RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
7 May 2010 
 (10-1044) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Seventh Session Geneva, 30 November - 2 December 2009  
 
  
RECORDS OF WORKING SESSION I 
 
Held at the International Conference Centre, Geneva "CICG"
 
1 December 2009  
 
Chairman: H.E. Andrés Velasco (Chile) 
  
 
 
I. OPENING REMARKS BY CHAIRMAN  
1. As I mentioned at the Opening Session yesterday afternoon, the theme of today's session is 
"Review of WTO activities, including the Doha Work Programme".  I hope that we can have a truly 
interactive discussion, and I will be doing my best to stimulate this.  To get us off to a good start the 
Director-General will, as announced, make some  introductory comments, which I hope will provoke a 
lively debate.  I would like to thank colleagues fo r respecting the three-minute time limit so well 
yesterday, and I know I can count on you to continue  to do so today.  In fact, you need not feel 
obliged to use up your full three minutes, since the more time we can gain, the greater the chances of 
permitting a real exchange of views.  Let me also remind you that we will break for lunch at 1 p.m. 
and resume at 3 p.m.  With these opening remarks, I will hand over to Pascal Lamy for his 
introductory remarks, after which I will open the floor for discussion. 
II. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS BY DIRECTOR-GENERAL 
2. I agree with you that this working session is mean t to be a place for open, frank discussion.  I 
hope you will all make use of the floor in a s pontaneous way, trying to avoid written statements, 
which are more fit for the formal plenary session.  Now, down to our business.  The topic of today's 
session – "Review of WTO activities, including the Doha Work Programme".  I would like to suggest, 
as a way of getting the ball rolling, four main issu es for discussion today:  Doha Development Round, 
Regional Trade Agreement (RTAs), Aid-for-Trade and Accessions.  
3. First on the list, the Doha Development Agenda.  As I said in my letter to you before the 
Conference, the longer it takes to conclude the ne gotiations, the longer the WTO's insurance policy to 
guarantee stability and predictability of market a ccess to governments and traders alike will remain 
unsubscribed.  The amount of progress that has been ma de since the last Ministerial Conference, since 
2005, is quite impressive.  What is needed to conclude is action.  We  have often said that political will 
was necessary.  When one reads the statements by  the leaders of the G-20 in London and Pittsburgh, 
as well as all the statements made by several groups in the last days and hours – the Agriculture G-20, 
the LDCs, the ACP, the Cairns Group, the G-10, th e Commonwealth, APEC – it seems like there is no 
question about the political will to  conclude the DDA expeditiously. WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  4. How do we translate this political will into conc rete action?  How do we organize ourselves to 
tackle the last few remaining issues, bridge the l ast gaps, pave the way for a successful conclusion of 
the Round?  We already have a meeting of Senior O fficials scheduled for December here in Geneva.  
Isn't it time to agree on a calendar of future meetings  and to take a deep breath and push for this last 
stretch?  There is also the question of Ministeria l involvement early next year.  In my view, you 
should share with each other, now that you are all here in Geneva, how  you wish to organize 
yourselves to reach the arrival line.  Is there mer it in agreeing, even if provisionally, on a notional 
time period in 2010 for a meeting; some sort of stoc ktaking?  To me, it would be a shame to waste the 
opportunity of having a Ministerial Conference in Geneva, an occasion that has cost precious resources – time, human and financial – without excha nging in concrete terms how to make concrete 
progress in the Round.  The final deal of the Urugua y Round was gavelled in this very same room, on 
a cold December evening of 1993.  The time is ripe for another final deal.   
5. Second issue: RTAs.  To me, there is merit in discussing ways of trying to achieve 
convergence between RTAs and the multilateral trading system.  In theory, all RTAs should converge, 
at some point in time, in the multilateral system.  Hence, preferences granted within RTAs should 
always be seen as temporary.  Until such time as th is convergence does not happen, I think it is useful 
to think about ways to ensure a minimum of c oherence between what Members commit in RTAs and 
what they commit in the WTO.  True, there is a ma ndate to clarify the substantive rules on RTAs, but, 
as we all know, not much progress has been achieved.   At the same time, we have established a 
transparency mechanism for RTAs, which provides useful factual info rmation.  I believe, nonetheless, 
that we should discuss how to improve the disciplin es and transparency of RTAs, and ways to make 
sure that RTAs and multilateral rules are not like parallel lines, which only meet in the infinite. 
6. Aid for Trade.  As you all know, this is an area of our activities that is close to my heart.  
Opening markets provides opportunities, but not rea lities in trade, and developing countries are well 
positioned to know this.  How can we secure future  financing of Aid-for-Trade programmes at a time 
when public treasuries are suffering from the crisis, but  when previously availa ble private finance to 
support capacity building in areas like transport or energy infrastructure has disappeared? 
7. Accession.  There is clearly an issue regarding the way the membership has been dealing with 
the process of accessions.  There are 29 countries in  the process of accession, some of which have 
been running for several years.  Some questions to help the debate:  Are you yourself giving the necessary attention to all of these processes?  Of course, there is political attention – perhaps too 
much to the accession of some countries, but then no t enough to other countries.  Why is it that some 
small candidates, some of them LDCs, who have  already made a lot of progress in bilateral 
negotiations and in internal reform, do not seem to be  able to make it in?  Are we doing everything we 
can to facilitate accessions?  Is th ere something acceding countries n eed from Members to help them 
push the necessary domestic reforms?  My purpose here is not to point fingers, but simply to try to clarify and to help us enlarge the WTO family, in a way which addresses the interests of all Members.  
I look forward to a lively debate. 
 
    
 
    
  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  Morning Session 10 am  
  III. RECORD OF DISCUSSION
1 
  
Philippines  
8. The Philippines continues to believe that the WTO as an institu tion embodies the basic 
principle that an open and fair rules-based global trading environment can provide growth, 
development, and stability for the global economy.  We have seen how developi ng countries have all 
benefited from participation in the multilateral trad ing system, and how its rules have helped develop 
a more transparent and predictable global tradi ng landscape.  The Philippines recognizes at the same 
time, that our multilateral trading system is far from perfect, and that liberalization alone will not lead 
to sustainable development, if not calibrate d and supported by productivity  measures, financial 
coherence, technology development and safety nets.  I appreciate efforts the WTO has taken in the 
past year in the context of the financial crisis to  report on trade measures and developments in order to 
inform us of the various steps Members have taken.   This is a welcome initiative by the WTO, and we 
should consider if such reports could become a regul ar item for discussion.  On the other hand, we are 
concerned about the marked increase in the use of trade remedies throughout 2009, and more recently 
I was informed that WTO disputes have alread y reached the 400 mark.  There are a number of 
proposals on how to improve the regular work of  the WTO, such as in the areas of RTAs, the 
Integrated Data Base (IDB), and improving comp liance with notification obligations, as these are 
important ingredients in understanding each other’s tr ade regimes.  This is an organization that must 
continue to adapt to the ever-increasing complexitie s of international trade, and any undertaking that 
would further enhance the implementation of its rule s, the availability of information, and increased 
participation of Members in the multilateral trading system would ensure the WTO’s relevance in the 
global governance infrastructure. 
9. On the DDA, which at MC6 in 2005 in Hong Kong we had thought to be on the verge of 
conclusion, we are still struggling.  I commend the Di rector-General’s efforts in keeping the DDA on 
our leaders' radar screens and for the hard work of  the negotiating Chairmen and Senior Officials over 
the past year.  We have seen some level of good pr ogress in most areas of the DDA, but our work in 
the past eight years will be wasted if we do not now all contribute to its conclusion.  My delegation 
had an opportunity to participate in the meetings  in Delhi in September, and we support the work 
programme allowing for regular interaction among Se nior Officials here in Geneva.  Technical 
engagement and fact-based discussions are key if we are to tackle the remaining issues, which include the price-based SSM, a topic not yet discussed inte nsively in 2008 and mandated by Ministers in 
Hong Kong in 2005.  The Philippines supports furthe r and intensified SOM e ngagement in the new 
year if we are to deliver a Doha Round agreemen t by year-end 2010, as leaders have called for.  We 
must, however, remain pragmatic and remind ourselves of the need to build on the progress we have 
already achieved.  In this way we limit, and not increase, the issues that remain outstanding.  More 
fundamentally, we must deliver an outcome that is  faithful to the developmental dimension of this 
Round.  
                                                     
