WT/MIN(22)/ST/67  
12 June 2022 
(22-4504) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR SULTAN BIN RASHID AL -KHATER  
UNDERSECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE  
AND INDUSTRY  
QATAR 
Since we last met in Buenos Aires, nearly five years ago, we have had to face a significant number 
of challenging developments. Some of these are systemic, such as the paralysis of the Appellate 
Body, and under the control and responsibility of the membership, in addition to other global 
challenges, including the devastating economic implications of the Covid -19 pande mic and the most 
recent energy and food security crisis. All these developments greatly affect the multilateral trading 
system, as governed by the WTO agreements.  
 
Our meeting at the 12th Ministerial Conference is a positive sign. It is a signal that multi lateralism 
is still prevalent and that we can work together on suitable solutions to the challenges that the world 
is facing. We must build on the positive work accomplished since the establishment of this 
organization so that it can be more responsive to these challenges and regain its central importance 
to promoting and regulating global trade. Development must be at the heart of all our discussions 
as trade must be a tool for and an engine of development.  
 
On that note, and despite the impasse in the cur rent round of negotiations, which were launched 
back in 2001 in the capital of my country, Doha, we take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment 
to a successful conclusion of the DDA. It is imperative that we continue to focus our negotiations on 
enhan cing trade rules so that developing countries, and in particular least developed countries, are 
more integrated in the world trading order and benefit from international trade. These negotiations 
are also an opportunity for us to revise WTO rules to adapt to the current and future trading 
environment.  
 
We, in the State of Qatar, throughout our history, have been dependent on the activity of commerce 
as the backbone of our economy. As a small country, which exports most of what it produces and 
imports most o f what it consumes, we are strong advocates of a stable multilateral trading system 
that is open, inclusive, predictable, and transparent.  
 
Because of the importance of trade, for us and other Members, we support negotiations on WTO 
reform. We must underta ke a critical review of the rules that address our daily activities to ensure 
that the organization is fully functional and can effectively perform its functions.  
 
In addition, we require new rules and disciplines to adapt to the changes in the internation al 
economic landscape. Many developments have taken place since the establishment of the WTO, over 
25 years ago. These have completely transformed the manner in which we conduct trade. 
Technology and digitalization have become more prevalent than ever. It is important that we agree 
on disciplines that address these developments. Therefore, we welcome the progress on the Joint 
Statement Initiatives and hope that the discussions will result in new trade agreements.  
 
The Covid -19 pandemic has shown that our societies are resilient. While we have been able to cope 
with the unprecedented disruptions to the global economy and supply chain shortages, this recent 
crisis has revealed that greater cooperation could have ensured a more rapid and adequate response. 
We support mechanisms to ensure even greater collaboration to address the Covid -19 and any future 
pandemic, and, in particular, global efforts aiming to make vaccines available promptly, in sufficient 
quantities and at affordable prices for everyone.  WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 67 
 
- 2 - 
 
   
Anothe r priority is the long overdue conclusion of the fisheries subsidies negotiations. We would like 
to highlight here, once again, the environmental, economic and humanitarian importance of these 
negotiations. We cannot overlook the alarming decrease in globa l fish stocks in recent decades and 
the overall negative impact of fisheries subsidies. We need to prove that the WTO can deliver, 
particularly in areas of already agreed UN Sustainable Development Goals.  
 
Concerning the crisis of the dispute settlement sy stem in general and the Appellate Body in 
particular, Qatar supports frank and open discussions with a view to breaking the stalemate. The 
WTO cannot afford to have a non -fully operational system that is unable to settle trade disputes. 
The WTO is a rules -based organization. A crippled dispute settlement system affects the organization 
as a whole. It is essential that Members be in a position to enforce their rights and that all trade 
disputes be settled.  
 
We stand ready to contribute to a 12th WTO Minister ial Conference that will give us much needed 
momentum to reform this organization and the world trading system . 
 
__________