RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
18 May 2010 
 (10-1045) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009  
 
  
RECORDS OF WORKING SESSION II 
 
Held at the International Conference Centre, Geneva "CICG"
 
2 December 2009  
 
Chairman: H.E. Andrés Velasco (Chile) 
  I. OPENING REMARKS BY CHAIRMAN 
1. Colleagues, welcome to this second Working S ession.  The focus of today's discussion is 
"The WTO's Contribution to Recovery, Growth and Development."  As you did yesterday, please limit your remarks to three minutes.  Adherence to the time limit will facilitate interaction. 
II. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS BY CHAIRMAN 
2. As I said Monday afternoon, the objective of getting us together here in Geneva is to provide 
a long-overdue opportunity to undertake a political review of the multilateral trading system and to 
provide guidance to the WTO over the next couple of years.  In my contacts with many of you over the past few days I have noted how wide-ranging, di verse and comprehensive many of your portfolios 
are.  Besides trade, they include foreign affairs in  general, finance, agriculture, economy and industry, 
and environment.  This is proof of how closely linke d trade is to other fields, and how the multilateral 
trading system is about a great deal more than simply negotiations.  The subject of today's discussion 
is by definition forward-looking.  It is an a ttempt to generate a discussion of where we, the 
stakeholders of the multilateral trading system, see the WTO's contribution to the global economic 
environment.  But looking forward obviously does no t mean that we should ignore the often painful 
lessons learned over the past 18 months.  On the contrary, we should very much build our discussion on those lessons and experiences.  As Anne Krueger recently pointed out, trade is a stimulus measure 
with no fiscal cost.  The strengthening of the multila teral trading system and the conclusion of the 
Doha Round are particularly important at tim es when fiscal budgets are under stress, because the 
rightly-adopted stimulus measures have been expens ive and because global recovery is still far from 
assured. 
3. Let us concentrate on today's business.  Doha is indeed crucial.  But I suggest that in this 
morning's discussion, we cast our sights more widely than Doha alone.  I would also like for us to try 
to be practical when and where we can.  For exam ple, it would be interesting to explore where we 
need to focus our attention if we are to mainta in the WTO's value to its  Members in the future, 
particularly when those Members are developing c ountries.  Let me highlight a few issues where I 
think we may benefit from your input.  Regarding the WTO's monitoring and analytical capacity, it is 
generally recognized that the response to the financia l crisis by policymakers worldwide was swift. It 
confirmed that international policy coordination an d coherence are imperative in the face of such 
challenges.  This international cooperation was acco mpanied by a large number of domestic stimulus 
packages.  In addition, some governments have felt it necessary to take some trade-distorting WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  measures in response to the crisis, but fortunately no nation has succumbed to the kind of broad-
based, short-sighted protectionism that might appear politically convenient in the short run, but we all 
know is ultimately politically and economically de structive.  Among the reasons why protectionism 
has not taken hold in this crisis are the monitoring functions and the framework of rules of the WTO.  
In that light, I would like for us to consider how  we can support and strengthen the WTO's monitoring 
and analytical capacity.  This should include enha ncing notification requirements, particularly as 
Members begin dismantling the trade-related meas ures taken over the past year and a half. 
4. On coherence, international governance and WT O mandates, since the G-20 met for the first 
time a year ago, there was never any doubt that trade and the WTO had – and continues to have – important contributions to make to stem the effe cts of the financial crisis.  The WTO tool box, 
including the ultimate resort of dispute settlement , provided an effective complement to the tools 
available to other international institutions.  It is ironic that concepts like "international governance" 
and "coherence" – concepts that only a few years a go were met with skepticism or outright rejection – 
have gained credibility over the last year or so.  By the same token, Aid for Trade and initiatives in 
the areas of trade finance and technical assistance cannot bear fruit without a concerted effort to 
ensure coordination and cooperation among a wide range of internati onal and regional organizations.  
At the same time, support for international policy co herence must be solidly rooted in our domestic 
environments.  With the wide array of issues on th e international agenda right now, policy coherence 
is a major challenge for the multilateral trading sy stem.  How can we best follow through on WTO's 
mandates without detriment to othe r, equally important, agendas?  How do we best approach a 
crowded international agenda with  often-competing issues and interests?  How do we do so without 
neglecting a solution to urgent problems, ra nging from poverty reduction to climate change? 
5. Finally, a word about institutional and systemic issues, and the WTO as an institution.  This is 
our organization.  We subscribe to the same rules – even if we sometimes face difficulties in applying 
these rules.  All 153 of us have invested much politi cal capital in the current system.  In return, the 
system provides us with some insulation from domestic  pressures, but it is not a perfect system.  As 
owners of the WTO, we would be remiss if we di d not address the operation of  the institution.  When 
we do so, we would be wise to keep in mind that  throughout the WTO's existence, Members have 
engaged in discussions on transparency and d ecision-making.  These issues have seen gradual 
improvements, and though nobody, at least to my k nowledge, is calling for an overhaul of the WTO's 
central principles, the legitimacy of our work, esp ecially to the outside world, can only benefit from 
an open discussion of institutional issues.  Let me put some questions to you:  How can we best 
improve and strengthen the functioni ng of our organization?  We ha ve heard a number of recent ideas 
on this issue.  I hope we can further elaborate on these.  How can we ensure  that the FIT principle 
(full participation, inclusiveness and transparency ) is embodied in the WTO's daily business without 
compromising the effectiveness of its work?  How can we better reach out to the outside world, to our 
exporters, farmers, consum ers and parliamentarians? 
6. Let me conclude by stating that this list of challenges and issues facing the WTO today is not 
exhaustive.  I know that many of you have other issues you would like to highlight.  Among them is the relationship between the multilateral trading system  and regionalism.  A few months ago, the last 
WTO Member that hadn't done so entered into a re gional trade agreement, and we cannot ignore that 
reality and try to cover it up.  A ccessions is another key issue:  if  we want to have a universal 
organization and we want it to c ontinue being relevant, we must move forward and better with the 
accession processes.  Last, but not least, there is the challenge of climate change.  The list of potential 
issues goes on and on.  It goes without saying that you are free to raise any issue you wish.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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III. RECORD OF DISCUSSION France 
 
7. I am not going to deal with all subjects, but just concentrate on a few.  The first is that, as you 
said, we have to be committed to the WTO's monito ring role, because the crisis is not over as long as 
unemployment is on the rise, with its attendant risk  of strengthening protectionist pressures.  So we 
have to remain committed to the monitoring role.  I think that the WTO has played a very useful role 
in the area of trade financing, and I think that it has to remain on alert in this area during the most 
difficult parts of the crisis.  The second point – whic h I will develop a bit more – has to do with the 
coherence of international governance.  We know that the stakes today are global, and economic 
policies cannot be devised in a vacuum.  Other challe nges such as the scarcity of resources, exchange 
rates, environmental constraints, and even the phenomena of migration are becoming more and more 
relevant to trying to understand what is happening in trade.  Now in this context, the WTO has dual 
legitimacy – the legitimacy that its success against pr otectionism has given it, and the fact that the 
organization is the most developed and sophisticated  of the multilateral organizations, thanks to its 
Dispute Settlement Body.  In this context of looking into the future, it seems th at we need to work at 
three levels in terms of WTO intervention.  Th e first is the present system, complemented, it goes 
without saying, by the conclusion of the Doha Round as swiftly as possible.  The second is the treatment of subjects that have arisen during the last century which are not currently subject to 
regulation under the WTO, which, as we have seen, leads to protectionist phenomena – namely, 
government procurement and investment.  The third level within this global vision are twenty-first 
century subjects rooted in sustainable development.   I would like to mention two.  The first is the 
connection between trade issues and social issues.  And here France would like there to be a more developed dialogue between the WTO and the French  Government, and President Sarkozy has taken 
steps towards this end.  The second challenge  is to create a link between trade issues and 
environmental issues.  This could be done thro ugh the liberalisation of environmental goods and 
services.  This might lead one to consider other ar eas, even if, unfortunately, in Copenhagen there was 
too much of a gap between various countries' a ttitudes and commitments with respect to climate 
change.  It will perhaps be necessary, in this rega rd, to reflect on WTO-consistent rules concerning the 
fight against the possible development of pollution ha vens.  We want a strong WTO, that will become 
stronger still through taking up new issues, and that r esponds to the needs of all citizens in such a way 
that its legitimacy is not challenged. 
Japan 
 
8. As the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Forest and Fisheries for the Government of 
Japan, I would like to discuss Japan's contributions to world food security and the agricultural sector 
of developing countries.  Soaring world food prices since the year before last, and the slowdown of 
the world economy triggered by the financial crisis have raised the height of the hurdle for reducing 
the number of people who suffer from poverty and malnutrition in the world.  Under these 
circumstances, at the G-8 L'Aqu ila Summit in July, leaders reaffi rmed that agriculture and food 
security should be at the core of the internati onal agenda, and that globa l food production should be 
promoted.  In addition, at the World Summit on Food Security held by the Food and Agriculture 
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) this Nove mber, leaders expressed their grave concern over 
the fact that the number of people suffering from hunger and poverty has exceeded 1 billion, and agreed to strengthen various support measures, in cluding an increase in the share of Official 
Development Assistance devoted to agriculture.  In many developing countries, agriculture is a 
fundamental industry, and agricultural development l eads to the development of the nation's economy.  
Not only for the alleviation of hunger and poverty, bu t also for addressing global-scale issues, such as 
climate change, increased support in the area of agricu lture is crucial.  Under the guiding principle of WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  "the coexistence of various types of agriculture", Japan would like to strengthen its support of the 
development and extension of agricultural tech niques, the organization of farmers, and the 
development of irrigation facilities and other agricultur al infrastructure, while paying due attention to 
climates and customs, which differ according to each developing country. "The coexistence of various types of agriculture" is also Japan's guiding prin ciple in the Doha Development Agenda Agriculture 
negotiations. 
9. Japan is the second-largest donor country in the area of agriculture, and has consistently taken 
the lead in supporting developing countries' agricu ltural development.  For example, Japan is 
conducting an initiative for doubling rice production in Africa, where many suffer from hunger and 
poverty.  This initiative, proposed by Japan at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African 
Development in May last year, aims to double the rice production in Africa over 10 years.  Also, in 
Asia, Japan is implementing various support program s in the field of, for example, breeding crops, 
and for introduction of sustainable control techniqu es for irrigation-water resources.  In addition to 
this, Japan is carrying out an international rice reserve scheme in cooperati on with the East Asian 
countries, so as to be able to provide emergency support in case of natural disasters in the region.  
Moreover, Japan contributes each year to capacity bu ilding which targets the more than six thousand 
agricultural leaders in developing countries.  Al so, in order to address climate change, Japan has 
expressed its target for a greenhouse gas emissions  reduction of 25 per cent by 2020, and will offer 
financial and technical support through the "Hatoy ama Initiatives" to developing countries which 
address such issues as deforestation.  Expansion of  agricultural production is essential for serving the 
ever-increasing demand for food.  I think that the tr ade rules of the WTO should pay due attention, in 
particular, to the need in developing countries to secu re food supplies in the future.  Finally, I would 
like to reaffirm that Japan continues to support de veloping countries in the agricultural area and is 
actively contributing to securing global food security.  
United States 
 10. As the financial situation unfolded a year ago, there were dire predictions about what might 
happen to the global trading system – visions of th e kind of protectionism that worsened the Great 
Depression in the 1930s.  Instead – and as evidence d by the Director-General's most recent TPRB 
report – we have not seen anything close to what was f eared.  In fact, the system has held fast and, so 
far, has passed a fairly strenuous test.  The continued health of the trading system is due in part to 
many of our own individual efforts in the face of dom estic political pressure to turn inward.  It is also 
due to the recognition that in today's global economy, it is pretty easy to shoot yourself in the foot.  Of 
course we must, and will, remain vigilant.  We shoul d all recognize that the rules-based global trading 
system took a lot of difficult work over the last six decades to establish and maintain, and that it will 
be a continuing challenge to maintain  its relevance.  Our work here t oday and this week is a testament 
to the continued and increasing significance of a rules-based WTO in an increasingly integrated 
global economy.  Through its work on Aid for Trad e, the Enhanced Integrated Framework, and its 
own technical assistance programs, the WTO has also  helped to facilitate trade-related technical 
assistance in line with the priorities set by Members in our national development strategies.  
11. I attended an important meeting yesterday w ith many least-developed country Members, 
hosted by the Director General.  It highlighted th e work of the WTO and its Members to ensure that 
trade benefits the poorest Members of the WTO.  For its part, the United States is the largest 
single-country provider of trade-related technical assistance.  The WTO's vocation of economic 
growth and development also requires a Doha outcome that goes beyond just capturing little more than the status quo in terms of market access.  We need an outcome that truly creates new 
opportunities for all Members.  The Secretariat's recent report to the LDC Sub-committee concerning 
market access for least-developed countries highlights the geographical redistribution of LDC trade 
flows, with LDC exports to developing countries expanding – particularly to major developing 
economies such as China and India.  In this c ontext, a Doha outcome that delivers the global  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
 Page 5 
 
