WT/MIN(22)/ST/37  
12 June 2022  
(22-4473) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12-15 June  2022 Original: Spanish  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MS MARÍA LUISA HAYEM BREVÉ  
MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY  
EL SALVADOR  
It is an honour to represent the Government of El Salvador at the WTO's Twelfth Ministerial 
Conference . 
On behalf of President Nayib Bukele and the Salvadoran people, we would like to express our deepest 
gratitude and appreciation to the governments of Switzerland and Kazakhstan for the excellent 
arrangements made for this important event in the current special circumstances . 
The world has und oubtedly seen dramatic  and unexpected changes since we last met  in 2017, and 
even more so in the last two years . 
Countries' priorities have shifted according to their most urgent needs  relating to health  - in light of 
the COVID -19 pandemic  - and, more rece ntly, food security, as well as on account of  fluctuations in 
fuel and energy prices , food and fertilizer shortages and freight transport difficulties . 
A robust multilateral system has now become imperative to ensure the proper functioning of 
international markets . 
Now more than ever, we must recognize the contribution made by the multilateral system through  
the trade facilitation efforts that seek to keep global value chains running smoothly, foster the proper 
functioning of markets and ensure  that medical and protective inputs and food reach every part of 
world in an accessible and timely manner . 
If the WTO is to fulfil the purpose for which it was created  and respond to these and other priorities, 
we consider that the trade negotiations, full  compliance with commitments, transparency exercises, 
and the efficient functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism should take place in unison and 
in an effective manner. For this reason, we must join forces to improve the functioning of this 
Organiza tion by engaging in structured dialogue on its reform, which will result in the implementation 
of specific actions . 
The discussions held this week with a view to reaching an agreement on WTO reform are therefore 
of vital importance . 
In the negotiating sphe re, it is important that we conclude our multilateral agenda on fisheries 
subsidies and other issues  such as agriculture. Despite the sensitivities related to these issues , 
political will and pragmatism must be shown in order to secure agreements that take  into account 
the legitimate development aspirations of all Member s. 
As co -Chair of the Informal Working  Group on Trade and Gender , El Salvador promotes women's 
integration into world trade, as well as the mainstreaming of gender into the Organization's work . 
Furthermore, we recognize that the negotiations on investment facilitation for development, 
e-commerce and MSMEs also play an important role in ensuring more inclusive trade  that ultimately 
contributes to the economic and social develo pment of the peoples we represent . WT/MIN (22)/ST/37  
 
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  Thanks to the vision of President Nayib Bukele, El Salvador is steadily moving towards the 
achievement of its development objectives. Despite the effects of the pandemic, in 2021 the 
country's economy grew by 10.3% compar ed to the previous year, and exports grew significantly 
by 31.8%. All this is a result of the various initiatives introduced at national level to facilitate trade 
and investment and improve innovation and the productive capacity and competitiveness of our 
industries . 
El Salvador is also working on coordinating efforts to develop a national digital ecosystem that will 
transform the country into  a regional reference  and a development hub for the export of digital and 
technological services, while making  it an attractive and strategic destination  for digital investment . 
Despite this significant progress made as a country, there is still a lot of work to be done. It is 
theref ore important that the discussions taking place at the WTO take into account the particular 
needs of small economies such as El Salvador. In this context, we welcome the Decision on Small 
Economies, which reiterates the commitment to continue addressing th e needs of these countries . 
As I said at the beginning of my statement , the world has changed dramatically , putting us all to 
the test. What remains is for us to take this opportunity to work collectively, focusing our attention 
on the objectives and principles that unite us, in order to turn this Organization around and make it 
more versatile and resilient, so that it can respond to the challenges we face in this new and complex 
trading environment . 
We, as trade Ministers, who have the privilege and r esponsibility of representing our peoples, will  
show that, at this Ministerial Conference , the WTO and its Members are able to deliver concrete 
outcomes to help improve the life of each of our citizens . 
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