 
1 See also the Annex to the present records. WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  European Union
2 
10. With regard to the Doha Round, I don't think it would be a surprise to you when I say that the 
European Union wants to see progress.  I hope we can agree that the talks have simply moved too 
slow during the last 12-18 months.  There are mo re negotiations to be done , and for its part the 
European Union is looking for better market a ccess, especially in Services.  And progress on 
Geographical Indications is essential for the concess ions that we have already been putting on the 
table.  Having said that, overall we believe that the package on the table at this stage is a sound basis 
for agreeing on modalities and moving to the next phase of the negotiations.  The days of nice 
statements should be over.  I think we simply need more action.  If the package should be changed, of 
course, we would have to take a look at our po sition again.  And especially if the package is 
downgraded, we would have to look at our position very  carefully indeed.  I think we should be clear 
about the progress that we have made together alread y.  What we have at the moment is a level of 
ambition which has just won approval among a vast majo rity of Members.  It is the result of a give-
and-take process over eight years, and it offers real  gains that the global economy needs, so it is a 
basis for moving forward.  So we call on everyone to engage in real negotiations.  Let's roll up our 
sleeves and get down to the details to achieve th ese modalities.  The European Union will certainly 
continue to push hard.  If there is not enough move ment, at the beginning of 2010 all member States 
will need to take a very hard look at what is act ually holding us back from crossing the finishing line. 
11. Another important issue for the WTO is the fact  that we are seeing more and more regional 
trade agreements.  We have to see whether we  can make these agreements fit better into the 
multilateral trading rules, and to achieve this, th e Committee on RTAs should carry out more analysis 
and make sure that key information is passed ar ound more freely.  Finally, with regard to the 
accession of LDCs to the WTO, the European Union has in place a policy of promoting this process, 
and we will keep to that policy.  We believe the 2002 guidelines are adequate if we apply them 
strictly.  One accession facing particular difficulty  is that of Montenegro.  The European Union 
believes that Montenegro should rapidly join the WTO,  so we call on Ukraine to be more realistic in 
its requests on market access. 
12. This is an organization which in Europe's view is working well.  It is remarkably democratic 
and transparent, and there is no need for an overhaul of the system.  What is needed in this institution 
is a step-by-step improvement and better use of existing mechanisms – incremental, evolutionary 
change, but no major surgery.  The WTO has played  a key role in translating the G-20 leaders' 
message against protectionism into action.  The initiati ve by the Director-General  to create, within the 
existing framework and mandate of the Trade Policy Review Body, an effective monitoring process –  
the quarterly report on trade measures related to the cr isis – has our full support.  This is a precious 
instrument in controlling any surge in protectionism.  The institution has the full support of the EU as 
it seeks to build up its role and capacities in monito ring trade protectionism, and we encourage it to do 
so.  This is one area in which we would encourage the Director-General to drive Members, if needed, 
rather than vice versa. 
13. But of course we, as Members, also need to take our responsibilities.  We all understand what 
happens if a few of us raise trade barriers – the pres sure for others to follow grows, and the result is 
that all our economies lose.  And the poorest lose mo st.  Government procurement is one of the areas 
which stood out as a focus for protectionist measures over the past 18 months.  It is clear that the Government Procurement Agreement is too limited – both in terms of its scope and membership.  The 
                                                     
 
2 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/1 
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  EU believes that this is an issue which Members do need to look at with urgency.  The EU also 
believes that more can be done around what the Di rector-General has defi ned as the missing middle 
pillar of the WTO – i.e. all those activities that  do not fall within the litigation or negotiation 
dimension, but nevertheless constitute one of the backbones of this organization.  There is, for 
instance, room to make WTO councils and comm ittees more efficient in addressing and solving 
differences of view among Members.  Reverse notifi cations and ramped-up databases are some of the 
ideas put forward, and they have our support.  We  also need to make better use of existing WTO 
structures.  WTO committees need to show real a dded value in addressing and solving differences of 
view among Members.  We need to inject into the committee structures the kind of reinvigorated 
transparency and dialogue that has been put in pl ace in the Trade Policy Review Body.  So we would 
support ideas and initiatives from the Director-General in this respect. 
14. WTO accessions are a particularly important area for the EU, which must continue to be 
driven forward in a way that promotes successful  integration into a rules-based world economy.  
Accessions should be a first-order priority for Memb ers, and we as Ministers should ensure sustained 
commitment – and resource allocation – from our Ministries to these negotiating processes, as well as 
prioritise our demands on the poorest future entrants.  Europe will, for its part , continue its policy of 
promoting the accession of LDCs to the WTO, th rough a strict application of the 2002 guidelines, 
which we consider as adequate.  One accession facing particular difficulties is that of Montenegro.  
This accession is stalled because of far-reaching re quests for market access.   Yet Montenegro's 
economy is already very open, and its current consolidated offer on goods and services improves 
substantially on that.  The EU believes that Monten egro should rapidly accede, and calls on Ukraine 
to show realism in its requests for market access.  Any further delay would raise very serious systemic 
issues. 
15. The proliferation of RTAs is another important issue for this organization.  As Members, we 
all need to get a better handle on this and to unders tand how far RTAs are contributing to or detracting 
from a more open global trading environment.  What  we do not want are increased costs for business, 
unpredictability and even unfairness in trade relations.  So the first step is to have greater information 
flow and analysis here in Geneva, in the WTO, so that we can then see if there are ways RTAs can be framed to better complement multilateral trading rul es.  This is not about negotiation, it is about 
dialogue and exchange, which I would hope could take place in the Committee on Regional Trade 
Agreements.  
16. Let me close with some final remarks about th e Doha Round.  My dele gation is impatient for 
progress and deeply regrets the slow rhythm of the past year.  I will be making the point in tomorrow's 
working session that the central contribution the WTO can make to recovery and development is by 
concluding Doha.  Of this, Europe is convinced, ju st as we are convinced that in the draft package 
currently on the table we do have the makings of a fair deal, and a deal with a real development dividend.  To those delegations with doubts about the value of this package, we say do not 
underestimate the value of consolidation – of tight ening the rules, of reducing subsidy ceilings, or 
pulling down tariff peaks and averages.  The last 18 m onths have shown that this has far greater value 
than we perhaps thought previously.  Above all, do not underestimate the system ic value of Doha.  It 
will strengthen and modernize this organization, an chor and legitimise the open trading system the 
world economy needs, and pave the way to address th e new trade-policy challenges of tomorrow.  Of 
course, this alone is not enough.  That is not stra nge – it reflects the fact that the negotiation is 
unfinished.  Like others, Europe seeks more market  access, in particular in Services.  Geographical 
Indications are fundamental to the balance of the Round, and integral to the concessions the EU is 
prepared to undertake.  The fact is that, overall, Euro pe stands by the package on the table at this stage 
as a sound basis to conclude modalities and move to the next phase of negotiations.  Shift the 
package, and this position would require review.  Do wngrade the package, and Europe would need to 
reassess its position very carefully.  What we have  today is a level of ambition which just about 
carries the day for a vast majority of Members, which reflects the give-and-take of the past eight WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 6  
 