 
  economic growth necessary to spur development will require market-opening contributions from all 
key players – not only developed but also advan ced developing countries, commensurate with their 
role in the global economy.  This remains the linchpin in our efforts to take D oha to the finish line, 
and the United States remains committe d to working with our partners  to achieve a Doha success in 
the near future.  The United States supports th e WTO's ongoing monitoring of trade measures, its 
work to ensure that trade benefits all Members,  particularly the poorest, and Members' pursuit of 
progressive trade liberalization through the Doha Round negotiations. Through these efforts, the open, 
transparent, and rules-based multilateral trading system embodied by the WTO will continue its 
important contributions to economic growth and development for all.  
European Union1 
 
12. Developing countries were not at the origin of the current financial/economic crisis, but many 
of them, and in particular the LDCs and other smaller and more vulnerable economies, have been 
caught up in it.  There are three key areas where th is organization and its Members can help, and a 
fourth – climate change – where the collective responsi bility to act is clear.  Let me start with Climate 
Change.  Trade policy can make a positive contribution,  through the liberalization of trade in relevant 
environmental goods and services.  The European Uni on invites all Members to intensify work in this 
area, with a view to defining early actions on clim ate-related goods.  Initiativ es in that regard should 
seek to gather as broad support and participation as possible, paying due attention to the particular 
needs of developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable to climate change among them, in 
order to ensure quick progress towards our shared  liberalization goals.  Major traders in these 
technologies have an opportunity to lead in this effo rt.  Determined steps now will become part of the 
WTO's broader outcome on environmental goods and ser vices; and by taking a step forward at this 
stage, we will facilitate work towards an ambiti ous and extensive outcome within the DDA.  Second, 
we must stay the course in our efforts to deliver on Ai d for Trade.  The EU is the largest contributor to 
Aid for Trade worldwide – €7.2 billion in 2007, more than one-third of the total and in line with our 
Hong Kong commitment, and we have increased our tr ade-related assistance to €2 billion per year, a 
year ahead of schedule.  The EU has also been  an active supporter of the Enhanced Integrated 
Framework for LDCs, both through financial c ontributions and contributions on the ground in 
individual LDCs.  I am also happy to announce a further EU contribution to the WTO DDA Global 
Trust Fund for 2010 and 2011. 
13. Third, we must keep trade flowing, because the first to suffer if barriers rise are the poorest 
among us.  The reality is that in most cases, where protectionism has taken place, it has been legal in 
WTO terms, because in many areas and for many countries there is still room for manoeuvre, a gap between tariff ceilings legally bound in the WTO a nd real-world applied tariffs – "water" in the 
system.  In most cases, the system has still work ed, because the simple fact of international 
confrontation and condemnation is sufficient.  But no t in all cases.  So we see the value of a clear, 
meaningful WTO rule book which reflects market-a ccess conditions as they exist on the ground.  And 
in some areas, this rule book and the insuran ce policy it provides clearly does not go far enough.  
Government procurement and competition rules are two clear areas wh ere we need to go further.  Last 
but not least, we must deliver on Doha.  Europe believes we can only do so by building on what has 
been done so far.  This does not mean there is nothing  left to negotiate – far from it.  But as we survey 
the work done in July 2008 on Agriculture and NAMA against the backdrop of this economic crisis, it 
is our clear sense that the value of what is currently  on the table, on offer to us all in the Doha draft 
texts, has clearly gone up.  What this Round will essentially do is align app lied and bound tariffs in 
                                                     
