WT/MIN(22)/ 6 
JOB/ DEV/66  
 
10 June 2022  
(22-4389) Page: 1/3 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 202 2 Original: English  
 
 
AFRICA AND DEVELOP MENT 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE AFRICAN GROUP  
The following communication, dated 9 June 2022, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Cameroon, on behalf of the African Group . 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION  
In pursuing our development agenda, our objectives are informed by the African Union's Agenda 
2063: The Africa We Want. It places at the centre of our development agenda, the eradication of 
poverty through social and economic transformation of  the continent. We aspire, through the 
structural transformation, economic diversification and industrialisation of Africa, to create shared 
growth, decent jobs and economic opportunities for all our people.  
The outcomes of WTO negotiations must translate  into positive results in developing and least 
developed countries' trade and trade balance, improvement in production and supply capacity, 
prospects for industrial development, livelihood security, rural development and increased 
employment, as well as in comes and standards of living of our people.  
We commit to engage in multilateral trade discussions and negotiations and agree to outcomes 
aimed at supporting our regional and continental development objectives, including the conclusion 
and implementation o f the African Continental Free Trade Area.  
2  DEVELOPMENT  
The principle and operationalisation of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) is of particular 
importance for all African Members in existing and future WTO rules, in order for them to participat e 
in the multilateral trading system in a beneficial way. We therefore reaffirm the provisions of S&DT 
as an integral part of the WTO and its multilateral trade agreements.  
The formulation of S&DT provisions in new multilateral rules or agreements shall be precise, effective 
and operational, and shall not be traded off with other elements. Such provisions should be designed 
to provide the requisite policy tools for African Members to achieve their sustainable development 
needs.  
We commit to participate in multilateral trade negotiations in accordance with Articles II.3 and III.1 
of the Marrakesh Agreement by advancing positions towards multilateral outcomes that are 
balanced, preserve the necessary policy space for industrial development o f African Members and in 
a manner that is consistent and commensurate with our respective needs and concerns, and take 
into account our different levels of economic development.  WT/MIN(22)/ 6 • JOB/ DEV/66  
 
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  We reaffirm our commitment to the Doha Development Agenda, and we resolve to intensify 
negotiations on the systemic and historic imbalances inherited from the GATT/WTO Agreements, 
and urge all WTO Members to work towards substantial outcomes by MC13 on:  
a. Strengthening S&DT provisions in the WTO Agreements to make them 'precise, eff ective 
and operational' (para 44 of Doha Declaration).  
b. Operationalising the S&DT elements in each negotiating area including in agriculture, 
services and TRIPS.  
c. Achieving effective outcomes in the implementation -related issues as mandated (para  12 
of Doha  Declaration).  
d. LDC issues – these include but are not limited to the issues in Bali where legally binding 
outcomes could not be achieved and where Ministers instructed prioritisation (para  1.11, 
Bali Declaration).  
e. Reforming agricultural trade disciplines  by establishing rules that level the playing field, 
with a development dimension at the centre. This issue is of central importance to most 
developing countries. As such, fulfilling the mandate in the area of domestic support is 
critical. Without domestic  support disciplines that level the playing field, efforts in the 
market access pillar in many cases are unlikely to bring real market openings, since 
developed country markets will continue to remain unduly protected.  
f. Intensify technical assistance and c apacity building programs that enhance participation 
of African Members (in negotiations and implementation of existing trade rules ). 
3  TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY  
We reaffirm the relevance of the Working Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology as being of 
critical importance to African Members. We commit to undertake a detailed examination of the 
different provisions on technology transfer contained in the various  WTO agreements that hinder 
technology transfer, with a view to making these provisions operational and meaningful for 
developing countries, including least developed countries. We commit to work towards substantial 
outcomes by MC13.  
4  PROCESS  
We reiterate that, the core principles of full participation, inclusiveness and transparency (FIT) must 
be respected. All WTO Members, irrespective of their size and level of development, must have the 
opportunity to participate in negotiating the rules and agreements of the WTO and in the 
decision -making processes. This will ensure that the collective views of all Members are taken into 
account. The legitimacy of the WTO rests on whether this principle is adhered to.  
We also impress upon all Chairpersons designated to  serve all WTO Members, to act in accordance 
with the rules of procedure and reflect the positions and interests of all Members, without any 
prejudice or bias. This is crucial in ensuring balanced negotiating outcomes in the WTO.  
5  WTO REFORM  
We note the ch allenges facing the WTO and reiterate our commitment towards developing a common 
understanding, through multilateral engagement of the reforms Members are interested in pursuing. 
We underscore that the WTO reforms must consider measures to facilitate the e ffective, full, and 
inclusive participation of developing countries including least developed countries in the multilateral 
trading system and its decision -making processes, and rebalance the inequitable trade rules from 
the Uruguay Round.  
The fundamental  importance of preserving Article  IX.1 of the Marrakesh Agreement on 
consensus -based decision -making cannot be overemphasized. We reiterate that any changes in the 
institutional mechanisms for decision -making in the WTO must not be made at the expense of t he WT/MIN(22)/ 6 • JOB/ DEV/66  
 
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  sovereign and equal right of Members to fully participate in the consensus -based decision -making 
processes of the WTO.  
The outcome of any WTO reform processes shall safeguard the necessary policy space needed by 
developing countries for their structural  transformation, industrialisation and economic recovery. 
The reforms shall take place in the General Council and be guided by the principles and objectives 
of the Marrakesh Agreement and its multilateral trade agreements. The modalities of the reform 
processes should be based on contributions  by Members.  
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