  years, and which offers the real wins the world economy needs.  This is the basis on which to go 
forward.  So we call on all to engage in real negotiations, on the details, to achieve modalities.  
Europe will keep on pushing.  Absent progress, we as Members will need to take a very hard look in 
early 2010 at the obstacles to closure. 
Japan 
17. I am the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.  Director-General Lamy has 
indicated some issues that we need to consider regarding the WTO.  Please allow me to make a few 
comments on some of the points in which we have an interest.  I believe that the WTO has three main missions.  The first is monitoring trade policies.  Since the financial and economic crises erupted last year, the world has been fortunate not to suffer a ch ain reaction of protectionism as it did in the 1930s.  
With high unemployment all over the world, howeve r, there are many cases even today of buy-local 
provisions in government procurement and of ready recourse to trade remedies.  I highly appreciate 
the fact that the WTO has help ed to dissuade many Members from taking protectionist measures 
through its surveillance of trade policies.  I hope  the WTO will maintain its vigilance and call on 
Members and Observers to refrain from protectionist  measures and to rectify those already in place. 
18. The second role of the WTO is to administer the dispute settlement system.  In the past, Japan 
has seen power-politics dictate the way many trade di sputes were handled.  Today, resolving disputes 
in accordance with established rules without undul y politicizing them has become an effective 
practice, as seen by the wide use of the system by developing countries.  Japan welcomes 
wholeheartedly the high reputation that this system has secured.  However, the system can easily lose 
its effectiveness if its findings are not respected by Members.  All Members have a duty to implement 
decisions promptly, even if they are unfavourable to them. 
19. The third aspect of the WTO is the multilateral ne gotiations to liberalise trade.  Unfortunately, 
the Doha Round has not yet reached the finish line.  We must all strive even further to achieve an 
early conclusion.  This Round will bring the bene fit of growth and deve lopment through trade 
liberalization to all 153 Members of the WTO.  It will improve market access by reducing or moving 
trade and non-tariff barriers and liberalising trade in Services.  The Doha Round includes negotiations 
for the liberalization of environmental goods and Services.  This will help spread products and 
technologies that reduce the environmental load, and is  a vital part of combating climate change.  I 
would like to stress that liberalising trade in energy -efficient products is especially effective in this 
regard.  Some likeminded nations, including Japan , are considering discussions with a view to 
achieving an early agreement to liberalize trade in environmental goods, and I hope other Members 
will join the discussions.  I call on everyone gathered  here today to move towards a conclusion.  I 
would like to call on the Minister of Agriculture. 
20. My name is Mr. Akamatsu, and I am the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.  I 
would like to share my thoughts with you on the DDA negotiations.  The number of undernourished people in the world continues to rise and currently  has reached one billion, while world food prices 
remain at high levels and the global economy has not yet recovered from the severe downturn 
triggered by the financial crisis.  The surge in f ood prices, which can be best described as a "food 
crisis", has brought political and social unrest to ma ny developing countries.  This recent food crisis 
has reminded us that the maintenance of different agriculture systems which are suitable to specific 
regional conditions is indispensable for ensuring global food security.  In the Doha Development 
Agenda negotiations on Agriculture, Japan has put forward its views under the guiding principle of 
"the coexistence of various types of agriculture".  In addition to the disciplines for open trade, we 
sincerely hope that agricultural trading laws can be developed in such a manner as to ensure food 
security and the multi-functionality of agriculture, and to facilitate the mutual development of 
agriculture in each country, accommodating th e sensitivities existing in each country.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  21. I wish to take this opportunity to refer to the discipline on fisheries subsidies which is also an 
important issue.  Japan is of the view that the s ubsidies which do not contribute to overcapacity or 
overfishing need not be prohibited, and that the discipline should reinforce appropriate fisheries 
management, based on scientific evidence from each Member and regional fisheries management organizations.  We need to deepen our discussion in future so that the discipline can become a 
properly balanced one.  I would like to stress that it is necessary to continue the discussions in order to 
make good use of the progress to date, which has b een obtained through our intensive work over the 
last eight years. 
22. The steady increase in the level of ambition throughout the negotiations on Agriculture has 
left food-importing developed Members, like Japan , with little room for manoeuvre.  Therefore, I 
believe that appropriate flexibilities necessary for each Member to cope with its specific problems and 
concerns should be provided, in order for a successf ul conclusion of the negotiations.  In addition, we 
have to see good progress not only in Agriculture and NAMA, but in other areas of the DDA, such as 
Rules and Services.  Japan, as one of the greatest beneficiaries of free trade, is determined to 
contribute actively in efforts to conclude  the Doha Round negotiations in 2010. 
United States  
23. The WTO's activities of the last several months have improved lives throughout the world, 
contributed to global growth and development, an d provided a strong bulwark against protectionism 
in troubled times.  The WTO's ongoing work has th e potential to generate further economic growth 
and development that can help to lift millions out of poverty.  These important goals are being 
fulfilled through the Doha Work Programme, the day- to-day activities of the WTO's more than 20 
standing committees, as well as the organization's co ntributions to work on Aid for Trade and by the 
integration of new Members into the rules-based mu ltilateral trading system.  We are greatly pleased 
that the negotiating groups established under the Doha  Work Programme have been re-energized in 
their multilateral efforts.  But to close the rema ining gaps in Agriculture, NAMA, and Services, 
particularly with regard to the market-access commitments by the most advanced developing 
countries, this multilateral work needs to be supplemen ted by sustained direct bilateral engagement, as 
has been called for by G-20 leaders.  There is no secret to how we will achieve the ambitious and 
balanced result in each of these core areas.  The Un ited States has been clear that we will need to 
achieve meaningful market opening that will result in  significant new trade flows, particularly in the 
world's fastest-growing economies. 
24. We also want to emphasize that little is being asked of the least-developed countries in terms 
of new commitments to bring the Doha Round to a conclusion, but the gains in terms of economic 
growth, employment and prosperity stand to benefit all of us, if trade is expanded in the years ahead 
in these rapidly-emerging global markets.  The more progress that can be made in advancing toward a 
final package in Agriculture, NAM A, and Services, the more momentum we will have in providing 
the broader multilateral work.  The WTO's work on tr ade facilitation will help simplify and modernize 
customs procedures, enhance trading opportunities, improve the investment climate and help better 
integrate developing countries, particularly LDCs , into global supply networks.  With respect to 
LDCs, the United States stands by our commitmen t at Hong Kong to provide  duty-free and quota-free 
market access to least-developed countries as part of  the implementation of a successful conclusion of 
the Doha Round.  We think this will complement ongoi ng US efforts to foster the further integration 
of LDCs into the multilateral trading system. 
25. The WTO is also advancing the liberalization of trade in environmental goods and services, 
and we fully support fast-tracking action in the WT O's work on liberalizing trade in climate-friendly 
technologies.  We also support the WTO's work on st rengthening rules on fisheries subsidies, which 
can effectively help put a stop to overcapacity and overfishing.  In addition to the important work 
being done to conclude the Doha R ound, it is universally recognized th at eliminating tariffs alone is WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 8  
 