 
1 On 1 December 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty 
establishing the European Community  (done at Lisbon, 13 December 2 007) entered into force.  On 29 
November 2009, the WTO received a Verbal Note (WT/L/7 79) from the Council of th e European Union and the 
Commission of the European Communities stating that, by virtue of the Treaty of Lisbon , as of 1 December 
2009, the European Union replaces an d succeeds the European Community. WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  much of the global economy.  This we now know is essential.  So the cost of Doha failure is not 
neutral, as only Doha provides a legally enforceable commitment which ensures against tariff hikes.  
If protectionism picks up, businesses will not only face uncertainty in their order books, they will face major new costs before even crossing a border.  And as we enter the next phase of this recession, 
where jobs, above all, are likely to be hit, this ma tters deeply.  Combine the wins the Round delivers:  
a boost of well over €100 billion per year for the real  economy, but probably fa r more than that over 
time;  and a development dividend – duty-free quota-fr ee, farm reform, cotton and many others of the 
developing world's key strategic objectives at the outset of the Round.  With this strengthened insurance policy against protectionism, we would ha ve the trade complement we need to the fiscal 
stimulus many Governments have injected.  This is  why Europe is impatient for the progress that has 
in most areas failed to materialise so far.  It  is why Europe will keep on pushing and why, absent 
progress by the end of this year, we as Members will n eed to take a very hard look at the obstacles to 
closure. 
Republic of Korea 
 14. The world has endured well the global economic cris is that hit last year.  Yet, we still face 
challenges of global economic recovery and sust ainable and balanced growth.  The WTO should 
focus on three tasks in the years to  come:  (i) uniting to check against protectionism;  (ii) concluding 
the DDA negotiations;  and (iii) further contributing to sustainable and balanced growth.  First, the 
WTO has been crucial in countering the threat of pr otectionism during the past year or so.  According 
to an OECD report in October, protectionist measur es have been taken in areas where there are no or 
relatively weak multilateral trade rules.  Mindful of  this, I suggest that the WTO should continue its 
efforts to fill in the blanks of multilateral trade ru les in fields such as government procurement, trade 
remedies, TBT and environment.  Furthermore, we should pay attention to the possible impact of the 
stimulus measures on trade, in particular the sector -specific subsidies – e.g. subsidies targeted for 
automobiles, steel or fossil fuel – that are deemed  to be the most trade-distorting.  These were 
inevitable at a time of hardship, but Members should prepare for when they will roll back the 
trade-distorting stimulus measures, once financial markets are normalized.  The WTO should be able 
to provide guidance in this process.  Second, it is of utmost importance to conclude the DDA 
negotiations by 2010.  Further opening of markets w ould have the benefit of preventing backsliding, 
by providing locking-in effects, bringing stability and predictability to international markets, and 
providing impetus to the recovery.  Members shoul d accelerate the pace of negotiations through the 
multilateral process in Geneva, as well as by utilizing other means.  A maximum of flexibility on the 
part of individual Members is require d if we are to conclude a deal by  2010.  As mentioned in the first 
session, it is of course crucial to agree on the Agri culture/NAMA modalities by early 2010.  In this 
context, Korea suggests holding a Ministerial meeting in a timely manner early next year. 
15. Third, the goals of sustainable and balanced growth also need to be shared in the WTO 
community.  Considering the increasing challenges fro m global climate change, a paradigm shift for 
"Low Carbon Green Growth" is not an option but a must .  In this vein, Korea hopes to see substantial 
progress on the liberalization of the environmental goods and services sector in the DDA negotiations.  
In the meantime, we must heed the possible rise of  green protectionism.  Some Members have voiced 
concern over introducing unilateral trade measur es related to climate change.  Strengthening 
multilateral cooperation on climate change would a lleviate trade tensions among WTO Members and 
also contribute to laying a favourable foundation for the post-Kyoto system.  Last but not least, the 
WTO should also be competent in dealing with the development issue.  Development lies at the very 
heart of the DDA negotiations.  As I mentioned in  the plenary session, we believe that this Round 
should serve to fully integrate all the developing countries into the multilateral trading system and 
allow them to reap the full benefits of the Round.  Furthermore, Aid for Trade should be increased to 
become an effective means for enhancing the supply- side capacity and trade-related infrastructure of 
developing countries, especially LDCs.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  Argentina  
16. First of all, I would like to thank you for the initial summary, which helps us in our 
discussion.  Second, I would like to raise several poi nts which are very important.  We of course agree 
with the importance of concluding the Doha Round in a balanced way, respecting the mandate and 
principles agreed at Ministerial Conferences.  We would like to point out that what the Chairman 
mentioned about coherence is very important – th e problem is that trade has decreased more than 
global production in volume and in value, and that trade is expected to grow less than production in 
the next few years.  It is very important for us to ensure that the rules of the organization are strengthened.  First, in the area of Agriculture, the WTO should ensure that its rules are respected, as 
in other sectors.  The second is to legislate in t hose sectors where there are still no WTO disciplines, 
for example in the areas of subsidies and national regulations on services, in particular financial 
services, since there are violations of national treatment in many measures in this sector.  I would like to point out that Argentina has presented a proposal to the General Council and hopes that there will be consensus on this issue, in order to ensure tr ansparency and monitoring by the multilateral trading 
system, and also an analysis by the Secretariat of stimulus and fiscal packages.  We know that many 
of these packages have provisions which are not in accordance with the principle of national 
treatment.  Therefore, it is very important  for us to make progress on this issue. 
17. Another point I would like to mention is the ha rmonization of technical standards and sanitary 
and phytosanitary measures.  We know that there are relevant international or ganizations dealing with 
these issues.  However, there are many national pr ovisions being adopted, and this leads to the 
fragmentation of the overall system.  This shows th e need to respect the multilateral rules of the 
relevant organizations.  I would like to point out th at many delegations have said that even in their 
free-trade agreement with other countries, their e xports encounter difficulties because of discrepancies 
in these measures.  In the area of environment, m itigation is important, as well as avoiding resorting 
to trade measures which have negative effects.   The upcoming Copenhagen Conference on Climate 
Change is also important.  The WTO contribu tion should be based on avoiding imposing trade 
measures that have a discriminatory effect, since tr ade should contribute to a ba lance in order to better 
fight against poverty.  With respect to least-develope d countries, we have paid great attention to what 
was said by the United States.  We would repeat agai n that the best things to do are to conclude the 
Doha Round, to strengthen Aid for Trade, to ensure  the elimination of subsidies on cotton, and to 
have duty-free quota-free market access for LDCs and a waiver on Services.  Finally, with regard to 
regional trade agreements, we believe  they should be integrated into the multilateral trading system, in 
order to avoid discrimination, and wish to recall that they were originally conceived for developing 
countries.  I would also like to mention that the recent agreement on the Global System of Preferences 
among developing countries is a clear demonstration of how developing countries are contributing to 
the necessary strengthening of the system. 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu  
18. We believe Geneva, the headquarters of the WT O, is the best place from which to do the 
negotiating work that will lead us out of the curre nt economic hardship.  At the time of the WTO's 
Second Ministerial Conference here in 1998, we were  suffering from the Asian financial crisis, and at 
the present time we are confronting a more severe calamity on a global scale.  It is extremely 
important that we meet here again to comprehensively exchange views on countermeasures.  The WTO has already adopted various measures to fight ag ainst this crisis, such as regular monitoring and 
reporting, emphasizing the importance of sustaining trade finance, reminding Members to adopt 
countermeasures based on WTO rules, and strengthe ning the essential functions of WTO Committees.  
We believe such a prompt response has played a majo r part in preventing the spread of protectionism 
around the world.  This also serves to illustrate th at in addition to its effectiveness in improving 
economic growth and creating jobs  through trade, the WTO also has the ability to respond to the 
challenges of economic crises.  This global financia l crisis requires global solutions.  For this, the WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  WTO not only needs to coordinate with relevant international organizations, such as the IMF and 
World Bank, but also needs to make trade flow.  Therefore, we support the WTO's work in stemming 
protectionism, particularly by paying close atten tion to the impact of this crisis on developing 
countries, especially LDCs.  Finally, we are heartened to see that economic forecasts for next year 
revealed by many international institutions indicat e a recovery in global ec onomic growth.  However, 
as we all know, uncertainty still remains, and unemployment rates also remain high in many 
countries.  Therefore, I would like to reiterate th at a timely conclusion, by the end of 2010, of a 
substantial and balanced Doha De velopment Round is certainly the most effective way of boosting 
stronger global economic growth.  
Saudi Arabia  
19. There are signs that the global economy is em erging from the worst recession in decades.  
However, the recovery remains fragile and we must c onsolidate it.  Therefore, it is essential to sustain 
efforts to restore the financial sector to health  and ensure rapid growth, while providing strong 
macroeconomic policies to support aggregate demand.  We welcome the actions that have been taken, 
including the injection of public capital in financia l institutions, and the provision of liquidity support 
and deposit guarantees.  Continued efforts, however, are needed to improve the flow of credit and 
restore confidence.  To this end, ensuring access to liquidity and financial assets and the 
recapitalization of viable institutions remain relevant as key elements of the policy response.   In this 
connection, the use of bank-specific stress tests has been a welcome move in restoring confidence.  
Here it should be stressed that the mechanics for re storing healthy balance sheets have to be tailored 
to the financial market conditions of each country, as there is no "one size fits all" solution.  As for 
macroeconomic policies, it is impor tant to continue with supportive policies into 2010, as the global 
recovery is expected to be sluggish, and since recove ry from financial crises tends to be protracted.  In 
this regard, sharp cuts in interest rates by ma jor central banks, as well as the use of unconventional 
approaches, have been appropriate.  At the same ti me, care is needed to limit central bank exposure to 
credit and market risks from unc onventional measures.  While mark et conditions strengthen and the 
recovery becomes firmly established, it will be im portant to implement exit plans tailored to unwind 
various measures taken to address the crisis. 
20. Given the prospect for a sluggish recovery, fiscal policy, especially of the advanced 
economies, should remain expansionary, and it will be essential to sustain these efforts in 2010.  
However, there is a need for a credible and c oherent exit strategy to unwind substantial public 
intervention in an orderly fashion.  To this end, a gradual fiscal correction once the recovery is firmly 
established will be important to ensure medium-ter m sustainability.  To accelerate the return to 
growth, Saudi Arabia has been pursuing counter-cyc lical fiscal policies by using the fiscal reserve 
built up previously.  It has undertaken a massive investment programme of US$ 400 billion in the 
social infrastructure and oil sector, spread over a five-year period.  Moreover, the capital of the 
Government specialized credit ins titutions has been increased substan tially, in order to enable it to 
provide large financing.  Monetary policy has also  been used extensively to  encourage credit to the 
private sector for productive purposes and to ensure  financial sector sustainability throughout the 
regulatory supervision.  These stimuli will gradua lly be reduced as our investment programme is 
completed, which should ensure fiscal sustainabilit y and price stability.  Low-income countries have 
suffered from the crisis in a variety of ways:  a fall in exports, remittances, foreign investment and 
capital market flows.  While not all of these phenomena are present in all countries, most are exposed to multiple vulnerabilities, with overall negativ e impact on growth, poverty reduction and progress 
towards other MDGs.  Going forward, the major ch allenge is mobilisation of adequate concessional 
funding to help alleviate the impact of the cris is on these countries and support development.  We do 
not agree with the notion that a return to global ec onomic growth will only be sustainable if it is low-
carbon or green.  We think the focus should be on resolving the crisis and mitigating its impact 
worldwide – and that climate change negotiations sh ould be left to the UNFCCC.  I would reiterate a  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
 Page 9 
 
 
  statement we made yesterday, that the rights and obligations of WTO Members are not affected by 
agreements reached outside the WTO.   
Australia  
21. The best contribution to recovery that the WTO can make in the immediate sense is the 
conclusion of the Doha Round.  The reason for that  is very simple.  As an economic stimulus, 
historically it's been the case that each time th ere has been a successful conclusion of a Round, the 
multiplier effect has been enhanced.  With what's on th e table, the figures are pretty dramatic already.  
Not only is there a reduction in what people pay because tariff revenues come down – to the tune of US$150 billion a year of money in people's pockets, which is economic stimulus without a hit on the 
budget.  But you have also got the GDP impact, wh ich the Petersen Institu te has estimated at 
anywhere up to US$700 billion per year – again, economic stimulus without  the hit on the budget.  
And that's why I reiterate again for the third time  in this conference the importance of Ministerial 
engagement early next year to find creative ways to multilateralize the discussions that have occurred 
and bring the Round to a conclusion.  As for the i ssue of how we achieve more coherence with other 
international mandates, I also belie ve that the conclusion of the Round is significant in this regard in 
relation to another big internati onal mandate – climate change and the challenge of it.  On the 
offensive front, the WTO can play a constructive ro le, if it is prepared to advance trade in 
environmental goods and services.  It can also demonstrate by example that negotiating a common but differentiated approach is possible.  On the defens ive side, it is also important, because as the global 
challenge to climate change also throws up all so rts of mechanisms for making this adjustment to 
common but differentiated, we have to guard against those mechanisms being new forms of 
protectionism.  
22. On the monitoring front, I welcome what the WTO has done in relation to protectionism 
monitoring, and it is interesting to note that th is is a mechanism that enables the WTO to take 
initiatives on its own and present and report to worl d leaders.  It does not require the action of 
Members.  I think that's a significant advance, and we should look creatively in  the future as to what 
other things the WTO could initiate.  Two suggestions that I am particular ly interested in are:  (i) the 
better measurement of the importance of trade, gettin g some concept of the value-added dimension of 
trade to demonstrate that trade is not just about  exports but also involves imports;  and (ii) the 
significance of the services sector to the development status and ability of developing economies to move more quickly to a more developed stage.  The final point is on RTAs.  I think that ongoing work 
has to focus seriously on this agenda item.  Not only do we have to keep in mind the importance of 
the requirement of substantially all trade being the fo cal point of the RTAs, I think we have to ensure 
that there is not any undermining of the multilatera l system.  India's contribution in relation to the 
work of the agenda for RTAs is welcome, as is its broader input in terms of the work programme 
going forward.  My final point in relation to RTAs is  that we should be more creative, not just about 
the trade dimension of RTAs, but Aid for Trade as a mechanism to encourage the coherence and the 
comprehensiveness of such aid.  I have spoken abou t what we have been able to do in the ASEAN 
region.  I would urge the WTO to look at how we ca n better integrate into the regional architectures – 
not just the bilateral discussions, but the regiona l architectures – this Aid-for-Trade dimension. 
Kenya 
23. We are all fully aware of the pivotal role pl ayed by the WTO in guiding and regulating global 
trade.  Thus, the fact that the DDA negotiations have not been concluded in the last eight years is a 
clear indication that something in the system coul d be wrong, hence, the need to re-examine and 
address the timely conclusion of the negotiations.  Perhaps this could also be a reason why some 
countries are resorting to concluding FTAs and other parallel trade arrangements,  which seem to rival 
and to some extent tend to undermine the multilate ral trading system.  This trend should not be 
allowed to continue.  Together we should endeavour to continue working to make the WTO and its WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
Page 10  
 
  multilateral trading system a credible, efficient and relevant institution capable of responding  
appropriately and effectively to the global challeng es that are affecting trade, such as those we are 
now seeing emanating from the current financial cr isis and from climate change.  Regarding the 
current global financial and economic crisis in particular, the WTO has done a commendable job by 
setting up a monitoring mechanism within its Trad e Policy Review Body, which has frequently and 
ably monitored the crisis as it unfolds, and ther eafter sending early warning signals regarding its 
possible impact on trade.  Such monitoring ex perience should now be extended to cover other 
challenges, such as those related to climate change , and more so, private standards such as carbon 
miles and footprints which, when arbitrarily applie d, tend to choke the flow of global trade.  The 
mechanism has proved to be working well, and it c ould be prudent to consid er institutionalizing and 
enhancing its operations within WTO bodies, in orde r for it to continue playing this important role. 
24. Regarding the fiscal stimulus packages as well as industrial and financial support 
programmes, countries with financial capacities have  already provided state rescue support subsidies 
through them.  This is commendable, as the p ackages are already proving to be having a positive 
effect on the recovery of the global economy.  However, lack of transparency, particularly as to how 
they are being applied in the respective economies, raises some serious concerns that perhaps they 
could distort trade if allowed to go on unchecked.  The WTO should therefore continue to monitor them very closely to ensure that they don't distort tr ade and that at the end of the crisis, they are rolled 
back and maintained within the agreed confines of WTO rules.  Therefore, as we wade through this 
difficult time of the global financial and economic  crisis, we should move forward together by 
supporting each other, as no country can survive by tr ading with itself, and certainly will not go far by 
hoping to trade with countries that have no purchasing power.  Indeed, this is where the majority of 
the WTO Members find themselves.  We therefore have a common objective of stimulating the global economy together, through targeted development progra mmes for mutual gains.  This could also be a 
typical example of how we can either swim together for global safety or drown separately for global disaster.  In conclusion, let me re-emphasize and reiterate that the sustainable way of coming out of 
the current global financial and economic crisis is  by ensuring that we have predictable and 
re-energized global markets that can enable interna tional trade and investment to thrive.  For purposes 
of realizing this vision, the best way forward is therefore to collectively and systematically work 
together towards establishing a stocktaking progra mme based on the current modalities texts by early 
next year, and thereafter concl ude the DDA negotiations in 2010. 
Mexico  
 
