WT/MIN(22)/17  
JOB/AG/236  
 
14 June 2022  
(22-4613) Page: 1/3 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  
Committee on Agriculture  in 
Special Session  Original: Spanish  
 
STATEMENT ON THE REFORM OF THE MULTILATERAL RULES  
ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE  
COMMUNICATION FROM ARGENTINA, PLURINATIONAL  STATE OF BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, CHILE, 
COLOMBIA, COSTA RICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR, EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA, 
HONDURAS, MEXICO, PANAMA, PARAGUAY, PERU AND URUGUAY  
The following communication, dated 14 June 2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of Argentina , Plurinational State of Bolivia , Brazil , Chile, Colombia , Costa Rica , 
Dominican Republic , Ecuador , El Salvador , Guatemala , Honduras , Mexico , Panama , Paraguay , Peru 
and Uruguay . 
 
_______________  
 
 
We the Ministers of Argentina, Plurina tional State of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, 
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El  Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru 
and Uruguay, developing countries in the Latin American region, meeting in Geneva, Switzerland on 
14 June 2022, at the Twelfth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO):  
 
1. Reaffirm our support for a rules -based, open, transparent, fairer and non -discriminatory 
multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its centre.  
 
2. Recall  that the multilateral trading system was established to "create conditions of stability 
and well -being which are necessary for peaceful and friendly relations among nations" and 
as an important tool for the promotion of sustainable development and food se curity for all 
its Members.  
 
3. Believe  that international trade plays a key role in our food security and nutrition, by 
facilitating broad and timely access to agricultural products through integration into local, 
regional and global supply chains.  
 
4. Highlight , as developing countries, our conc ern about the negative impacts on trade and 
international logistics, caused by the COVID -19 pandemic, international armed conflicts, 
climate change and natural disasters. These challenges increase the price volatility of 
agricultural products, inputs and f uels. All of this leads to unjustified protectionist measures 
and hinders the functioning of value chains.  
 
5. Regret  that these events have led to shortages and rising prices of inputs and fertilizers in 
our region. We call upon Members with the capacity to supply these products to maintain 
and, if possible, increase their availability, so that our agricultural producers may continue 
contributing to global food security and nutrition.  
 
6. Are concerned  about the pressure being generated in international markets by the 
implementation of some recently adopted emergency policies that create distortions in global 
markets, including pro -cyclical stockpiling measures, as well as those that hinder or 
unjustifiably restrict trade flows. In this regard, we consider that m ultilateral trade rules 
should contribute to the efficient allocation of scarce government resources and, at the same WT/MIN(22)/17 • JOB/AG/236  
 
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  time, provide appropriate solutions to the challenges faced by our populations, especially 
those that are vulnerable.  
 
7. We note with regret  that, according to the FAO, about 800 million people are hungry 
despite the fact that the world produces enough supplies to feed the entire population. Our 
region is part of the solution and will continue to demonstrate solidarity in the face of the 
challenges of global food security and nutrition. Today it accounts for 17% of the net export 
value of agricultural and fishery products, a proportion that  should further increase during 
this decade, reaching 25% in 2028. We are therefore contributing to the im plementation of 
the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.  
 
8. Emphasize  that Latin America has a n extraordinary capacity to contribute to global 
sustainability. We account for almost 40% of ecosystems, including more than 50% of 
world's primary f orests. The region, with about 10% of the world's total population, 
generates less than 3.8% of total greenhouse gas emissions and is the region that 
contributes the least to climate change. We are the largest providers of ecosystem services 
globally, cont ributions that have yet to be appropriately recognized and valued.  
 
9. We are convinced , while respecting the diversity that characterizes us, that there is no 
single formula that will solve all the challenges that our agricultural producers face. The 
solutions therefore require the implementation of a wide range of methods, new technologies 
and sustainable production approaches, based on scientific evidence and principles, taking 
into account good agricultural practices and traditional knowledge.  
 
10. We remain  committed to improving agricultural productivity through approaches that 
involve the efficient use of resources, including sustainable intensification, and that 
contribute to producing more and better food; poverty reduction, land tenure and the 
progressive distribution of income; the efficient use of natural resources; addressing the 
negative effects of climatic change; and promoting the economic development of our 
countries through international trade.  
 
11. We will continue  our efforts to promot e regional cooperation to address the various 
challenges arising in international agricultural markets. We share the objectives of achieving 
greater productivity, sustainability, inclusion, interconnection and resilience, and expanding 
the participation of  MSMEs, small -scale producers, women and indigenous peoples.  
 
12. We note  that international trade in agricultural products has historically been affected by 
all kinds of protectionist and distorting measures, including the proliferation of non -tariff 
meas ures, seriously affecting the production and exports of developing countries.  
 
13. We reiterate  that strengthening the implementation of the relevant WTO Agreements will 
have a positive effect on the recovery of the world economy. We therefore reaffirm ou r 
support for the Work Programme contained in the proposed Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Declaration for the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference: Responding to Modern SPS 
Challenges . 
 
14. We are convinced  that the WTO Agreement on Agriculture has been key to integrating the 
sector into the multilateral trading system. However, there is a long way to go to arrive at 
a fairer, more transparent, predictable, equitable and market -oriented agricultural trading 
system that contributes to sustainable development, including food security and nutrition.  
 
15. We regret  that, despite our efforts, the Twelfth Ministerial Conference has not made 
meaningful progress towards the long -overdue reform leading to "substantia l progressive 
reductions in agricultural support and protection", in accordance with the Agreement on 
Agriculture.  
 
16. We acknowledge  the leadership of the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica, 
Ambassador Gloria Abraham, as Chair of the Committee on Agr iculture in Special Session, 
as well as her commitment to the negotiating process and her spirit of compromise. Our 
region remains committed to negotiating and fulfilling the mandate of the Agreement on 
Agriculture.  
 WT/MIN(22)/17 • JOB/AG/236  
 
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  17. We pledge  our commitment to workin g together and making progress in an ambitious and 
decisive manner on the three pillars of the Agreement on Agriculture in order to achieve 
open, predictable and functional agricultural markets, in line with Article 20 of the Agreement 
on Agriculture.  
 
18. We recognize  that the future of this Organization depends on a genuine and effective 
commitment by all Members to the implementation of existing agreements and to the 
negotiations for the reform of agricultural trade rules. Thus, we will pursue  a reform w here 
all WTO Members contribute, taking into account our participation in international market 
distortions. We believe that this will require action against all forms of support and protection 
that distort agricultural markets. It is through ambitious agre ements that we will achieve 
global food security and sustainability in all three dimensions.  
 
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