. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/113 
17 December 2011 
 (11-6864) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   English 
 
  
SWAZILAND 
 
Statement by H.E. Ms. Thembayena Dlamini 
Ambassador, Permanent Representative to the WTO 
 
 
Swaziland associates itself with the statements made by Kenya on behalf of the African 
Group, Mauritius on behalf of the ACP Group and th e Dominican Republic on behalf of the Informal 
Group of Developing Countries; and supports the el ements for political guidance  issued by the 
Chairman of the General Council as we ll as the fact that trade is not an  end in itself, but, a means to 
growth and development. As long as it fails to de liver on development, trade shall remain an empty 
promise to the world's poor. For many of us, this promise remains elusive  because poor countries are 
not sufficiently integrated into the multilateral trading system and continue to operate under 
imbalanced and unfair trading rules. 
 
Swaziland is therefore deeply concerned by th e lack of a meaningful progress in the DDA 
negotiations, and particularly to th e inadequate attention paid to de velopment issues in the Doha Work 
Programme. The successful conclusion and implemen tation of a development oriented Round based 
on the centrality of the single undertaking, full partic ipation, transparency and inclusiveness,  at this 
time of economic uncertainty would send a positive me ssage that international co-operation remains 
the optimal solution to tackle global challenges.  
My delegation strongly underscores the centrality  of development in the work of the WTO 
and stands firmly behind the principles under wh ich the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) was 
launched, particularly, the Special and Differential Treatment for developing countries. We therefore 
call for the full operationalization of the mandate of the Committee on Trade and Development as a 
focal point for development as well as an enhan cement of the development aspects in the WTO's 
regular work programme.  
Swaziland stresses the importance of preserving and building on the progress achieved thus 
far in the DDA negotiations, and cautions against an y attempt to reinterpret or change the agreed 
mandates.  
Swaziland welcomes the adoption of decisions  relating to issues of importance to SVEs and 
LDCs, including and in particular the decisions on LDC accession and the LDCs services waiver. 
However, while recognising the primacy and prev alence of the challenges faced by the LDCs, it 
should also be borne in mind that other small econom ies continue to face similar challenges. Indeed, 
many countries classified as middle income; owing to their openness and dependence on preferences 
have been affected by the global financial and econom ic crisis. As a result, they have seen a reversal 
of the economic gains made in the past to try an d diversify their economies, alleviate poverty and 
engender development. 
 WT/MIN(11)/ST/113 
Page 2  
 
  In this regard, Swaziland is concerned about th e marginalization of  middle income countries 
in accessing trade and other development finance on favourable terms. We, therefore call, upon the 
WTO in its interactions with international financ ial institutions, to advocate for a relaxation of the 
narrowly based classification criterion.   
In conclusion, I would like to warmly we lcome Vanuatu, Samoa, Montenegro and the 
Russian Federation to the WTO family.  
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