25. The WTO and its predecessor, the GATT, have cer tainly fostered the growth of the global 
economy through clear and predictable trade rules.  The great complexity of the global economy and 
the continued delay in concluding the Doha Round ne gotiations give rise to questions as to whether 
the current WTO system is properly equipped and cap able of continuing to participate as one of the 
principle players in contributing to global economic growth, prosperity and peace, and of meeting the 
current and future challenges.  Mexico considers th at it is through self-criticism, in fact, that we 
improve, and it is in this spirit that we refer to five  particular challenges.  First, protectionism:  the 
system and its rules have helped during this tim e of crisis to contain protectionism, acting as a 
watchman and making it obvious when we are not be having well.  However, the serious threat of 
protectionism and its dangers continue  to be present.  Will the system continue to be able to face this 
threat?  Second, regionalism:  in seeking specializ ation and taking advantage of economies of scale, 
the world is becoming more regional, but regionalis m requires a strong multilateral system in order to 
establish economic order and to ensure that bilate ral and regional agreements contribute to world 
trade and do not distort it.  Is the system properly equipped for this?  Third, transparency:  it is also necessary for WTO Members to be more responsible in notifying precisely all their changes in tariff 
questions, anti-dumping, subsidies, sanitary and ph ytosanitary measures, technical regulations, and 
amendments to our services regulations, which a ffect trade and everything having to do with 
preferential agreements.  In order to contribute to this objective, we support the efforts of the three  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
 Page 11 
 
 
  international agencies – the ITC, UNCTAD and th e World Bank – together with the WTO, in 
providing tariff and non-tariff data free of charge, and in ensuring that this is a global public service. 
26. Fourth, unfair competition:  those who are suffering from the far-reaching effects of the crisis 
are certain that in order to be effective in an increasingly competitive world, it will be necessary to 
have more accelerated trade openness beyond the levels of  liberalization of the WTO.  This is why, as 
was mentioned by Ruíz Mateos in the Plenary Session of this Conference, President Calderón's 
Government has decided not to await the conclusion of the Doha Round, but to promote greater trade 
openness, reducing tariffs so that two-thirds of our  tariffs will reach the level of zero by 2012.  
However, this unilateral trade ope nness does presuppose that competition will be fair.  The question 
is, can the WTO and its dispute settlement mechanis m be sufficiently effective to ensure that our 
producers have a guarantee of fair play, and that  they will survive the dumping, subsidies and 
seriously trade-distorting practices of others?  Fifth,  speed and the response capacity of the system:  is 
the system able to meet the new challenges of our  societies and humanity as a whole, such as the 
environmental challenge?  For years we have been trying without much success to define 
environmental goods and services, when at this time, discussion and the international situation 
requires that we define whether it is valid to adopt  trade measures to face and meet the challenge of 
climate change.  It is clear that a large part of these challenges, although not all, will be met through 
the successful conclusion of the present negotiating Round.   What is also clear is that this time we 
have to act.  In the future we mi ght be criticized for our actions, but certainly we will be condemned if 
we remain inactive.  Major actions require clear ideas, empathy and bravery.  We should not be a 
generation that leaves the world as it is.  We must act now and do what we need to do. 
Malaysia 
27. We commend the WTO for having taken proactive steps to monitor  measures undertaken by 
Members in the context of the current economic cr isis.  This report is very valuable and has 
contributed towards containing protectionism.  For its  part, Malaysia has refrained from resorting to 
protectionist measures.  In fact, during this difficu lt period, Malaysia undertook liberalization of key 
services sectors such as health, tourism and computer related services, as well as relaxing the rules on 
foreign investment.  This has b een captured in the Director-Gen eral's annual report to the Trade 
Policy Review Body.  Of course, trade provides a larger market for goods and services produced by developing countries, more than their domestic market .  International trade has been a very important 
contributor for the growth of many developing countries.  The WTO must therefore continue to provide better market access for exports of develo ping countries, including promoting South-South 
trade.  Apart from market access, the WTO must al so ensure a level playing field for developing 
countries to compete in the international market.  Th is calls for developed countries to do away with 
subsidies, especially in agriculture, as well as export subsidies.  Special and differential treatment is 
also important for developing countries to integrate in to the multilateral trading system, to ensure that 
the less fortunate sections of our society are able to  enjoy better standards of living.  For Members to 
be able to conclude the DDA, all must seriously engage, by clarifying in specific terms, their 
requirements for an acceptable package, as well as possible concessions and trade-offs.  Finally, 
liberalization of trade in environmental goods and services will be a very tangible contribution of the 
WTO in the area of climate change.  However, we must be on guard against any resort to 
protectionism under the pretext of  environmental considerations. 
China 
28. In response to the recent financial crisis, th e WTO has once again successfully performed its 
duty as a pillar in supporting trade and investment liberalization, and in maintaining free trade to sustain world economic growth.  I want to echo my colleague from Malaysia in emphasizing the 
development dimension.  We must remain committe d to the development agenda of the Doha Round, 
as this is the only viable way to help economies to avoid slipping into cyclical crises.  And we must WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
Page 12  
 
  take concrete steps to help deve loping-country Members benefit from trade talks, in order to help 
them gain from trade and investment liberalization,  achieve sustainable development and benefit from 
the growth of the global economy.  Apart from the Aid-for-Trade initiative, the outcome of the Doha 
Round negotiations must address the concerns of developing-country Members, and the LDCs, the Cotton-4, the ACP, the African Group, and SVEs in  particular have priority.  China has provided 
duty-free treatment for the vast majority of products from LDCs.  Due to that effort, China is now the 
third-largest destination for LDC exports, accounting fo r more than 24 per cent of the total, and their 
market share is growing in China.  We believe th at when we talk about the development dimension, 
we mean S&D treatment and less-than-full reciprocity  for developing countries.  Developed countries 
should provide better market access to developing countries and LDCs.  The trade distortion caused 
by huge domestic subsidies on cotton, soya bean s and corn from major developed countries hurt 
farmers both in China and Africa.  We urge that  the Doha Round address this urgent development 
need as a first priority.  We should not allow oursel ves to be derailed from the development track by 
this financial crisis.  The entire Round is not a market-access Round for only one country, no matter 
how big or important it may be. 
Philippines 
 
29. The trading system that has emerged in the wa ke of the WTO is one that has considerably 
helped trigger strong growth in developing countri es, whose share in global trade has increased from 
29 per cent in 1996 to 37 per cent in 2007.  This  development path is, however, experiencing a 
setback, with the onset of the global economic crisis.  The WTO Secretariat, in its latest report on the 
financial and economic cris is and trade-related development, es timated that exports of developing 
countries are expected to decline by about 7 per cen t.  This projection is alarming for us developing 
countries who rely on exports as one of the instruments to assist us in achieving growth and development.  More worrisome is the trend we ha ve seen in response to the global economic crisis, 
where non-tariff measures to trade are increasingly being employed, as evidenced by the proliferation 
of "buy, lend, invest, and hire local" provisions, a nd the reported increase in the use of trade remedies 
that favour domestic goods and services at the e xpense of imports.  I see non-tariff measures as our 
next challenge to secure market access.  I am conf ident that we all do not wish to see our successful 
efforts at reducing tariffs to be negated by a pro liferation of non-tariff measures.  For developing 
countries like mine, who are still trying to gain ma rket access through the benefit of reduced tariffs, 
non-tariff measures will be an additional challenge we  have to face which will slow the phase of our 
development. 
30. As responsible Members of the WTO, we should all collectively do our best to resist such 
pressures and make an unequivocal commitment to ope n, transparent, fair and rules-based trading 
system.  Like the speakers before me, efforts s hould be focused on further improving the functioning 
of the WTO, making it more relevant and adaptive to Members' needs.  I therefore welcome the 
initiative undertaken by the Director-General under the auspices of the Trade Policy Review Body, 
whereby the WTO has taken a positive and constructive  role in monitoring new trade measures.  The 
WTO, through the rules-based system it has espou sed, has helped in managing the current, very 
difficult, global economic situation, by exerting pressure on countries to seek alternative measures 
which would not contribute to the build-up of di stortive trade measures.  In this regard, the 
Philippines supports further discussions and improvements to the analysis of information presented in 
the Director-General's TPRB report. 
31. Another area in which the WTO can have a significant contribution in the recovery and 
growth process is through its Aid-for-Trade initiative.   The crisis can be regarded as an opportunity 
for innovation in mobilizing add itional resources, forging new rela tionships, and breaking through 
political barriers to address long-standing bottleneck s to competitiveness.  In this regard, the WTO 
could spearhead a collaboration which addresses core  problems for developing countries, such as 
trade-related infrastructure, productive capacity, and domestic capacity, among others.  We recognize  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  that the operationalization of Aid for Trade now lie s in the hands of devel oping countries, regional 
communities and their development partners, and we be lieve that this further enhances the impact of 
Aid for Trade in the development and growth of trad e for beneficiaries like the Philippines.  Finally, 
Members have in their hands the Doha Developm ent Agenda as the most appropriate collective 
stimulus package that can help jump start econo mies around the globe.  An ambitious and balanced 
conclusion to the DDA in 2010 that will take full y into account the developmental concerns and 
objectives of Members, will provide the most concre te contribution of the WTO to recovery, growth 
and sustainable development. 
Turkey  
 32. The Seventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO gives us a unique opportunity to focus on 
structural issues, through exchanging our ideas on how  the WTO could be reinforced without losing 
our ambition to conclude the multilateral trade ne gotiations under the Doha  Development Agenda, 
with a balanced and pro-development outcome.  Since the foundation of the WTO, the multilateral 
trading system is becoming more complex and broa der in coverage, with new agenda items to be 
taken into consideration.  As the WTO is a major institution of not only international trade, but global 
governance, we have to seriously consider whethe r the existing international mechanisms are fully 
responsive to today's economic environment.  No doubt serious thinking is needed, bearing in mind 
that the current international trading system will also be reshaped in the aftermath of the Doha 
Development Agenda, through more stringent or new rules in different areas,  with the consequent 
workload emerging for the WTO Secretariat.  Th e WTO currently has 153 Members.  There were 23 
Contracting Parties when the GATT came into fo rce in 1948, and 123 Members when the WTO was 
founded.  We are fully confident that the enlarg ement of the WTO membership not only serves to 
help the WTO become truly universal, but also benef its the system itself, as a greater part of world 
trade comes under WTO rules and disciplines with e ach new Member.  We need to work on how to 
facilitate the accession process for those striving to become a Member of the rules-based multilateral 
trading system.   
33. Technical assistance, as an integral part of  the development dimension of the multilateral 
trading system, has a great role to play in furthe r enhancing the participation of developing countries 
and mainstreaming them into the WTO.  By provi ding technical assistance to its Members, in a way 
enhancing their capacity building, WTO indeed serves the objectives of the multilateral trading 
system.  In this respect, it is crucial that the WT O continues its technical capacity-building activities, 
and the Aid-for-Trade programme can ensure that  developing and least-developed countries get an 
increased share in the world economy.  The topical issue of whether we can make decision-making 
more transparent is not a new one.  However, the need for bringing greater transparency into the 
system is being felt more in the multilateral trad e negotiations.  We also need to get back to 
negotiations without any further delay, and to put into practice the determination we have at the 
political level to conclude this R ound of multilateral trade negotiations by the end of 2010.  There is a 
critical nexus between trade and development.   The rules-based WTO system, by providing 
developing countries with greater market access opportun ities, can play a pivotal role in terms of their 
development.  In particular, opening up the trade ch annels, not only to developed countries but also to 
developing countries, can create additional benefits for growth  and development. 
Barbados 
 
