WT/MIN(22)/ST/39  
12 June 2022 
(22-4475) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR  JUSTIN SUN  
AMBASSADOR, EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY,  
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE  
GRENADA  
I greet you on behalf of the government and people of Grenada. I also wish to offer apologies on 
behalf of The Honourable Alvin Da Breo, Minister of Trade, who is unavoidably absent from our 
deliberations at MC12.  
 
Grenada also associates with the statements on behalf of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean 
States (OECS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) 
states.  
 
Grenada' s economy grew strongly prior to the COVID -19 shock, supported by the implementation 
of important reforms and favorable external conditions. Real GDP growth averaged 4.5% during 
2014-19. Real GDP contrac ted by 14% in 2020 due to the Coronavirus. Real GDP expanded by 5.6% 
in 2021. Output is projected to expand by 3.6% in 2022, however, Grenada is now experiencing an 
increase in commodity prices, representing an important headwind to its economic outlook.  
 
Indeed, we are living in precarious times. We are still confronted with a once in a generation public 
health pandemic. For decades, we have also had to contend with a climate crisis and an 
environmental emergency. In more recent years, we have observed a d angerous trend towards 
hyper -nationalism, deglobalization and multilateral backsliding, each of which makes our lives as 
global citizens more complicated rather than better.  
 
If I may now say a few words about the ongoing Fisheries Subsidies Negotiations. While we are 
Small Island Developing States (SIDS), we are also large ocean and  big sea states. As you are well 
aware, Grenada is surrounded by water. Therefore, our marine resources play a major role in the 
socio-economic lives of our citizens.  
 
However, we are also aware that along with the rest of the international community, we must also 
play our role in protecting marine life. This can be done by concluding negotiations on a balanced 
fisheries subsidies agreement which addresses illegal, unreported and  unregulated fishing, as well 
as one which curbs subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing. Of course, a final 
agreement must also ensure appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for 
developing and least -developed count ries as per our negotiating mandate.  
 
On electronic commerce, Grenada has a systemic interest on this issue. We see e - commerce and 
the broader digital economy, including developments in areas such as block chain technologies, as 
the next frontier in terms of the acceleration of global economic growth and development, including 
for SIDS. Therefore, we are intent on not being left behind.  
 
However, to secure beneficial outcomes on e -commerce, we are also aware that there is a need for 
us to close the di gital divide within our countries and between our countries and others. This would 
require higher levels of investment in infrastructure; modernization of the legal and regulatory 
framework; and training and capacity building among others. It is in this co ntext that we support 
the renewal of the e -commerce Work Programme, including the development dimension, and a 
renewal of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.  
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  Furthermore, given the inequities which we have seen in access to COVID -19 vaccines, especially 
during the worst phases of the pandemic, we believe that it is important for WTO Members to finalize 
an agreement on an intellectual property waiver for COVID -19 vaccines. We also support a Ministerial 
Declaration on a WTO response  to the pandemic, which can also serve as a blueprint for future 
crises.  
 
We also call for the immediate restoration of the two -tiered dispute settlement system, long seen 
as the jewel in the crown of the WTO.  
 
As I prepare to close, allow me to state that  as SIDS with small open economies, Grenada relies 
heavily on the predictability, transparency and developmental benefits of the multilateral trading 
system (MTS). We are interested in a WTO which is modern; accommodating of the developmental 
interests of all Members,  especially developing and least developed countries; and one which takes 
its rightful place at the centre of global trade and economic governance.  
 
Grenada remains committed to playing a constructive role at MC12 and looks forward to joining 
important and meaningful consensus decisions.  
 
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