WT/MIN(13)/ST/69  
5 December 2013  
(13-6730)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Ninth Session 
Bali, 3-6 December 2013  Original: English  
 
 STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. SAADALDEEN TALIB 
MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE 
(Speaking as an Observer) 
YEMEN 
On behalf of the Republic of Yemen Government an d my personal capacity, I would like to extend 
sincere appreciation to the Indonesian authoritie s and the Organizing Committee for the excellent 
arrangements extended to hosting MC9 in beautiful Bali. I would like also to congratulate  H.E. Gita 
Irawan Wirjawan, Indonesia Trade Minister, for his election as Chairman of this Ministerial 
Conference as well as his Honorable Deputies, whom I trust shall navigate this 9th. Session to a 
very successful outcome. I equally would like to congratulate the WTO Director-General, the 
General Council Chairman, and the WTO Secretaria t for their unremitting efforts and dedication 
throughout the preparation process in Geneva that led to this week conference.   
MC9 is an occasion to take stock on the operation and functioning of the Multilateral Trading 
System. Ministers are also expected to take actions, which they may deem necessary, to enhance work of the WTO, especially on different important issues that have been hanging ripe for some-time. I believe that it is quite timely to address some of the most pressing issues and concerns, 
particularly to the least advantaged countries, namely LDCs. MC9 also comes at a crucial juncture, 
when the world is attempting to overcome many economic, financial and political challenges.   
Despite the fact that DDA negotiations have made substantial progress on many issues, the fact 
remains it continues to be in an impasse. This unfortunate state of affairs has limited LDCs ambition to address some of their impediments, and in particular reaching the Millennium 
Development Goals as well as achieving other development objectives. Nonetheless, I am hopeful 
that with constructive political will progress sh all be made to close this longest trade round. 
Concluding the DDA would assist in delivering the needed trade contribution to world economy and shall demonstrate the benefits of the multilateral trading system. Yemen is very hopeful that an 
early harvest of LDC issues and other key concer ns, within the spirit of paragraph 47 of Doha 
Ministerial Declaration, can be reached before the conclusion this conference.    
On a bright side, accession to WTO has been a success story in recent years. Accessions of the 
Russian Federation, Montenegro, Samoa, Vanuatu, Lao P.D.R and Tajikistan were concluded successfully not long time ago. The first three countries accessions were adopted by MC8 in 
December 2011. Equally, MC9 just adopted Yemen accession package yesterday. On this note, 
Yemen Government and delegation would like to extend deepest gratitude to WTO Membership for 
their support and for inviting Yemen to become the new WTO Member, number 160 insahALLAH.  
As an LDC Member-to-be, Yemen emphasizes the im portance of activating the Decision on the 
Accession of LDCs both in its 2002 and 2012 LDC accession guidelines’ versions, and look forward to seeing their full and faithful implementation. Likewise, Yemen reaffirms support for the early 
accession of other fellow Arab, LDCs and develo ping countries to WTO. All acceding countries 
should not be requested to undertake commitm ents and concessions that go beyond their 
respective level of development status and existing WTO principles and rules.  This goes without 
saying to TRIPS Agreement obligations, including re cent measures taken in favor of LDCs. Equally; 
Yemen Government is committed to become a good and active WTO Member and to take its share 
of responsibility to maintain the integrity of this rules-based organization. WT/MIN(13)/ST/69 
 
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  On internal front, Yemen is currently witnessing the final phase of an extensive and inclusive 
national dialogue that started mid-March this year. We are hopeful that a “New Yemen” shall emerge from the ruins of a protracted and complic ated serious crisis. Therefore, I call upon Yemen 
Friends, all of whom are WTO Members, to spare no effort to assist my country on the path of 
stability and economic recovery. On this occasion, I would like to thank Yemen Friends for their 
continued support to fully integrate in the global economy, through completing the accession negotiations process to WTO.   
 
Yemen fully appreciates the assistance of all international, regional and bilateral development partners. The Enhanced Integrated Framework Programme, which Yemen was one of the first two LDCs to benefit from its Tier 1 project since 2007, was a useful instrument in that respect. Yemen 
also values the progress made by Aid-for-Trade initiative with a view to help LDCs and other 
developing countries to address trade related development challenges and mainstream trade into their respective development plans and strategies. Yemen continues to call for additional targeted 
technical and financial assistance through such vital mechanisms among others to facilitate 
diversification of its economy and meeting WTO implementation obligations in the months and years to come.  
 
Last but not least, Yemen delegation fully subscribe to Arab Group and LDC Group communiqué and declarations, including calls for positive actions on draft decisions and guidance by MC9 on different areas of priorities and interests to WTO members.  
 
I sincerely wish this Ministerial Conference all the success it deserves, and hope it shall accomplish the decisions and guidance on both early harv est and concluding the DDA, with development 
dimension and concerns of LDCs and developing countries at the heart of its outcome. 
 
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