WT/MIN(22)/21  
15 June 2022  
(22-4649) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12-15 June  2022 Original: Spanish  
 
COORDINATOR OF GRULAC –WTO  
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR FEDERICO ALFARO BOYD  
MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY OF THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA  
ON BEHALF OF THE LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN GROUP (GRULAC),  
ON THE OCCASION OF THE TWELFTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE  
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION  
13 JUNE 2022  
The following communication, dated 13 June 2022, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean Countries (GRULAC), Members of the 
World  Trade Organization (WTO).  
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On behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), we extend our deepest appreciation 
and gratitude to H.E. Mr Guy Parmelin, Federal Councillor for Economic Affairs of the Swiss 
Government for hosting  the Twelfth Ministerial Conference of the WTO. We also extend our best 
wishes to H.E. Mr Timur Suleimenov, on his election as Co -Chair, and to H.E. Mr Jerome Walcott, on 
his election as Vice -Chair of this Ministerial Conference.  
 
We appreciate the work an d diligence of Members and the Secretariat during the negotiations and 
drafting of all the documents that have been submitted for the Ministers' consideration. This 
Ministerial Conference is undoubtedly a considerable challenge as it is the first ministeri al meeting 
to take place in the context of the COVID -19 pandemic and is happening at a critical juncture.  
 
With regard to the WTO's response to the pandemic, the group appreciates the endeavours of 
Ambassador Dacio Castillo, as facilitator of this process , to achieve an outcome within the framework 
of the Conference. As we move forward on this global stage, the members of GRULAC have chosen 
the path of multilateralism to address the development challenges that have been exacerbated by 
the COVID -19 pandemic . The group also recognizes the tireless efforts of 
Ambassador  Gloria  Abraham in the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session, 
Ambassador  Patricia Benedetti in the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender, and 
Ambassador Santiago Wills in the fisherie s negotiations.  
 
Therefore, the WTO, as the centre of the multilateral trading system, is called upon to play a crucial 
role on the path to prosperity for all, especially for developing countries. As such, the GRULAC 
members wish to reiterate their continu ed support for the work of the Organization in this regard, 
based on promoting a fair, equitable and non -discriminatory multilateral trading system, which will 
reduce existing asymmetries and promote the sustainable and inclusive development of our peoples . 
 
The countries of Latin America and the Caribbean form a diverse region, rich in natural resources, 
with food -producing countries and others that are net importers of food. We are all looking for 
multiple ways to contribute to the strengthening and advancement of the multilateral trading system 
with a view to development in which no one is left behind. Each GRULAC country, in its own way, is 
integrating into international trade in the manner that best meets its specific needs and ch allenges. 
At the same time, our common goal remains overcoming poverty and inequality in order to provide 
our citizens with more opportunities.  WT/MIN(22)/21  
 
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  Lastly, we would like to reiterate the Group's commitment to the World Trade Organization and to 
all the multila teral negotiating processes, and we look forward to a positive conclusion to this 
Ministerial Conference.  
 
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