34. Let me emphasize that the WTO has a key role to  play in growth, recovery and development. 
The G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Gover nors, at their Summit in Pittsburgh launched a G-
20 Framework for Strong, Balanced and Sustainable Growth.  The WTO can play a critical role in 
ensuring that the key multilateral elements of this framework are implemented in a fair, balanced and 
objective manner.  This is necessary if undue injury to the small and most vulnerable players in the 
world trading system is to be avoided.  Almo st all Caribbean countries are highly dependent on WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
Page 14  
 
  tourism, and this sector is driven by discretiona ry income and is highly responsive to declining 
incomes of the nationals in our target markets.   As a consequence of the global financial and 
economic crisis, this sector, on which almost all Caribbean countries are dependent, has been very 
seriously affected, with negative implications fo r output, employment and foreign-exchange earnings.  
While some developed countries have reported recovery, it is a fact th at recovery in small economies, 
and particularly small developing countries, always lags behind that in larger countries.  Therefore, 
greater assistance is required.  There is a correla tion between the performance of the export sector and 
the debt burden of Caribbean economies.  The highl y indebted conditions of most Caribbean countries 
could be dramatically reversed if our export tr ade in goods and services could grow sufficiently 
rapidly to produce the needed foreign-exchange earnings.  Not only would such foreign-exchange 
earnings reduce our need for borrowing, they would al so reduce our current levels of indebtedness.  
The WTO's efforts in facilitating trade by SVEs is th erefore very important in helping us to contain 
our debt. 
35. A global crisis requires a global response from developing and, more importantly, developed 
countries.  The G-20, in its Pittsburgh Declaration,  has proclaimed that "[e]ach country's ability to 
achieve its goal hinges in part on the actions of others ".  In my statement to the Plenary, I highlighted 
this and pointed out that, indeed, this interdepe ndency is even more critical in the case of Small, 
Vulnerable Economies.  A global response also requires greater synergies among the institutions 
responsible for trade, development, finance and la bour – that is, the WTO, the World Bank, the IMF 
and the ILO.  For developing countries, sustainable,  job-led growth, recovery  and development would 
not be possible without such collaborative efforts.  There is a need for increas ed transparency in the 
application of regulatory measures adopted by majo r countries to ensure that these are not used as a 
protectionist barrier to reduce market access and competitive opportunities of small economies.  It is important that categorisation of any group of coun tries be based on adequate facts and take into 
account their needs, particularly where such  affected countries are small and may be 
disproportionately affected by certain measures and categorisation.  The WTO as a multilateral 
organization can and must provide the forum and requ isite disciplines for such transparency, to ensure 
that countries that are small receive a fair deal.  As small countries with limited resources, we depend 
on the multilateral system led by the WTO to provide a more level playing field that adequately takes into account our constraints and needs, and we theref ore urge the organization to continue its efforts 
in this regard. 
Mauritius 
 
36. The subject of our discussion today is an impor tant one, especially given the context of the 
financial and economic crisis.  This crisis is not of our doing.  We are not responsible for it, but we 
have been the first ones to be negatively impacted .  Although there are green shoots of recovery, we 
are certainly not out of the woods yet.  What we believe the WTO's role should be, is to create the 
necessary environment for increased trade flows worl dwide and investment flows as well.  This can 
be done by bringing down barriers to trade and i nvestment and create conditions for higher demand 
for goods and services, which will automatically lead  to increased supply and hence to increased 
economic activity.  The relationship is all too obvious.   It is important, however, that the sequencing is 
right, and that adequate transitional periods are ag reed for those countries that will be affected by 
tariff phase-downs in their export markets.  They al so have to be provided with resources to take 
adjustment measures under the Aid-for-Trade in itiative.  Regional banks, such as the African 
Development Bank, can play an important role in this regard, and their capitalization becomes 
extremely important.  The problem also is that while tariffs have been going down, either as a result of multilateral, regional, bilateral or even autonomous initiatives, there is a surge in the application of 
barriers of a non-tariff nature.  We are worried that private standards, which is a matter acquiring an 
ever-increasing proportion – food miles and intended carbon taxes – ma y create a web of barriers that 
will nullify the benefits of lower tariffs.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  37. We are in favour of a successful outcome at the Copenhagen Conference on climate change.  
We are concerned, however, that trade measures ma y be used as a means of mitigation and also for 
protectionist purposes.  We believe that the WTO should have a closer look at these issues and 
develop disciplines to ensure that trade barriers are not used to address non-trade issues.  The WTO 
should also develop disciplines to address private sta ndards.  We are in favour of accelerating the pace 
of negotiations in environmental goods and services.  But we belie ve that at the same time, the 
necessary stimulus should be given to smooth out th e transfer of environmentally-friendly technology 
at lower cost to the developing countries.  We  also believe that even the IP regime for 
environmentally-friendly technolog y may have to be revisited to facilitate this transfer. 
Trinidad and Tobago 
38. Trinidad and Tobago sees exports as a key driver of  economic growth and diversification.  In 
the current economic situation, the significance of  the WTO is magnified.  A holistic strategy is 
urgently needed to ensure that tr ade and trade reform become tools to actively deliver development; to 
catalyze economic growth and reduce poverty, partic ularly in the LDCs and SVEs among us.  While 
not providing a panacea, it is critical that the Doha  Round be successfully conc luded in 2010.  It is 
essential that the negotiations yield a delicately ba lanced multilateral trade agreement which respects 
the centrality of development, as well as gives subs tantive effect to the principles of Special and 
Differential treatment and less-than-full reciproc ity.  This would go a long way to restoring 
confidence in the multilateral trading system and re inforcing the legitimacy and credibility of the 
WTO, while providing the critical ingredients for br oad-based sustainable economic recovery.  In the 
interim, however, as the guardian of the multilatera l trading system, the WTO must continue to be 
vigilant to stymie protectionist and quasi-protecti onist measures instituted by Members in response to 
the global economic downturn. 
39. Within CARICOM, trade liberalization initia tives have yielded mixed results. Trade 
continues to be precariously built on a narrow range of exports and export markets.  Fiscal pressures 
arising from accumulated trade deficits are another challenge that has accompanied the trade reform 
process.  Moreover, slowing economic growth, loss of tariff revenue and increasing indebtedness, in 
some instances, have intensified the pressures on fiscal resources of Member states.  This has collectively restricted CARICOM's ability to ad opt fiscal stimulus packages.  The successful 
integration of our economies into the multilateral trading system necessitates not only increased 
market access, but also complementary support to stre ngthen the trade-related infrastructure.  As such, 
the WTO should expand its role in making Aid for Trade more operational and effective, by 
mobilizing additional resources, ensuring coheren ce among donors, assisting in the conduct of needs 
assessments, and matching needs to available resources.  In the current climate, and given the increasingly important nexus between trade and development, Trinidad and Tobago envisages a 
systemic interface between the WTO and the multila teral development agencies, to ensure greater 
coherence and synergy between their respective mandates.  This will complement a successful 
conclusion of the Doha Round and facilitate sustai nable development, and by so doing, promote 
confidence in the global economic system.  
Pakistan 
 
40. The timely conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda is the best possible solution for 
developing countries who have no fiscal experts to offer stimulus packages.  Aid for Trade is an 
important tool, but its effectiveness and monitori ng is possible only by strengthening the regional 
technical groups.  It is important that Aid for Trade is not seen as "business as usual", but as on a different grounding.  To avoid this, it is important to monitor it at a global level through trade policy 
reviews and at a regional level through the RTGs.  There are certain institutional mechanisms 
available within the WTO which need to be activ ated to promote development and investment in 
LDCs and developing countries – for example, the Working Groups on Trade and Transfer of WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
Page 16  
 
  Technology.  There should be broa d-based support for a multilateral trade initiative on trade finance.  
The developed countries may seriously consider incr easing their assistance to developing countries to 
tide them over in case of balance-of-payments probl ems.  Finally, the monitoring and surveillance 
role played by the WTO is appreciated by Pakistan, and we believe that this needs to be stringent in 
order to counter protectionist tendencies. 
Tanzania (for the LDC Group) 
 
