WT/MIN(22)/ST/ 31 
12 June 2022 
(22-4467) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR MANLIO DI STEFANO  
UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND  
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION  
ITALY 
In 2021, Italy held the Presidency of the G20. All our efforts were directed at reviving multilateralism 
also in the trade sector and facilitating an ambitious result here in Geneva at the MC12, but, 
unfortunately, this is still far from certain.  
 
Unluckily we are not in a situation of business as usual. Russia' s unprovoked and unjustified military 
aggression on Ukraine is affecting people in all corners of the world. The flagrant breach of the 
United Nations Charter shakes not only Ukraine but the entire rules -based international order. 
Countries that have been struggling to recover from the COVID -19 pandemic now face fu rther 
challenges related to food and nutrition security, energy and commodity prices.  
  
Contrary to Russia' s disinformation, these impacts are not caused by the sanctions, which are fully 
in line with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, but by the  invasion of Ukraine. They are 
the responsibility of Russia, and wholly avoidable.  
 
We strongly support, therefore, as an outcome of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, a strong 
focus on a multilateral food security package. This means a commitment to avo iding export 
restrictions on food, transparency improvements on export restrictions and transparency on stocks, 
and the decision exempting World Food Program humanitarian purchases from export restrictions.  
 
When it comes to the response to the pandemic, w e should focus on eliminating burdensome 
barriers, increasing transparency and keeping markets open particularly for vaccines, therapeutics 
and diagnostics. The global production of vaccines has steadily increased, and the intellectual 
property system has been an enabler. The common goal of global equitable access to COVID vaccines 
is however yet to be achieved. Our joint work here should further contribute in concrete terms to 
fully overcoming the pandemic and making sure we are equipped for similar cases in the future.  
 
A renewed focus is also needed on level -playing field. The current rules have been unable to counter 
market -distorting practices, and we would like to see greater efforts in re -establishing fair 
competition. The imbalances in the level -playing field also represent an obstacle to market access. 
Market access commitments are, indeed, increasingly disconnected from the economic realities of 
the 21st century.  
 
Distinguished Delegates, trade is an engine for growth, but we should strive for more inclusive and 
equitable growth, we should think about how to close the gender gap and how to integrate young 
people and vulnerable communities. Micro, small and medium en terprises (MSMEs) are often the 
gate for those groups to benefit from international trade, and it is important to promote their access 
to information, transparency and a more predictable regulatory environment.  
 
Another paramount step to show that the WTO  is not detached from reality is to open our eyes and 
finally acknowledge the existence of global environmental challenges and, in particular, climate 
change. We must reaffirm mutual support between trade and environmental policies.  Nothing 
represents this  better than our efforts to complete the fisheries subsidies negotiation, which has at 
its core the concern for the sustainability of our oceans and their fish fauna.  
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  This is why we also encourage as many members as possible to join the Trade and Environ mental 
Sustainability Structured Discussions. These are all significant and necessary steps towards a trade 
that is respectful of our common planet and preserves the environment where we all live.  
 
Your Excellencies, before modernizing the agenda we must r eform the WTO. In order to make sure 
it delivers, its rulemaking, monitoring and dispute settlement functions should be strengthened and 
updated to be fit for the XXI century. Without a well -functioning dispute settlement system, we 
cannot provide security  and predictability to multilateral trade. Maintaining the integrity of the 
trading system and the correct monitoring of commitments is essential. Fostering the update of the 
global trade rulebook, for example, to cover digital trade, is finally paramount for strengthening the 
rulemaking function.  
 
As we all know, the WTO is confronted with many challenges. Wide -ranging reforms are needed to 
restore and relaunch the organization as a key pillar of trade global governance and a more effective 
instrument for inclusive growth and prosperity and sustainable development.  It is, indeed, a difficult 
and urgent task, which can only be achieved if we all work together in a committed, constructive 
and forward -looking way and I can assure you that Italy, together with the European Union and its 
other Member States, is ready and willing to do its part!  
 
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