WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/49 
1 December 2009 
 (09-6122) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   English 
 
  
PAKISTAN 
 
Statement by HE Mr Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim
 
Minister for Commerce  
   Let me place on record my delegation's appr eciation to you for convening this Ministerial 
Conference, the excellent arrangements made by the Director-General, the WTO and the Swiss 
Government for facilitating the Conference. 
  From where I stand I can see the perceived uncertainties surrounding the current Round of 
trade negotiations launched at Doha.  I am also mi ndful of the progress so far made in moving these 
negotiations forward.  As a developing country Member, we in Pakistan pin our hopes on successful 
conclusion of this Round.  We need to bring clar ity and certainty to the rules governing multilateral 
trade and provide institutional strength to the system to guard against all forms of protectionism. 
  We are not pessimistic about the ability of the WTO Membership to bridge the gaps still 
existing in various areas of negotia tions and are hopeful that after th is meeting a positive resolve will 
emerge to conclude the Round even earlier than th e target of 2010 suggested by Director-General 
Lamy in his speech yesterday.  As we moved fro m Doha, we have, indeed, achieved milestones which 
are significant and important for the LDCs, the developing countries and also for the developed Members of the WTO.  These milestones provide the di rection and identify the objective that needs to 
be achieved for encouraging free trade and achieving universal prosperity.  I need not recount the 
important decisions taken in the Ministerial Conf erences since Doha, whether they cover the LDCs, 
the developing countries or the developed Members of  the WTO.  The task before us is to own the 
decisions already made by us and to move the pr ocess forward wholeheartedly.  The political will 
expressed by our leaders needs to be translated into positive action to overcome our differences. 
  A lot has been said and I am sure will be sai d by my colleagues regarding the problems that 
have arisen due to the global economic downturn a nd the recessionary trends for the whole comity of 
nations.  Today we are standing at a point where we can make history.  The choice is simple;  we 
cannot allow the global trading system to continue suffering from indecisions and stagnation.  A world of opportunity awaits us.  We can either provi de strength to free trade and ensure prosperity for 
the weakest amongst us or we can let this opport unity slip by.  The latter is not an option. 
 
 I firmly believe that we need to refocus our energies on strengthening the WTO and all it 
stands for, through moving the negotiations forw ard for a successful conclusion as soon as possible 
but not later than end-2010.  In doing so, we will reconfirm our belief in the system, in the institution 
of the WTO and in ourselves as responsible Members who can deliver a new chapter in the history of 
the global trading system.  Therefore we in Pakist an reaffirm our resolve to work with all the 
Members for achieving these objectives and targets. 
 
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