41. The current global economic crisis, which ha d its origins in the advanced industrial 
economies, has made developing countries, especially  LDCs, suffer most from its effects.  We also 
lack the means for countering the immediate and longer-term effects of th e crisis.  Our economies 
have been devastated, because poverty eradicati on and social development programmes have been 
negatively affected by the onslaught of the crisis, which has also highlighted the continued dependence of our countries on the export of a narrow basket of commodities.  The current financial 
crisis will no doubt have profound,  and possibly prolonged, effects on the LDCs, whose recent good 
economic performance has been heavily dependent on exte rnal factors.  There is a real danger that the 
progress which has been achieved in alleviating povert y in LDCs may be undermined.  It is therefore 
crucial and urgent that we consider  ways in which we can mitigate the effects of this worsening global 
economic environment on developing countries, and especi ally LDCs.  We therefore believe that early 
and successful conclusion of the DDA, as stated befo re, has become imperative as a stimulus for the 
economies of LDCs.  Further integration of their economies in the multilateral trading system through 
increased regional and global configurat ions therefore remains their only hope. 
42. We must prove to the world that the WTO is a vi brant institution to reckon with, that lays the 
foundation for international trade.  We must sei ze the political goodwill already garnered from world 
leaders and translate it into real actions in a manne r that will help the Geneva process reach an early 
conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda ne gotiations.  Conclusion of the DDA negotiations 
would deliver the needed contribution to economic recovery, and would demons trate the benefits of 
the multilateral trading system, in which the LDCs c ontinue to be marginalised.  For the LDCs, the 
situation has worsened after the global economi c and financial crisis.  As the world economy 
struggles to recover from the effects of the crisis, we  continue to face major challenges.  However, let 
me emphasize that, come what may, the conclusion of this Round should not come at the expense of 
the developmental components of the Round, which ensure the integration of developing countries, 
and particularly the LDCs, in a fair, development -friendly multilateral trading system.  This can be 
further enhanced through recapitaliz ation of regional deve lopment banks and, as has been emphasized 
here, the African Development Bank and others in Asia and the Pacific, which can provide more 
resources for improving infrastructure and thus ad d to our competitiveness in world trade.  We 
therefore call for increased funding from our devel opment partners in this area.  The LDC Group 
reiterates that the negotiating process must remain  multilateral and fully transparent, with a  
bottom-up approach.  Bilateral and plurilateral consultations may be  useful in enhancing mutual 
understanding, but should neither replace the multilate ral negotiation process nor affect the consensus 
within the multilateral context.  The LDC Group is concerned that bila teral and plurilateral 
consultations may be used to reopen stabilized el ements of the negotiations or to compromise the 
interests of the developing countries, particularly the LDCs.  
Thailand 
 
43. We have carefully listened to the discussion this morning and it has demonstrated to us that 
the WTO is an indispensable institution that helps to guard against protectionism.  It is imperative that 
we cherish this rules-based mechanism to ensure th e security and predictability of international trade 
during these very difficult economic times.  Given th at our very best options to guard against 
protectionist sentiments and potential measures is the WTO, and that the best insurance policy of our 
trading future is its smooth and e ffective functioning, we need to en sure that the major tools which  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
 Page 17 
 
 
  have helped strengthen the WTO are put into eff ect.  This is the early conclusion of the Doha 
Development Round.  We all know that the final packag e is within reach, and that all we need is the 
extra political push – SOS action – to put the fini shing touches to these Doha Round negotiations.  
The interests of all would be well served, were this to be achieved.  Therefore, we agree with many 
statements that a good signal in the early part of next year would be to have an opportunity for 
Ministers to gather once again to show our solidar ity at the highest level to finish this Round and 
make our positive contribution to many crises affecti ng the world, including the financial, climate and 
economic crises.  Finally, the recent economic stim ulus packages that have been implemented by 
several countries in an attempt to revive the econom y, have proved to be quite successful in that 
respect.  However, the fiscal stimulus packages that  were provided by a few countries, in terms of a 
number of sectors, should be rolled back, given the fact that some of these may have repercussions on 
levels of competitiveness.  Therefore, I would suggest  that these not only be rolled back, but also kept 
in check. 
Sierra Leone 
 44. As a post-conflict LDC, Sierra Le one fervently believes in the merits of trade liberalization as 
a force for reducing poverty and promoting growth.  We also believe that the WTO remains a vital 
force and legitimate forum for opening and regulating world trade.  We are however, convinced that 
in spite of the benefits inherent in trade opening, there are considerable adju stment costs to LDCs and 
imbalances between devel oped countries and LDCs that would need  to be urgently addressed to give 
actual meaning to what the WTO is all about.  In  this regard, we would like the Aid-for-Trade 
initiative to focus on assisting the public sector in LD Cs in developing basic infrastructure, including 
roads, electricity and processing facilities that would en able the addition of value to our products.  We 
are strongly convinced that these and other challeng es relative to the creation of a viable trade and 
investment environment that would ensure our co mpetitiveness, need to be looked into to enable 
LDCs take advantage of the many initiatives relativ e to trade liberalization.  Moreover, the rising 
world prices of fuel and food items in recent times have meant more expensive imports and inflation 
of food prices in both local and external markets.  There have also been cases of food shortages arising from export-restrictive measure imposed by some  countries.  What we should not forget is that 
many developing, as well as least developed, count ries reduced food production as a result of advice 
from international financial institutions.  Additio nally, in a bid to fulfil their commitments and 
obligations to the WTO family, these countries were asked or advised to dismantle marketing boards 
and guarantee prices for farmers' products, phase out or  eliminate subsidies and other forms of support 
and reduce tariffs on food products.  It is clear th at the challenges for LDCs , in terms of achieving 
competitiveness, have been enormous.  In conclusion,  therefore, even as we pursue the much-needed 
revitalization of the WTO and move relentlessly towards the successful conclusion of the Doha 
Round, the LDCs are of the view that the develo pment dimension should be in constant focus.  
Aid for Trade should look at developing the abilit y to implement projects and programmes both at 
country and regional levels that can address capacity constraints, including weak and in some cases 
non-existing infrastructure, as well as faciliti es for adding value to agricultural produce. 
Cuba  
45. The priority of this organization should be the successful conclusion of the Doha Round, 
including the implementation issues still pending, in a participatory process that allows the fulfilment 
of the Round's central mandate of development.  Noth ing should make us neglect this task, much less 
by adding controversial issues like competition and i nvestment policy that led previous Ministerial 
meetings to failure.  The WTO should completely a nd systematically analyze the impact, particularly 
for developing countries, of the multi-million do llar programmes of tax incentives and financial 
support provided by developed-c ountry governments to their companies, as some developing 
countries have suggested.  The frustration is due  not only to the lack of progress in current 
negotiations, but also to the outcomes previously im posed.  The WTO needs to work on the fulfilment WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  of the Millennium Development Goals, the eradication of poverty and hunger, increasing 
employment, sustainable development and the univer sal access to services and basic rights like health, 
education, drinkable water and sanitation. 
46. The Bretton Woods institutions are not a model to emulate.  They are symbols of an 
increasingly questioned failed system.  The lack of transparency and the negation of democratic 
principles, such as accountability and fair participati on, will not be accepted in this organization, ever.  
To cope with present and future challenges, it is  necessary that the multilateral trading system be 
universal, democratic, inclusive, rules-based, open, transparent, predictable, fair, non-discriminatory 
and equitable, a tool of sustainable development with  a view to allowing the effective participation of 
the developing countries in the WTO and international trade.  The WTO should guarantee the 
fulfilment of the objective of the Marrakech Agreem ent to ensure that developing countries, and 
especially the least-developed among them, benefit fr om a share in international trade commensurate 
with their development needs.  It is necessary to  preserve the intergovernmental character of the 
WTO, the central role of the mandated principles of  consensus in decision-making, and the effective 
participation of all Members in all stages of the negotiating process, in order to finalize the Round and 
meet the challenges ahead.  The strengthening or a di fferent reform of the multilateral trading system 
would be far from being real.  Cuba – a country subject to a blockade, and to which the richest 
country in the world denies the benefits of the b asic principles of this organization – will continue 
betting on multilateralism and on a fair trading syst em without discrimination and that responds 
primarily to the development needs of its weakest Members.  We will continue to be committed to a 
WTO that opens the path for a new fair and equita ble international economic order.  We are opposed 
to its use as an instrument of the neo-liberal globa lization in which a small, rich group of countries 
makes a profit from the suffering of the majority.  
Bangladesh 
 
47. We are in the midst of an unprecedented crisis of our times.  Undoubtedly, LDCs are worst 
affected by the crisis, although it is not of thei r own making.  The global recession is constraining 
international trade and impeding long-term investment .  This is an additional cause of contraction of 
LDCs' output and exports.  Unlike developed countr ies, the LDCs do not have adequate resources to 
afford stimulus packages.  This is further ma rginalizing the LDCs.  Prompt delivery on the 
international commitments made at various fora, including the G-20 London communiqué, would 
help LDCs to overcome the adverse effects of the current global economic and financial crisis. In 
addition, WTO reform proposals should come up with appropriate trade solutions to offset the impact 
of the crisis and reinstate LDCs on the path of  growth and development.  These could include 
improved market access for LDCs' goods and services a nd effective financial and technical assistance 
to remove supply-side constraints.  We request th e WTO Members to include the climate change issue 
as a priority on their trade agenda.  The adverse im pacts of climate change have also worsened the 
miseries of the LDCs.  These are directly affec ting agricultural production and thereby seriously 
undermining food security.  Therefore, mandatory commitments for the Safe Box and meaningful support to improve productivity of the agricultural sect or are an absolute nece ssity.  In addition, to 
ensure food security of the LDCs, restrictions shoul d not be imposed on the export of food grains to 
them.  Apart from this, Bangladesh, as one of the c ountries most affected by global climate change, 
needs adequate funds and appropriate tec hnologies for mitigation and adaptation.  
48. Technology transfer is one of the most effec tive tools for the overall development of LDCs. 
In this context, we hope that the developed count ries will provide incentives to their enterprises and 
institutions so that they transfer technologies, partic ularly in the fields of pharmaceuticals, agricultural 
and manufacturing sectors to create a viable and so und technological base.  Supply-side constraints 
are huge impediments to the trading capacities of LDCs.  Aid for Trade can be instrumental in 
overcoming these difficulties.  In this regard, we urge our development partners to come up with 
additional resources for LDC projects to augment those through Aid for Trade.  The whole process of  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  Aid for Trade needs more clarity.  We therefore ne ed a road map to help us build our supply-side 
capacity and trade-related infrastructure to benefi cially integrate the LD Cs into the rule-based 
multilateral trading system.  Increased trade is an essential element of our comprehensive response to 
the present crisis.  We need to create better capaci ties and greater opportunities for LDCs to trade.  
This is all the more necessary in  the present context.  We hope our deliberations will not be recorded 
for mere formalities of the Conference.  These must be  acted upon.  The crisis is a stark reminder that 
in today's globalized world, our indivi dual actions determine our common future. 
Guatemala  
 
