WT/MIN(22)/ST/8 1 
12 June 2022 
(22-4518) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY HON. MS LUCIA IIPUMBU  
MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIALI SATION AND TRADE  
NAMIBIA  
First, let me congratulate His Excellency, Ignazio Daniele Giovanni Cassis, President of the Swiss 
Confederation and H.E. Kassym -Jomart Tokayev, President of Kazakhstan for hosting the 12th WTO 
Ministerial Conference.  
 
Namibia 's economy has suffered a notable decline in trade flows where prospects for growth are 
constrained. According to Bank of Namibia 's economic outlook on the domestic market, "the real 
GDP growth is estimated at 0.9 percent for 2021 and is further expected to accelerate to 3.4 percent 
in 2022 and to 3.7 percent in 2023. The projected improvement is mainly on account of anticipated 
better growth rates across all industries, with d iamond mining expected to register robust growth 
rates". 
 
It is disappointing to note that, since WTO 's Fourth Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, in 
November 2001 in which the fundamental objective was to improve the trading prospects of 
developing cou ntries yet to date has not been fulfilled. We still have long outstanding issues to be 
addressed.  
 
In recognition of the different levels of economic development of WTO members, it may be time to 
prioritise necessary flexibilities in policies for developin g countries to create opportunities for 
industrialization and diversification of their economies.  
 
Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) are an integral part of the WTO Agreements, without the 
application of this principle, it will be difficult to bridg e the development gap between WTO Members. 
Namibia fully supports maintenance of the Special and Differential Treatment principle, which is at 
the centre of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) for inclusive growth of developing countries.  
 
Food Security rema ins our priority to address socio -economic challenges facing our countries such 
as poverty and hunger in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: End poverty in all its 
forms everywhere and Goal 2, which aims to end hunger and all forms of malnutrit ion by 2030 as 
universal access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food at all times of the year. Supplemented by our 
very own efforts under the Harambee Prosperity Plan II, Social Progression pillar that calls for – zero 
death from hunger and poverty. We  cannot have a declaration on Trade and food Security without 
addressing the longstanding issues pertaining to public stock holding for food security purposes, the 
two are intertwined and must be addressed concurrently.  
 
Still on Agriculture, it is important to highlight that Agriculture is the sector from which 70% of the 
Namibian population derives their livelihoods. In addition, Namibia is extremely vulnerable to and 
negatively affected by climate change.  
 
On Fisheries subsidies, my country consid ers fish a vital source of food, nutrition and foreign 
currency earnings. Hence, appreciate the efforts by WTO Members to conclude the negotiations on 
fisheries subsidies ahead of the 12th Ministerial Conference in June 2022.  
 
The outcome on fisheries subs idy negotiations, should address the capacity constraints and the need 
for policy space to build and develop domestic fishing industries. This could be achieved through a 
negotiated outcome on Special and Differential Treatment (SDT).  WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 81 
 
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  Furthermore, National  authorities should be allowed to determine Illegal Unreported and 
Unregulated (IUU) and, situation of overfished stock, in their respective Exclusive Economic Zone 
(EEZ) and through Regional Fisheries Marine Organizations (RFMOs).  
 
On WTO 's response to th e pandemic and Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Waiver, 
Namibia is one of the co -sponsors to the waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement for 
the prevention, containment, and treatment of covid -19, we need to be pragmatic, fl exible and work 
in solidarity with a view to ensure timely, equitable, and secure access to safe, effective and quality 
COVID -19 vaccines and other therapeutics for the treatment and containment of COVID -19. 
 
With regards to the issues pertaining to the ap pointment of Appellate Body Members, Namibia wishes 
to re-emphasize that priority must be given to resolve the impasse on the appointment of Appellate 
Body Members. The appointment will ensure that the Body continues to function and maintain 
independence, integrity as well as impartiality in resolving disputes.  
 
In conclusion, Namibia remains committed to multilateralism and remains open to engage positively 
and constructively in finding the best possible landing zones with a view to address challenges to 
the benefit of people and bring confidence to the Namibian nation that WTO can still deliver on its 
mandate.  
 
We wish all of us a fruitful and successful Ministerial Conference that would address outstanding 
issues to the benefit of our people . 
 
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