. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/ST/41 
1 December 2009 
 (09-6100) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009 Original:   Spanish 
 
  
HONDURAS 
 
Statement by HE Mr Dacio Castillo
 
Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the WTO  
on behalf of the Honourable Mr Samuel Benjamín Bográn  
Minister of Industry and Trade  
  
 On behalf of the Government of Honduras, wh ich I have the honour to represent, I would like 
to express my gratitude to the Government of Sw itzerland for the organization of this Ministerial 
Conference, whose fundamental purpose is to review  the multilateral trading system and the current 
global economic environment.  We should also lik e to join others in expressing gratitude and 
congratulations to the Director-General and the S ecretariat of the WTO for their services and their 
efforts deserve the gratitude of all. 
 
 As a Member of the WTO, Honduras reaffirms its commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system as a tool for promoting growth, de velopment and general well- being.  We support the 
initiatives intended to strengthen this Organization,  both as regards its systemic structure and its 
institutional framework, in order to meet the majo r challenges posed by rapid developments in the 
global economic situation. 
  In our view, the WTO needs reform so as to en sure that the Organization evolves and adapts 
itself to the new realities of international trade, fo cusing exclusively on its sphere of competence and 
at the same time maintaining its b asic principles, namely:  its intergovernmental nature and the rule of 
consensus in decision-making, remain ing transparent and non-exclusive. 
 
 We believe that the WTO should return to its fundamental role, in accordance with the 
objectives for which it was set up;  to do this, it must, inter alia , reinforce the work of various 
subsidiary bodies, enhance the im plementation of existing agreements, step up technical assistance, 
build Members' capacity to comply with co mmitments under the Agreements, and bring the 
negotiations under way to a successful conclusion. 
  It is our opinion that one of the major syst emic challenges to be faced is strengthening 
compliance with the rulings of the Dispute Settl ement Body so that it becomes a real way of 
guaranteeing an even playing field in which all Me mbers, irrespective of their size or commercial 
importance, can defend their legitimate interests and see their rights fully restored. 
  Regarding the initiative on examining the c onvergence between the multilateral system and 
regional trade agreements, we consider that Paragr aph 29 of the Doha Declaration gives the mandate 
to clarify and improve the WTO's disciplines appl ying to such agreements and, accordingly the 
Organization's work should be confined to this. 
 WT/MIN(09)/ST/41 
Page 2  
 
   We note with concern that, as a result of the global economic and financ ial crisis, there has 
been the most serious slowdown in international tr ade for the past 50 years.  We therefore call on 
Members not to give in to protectionist practices  that have an adverse impact on exports, economic 
activities and employment in our countries.  We also urge that priority be given to putting into effect 
the Aid-for-Trade programme and to ensuring that is  available for projects already identified by the 
recipient countries, especially in relation to deve lopment for trade such as infrastructure and the 
building of institutional capacity, inter alia . 
  Now, more than ever, we must give greater impetus to the economy's recovery, we must be clear about the path to be followed, in order to  increase Members' global commitment in the context 
of a rules-based multilateral trade regime that is  fair and equitable, that meets the legitimate 
aspirations of developing countries, especially tho se with small and vulnerable economies.  This is 
why we reiterate that the conclusion of the negotiating modalities based on the December 2008 texts 
continues to be an important and urgent goal.  Th e results of this negotiating Round to conclude in 
2010 must respect the global balance established by the Doha and Hong Kong Declarations, thereby 
making sure that the development di mension is present in all spheres. 
  In conclusion, we take this opportunity  to express our comple te willingness to work 
constructively in seeking joint solutions that meet th e need to reinforce all aspects of the multilateral 
trading system.  
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