  not sufficient to foster development.  Assistance is needed to help build  productive capacity in 
developing countries, and the United States is committe d to providing substantial and effective grants 
in our Aid-for-Trade in response to priorities identif ied by beneficiary countries themselves.  US trade 
capacity-building assistance totalled nearly $2.3 billion in FY2008, up 52 per cent from FY2007.  
Since FY1999, US trade capacity-buildi ng funding has exceeded $10.2 billion. 
26. On the matter of a ccessions, the United States strongly supports the accession of new 
Members to the WTO, particularly in the case of the least-developed countries.  In this connection, we 
are committed to the effective implementation of the 2002 Decision on LDC Accessions.  Adoption of WTO provisions will help build strong, economic ru les-based institutions that have a long-term 
positive impact on trade, economic growth and do mestic development, and the process of WTO 
accession will help to facilitate the reforms neces sary for economic growth and development.  The 
efforts of the United States in LDC accessions are cent red on helping the applicants lay out plans to 
accomplish necessary steps, and to take those steps in conjunction with the technical assistance 
provided.  In all of these activities, the United States has always looked forward to working in 
partnership with our fellow WTO Members.  
Hong Kong, China  
27. On Doha, some progress politically and technically  has been made in the past few years, 
although certainly much less than we had original ly hoped for, but if we can summon up enough 
political will for hard bargaining, it is now in our hands   to close the deal in 2010.  While Agriculture 
is clearly a key focus of the Round, let us not forget that Ministers have instructed negotiators to ensure a comparably high level of ambition for ou tcomes in both Agriculture and NAMA.  After years 
of painstaking compromises we have, by and la rge, reached a stabilized understanding on formula 
cuts and flexibility in NAMA.  The remaining elem ents have been clearly defined and are well 
understood, so apart from breaking the logjam in Ag riculture, I urge colleagues to exercise maximum 
flexibility to tackle the outstanding NAMA issues for the sake of closing the Round, in accordance 
with our mandate.  Equally, we look for a good outcome in the Se rvices negotiations.  While we are 
well on track, we have much to do if we are to turn  a set of commitments into concrete results.  I call 
on Members to continue working with perseverance  to achieve our common ambition, and to avoid 
backsliding.  Nor can we allow the true value of the market-access commitments to be undermined by 
unnecessarily cumbersome rules and m easures that distort trade.  So, a robust set of disciplines on 
domestic regulation is an integral part of the outcome in Services.  Clarification of rules, especially on 
anti-dumping, is also vital to ensuring that any new market access negotiated in this Round is not 
frustrated by abuse. 
28. Apart from the foregoing, the other four negotiatin g groups must continue to deliver in line 
with the Single Undertaking and with due regard to  the development needs of Members.  For our part, 
Hong Kong, China has been working hard on reach ing the endgame, and we will do as much as we 
can to help bridge differences constructively and forge consensus in various  contentious negotiating 
areas.  We will expect the same from our colleagues,  and after hearing from some of those who spoke 
before me, I now have more comfort and assurance on this.  On regional trade agreements, as these 
become more widespread, the need to examin e their compatibility and convergence with the 
multilateral trading system becomes more apparent .  Notwithstanding these increasingly urgent needs, 
much work remains to be done.  While Members have agreed to implement the transparency 
mechanism on a provisional basis, we believe we  can make better use of the mechanism so that 
Members can monitor the RTAs' compliance with WT O rules, and at the same time actively examine 
ways to leverage these regional agreements to promote liberalization on the multilateral front and 
truly make them building blocks of the multilateral tr ading system.  More in-depth analysis should be 
done on the commonalities and di fferences among the RTAs.  It is a resource-intensive yet 
worthwhile exercise.  It also calls for Member s' full cooperation, starting with providing timely  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
 Page 9 
 
 
  notifications of their RTAs.  On the other two issues Pascal has mentioned, I hope to be able to revert 
later on in the session. 
Canada 
 
29. It is very important to underline the importa nce of the WTO in reinforcing and improving the 
functioning of the world's multilateral trading system.  It's also important to identify ways to improve 
the process.  It's important to acknowledge the good work that has been done and that we talk about 
this openly – the fairly significant work on trade po licy review mechanisms, the fact that early in 
November, we reached a milestone of having 400 trade disputes brought to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.  While some people from out side the WTO might say that 400 trade disputes 
sounds like you don't get along, in fact it underlines the fact that we do have a way of resolving these 
issues, and without that being in place, you can see th e quagmire nations would be in.  So everything 
we can do to improve the dispute settlement mech anism, to make it efficient and to remove 
redundancies, would be helpful.  In the area of re dundancies, let's keep in mind that we have had good 
recommendations in the past – the Sutherland Re port and also the Warwick Commission Report –  
that offer good and valuable proposals for incrementa l reform.  I would like to say that it's important 
to know the gains that we have made.  We keep hear ing statements that we have to finish the Doha 
Round.  I believe it is important that we get specifi c, that all Members know what the areas left to 
accomplish and the challenges are, and that we get real and get moving on these processes. 
30. One important word on communication.  As im portant as our detailed communiqués are at all 
of these meetings, for people who look to the WT O and to global trade, sometimes with a question 
mark, it is really important to lift out of our detailed communiqués a few specifics for general 
consumption – for instance, when people hear, as we  did this morning, just about the LDC process – 
to understand that LDCs in the year 2000 were res ponsible for 0.6 per cent of world trade, and as of 
the end of last year were responsible for 1.1 per cent of world trade – that shows growth and progress, 
and we should be highlighting those particular factor s.  In the session this morning we heard about 
Zambia and the improvements it has made in its  border processes because of the funding received 
through Aid for Trade.  These are the types of thi ngs that we should be emphasizing, lifting them out 
of our detailed communiqués to show that world trad e in fact works, at least to increase prosperity, 
and that it is indeed worth the effort.  
Mexico 
31. Yesterday, I mentioned that a significant part of the challenge facing us is the successful 
conclusion of the Doha Round.  However, the question th at is on all our minds is:  what will it take to 
conclude it?  We have identifie d four conditions:  political commitment;  consensus on the point of 
departure for continuing the negotiations;  clarity among all of the actors involved, so that their needs can be understood;  and greater understanding with resp ect to the trade-offs.  Building on what Peter 
Allgeier said a few days ago, if we introduce a few zeros into the Doha equa tion, we will end up not 
only with a positive result, but also a balanced result.   Here are some of the zeros that could contribute 
to this:  zero back-tracking on the progress achieved to date and enshrined in the Chairmen's texts;  
zero pocketing of concessions already received;  zer o additional flexibilities in Agriculture for the 
developed countries;  zero enforceable sectoral ag reements in NAMA;  zero tariffs and zero quotas for 
imports from least-developed countries, in conformity  with the Hong Kong Declaration;  zero water 
between the bound levels in Services and the applied regime for the countries that participated in the 
signalling Conference of 2008, with greater market  access to sectors and modes of supply for the 
developing countries;  zero fisheries subsidies th at contribute to overfishing and the depletion of 
marine resources;  and zero additional duties for designations of origin other than for wines and 
spirits.  As I said yesterday, Mexico remains ope n and attentive to concluding this Round as soon as 
possible, and we hope it is in 2010. WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 10  
 
