WT/MIN(22)/ST/78  
12 June  2022 
(22-4515) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original:  French  
 
  
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR LEMRABOTT BENNAHI  
MINISTER OF TRADE, INDUSTRY,  
CRAFTS AND TOURISM  
MAURITANIA  
I would like to congratulate the WTO Director -General, Ms Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala , for the excellent 
way the work has been conducted and for the tireless commitment she has always shown.  
I would also like to congratulate all the heads of delegation and experts who are here for the 
considerable progress made in the negotiations and for the general spirit of cooperation and 
understanding in our p roceedings.  
Not only are the Conference's goals important, but this year's Conference is unique in that it is taking 
place following the shock that COVID -19 had on the global trading system. This is the first meeting 
of this level since the end of the pand emic. Our respective States and public opinion rightfully expect 
positive outcomes that w ould make this meeting a historic event.  
The topics on the agenda are of critical importance to our country.  
Fishing  in all its forms is an essential source of income for our country. It contributes to our 
economic growth and is a pillar of our economic development.  
On the sustainable management of our oceans, it is desirable to reach an agreement that clearly 
and precisely defines special and differential treatment.  
To this end, Mauritania reiterates its firm commitment to an agreement that will eliminate certain 
subsidies linked to unregulated and unreported illegal fishing.  
After 20 years of long negotiations, such an agreement will enable us to regulate a vital sec tor for 
our peoples and our economies. The agreement will help to address overfishing and prevent the 
depletion of fish stocks, in line with the objectives of the Doha Round of 2001 and the mandate of 
the Eleventh Ministerial Conference and target 14.6 of the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted 
in 2015.  
We request that the new agreement take into consideration:  
1. Adequate special and differential treatment for least developed countries and African, 
Caribbean and Pacific countries in its effective implemen tation;  
2. Capacity -building and technical assistance to implement the new reforms that will be agreed 
upon;  
3. The non -inclusion of artisanal and small -scale fishing in the agreement to continue protecting 
our vulnerable populations whose survival depends on the sector.  
The agricultural sector  is also the backbone of many developing economies. We reaffirm the need  
to reform the Agreement on Agriculture to prioritize issues relating to food security. Special 
safeguard mechanisms are essential to support the resilience of trade in goods and to foster food 
security.  WT/MIN(22)/ST/78  
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  Any reform considered for the agricultural sector mu st first and foremost address the structural 
problems that cause food insecurity, since it is such a high priority.  
We are of the view that any proposed reform of the global trading system must take into account 
the need to preserve the fundamental values of the World Trade Organization, strengthen the 
multilateral trading system, protect our common development concerns and support progress 
towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.  
I wish every success for our work and hope that it will lead to h istoric resolutions for our 
Organization.  
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