WT/MIN(22)/ST/ 32 
12 June 2022 
(22-4468) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
STATEME NT BY H.E. DR. MEHMET MUŞ  
MINISTER OF TRADE  
TÜRKIYE  
It is a pleasure and privilege for me to reach you on the occasion of WTO 's Twelfth Ministerial 
Conference.  
 
I would like to thank the Government of Kazakhstan for co-hosting this Conference, as well as the 
WTO Secretariat and the Director General Madam IWEALA on its behalf, for their efforts in organizing 
this important event after almost five years.    
 
Since the last conference, our world has been witnessing unique  challenges. The pandemic deeply 
impacted not only public health, but also the entire global economic, commercial and social system. 
We have observed a significant decline in global trade and growth.   
 
While we have been experiencing a recovery in the last  year; the pace of the recovery process has 
been hindered as a result of the geopolitical unrest. As many other countries, Türkiye has been 
affected by these negative developments at the forefront.  
 
However, thanks to the proactive social and economic poli cies, Türkiye managed a robust recovery 
with a growth rate of eleven percent (11%) in the last year, and seven point three percent (7,3%) 
in the first quarter of this year.  
 
As of 2021, Türkiye also increased its foreign trade volume to a record high leve l.  
 
In the current global context, the unexpected circumstances brought by the pandemic and 
geopolitical tensions have led us to a global economic turmoil, with a historic commodity inflation 
cycle.  
 
Against this backdrop, the effectiveness and the security of the global value and supply chains had 
to be reconsidered. Now, the importance of "strategic autonomy " in certain critical sectors, such as 
the food and medical industries, has been rediscovered.   
 
However, these challenges also showed us once again the key importance of global economic and 
commercial governance. The global challenges need global solutions, and we should work together 
to avoid the public health and geopolitical crisis to become a global economic and food crisis.  
 
In this respect, strengthening the rules -based, free, predictable, fair, and inclusive multilateral 
trading system, with the WTO at its center, is the only way to address the current challenges of the 
world economy.  
 
Türkiye considers that the WTO reform is long overdue and is one of the most important issues of 
the post -pandemic period. We need to launch an inclusive and balanced reform process, with clear 
objectives and concrete work plans, as a matter of urgency.  
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  In this process, first of all, priority should be given to the reform of the dispute settlement 
mechanism. The current paralysis of the Appellate Body of the Dispute Settlement Mechanism is 
unacceptable. We urge all Members to take their responsibility seriou sly for addressing the concerns 
related to the functioning of the system and permanently restoring its two -tier functioning.  
 
Second, we need to update WTO rule -book in certain fields such as agriculture, and also establish 
new rules reflecting today 's global conditions.  
 
Last but not least, the WTO has to deliver adequate solutions to the pressing global issues, such as 
the problems related to the pandemic, global overfishing and food security.  
 
We believe that the twelfth Ministerial Conference has to pu t forward tangible outcomes, for meeting 
the high expectations from the WTO.  
 
First of all, the MC 12 has to deliver an effective response to the pandemic, covering all the aspects 
of the matter.  
 
WTO has already played an important role in strengthening global supply chains for all essential 
goods in combating pandemics and effectively monitoring trade restrictions. An operational MC12 
outcome, including a TRIPS Waiver for vaccines, will further th e crucial role played by the WTO in 
this process.  
 
Second, we support the conclusion of the negotiations on "fisheries subsidies " with an effective and 
balanced discipline that would prohibit harmful subsidies. We strongly believe that this has to be 
part of the MC12 outcomes.  
 
Finally, the pandemic process and recent geopolitical tensions reiterated the importance of food 
security, especially for the most vulnerable part of the world population. Therefore, we believe that 
it is important to create a comm on understanding for addressing this crucial matter and ensuring 
the smooth flow of the global agricultural trade.  
 
In agriculture, the market distortive domestic subsidies are also historically a critical part of the food 
security problems. Therefore, we attach importance in obtaining results for tackling with domestic 
supports.  
 
In the same vein, we have to yield outcomes on the Special Safeguard Mechanism and public 
stockholdings for food security purposes. A clear work program for these critical issues will be very 
valuable.  
 
On the other hand, we also support joint initiative efforts among Members, who are willing to 
increase cooperation in certain areas. Thus, we welcome the recent conclusion of the negotiations 
on "Services Domestic Regulation ". We encourage all WTO Members to eventually endorse this 
important legal document which we consider as a significant instrument to facilitate trade in services.  
 
Once again, I would like to emphasize Türkiye 's readiness and firm commitment to work with other 
members to contribute to the multilateral trading system and achieve meaningful  outcomes from 
MC12. 
 
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