  Uruguay 
32. Five brief points.  This year global trade dropped by nine per cent as a result of the adjustment 
of demand and the enormous diffi culties in getting credit, and not just because of protectionist 
measures being imposed.  This does not mean we are complacent about these measures.  Protectionist measures have increased to a considerable degree, but  this differs from the 1930s, due to the existence 
of the multilateral rules-based syst em of the WTO, which acts as an insurance against protectionism.  
Second, the administration of justice in the organization has a positive balance – the dispute settlement system – although this could be impr oved in terms of its accessibility to developing 
countries and also in terms of compliance.  The DSB continues to be a pillar of the multilateral 
system.  Third, regarding the regular functioning  of the organization – and without distracting 
attention from the Doha Round – the General Counc il should establish a process of discussion to 
examine the functioning, efficiency and transparency  of the organization, and to consider possible 
improvements.  The General Council could report to us  on this at our next meeting.  Fourth, on the 
Development Round, the system should fulfil it s role in promoting recovery, growth and 
development.  The key here is not to throw ove rboard eight years of arduous negotiations.  This 
should be our main aim.  Not concluding the negot iations or, which is equi valent, re-opening them, 
will only weaken the multilateral trading system. 
33. Finally, the cost of failure of the negotiations would be unacceptable.  I am certain this is the 
feeling of most developing countries.  Failure to c onclude this Round will be in  no one's interest.  So 
our recommendation would be the following:  (i ) continue the process of regular and periodic 
involvement of Senior Officials;  (ii) continue ne gotiations under the leadership of the Chairman of 
each Group;  (iii) define in the next weeks, among ou r Senior Officials at their next meeting, a work 
programme for the next three months;  and (iv) next  April do a stocktaking, at a high level, with a 
view to concluding the negotiations shortly.  We  understand the internal political agendas and the 
temptation to try to respond to domestic expectations .  But we think that the time has come for true 
leadership, and this has to be shown in  a concrete and opportune way in 2010. 
Korea  
34. Let me state the views of my delegation on two of the four topics that Director-General Lamy 
has mentioned.  First, the Doha Round should be co ncluded by 2010.  This is a commitment that we 
have made not only among ourselves, but also to the pe ople of the world.  World trade is said to have 
decreased by almost 12 per cent this year.  This is an unprecedented reduction in the history of world 
trade.  We have to have a sense of urgency, and an early conclusion of Doha Round is all the more 
needed so that we can get back to a normal track of economic growth .  I agree with Director-General 
Lamy that now is the time for us  to put the gear in action mode in order to conclude the Round by 
2010, and the modalities for Agriculture and NAMA need to be agreed upon by early next year.  We, 
trade Ministers, should follow carefully the SOM pr ocess in Geneva and be ready to get involved 
early next year, in 9order to to review where we stand and to pursue modalities on Agriculture and 
NAMA.  Second, on RTAs, my delegation is of the view that an RTA can contribute to world trade 
only when it is of high enough quality in terms of lo wering barriers to trade and opening markets.  So 
we should look for ways to prevent "low-quality" no minal RTAs and to direct RTAs to support the 
multilateral trading system.  
Norway 
35. WTO activities are far-reaching and comprehensive, and the system has served us well for 
more than 60 years, but the job is not finished.  Th e WTO has to develop constantly in order to ensure 
that it continues to be an important pillar of the gl obal governance architecture.  Perhaps it is time to 
remind ourselves why we are negotiating the Doha  Development Agenda.  The multilateral rules-
based trading system has provided a strong global bulwark against protectionism, and has formed an  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
 Page 11 
 
 
  essential part of the system of global governance.  We n eed to keep it that way.  Our first priority to 
that effect is to conclude the DDA in a balanced  manner.  This is achievable, but requires political 
leadership and commitment, combining ambition with  realism.  A balanced conclusion of the DDA 
can only be reached if we respect the Doha ma ndate, with its clear focus on the interests of 
developing, and in particular the least-developed, Members.  We also have to take into account 
developments in the world economy and new challeng es that have arisen since 2001.  In particular, 
the combined effects of climate change and the fo od crisis underline the importance of food security.  
Let me in this context refer to the recent F AO World Summit on Food Security in Rome, which 
endorsed the importance of increased agricultural production and productivity, taking into account the 
diverse conditions in each country.  In other words,  we need to achieve a reasonable balance between 
liberalizing agricultural markets and the need to accommodate Members' specific domestic situation 
and concerns.  While concluding th e Doha Round should be our first priority, there are still things we 
can do to strengthen the system without changing the rules.  The monitoring system which was developed in response to the financial crisis is an  excellent example of how the system can adapt to 
tackle new challenges.  Let me also refer to th e proposal to establish an appropriate deliberative 
process to review the WTO's effectiveness, effici ency and transparency and consider possible 
improvements, which we have supported, together with a number of Members.  
Honduras 
36. Honduras wishes to thank the Director-General for his report.  We take this opportunity to re-
affirm our position, from the perspective of a small country involved in this Round.  We consider that 
the work to move the negotiations forward coul d happen if there were political will to reach a 
balanced agreement which takes into account the inter ests of developing countries, in particular those 
of the small and vulnerable economies.  In Agri culture, the draft modalities of December 2008 should 
serve as the basis for continuing the negotiations, and Members should not try to re-open issues which 
have reached a high degree of consensus.  We cons ider that future work should not jeopardise what 
has already been agreed under the Doha Deve lopment Agenda regarding the mandate on S&D 
treatment, particularly in relation to Special Pr oducts and the Special Safeguard Mechanism.  These 
negotiations should focus on trying to reach a compromise and balanced solution for the 
establishment of an operative and effective instrument.  However, as far as food aid is concerned, we 
consider that the text of the draft modalities should be reviewed with the objective of ensuring that the 
final language should not impede access to su ch aid to support development programmes in 
beneficiary countries.  This language should include principles to avoid the displacement of trade, 
instead of arbitrarily limiting food aid programmes or  those for the purpose of development, as well as 
monetization programmes.  As for the draft text on NAMA modalities, we also consider that the basis 
for future work should be the December 2008 text .  The balance reached in paragraph 13 should be 
maintained, and the balance achieve d under Annex 3 in relation to pr eference erosion should not be 
changed. 
37. With regard to the Services negotiations, these issues should be discussed within the 
framework of established mandates.  Honduras is par ticularly interested in the disciplines concerning 
national regulation, and that these take into acc ount development objectives.  Regarding the DSU 
negotiations, it is necessary to continue discussions so as to achieve agreement in areas where there 
are difficulties, such as compliance.  Regarding the negotiations to improve and clarify the WTO 
provisions and procedures applicable to RTAs, we think that the negotiations should be limited to 
paragraph 29 of the Doha Declara tion.  In this respect, we reject  any initiative intended to examine 
convergence between the rules of the world trade system and RTAs, since RTAs have their own 
dynamic and scope in terms of the interests of th e parties involved, and they have resulted in a 
delicate balance which is based not only on trade considerations.  On Aid for Trade, we express our 
satisfaction regarding the advances made in this area, and we support the implementation of work 
programmes, as well as projects identified by Honduras to  enable it to strengthen its trade capacity.  It 
is also of special interest to Honduras that th ere be an increase in the funds from donors in a WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 12  
 