49. The contribution of the WTO to economic recovery, growth and development could 
materialize through application of the principles of  national treatment and most favoured nation – the 
principle of equity.  On the basis of equity, we could take real steps and make real progress.  With equity, we could also overcome the barriers of narrowly-defined self-interest – that is, protectionism and resistance to offering market access.  Also, w ith the principle of equity we could free ourselves 
from the ghosts of ambition and greed.  We would be free to be honest and transparent, and we would 
stop hiding behind our own armour.  On the basis of equity, governments that represent the interests 
of the people would fulfil the social responsibility that it is up to us to assume today.  As I said yesterday in my statement at the plenary session, with equity we would leave present and future 
generations with a better, more pea ceful and prosperous world.  Finally, I wish to say that the same 
principle of equity should be applied in the mu ltilateral trading system , through the WTO as an 
institution and through the rules that we must all observe.   
Indonesia 
 
50. I would like to make a few points regarding the contribution of the WTO to recovery, growth 
and development.  First and foremost, it bears repeating the obvious, that an early and successful 
conclusion of the Doha Development Round is imperative.  We have all been saying this since the day 
we came here to this meeting, but it bears repeati ng, and the unity in the message by the majority of 
Members indicates that we are not yet ready to  give up hope, and the hope is a very clear and 
resounding message which we hope will be heard and responded to by action by all.  We should all 
double up and intensify all processes and build on th e progress made today to bring to us to an 
effective stocktaking in early 2010, which will pave  the way for conclusion of the Round before 2010.  
On the issue of protectionism, we support the tran sparency and monitoring exercise that has been 
undertaken by the WTO, more recently in cooperation with other international organizations so that 
there is greater coherence and coverage of this exercise.  And as I indicated in my remarks yesterday, it has helped us in building up the peer pressure  to understand what countries are doing and what 
policies are being undertaken, and this helps us to  explain domestically what can or cannot be done. 
51. I would like to raise some concerns from devel oping countries, such as Indonesia, that I hope 
can also be addressed.  It seems to us that increasing tariffs up to bound rates and applying non-tariff 
measures, anti-dumping and safeguards, are all WT O-consistent measures, but in a way anti-dumping 
and safeguard measures are preferable, because they are temporary and subject to rules and disciplines and so on, and if they are implemented in an unfair  way we can take it to dispute settlement.  We do 
not have any disagreement with this analysis, but the reality is that precisely these instruments are 
where the imbalances of the capacity of developed countries are very evident.  How do we address 
these imbalance?  The third point I would like to ma ke which I haven't heard raised in the discussions 
is, in the discussion on recovery, growth and developm ent there is this notion of rebalancing growth, 
which is one of the favourite topics being discussed  – the notion that we must increase exports by 
some and increase imports, or even reduce exports, by some others.  We hope that this kind of 
discussion will not depart from the fundamental basis of comparative advantage and trade as a means 
of development.  It seems to us the key to reba lancing growth is not to increase exports by some, 
reduce exports by others, or increase imports of others, but to address the fundamental causes of WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
Page 20  
 
  competitiveness and ensure fair trade, including ad dressing trade-distorting subsidies and so on, and 
the use of appropriate instruments to achieve this.  I believe this is a topic that needs to be discussed 
more in the WTO so that we do not end up having a discussion on how to actually encourage or even force increased imports or reduce exports, with out going through this fundamental analysis of 
competitiveness, comparative advantage and the appr opriate use of trade instruments, and other 
instruments. 
Swaziland 
 
52. I would like to concur with othe rs who spoke before me on Aid fo r Trade.  Time is really not 
on our side, and we do need to meet these objectives.   I wish to commend the WTO for the role it has 
played so far in providing the platform for a transparent debate between donors and development 
partners on one hand, and benefi ciary countries on the other, about donor commitments, needs of 
developing countries to benefit from trade liberaliza tion, and aid effectiveness and its impact on the 
economies of beneficiaries.  Aid for Trade is cruc ial in addressing the supply-side constraints, human 
and institutional capacity-building and trade-related infrastructure for developing countries, including 
landlocked developing countries and other vulnerable groups, particularly as they deal with the 
aftermath of the global financial crisis.  Therefore, there is a need to secure  sufficient, additional, 
predictable and easily accessible resources to implem ent sustainable economic development plans and 
to finance adjustment costs arising from trade liberalization and enhance regional integration 
processes, especially in Africa.  In this regard, the recapitalization of the African Development Bank 
is crucial.  In this respect, Swaziland sees the need  to build on and enhance the role of the WTO in 
advocacy, analysis and debate around the Aid-for-Trade  initiative.  Indeed, the power of the WTO to 
convene all relevant stakeholders, as well as its monitoring function, assist in mobilizing Aid-for-
Trade financing and holding donors acc ountable at the multilateral level. 
Dominican Republic  
 53. This Ministerial Conference is being held duri ng the worst financial crisis since the Great 
Depression.  The severity of this crisis, which orig inated in the developed economies, has been felt 
more intensely by the small economies such as  the Dominican Republic, with loss of production, 
increased unemployment and poverty.  Small economi es, who are vulnerable to climate change and 
external shocks, are feeling the severity of the crisis , because they are open and more integrated in the 
international economy through trade, tourism and re mittances.  The strong fall in private credit has 
also been a factor which contributed to the current  crisis, adversely affecting the offer of goods and 
services, and trade financing as well.  Small and vulnerable economies were doubly affected through 
the balance-of-payments crisis, and lost more than  a decade in terms of achievement of development 
goals.  However, the Dominican Republic has coped w ith the severity of this crisis by complying with 
its obligations to this organization, and without resorting to protectionism, which would adversely 
affect international trade and the competitiveness of other economies.  It is without question that in 
view of this crisis, the multilateral financing instit utions must create permanent trigger mechanisms 
that will enable their Member countries to compensat e the loss of private credit, which of course has 
reduced international trade.  In this respect, the WTO could make an important contribution to a quick solution to the crisis by helping, particularly the least-developed countries, through an increase in Aid 
for Trade and by accelerating spending for the improvement of export infrastructure.  A positive result 
of this crisis has been the eviden ce that compliance by the majority of  Members with the rules of this 
organization has served to contain the crisis, so th at trade flows were not additionally affected by 
restrictive measures.  The best contribution Members could make to the solution of the financial crisis 
is to bring about a speedy conclusion of the Doha Round, increasing the commitment of its Members and encouraging them to comply with the orig inal goal and to increase the development of the 
least-developed countries through fair and equitabl e trade.  The Dominican Republic has always 
believed in the benefits of a multilateral trading system  which is balanced, fair and rules-based, and in 
which account is taken of the interests of developing countries.  In this way we avoid the proliferation  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  of individual measures which only serve to penali se the trade of small economies and to protect 
domestic production. 
South Africa 
 
54. The subject matter under discussion today is extremely strategic in that it will attempt to 
summarise discussions that have taken place over a period of eight years.  We can decide to lament as 
much as we can, or we can decide to take c oncrete decisions, depending on how honest we are in 
wanting to solve the global crisis.  The conclusi on of the Round will only be successful if we have 
honestly interrogated how effective the WTO system is in overseeing the implementation of important 
decisions.  We need leadership that doesn't sh y away from taking difficult decisions.  Concrete 
suggestions that we need to see made today include  establishing a task force to formulate strategic 
issues that need to be agreed to in the Round.  A monitoring committee that will deal with Aid for 
Trade needs to be established by the Secretariat.  A committee that will also assist in monitoring 
innovation and diversification will encourage creativit y, and there is a need to have a systemic 
approach to monitor and evaluate implementation of  all decisions.  Over and above the political will 
shown by Members to stay true to the developmenta l agenda of the Round, a technical team is needed 
to monitor the implementation of discussions that ha ve taken place over a period of eight years.  At 
the point where reviews are needed, the system should be flexible enough to allow that.  We know that implementing decisions is not as easy as considering ideas.  Therefore, the commitment of the institution remains important.  As I said yesterday, all economies and societies are inter-dependent.  
The biggest challenge will always remain the impact  of globalisation on the developing world, and the 
impact of climate change on the most vulnerable ec onomies.  The answer lies  in the commitment to 
build a just world – a commitment that countries have  already made but have failed to implement.  
Only implementation will measure how genuine is the statement we make. 
India  
 55. As we are all aware, the world has been through a long spell of crisis – the worst in the last 
seven decades.  We may have got out of the worst, but  there is still need for caution, as recovery will 
be subdued and slow.  At the Pittsburgh summit, the G-20 leaders in their statement emphasised the need to continue the revival in world trade and i nvestment in order to restore global growth, and to 
stand together to fight against protectionism.  Th ey pledged to refrain from using WTO-inconsistent 
measures to stimulate exports, and also committed to r ectify such measures as they arise.  They also 
assured that they would notify the WTO promptly of  any relevant trade measures.  On its own and 
together with the OECD, the International Moneta ry Fund and UNCTAD, the WTO has been closely 
monitoring the situation, and the Director-General has been periodically reporting to the Trade Policy 
Review Body, and will continue to report on trad e and trade-related develo pments.  In 2009, the 
Director-General reported that despite instances of  slippage, in general terms the world economy is 
about as open for trade today as it was before the crisis  started.  This is testimony to the effectiveness 
of the multilateral trade disciplines embodied in the WTO Agreements.  The WTO's efforts to 
strengthen confidence in the multilateral trading syst em and guard against the rise of protectionism 
have yielded dividends.  Concluding  the Doha Round, therefore, would further serve to give a boost to 
the global economy and open up markets.  What is remarkable is the emphasi s international leaders 
have put – at every meeting since last year – on the importance of the multilateral trading system and 
the significance of concluding the Doha Round early.  Though the spotlight is  on the Doha Round, the 
WTO is not about the Doha Round alone.  It bear s many responsibilities – negotiating the reduction or 
elimination of obstacles to trade, agreeing on ru les governing the conduct of international trade, 
administering and monitoring the application of th e rules for trade, ensuring the transparency of 
regional and bilateral trade agreements, settling dis putes regarding the interpretation and application 
of the Agreements, building capacity of developing -country governments' officials in international 
trade matters, and also assisting the process of accession of some 30 countries who are not yet Members of the organization.  Thus, the WTO ha s a far-reaching role, based on the fundamental WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
Page 22  
 
