. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/46 
16 December 2011  
 
(11-6606) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original: English 
 
  
ZIMBABWE 
 
Statement by H.E. Mr James Manzou 
Ambassador, Permanent Representative 
  
Zimbabwe would like to associate itself fully with the statements made by the coordinators of 
the Africa Group, the ACP, the Group of 20, the Informal Group of Developing Countries and the 
Group of Friends of Development. 
 
This Conference is taking place at a time when the global economic crisis, which has been 
running for almost four years now, is showing limited si gns of abating.  It is, therefore, of paramount 
importance that the multilateral trading system cr edibly fulfils its commitment to development and 
poverty alleviation through trade. 
 
Unfortunately, we meet here at MC8 when  the Doha Development Agenda, on which 
developing countries had pinned much hope ten years ago,  is in a state of paralysis, spelling disastrous 
consequences on the poor developing countries.  This situation is not being helped either as new or 
different approaches are, regrettably, being given prominence at the expense of development issues, 
which are the corner-stone for developing  countries and least developed countries. 
 
These proposed new approaches threaten to erode  the potential benefits and inevitably upset 
the balance of rights and obligations of Me mbers under the multilateral trading system.  
Such a development would regrettably underm ine the progress achieved under the DDA after 
strenuous negotiations, and at a cost to devel oping and least developed Members of the WTO. 
 
In this context, the imperative of the MC8 imparting a fresh impetus to the DDA cannot be 
overemphasized.  It is, indeed, our strong convic tion that the successful conclusion of the DDA will 
bring the much needed development benefits for deve loping countries, particularly those in Africa, 
which will go a long way to boost our share of global trade. 
 
Hence, we emphasise the importance of the development mandate of the Committee on Trade 
and Development as well as the urgent need for that Committee to fully perform its function in 
support of the development objectives of the WTO.  
Let me also underscore the centrality of agri culture to development in our countries, in 
particular, the world's poorest.  Agriculture is ke y to employment creation,  income generation and 
food security.  The DDA must therefore deliver pos itive results in this area, including cotton, to 
ensure that we create a fair, equitable and market-oriented trading environment.  
Technical assistance and capacity building are critical to integrate the developing and 
least developed countries into the multilateral trading system, to enable them to reap the associated 
benefits.  We urge the developed countries to continue to support this noble cause as we advance WT/MIN(11)/ST/46 
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  the DDA, based on the progress achieved so far.  We acknowledge the progress made thus far on 
Aid for Trade and look forward to continued support from cooperating partners particularly in the area 
of trade-related infrastructure development.  
Zimbabwe's commitments to the rule-based multila teral trading system is being hampered by 
the illegal economic sanctions imposed on my country  by some Members of this Organization, who 
themselves claim to be champions of free trade and open market.  We call upon these countries to respect the rule of law and abide by their obligations under WTO. 
 
Let me also take this opportunity to welcom e the accession of Montenegro, Vanuatu, Samoa, 
and the Russian Federation into the WTO family .  We look forward to the WTO accession process 
being simplified and accelerated to enable the poorest  countries to participate in and benefit from the 
multilateral trading system.  
In conclusion, I wish to reiterate Zimbabwe 's commitment to work towards the successful 
conclusion of a multilaterally agreed DDA outcome, based on a transparent and inclusive process.  
Such a process should of necessity respect the principle of Single Undertaking.  
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