  continuous and adequate way, so that countries can take advantage of the benefits of world trade and 
of an effective reduction of poverty. 
Argentina 
38. We are not going to read out a statement.  We will simply try to spark off an exchange of 
ideas with regard to the debate whic h we have been listening to.  First of all, regarding the Round, we 
must understand that we find ourselves in the midst of  an international crisis with major structural 
problems, and the solution will not be easy.  We need  to adapt the negotiations to a significant extent, 
in order to take into account what is happening.   We believe it is essential to respect the mandate and 
the principles governing the negotiations, includ ing paragraph 24 of the Hong Kong Declaration, 
relating to the level of ambition between Agricultu re and NAMA, and also less-than-full reciprocity 
on tariff issues between developed and developing c ountries.  We must recall the central role of 
Agriculture – the Uruguay Round was not concl uded until we had succeeded in resolving the 
agriculture issue, and here we find ourselves in the sa me situation.  We need to respect the modalities, 
because these were developed on the basis of consensu s – this is very important.  We must recall that 
NAMA requires certain flexibilities, because of a decision that was not reached on the basis of 
consensus.  I also wish to stress here that we have seen excessive demands being voiced in certain 
debates – for example, on Geographical Indications from the European Communities.  We could have had a voluntary register for fifteen years now, which would easily resolve the situation.  On the part of the United States, there is an issue of competitiv eness as far as the United States is concerned.  
Between 2002 and 2008, Argentina has increased its e xports by five times, whereas the United States 
is losing participation, even in areas such as capital goods, where there are zero duties.  Here we have 
a structural issue which requires analysis.  It is  not only the question of tariffs, but also the 
fundamental expansion of developing countries, which is important for agriculture and also for fishery 
subsidies, in enabling us to achie ve balance in terms of resources. 
39. Another point is RTAs.  There has been a prolif eration of RTAs and a failure to respect the 
multilateral agreements.  Parties to RTAs seek to achieve concession s that in certain cases go beyond 
the multilateral rules, and I must recall that RT As were conceived to achieve expansion for 
developing countries, and to enable those count ries to increase their competitiveness and better 
integrate into the multilateral trading system.  We ne ed, at this point, to go back to the multilateral 
system, and this is absolutely essential.  On Aid for Trade, the best type of Aid for Trade is 
concessions for cotton and duty-free quota-free treatment for LDCs – in other words, a reduction in cotton subsidies and also the Services waiver for LDCs, which are independent of capacity building.  
This is the best service we can render to LDCs in  this Round.  As for accessions, we should not link 
these to political requirements nor should we dema nd any more of acceding countries than what is 
required by the multilateral system.  For example, the European Union is calling for commitments on 
export duties, and we must stress that if export and import duties are legitimate, then why ask for commitments in this respect in the accession process? 
Kyrgyz Republic 
40. I would like to make my comments on the accession process.  Kyrgyzstan has been a Member 
since 1998.  Being a Member meant bringing our tr ading regime into line with WTO rules.  We 
observe that the foreign trade of Kyrgyzstan with  WTO Members has a trend for more rapid growth 
than with non-Members.  Kyrgyzstan believes it could benefit more from the multilateral trading 
system if its main trading partners in the region became WTO Members.  For the present, Kyrgyzstan 
is the only Member from the Central Asian region.  Our main trading partners are still in negotiations 
for WTO accession.  Our trade in the region is regulated and based on regional bilateral trading agreements.  We hope that after our trading partners in the region join the WTO, we will be able to 
submit these regional agreements to the review process in the WTO.  I would like to call upon the 
Members to provide more flexibility in the accessi on process for these countries.  We believe that  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
 Page 13 
 
 
  expanded membership and a predicta ble trade regime would benefit the sustainable development of 
the region and would push forward the development of world trade.  I would like to ask the Director-
General to instruct the Secretariat to give sp ecial attention to accession processes, and to provide 
technical assistance to those countries expressing the political will and making the practical effort to 
accede.  In this regard, Kyrgyzstan proposes the development of regional institutions for capacity-
building activities in the multilateral trading system .  Kyrgyzstan also confirms its willingness to 
cooperate further in this field. 
Dominican Republic 
41. The Dominican Republic has always believed in the benefits of a multilateral trading system 
that is fair, rules-based and takes into account th e interests of developing countries.  Hence, we 
welcome the holding of this Ministerial Conference, which is taking place eight years after the Doha 
Round was started, and in the middle of a world cris is and depression.  One of the benefits of this 
crisis was the evidence that compliance by most WTO Members with the rules of this organization 
has acted as a bulwark for the organization.  Fo r this reason, we support the WTO continuing to 
closely monitor measures taken by Members, to a llow a constant monitoring of the areas within its 
competence.  The breaking down of financial barrier s to trade is absolutely essential, as well as 
disbursing funds for development and trade, so that small and vulnerable economies and the LDCs 
can benefit.  Regarding the operation of the organi zation, we think we should initiate a process within 
the general framework in order to improve transparency  and foster greater participation.  We have to 
improve the dispute settlement mechanism, which is  very costly for small and vulnerable economies 
and LDCs.  As for RTAs, we consider that these contribute to the expansion and strengthening of 
world trade.  If such agreements have multiplied ove r the last few years, it was precisely because the 
Round was not concluded in the time expected .  That is why we cannot support ideas to 
"multilateralize" these RTAs. 
42. The best contribution WTO Members can make to  the solution of the world crisis is to 
conclude the Round as soon as possible, in order to consolidate the commitment to trade liberalization 
among Members and to achieve their original goal of promoting development for the least-developed 
countries through fair and equitable trade.  That is why we have to express our astonishment that eight 
years after the beginning of the Round, we have still not completed it.  We have to continue in a 
process of negotiation that is multilateral, transparent and fair.  It is important to preserve what has 
already been negotiated.  The basis for continui ng the negotiations shoul d be the draft modalities 
circulated in December 2008 by the Agriculture and NAMA Chairs.  These texts are the result of 
years of negotiations and have achieved a delicate bala nce of rights and obligations on all sides.  We 
have to highlight the need for these texts to include the S&D treatment element for small and 
vulnerable economies and LDCs, and that they should  not be re-opened.  In addition, a safeguard 
mechanism has to be established in the agriculture sector for th e exclusive use of developing 
countries, with special treatment for small and vulnera ble economies.  Finally, we think it is crucial to 
move forward on the Work Programme on SVEs in  the Committee on Trade and Development, as 
well as the other groups where SVEs have presented proposals. 
Ukraine 
43. I wish to intervene on Accessions.  Ukraine shar es the view that univer sal membership in the 
WTO is a critical factor in enhancing the rules-ba sed system.  Ukraine pursues the principle that the 
accession process should be based on technical eval uations, and that no political considerations 
should prevail on either side of the process.  Clear agreements build good part nerships.  On the other 
hand, free-riding, groundless expectations and, even  worse, third-party patronage cannot be tolerated 
in the accession process.  It is Members' obligation to ensure that the WTO is strengthened by new 
Members with a viable capacity to implement the ob ligations undertaken and to add value to market 
opening, on the basis of one Member, one voice.  Each Member makes its own contribution.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 14  
 