  guiding principle of most-favoured-nation and non- discriminatory treatment by and among Members, 
and a commitment to transparency in the conduct of  its activities.  The calibrated opening of national 
markets to international trade, with adequate  flexibilities and sound domestic and international 
policies, will go a long way towards prom oting economic growth  and development. 
Singapore 
 56. There is no doubt that the WTO has played a key role in ensuring that the effects of the 
economic and financial crisis were mitigated.  When the crisis first erupted, there were fears of a 
descent into 1930s protectionism.  This has thankfu lly not happened.  Work still remains to be done, 
but we can be grateful for what the WTO has provided us so far.  The WTO's primary contribution to 
recovery and growth therefore, has been in restraining protectionism.  Current rules and 
commitments, as well as the monitoring of trade a nd trade-related measures, has helped exert peer 
pressure, and ensured that Members take the right  steps towards recovery.  The work that the 
Secretariat and Members have performed this y ear in notifying, collating and publishing trade and 
trade-related measures is something that we should a ll be proud of and should firmly support.  It is 
also useful for us to sit back and take note that at  the height of the crisis, when there were fears of 
growing protectionism, many WTO Members took measu res that facilitated trade as well.  These were 
less reported, less known, but just as important.  More than 40 Members were listed in the WTO's 
Annual Report on Trade and Trade- Related Developments as taking such positive measures.  I 
congratulate these Members, and will take their me asures as indication that WTO Members know full 
well how trade liberalization in real terms can, in  the worse of times, contribute to recovery and 
growth. 
57. Let me highlight two additional points that may no t be sufficiently appreciated.  First, it is our 
organization's culture of cooperation.  It is not ju st cooperation between Members.  At the height of 
the crisis, we could count on cooperation between th e WTO and other key international organizations.  
This included with the IMF and World Bank, on issu es such as trade finance, and with the OECD and 
UNCTAD in monitoring trade as well as investment  measures.  We would do well to build on these 
relationships, and make sure that through these ch annels of sound global  economic governance, we 
are better able to track, prepare for and mitigate any future economic downtur ns.  Second, we should 
also recognize that despite the crisis, and despite our earlier fears, the WTO did offer us a source of 
stability and predictability in the multilateral trading system.  This was because of the organization's 
culture of adherence to rules and dispute settleme nt.  There is no better guarantor of growth and 
development than predictability and stability.  We have a good thing in current WTO rules and 
institutions, but we need to build on them, and that  is why we need to conclude the Doha Round.  
There is, therefore, a rising cost for every day of our collective failure to conclude the Doha Round.  
This surely is motivation for us to see beyond our own interests and fulfil our collective responsibility 
to do what is necessary and good for us all. 
Nepal  
58. The financial and economic crisis has hurt LDCs through various channels, including 
collapsing trade, volatile commodity prices, capita l flow reversals, increased borrowing costs, 
declining remittance incomes and tourism revenue, and strains on official development assistance.  Its 
adverse effect is further aggravated by their weak fiscal position and limited options to adopt 
countercyclical macroeconomic policies.  Its impact  is not limited to the macro level of halting, or 
even reversing, sustained development gains, whet her measured in terms of  economic growth, poverty 
reduction, or human development, but has affect ed the household level and social groups, risking 
reversals in the achievement of the MDGs, w ith increased hunger and poverty and the burden falling 
unevenly on children, women, the working poor, migr ants and people already at a disadvantage.  In 
this regard, Nepal would like to put forward four prio rity actions.  First, the magnitude of the current 
crisis is clearly associated with a liberal financial system and inadequate regul ation and supervision of  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
 Page 23 
 
 
  banks and financial markets.  Therefore, the disp roportionately vulnerable countries, in particular 
LDCs, should be allowed to review their commitm ents in financial services and to re-regulate 
financial services, if needed.  Second, the success ful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda 
with an ambitious and balanced out come that raises confidence in th e multilateral trading regime is a 
must.  More importantly, it is imperative that LDCs  be able to harvest early the benefits of the 
implementation of the duty-free quota-free provisions  agreed at the Hong Kong Ministerial, with 
simple, transparent and harmonized rules of origin.  Third, remittances income has been a key factor 
to ensure economic and social dynamism in many LDCs.  Therefore, enhanced and meaningful 
commitments on Mode 4 – including commitments re lating to the movement of unskilled workers – 
from developed and advan ced developing countries will be a strong insurance against future global 
economic shocks for LDCs.  Fourth, there should be a strong commitment on the part of developed 
countries and international and regional financial institutions to increase the assistance to least-
developed countries, including increased flows of  resources for Aid for Trade and the Enhanced 
Integrated Framework.  In add ition, conditionality on the access to  resources should be relaxed and 
debt relief programmes accelerated. 
Japan 
 
59. Nearly 15 years have passed since the WTO was established.  During that time, great changes 
have occurred in the world, such  as the evolution of globalization, the growth in importance of 
climate change policies, and the rise of the em erging nations.  Globalization has changed business 
activities in a profound way.  In the past, entering foreign markets meant exporting goods and 
services.  Today, globalization has reached a new stage, with greater and more active movement of 
people and direct investment by companies providing  goods and services.  To better deal with these 
circumstances, we must not only reduce barriers at  the border, but also ha rmonize domestic regulatory 
systems that affect the movement of people and direct investment.  The WTO should actively study issues such as investment and competition policy.  Next week, key meetings of the climate change 
negotiations will begin in C openhagen.  As climate change policies begin to have a real impact on the 
international competitive environment, we must ensure  that there is no proliferation of protectionism 
under the guise of protecting the environment.  At the same time, we must avoid a flood of trade 
disputes from arising, due to uncertainty as to whic h measures are allowed to protect the environment, 
and which are not.  The WTO must refine the rules in  the area of  Trade and Environment.  The third 
great change is the rise of the emerging nations .  Global media coverage tends to focus on the 
confrontation between developed countries, w ith weakening economies and a tendency to turn 
inwards, and the emerging countries that wish to avoid any greater international burden as much as 
possible.  If we can, however, keep in sight our common goal of realizing a better future, we should 
be able to conclude even difficu lt negotiations.  The key lies in a shared sense of responsibility among 
developed and developing  nations.  Without concluding the Doha Round, there is little hope of 
establishing an agreement on new issues.  Let those of us gathered here today, move the Round 
towards a conclusion through our combined political will. 
Colombia  
60. The present economic crisis has notably had a very deep effect in the short term.  In none of 
the earlier crises has there been such a decrease in world trade in the fi rst year.  The best illustration of 
this is that in the Great Depression, the effects were bigger, but they were felt over a period of four 
years.  The reason for this phenomenon is simple:  th e elasticity of world trade continues to grow.  In 
other words, the response of world trade to external variations is growing each day.   This is also 
related to the decrease in transport costs, the adva nce in information technologies and specialization 
of the economy and, very importantly, to the dismantli ng of tariff barriers.  It is for these reasons that 
we feel that we need to continue to create more opportunities for trade and integration.  We need to 
strengthen the multilateral trading syst em in order to lead to a full recovery of the global economy.  It 
is clear to us that the WTO will support this gr owth mainly through three channels.  First, by WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
Page 24  
 
  continuing to increase external trade and integrati ng production and investment chains at global level 
for our countries.  Second, by providing a global foru m to monitor and promote trade.  And third, by 
strengthening the institutional infrastructure.  A successful conclusion of the Doha Round will be a 
real sign of improvement.  We trust that the Senior  Officials meetings and the stocktaking exercise at 
Ministerial level at the beginning of next year will be decisive.  We feel that the WTO should monitor 
protectionist measures, conduct more in-depth stud ies on the relationship between trade integration 
and different development dimensi ons, including climate change, and improve transparency at the 
institutional level and in th e reports which are produced. 
61. The WTO promotes institutional improvement s in governments by beginning with the 
commitments they undertake to become Members,  and also through support programmes that are 
offered.  I would like to note the importance of working more on Aid for Trade, technical assistance 
and capacity building.  With respect to Aid for Trade,  it is clear that we need to mobilize appropriate 
resources to this end and integrate trade in deve lopment plans, together with other economic and 
social policies.  We need a mechanism to promot e a dialogue between donors and beneficiaries.  Latin 
America and the Caribbean believe that Aid for Trad e has to lead to programmes to promote capacity 
to increase trade, which should be translated into exports with greater added value, trade financing 
and the strengthening of logistic and transport infrast ructure.  In order to promote technical assistance 
and capacity building, the WTO should think about increasing its efforts, both in terms of beneficiaries and the number of activities and choi ce of languages.  It should consider improving 
coordination with academia and the broadening of certain development programmes for LDCs.  In 
conclusion, we believe that the main contributions of the organization to the recovery of the world 
economy and to development would be  the following.  First, the successful conclusion of the Round.  
Second, the continuation of the monitoring and ev aluation work undertaken.  And third, effective 
work on Aid for Trade, technical assistance and capacity building in Members. 
Sudan (Observer) 
 62. The principle of transparency is an important and viable principle to deal with trade issues.  It 
should apply to both the WTO and its Members in all their dealings.  The accession process needs to 
be more transparent.  In the case of Sudan, we  applied for accession to the WTO in 1994, 15 years 
ago, and there is no end in sight to our accession process.  Our suspicion is that the accession process is hampered by non
-trade concerns, and to be more direct, ac cession to WTO is politicized and is used 
as a political tool by some countries.  It is not an y longer a transparent process.  To make the process 
transparent and inclusive, two things must be done.  First, the Council should get periodic reports on 
the status of accession processes.  Second, a tim e limit should be imposed on the accession process. 
Iran (Observer) 
63. I would like to make a few observations about the role of the WTO in recovery, growth and 
development.  The global economy is currently e xperiencing one of the most profound crises.  
However, the active participation of all countries in the management of the global economy, taking 
into account their needs and interests and avoiding the spread of protective measures, will contribute 
to harnessing the crisis.  While the sever ity of the global financial crisis is said to be subsiding, raising 
issues about the reform of the relevant internationa l institutions to prevent the re-occurrence of such 
crises would bear fruit, if they could address th e causes of the crisis as well as ensure the full 
participation of developing countries in global econo mic decision-making.  The role of the WTO in 
the expansion of world trade and in the promotion of growth and development should be crystallized 
more than ever, in overcoming this crisis.  The WTO Agreements are aimed at contributing to the 
improvement of economic development of the Me mber countries.  However, the concept of 
development has not yet found its appropriate standing in the WTO.  That is why we expect that the 
Doha Agenda should properly address the developm ent aspect of the current negotiations, helping 
towards the fair allotment of benefits accrued from economic globalization and poverty reduction in  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/2 
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  the poor Member countries.  Due to the recent worl d economic crisis, the consequences of concluding 
this Round seem ambiguous, in particular as regard s compliance with the principles of justice and 
balanced advantages.  Enabling the developing econo mies to have more access to world markets is 
viewed as another factor affecting the trend of rec overy, growth and development.  In this regard, 
solidarity, coherence and cooperation with their deve lopment partners are crucial for the advancement 
of their common developmental aspirations and fo r the achievement of a fair distribution of 
commercial and economic benefits in the world economic system.  Finally, it has been pointed out by 
a number of countries that acceding countries ar e facing commitments and obligations beyond their 
development capacities.  The concept of "WTO-plus"  has no place in the WTO rules, but is being 
imposed by some WTO Members on acceding countries.  This situation needs to be rectified, and all 
acceding countries should be allowed to join th e organization without undue impediments. 
IV. CONCLUDING REMARKS BY CHAIRMAN 
64. Can I take it then that we have exhausted the lis ts of requests from delegations wishing to take 
the floor in this particular session?  Well, that bei ng so I propose that we close this session and I thank 
all delegations for their useful and constructive remarks. 
__________