WT/MIN(22)/ST/118  
12 June 2022 
(22-4558) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY DATO' SERI MOHAMED AZMIN BIN ALI  
SENIOR MINISTER, MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL  
TRADE AND INDUSTRY  
MALAYSIA  
Malaysia expresses appreciation to Kazakhstan, Switzerland and the WTO Secretariat  for 
successfully hosting the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12). We commend Dr. Ngozi 
Okonjo -Iweala, for her astute leadership in steering the WTO.  
  
As we gather here today, the global economic landscape continues to be faced with a multitude of 
challenges. Even as the world is transitioning towards endemicity, we are now presented with a new 
set of global economic, trade and related issues  that warrants urgent and decisive action, 
particularly, with regard to the imperative of accelerating public  health, trade linkages and 
economic recovery .  
 
We should seize this opportunity to build back better with more resilience , and the WTO holds 
the key to accomplish this by providing stability, security and predictability  to conduct trade . 
Malaysia believe s that MC12 serves as the right platform to reinforce  our multilateral 
cooperation . With regard to the imperative to strengthen the multilateral trading system in 
furtherance of greater solidarity, Malaysia believes the following five key areas should be a ddressed:  
 
First, Malaysia welcomes the initiative of having a multilateral outcome on the WTO response to 
the pandemic , particularly in developing a suitable framework to mitigate the adverse impacts of 
the pandemic and to be better prepared for future co ntingencies. In this regard, flexibility and 
adaptability with regard to the application of trade rules is vital. Additionally, facilitative measures 
must be in place to ensure the continuity of supply chain and seamless movement of essential goods. 
At the  same time, we need to see greater vaccine multilateralism  through closer cooperation in 
distribution and recognition. Effective management of the pandemic requires fair, equitable , 
affordable  and accessible vaccines for all . This is crucial to ensure that  no country is left behind.  
 
Secondly, we must not allow the current crisis to be compounded with another tragedy, namely, a 
global food crisis . Failure to address this in a holistic manner will lead to a protracted humanitarian 
and food security catastrophe. Members must be united and coordinated to embrace a bold 
transformation of agri -food systems , in order to be more efficient, inclusive, res ilient and 
sustainable. It cannot be overstressed on how important it is to enhance the speed of supply 
chain, market access, and close coordination . We need to act now, act fast and in unison.  
 
Thirdly, we need to revitalise the negotiating pillars of the  WTO  by delivering an outcome in 
agriculture and fisheries subsidies. As food security concerns have been part of the long -standing 
unresolved agriculture negotiation , a permanent solution  to the issue of public stockholding is 
essential. Therefore, Member s must find ways to come to a consensus in order to achieve 
self-sustainable food production without compromising international agriculture trade. With regard 
to the negotiations on fisheries subsidies , Malaysia believes that time is of the essence conside ring 
that this matter has been outstanding for the past 20 years. Rather than being fixated with an 
inward -looking approach, Members must be magnanimous and forward looking in order to resolve 
this matter. Now is the time to show compromise  and to take a middle ground  between the 
developed and developing Members.  
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  Fourth ly, Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT)  is crucial for developing and least -
developed countries. Malaysia has been a strong advocate of the S&DT at the WTO as it is a 
fundamental developmental tool  that has facilitated our integration into the global economy . 
As we revisit the S&DT element, we need to ensure that the ultimate objective of such a mechanism 
is not undermined. In this regard, it is imperative that S&DT principles be preserved, as its 
application is critical for the developing and least -developed countries.  
 
Finally, WTO  reforms  remain crucial to ensure the relevancy of the WTO. Towards this end, an 
enforceable dispute settlement body  is critical to ensure that our global trading rules are applied 
equally and impartially. Unfortunately, the functioning  of the dispute sett lement mechanism has 
been paralyzed  by the impasse  in the appointment of the Appellate Body . Thus, Malaysia 
strongly urges for a concrete resolution  to this crisis which has damaged the effectiveness of the 
WTO.  
 
Our collective undertaking at MC12 will sen d a strong signal to the world that the WTO is still relevant 
in driving the recovery process towards a sustainable and resilient global economy. We must strike 
a balance in reaching agreement on the outstanding issues. This is the only option we have to 
restore global confidence in the WTO . 
 
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