  Acceding countries, for their part, should bring a meaningful and tangible contribution in order to 
benefit from and rely on the sustainability of th e system.  There are big economies that are still 
outside the WTO system.  Their potential would defin itely strengthen international trade.  Taking into 
consideration that these countries comprise about 50 pe r cent of our trade, we would like to see them 
inside the WTO as soon as possible.  Since my c ountry was mentioned at today's session, I would like 
to reiterate that Ukraine conducts its bilateral negotiations with a vi ew to completing them all with 
tangible results in the markets in which it is inte rested.  Comments are welcome, but the assessment of 
these bilaterals by any third party is hardly releva nt, since all such bilaterals are confidential. 
Malaysia  
44. I would like to address two issues:  the DDA and RTAs.  On the DDA, we acknowledge that 
there remain fundamental differences in the positi ons of Members, and the road ahead is very 
challenging.  In that connection we would like to ur ge, once again, that Senior Officials in Geneva 
intensify efforts to resolve technical issues, in prepar ation for Ministers to get together in early 2010.  
This get-together is not a stocktaking exercise, but it should be a gathering to give the final impetus 
and exercise political will for the conclusion of the DDA in 2010.  We Ministers should instruct 
Senior Officials to work out a work plan for the post-December period, to bridge all the gaps which 
remain outstanding.  If we are to achieve closure, we must all show flexibility and resist reopening 
revisions which have been stabilized.  On RTAs, fo r as long as the DDA continues to be delayed, the 
motivation to seek bilateral arrangements will conti nue.  This should be another reason for us to 
conclude the DDA by 2010.  It is our hope that we move  forward.  It is our hope that we work out this 
work plan and that by March 2010, there is a clear roadmap ahead.  
China  
45. Since the Hong Kong Ministerial, the WT O has accomplished quite remarkably the 
promotion of free-trade, ensuring the transparency of trade policies, settling disputes and promoting development.  The WTO has effectively resisted sweeping protectionism.  Of all aspects of the WTO's work, the Doha Round of negotiations has been the mo st important, as well as the most difficult.  As 
mentioned by the Director-General, to date 80 per cent of the negotiations have been accomplished, 
and now we are moving towards the finishing line.  In order to conclude the Doha Round, we must 
follow our mandate and complete, as our first pr iority, Agriculture and NAMA modalities based on 
the Chair's texts of December 2008.  In our view , following the mandate means to maintain the 
development dimension of the Doha Round.  The ha rd-won consensus to date must be fully honoured 
and should not be subject to renegotiation.  I also  want to emphasize that although direct dialogue 
among Members may be useful, the primacy of th e multilateral process must not be undermined.   I 
think this is also the consensus of the G-20.  We believe that without a joint multilateral effort, 
remaining issues will remain forever.  So, as long as all the parties remain committed to moving into 
real and substantive negotiations based on the Chair' s texts of 2008, we are willing to go along with 
the initiative of a Ministerial engagement sometime early next year. 
46. As for Aid for Trade, we need to enhance the competitiveness of the developing-country 
Members in international trade th rough the Aid-for-Trade initiatives,  and enable them to achieve 
sustainable development and a balanced growth  of the global economy.  And finally, China 
experienced a 15-year long march on its own accession.  We are sorry to hear that many countries on 
the waiting list have broken this record.  So we sincerely hope that those countries, especially least-
developed countries, will benefit from simplified pro cedures in order to make the WTO a truly global 
institution.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
 Page 15 
 
 
  Cuba 
47. The current status of the work of the WTO, par ticularly that relating to the Doha Agenda, did 
not even come close to our expectations in 20 01.  The DDA called for development, and now it 
seemed the opposite was happening.  Something that c onfirms this, is that we are told "the WTO is 
not a development agency".  It is questionable that  some still insist on calling this the "Development" 
Agenda, while the actual situation for developing count ries is deteriorating day by day.  The WTO is 
not convincing in its work to reduce the distortions in the global economy and trade.  The organization has mainly focused on reducing tariffs and opening services markets in the interests of 
the major traders, and in protecting intellectua l property that industrialized countries, almost 
exclusively, generate.  The inequity of the rules is the fundamental problem of the WTO, which has 
meant that fifteen years after its foundation, it has not been able to fulfil the purposes stated in the 
Marrakech Agreement – among others, promoting sust ainable development.  The Doha Round will 
not be completed in the short term.  We all know th is.  It is a fact that in times of crisis, no 
negotiations progress, since, among other reasons , the economic policy instruments which are 
intended to be weakened prove themselves to be ne cessary.  At the same time, there are still many 
pending issues of interest to developing countries that  have not been reflected in the modalities texts 
at all.  The uneven liberalization between de veloping and developed countries and between 
agriculture and industry is part of the problem.  In addition, the promised opening of developed-
country markets to exports from least-developed coun tries has not been granted, and the questionable 
subsidies to cotton have not been removed.  Some  industrialized countries continue to demand further 
liberalization of developing-country markets for th eir services sectors.  However, the lead proponent 
of this in the northern hemisphere  – and this is a clear paradox – c ontinues to prevent its nationals 
from coming to my country as tourists, as pa rt of its illegitimate policy of blockade.  
48. Many developed countries have now turned th eir attention to the environment, not in 
Copenhagen, but in the WTO in Geneva, in order to obtain new trade advantages under the pretext of 
climate change.  The negotiations on Special and Differential treatment have no importance in the 
broad agenda.  The inadequacies of a mechanism in which the timeframe predominates, and its 
structural character – taking into account needs, interests and specific conditions of developing economies – is made secondary, are obvious.  Th e current emphasis has been watered down to 
transitional or lengthened-implementation periods, a nd to the provision of technical assistance, which 
means, among other things, that multilateral trade ru les have gone from giving priority to preferential 
access, to an emphasis on developing countries' diffi culties in complying with obligations undertaken 
in the WTO.  The Working Groups on Trade, Debt and Finance and on Trade and Technology 
Transfer should adopt a negotiating mandate on a pa r with the circumstances humanity faces today.  
Some of these realities are the imminent crisis of  foreign debt, the drastic reduction of financial 
resources used in trade and the considerable harden ing of the terms for granting credit, as well as 
challenges in terms of resources and technology that developing countries will have to face to achieve 
an effective adaptation that helps to mitigate the negative effects of climate change.  The negotiation 
process has become unwieldy for small countries, due to the wide range of topics and the technical 
complexity.  Developed countries give priority, in  the absence of consensus to achieve their policy 
objectives, to the weakening of resistance of the smallest and most vulnerable Members.  
49. The developing countries, in practice, have been  affected by the still- insufficient internal 
transparency in the running of the organization.  No thing has changed with regard to participation and 
decision-making based on economic power.  In the operation of the organization, it is necessary to 
preserve the multilateral framework as the centre of  negotiations, and to respect transparency and 
inclusiveness as the only genuine way to reach consen sus.  Surprisingly, it is thought that the problem 
regarding decision-making in the organization is th e consensus principle, when what is actually 
happening is that every day the WTO covers more  and new non-trade topics that are overwhelming 
developing countries, either because they cannot me et their commitments, for structural reasons and 
lack of resources, or because they have to re negue on guarantees to their citizens and harm their WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 16  
 
