfth Ministerial Conference offers us this opportunity.  
 
My delegation considers it essential to promote the strengthening of our Organization and to do so:  
 
We must deliver.  The WTO must contribute in a firm and determined manner to the sustainability 
of our oceans. We must deliver on what our leaders instructed us to do thr ough the Sustainable 
Development Goals and on what we agreed in Buenos Aires. This commitment cannot be put off any 
longer, we cannot leave a Ministerial Conference empty -handed once more.  
 
We also have a duty to contribute, with a multilateral response, to efforts to address the 
adverse effects of the pandemic . The WTO needs to put together its best effort and make a 
decisive contribution from its trade standpoint to addressing this global scourge. Doing so in an 
effective and coordinated manner will help  us not only to deal with the current health crisis, but also 
to be prepared for future pandemics.  
 
Moreover, the WTO must be rejuvenated.  A lot of criticism has been directed at our Organization 
and there have been many calls for it to be modernized. We c annot continue to engage in an ill -
defined discussion that limits the political capital that this Organization requires. It is essential that 
we focus collective efforts on rectifying what is needed to optimize its functioning. This will enable 
us to rouse  the WTO from the lethargy that has characterized it for many years now.  
 
By the same token, it is vital to re-establish the functioning of the dispute settlement system , 
which provides certainty with regard to compliance with existing and future agreement s. 
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  This is why Mexico strongly supports the immediate launch of a formal WTO reform process.  
 
At the same time, we must be actively involved  and give a clear signal on those issues that require 
urgent attention, such as agriculture and services. It is not  enough to establish a work programme; 
we need to deliver it.  
 
Lastly, we must continue to work together in bodies that advocate for promoting greater 
trade and investment flows , as well as for inclusiveness. The work that has been carried out 
among like -minded Members is already starting to deliver tangible results. The conclusion of the 
negotiations on the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation and the adoption of a package 
of recommendations for MSMEs sets the example for us to follow. We are c onvinced that the 
initiatives on e -commerce and investment facilitation will move in that direction.  
 
Distinguished Ministers, the WTO established a new era of global economic cooperation, was shaped 
by the talent and efforts of those who preceded us, and is an institution that has contributed to the 
improvement in the living standards of the people whose economies we represent. The majority of 
WTO Members surely benefit from its existence and/or have faith in that probability, so it is our duty 
to safeguar d it as a public good. We must do everything in our power to revitalize it, adapt it to new 
challenges and reaffirm its relevance, taking into account the principles and values such as 
inclusivity, sustainability, resilience and equity.  
 
This can only be d one with the will and commitment of us all to reach agreements. The achievements 
or failures are not system faults, they reflect our will and commitments.  
 
One of the main lessons learned from the pandemic is that without international collaboration and 
coordination we will not be able to provide global solutions. Reinforcing the multilateral trading 
system can and should make a valuable contribution to global governance.  
 
You can be confident that Mexico will remain committed to working towards the effect ive 
strengthening and functioning of our Organization.  
 
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