WT/MIN(24)/ST/86  
26 February  2024 
(24-1589) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Thirteenth Session  
Abu Dhabi, 26 -29 February 2024  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY HON. MR LEOTA LAKI LAMOSITELE  
MINISTER OF TRADE NEGOTIATIONS  
SAMOA 
On behalf of the Samoan delegation, I would like to thank the host of MC13 (United Arab Emirates) 
and the WTO Secretariat for their efforts in organizing this Conference.  
 
Our expectations for MC13 are high, as the world has not gotten any better since the conclusion of 
MC12 in June 2022, with the only major relief being that COVID -19 is no longer considered a health 
emergency of international co ncern. Geo −political tensions have increased, exacerbating food 
security issues in our regions through rising food prices and reduced food availability.  
 
Lack of progress in the WTO negotiations on agriculture, fisheries subsidies, WTO reform, special 
and differential treatment and services is of concern to us in the face of these challenges. In addition, 
unfair competition, non -tariff barriers contained in some Members ' unilateral environmental 
sustainability regulations continue to harm exports from Samoa , and from other member s of the 
OACPS. As a result, our member s have not been able to significantly increase their exports and 
currently account for only about 2 % of world trade.  Despite the fact that the OACPS consists of 
79 members and represents 13 % of the world 's population, our contribution to global GDP is less 
than 4 %.  
 
Samoa believes and supports the important role of the WTO in enhancing the participation of 
developing countries in global trade, ensuring that the benefits of global trade are acces sible to all 
nations, especially developing countries and Least Developed Countries. We remain convinced that 
the WTO can help fight hunger and improve food security in the world through fair and predictable 
rules that promote greater economic diversificat ion. The world needs the WTO now more than ever 
to respond to people 's urgent needs. MC13 provides us a good opportunity to do so.  
 
I now turn to some of the key substantive areas on the table at MC13, and highlight the following:  
 
Samoa has been participa ting actively in the  fisheries subsidies phase II negotiations on the 
overcapacity and overfishing (OCOF) outstanding pillar , and remains of the view that the 
disciplines should target the top largest subsidizers who are the cause of the problem, while inc luding 
exemptions for Least Developed Countries, for members whose marine share of global fish catch is 
below an appropriate de minimis  threshold, and for artisanal/small -scale fishing.  We emphasize that 
notification requirements should not be burdensome for developing and least developed countries 
who are not the cause.  
 
With regards to agriculture , Samoa shares the concern at the slow pace of negotiations and the 
ongoing divergences be tween Members.  It is imperative that we address current distortions in the 
global agricultural market, especially in reducing domestic support with appropriate Special and 
Differential Treatment (SDT) that includes preserving existing flexibilities for sma ll developing 
countries like Samoa. With this, we should also work towards delivering a Permanent Solution on 
Public Stockholding for food security purposes, an essential instrument in the fight against food 
insecurity.  Developing countries, which face a g reater burden of food insecurity, must have 
ownership and decide on the solutions to address the burden and not solutions that are determined 
by countries which have commercial/export interest in agriculture rather than a food security 
perspective.  
 WT/MIN(24)/ST/86  
 
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  On WTO reform , Samoa believes that the reform process should be carried out in an inclusive and 
transparent manner, upholding the basic principles and objectives of the WTO, particularly 
consensus -based decision making and special and differential treatmen t. At our 12th Conference in 
Geneva last year, we reaffirmed that special and differential treatment for developing and Least 
Developed Country Member s is an integral part of the WTO and its agreements. As such, Samoa 
concurs with others in supporting the work of the WTO and that MC13 should ensure inclusive, 
transparent, and rules -based outcomes, to accommodate the diversity of WTO Member ship in 
implementing current trade agreements and negotiating new agreements. WTO reform should be 
centred on the princi ples of equitable growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development in 
developing countries; and should account for the fact that majority of WTO Members are developing 
countries seeking to increase their share in world trade.  
 
Samoa recognizes the pot ential of E -commerce of easing the constraints associated with Samoa 's 
remoteness from major markets and producing cross -border trade opportunities for our MSMEs. We 
acknowledge that dedicated discussions on the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce  have 
been constructive and we encourage more knowledge and experience sharing sessions. We also 
support the call for the extension of the moratorium on electronic transmissions  up to MC14. 
A common understanding on this issue, particularly the scope, definition and impact of the 
moratorium, would help Members make an informed decision come the next Ministerial Conference.  
 
In conclusion, Samoa reaffirms its commitment to the rules -based multilateral trading system and 
continues to have full confidence in the rele vance of the WTO and its potential to contribute to global 
growth and the economic stability of its Members.  
 
I extend my Best Wishes to you all, and look forward to working closely with you to achieve a good 
MC13 outcome.  
 
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