  domestic industries in the world market.  This is the real cause of the existing impasse in decision-
making in the ongoing negotiations.  
India 
50. We are happy about the resumption of the intens ive negotiations in Geneva after the informal 
meeting of Ministers in Delhi in September.  However, to be candid, the progress in the last three 
months has been far below expectations.  If we are to conclude the Round by 2010, we must tackle 
and solve the big issues.  Let me share our assessment of the state of play.  On Agriculture, important 
issues in domestic support have barely been discussed.  On market acc ess, issues like sensitive 
products, TRQs, tariff simplificati on and tariff capping, clearly require further work.  We are yet to 
have a multilateral discussion on tr opical products and preference erosion, which are issues of great 
interest to us.  On SSM, there have been some  useful exchanges, but we are clearly far from 
convergence.  Let me share our political perspective on Agriculture.  There are two challenges:  (i) the 
reform process in developed c ountries should have a high-ambition outcome in the elimination or 
reduction of subsidies and removal of market-ac cess barriers, and (ii) for developing countries, 
agriculture is not about commerce, but about su rvival and livelihoods.  The success of the Doha 
Round, therefore, will be judged on how these two ch allenges are addressed.  On NAMA, we consider 
the issue of formula and flexibilities as broadl y stabilised, except for some country-specific 
flexibilities still to be negotiated.  We note the constructive engagement on NTBs, which are an 
important determinant of market access.  The issue of sectorals is hugely problematic.  Like it or not, 
sectorals will have to be voluntary in  nature, as has been agreed earlier. 
51. On Services, recent discussions have covered market access, domestic regulations, rules and 
LDC modalities.  For us, an ambitious outcome on domestic regulations is as important as market 
access.  It is also high time that in  Rules, there is serious engagement on subsidies.  On market access, 
we are disappointed with the signals received.  Wh ile we have provided a categorised reconfirmation 
of our signals of the July 2008 ministerial meeting,  we have not received reciprocal confirmation in 
areas of interest to us, namely cross-border supply and Mode 4.  On LDC modalities, we have assisted 
in putting together appropriate langua ge for a waiver.  I hope we will be able to agree on the recently 
proposed text.  On Rules, we are happy with the bottom-up approach.  I hope that we can soon start 
discussing the more controversial issues in anti-dum ping and subsidies and bring closure to them 
quickly.  On fisheries subsidies, I would like to reiterate that our core concern on protecting the 
livelihoods of our small and artisanal fishermen must be addressed.  Let us not forget to protect the 
fishermen, while seeking to protect the fish.  On TRIPS, progress still eludes us.  More than a hundred 
Members have demanded a clear outcome on the TRI PS-CBD relationship and GI extension as part of 
the outcome.  While the Director-General's consulta tions on these issues have led to greater technical 
clarity, the political element is still missing.  We need  to continue this process with a sense of urgency 
to achieve a good outcome.   
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu 
52. As a WTO Member that is heavily reliant on tr ade, we know from experience that measures 
to liberalize and facilitate trade based on WTO ru les and the principles of transparency and non-
discrimination are the best tools for building soun d, sustainable and balanced economic development. 
In further pursuit of this belief, we became a signatory to the Agreement on Government Procurement 
this past July, demonstrating once more our support for the goals of free and open trade.  I firmly 
believe that a prompt, substantial and balanced c onclusion to the Doha Round is the most effective 
way of re-energizing global economic growth and strengthening the multilateral trading system to 
meet such challenges.  Accordingly, I urge Memb ers to exercise political will and flexibility to bring 
the negotiations to a successful conclusion by 2010.  While bearing in mind that the ultimate goal of 
our negotiations is to pursue sustainable growth an d benefits for all Members, we should not forget 
the importance of the development needs of the de veloping countries, particularly the LDCs.  In  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  addition, we urge that the concerns of the G-10 gr oup of net food importers be  taken into account in 
the Agriculture modalities, and that the extensiv e commitments made by Recently-Acceded Members 
(RAMs) upon their accession be given appropriate c onsideration in the Round.   Moreover, given the 
importance of the dispute settlement mechanism,  I also encourage Memb ers to maintain the 
negotiating momentum, and ensure that a consensus is reached before the conclusion of the Single 
Undertaking.  Finally, I would like to emphasize that  the WTO, which is Member-driven, is now at a 
crucial crossroads.  It is of the utmost importance that Members take action to restore the world’s confidence in the multilateral trading system.  To that  end, I concur with the idea that we Ministers 
consider a stocktaking exercise on the Doha Work Programme in early 2010. 
Saudi Arabia 
53. Saudi Arabia, like other Members, is concer ned by the continuing stagnation of the 
negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda.  We  call for the early and successful conclusion of 
the Doha Round, based on its development mandate  and with due consideration to commitments 
undertaken by Recently-Acceded Members.  Saudi Ar abia acceded to the WTO four years ago at the 
Sixth Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong.  The commitments undertaken by the Kingdom in its 
Protocol of Accession and its goods and services sch edules were very extensive.  We undertook these 
commitments because we believe that the fundament al principles of the WTO system are sound, and 
that trade and the multilateral rules will benefit Sa udi Arabia and every other Member.  The Kingdom 
is pleased that the DDA modalities take the special st atus of the RAMs into consideration, especially 
very recently-acceded Members like Saudi Arabia.  Moreover, the Kingdom has participated actively 
in negotiations on Rules, Market Access, Trade Facilitation and Trade and Environment, as well as 
Services. 
54. The WTO is a rules-based system seeking to facilitate world trade by striking a balance 
between the needs of developed and developing co untries.  We call on Members to respect this 
balance and to refrain from seeking to impose a dditional and unduly burdensome disciplines that 
would tilt the carefully negotiated balance of the WTO system against developing countries.  In this 
regard, Saudi Arabia supports the statements made by the Recently-Acceded Members and the 
Informal Group of Developing Countries, specifically on the accession of LDCs.  The Kingdom welcomes the opportunity at this Conference to review the functioning of the system itself, and looks forward to working with Members and discussing th e operation and efficiency of the organization 
under the current rules.  We should also be cognizan t of the fact that in order to have a timely 
conclusion of the DDA, we need to stick to the manda te and not include, directly or indirectly, issues 
such as climate change, which are outside the WT O system and the Doha Development Agenda.  
Saudi Arabia supports the views expressed by Argentin a relating to duties.  Fi nally, I cannot stress 
strongly enough that our WTO rights and obligati ons are unaffected by any agreements reached 
outside the WTO.  
Saint Lucia (for the OECS) 
55. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States is  committed to having and maintaining a fair, 
balanced, equitable and rules-base d multilateral trading system that addresses the needs and concerns 
of all its Members and contributes to sustainabl e economic growth and development, including 
poverty reduction and increased standards of living, particularly for developing countries, small and 
vulnerable economies, and least-developed countries.  The OECS should continue to hold firm to the 
Doha Ministerial Declaration, which placed developm ent at the heart of the Doha Work Programme.  
Therefore, a development outcome in each of the negotiating areas remains the raison d'etre of the 
Round.  Given the current state of play in the DD A negotiations and the lack of progress on the key 
process and substantive issues, the following refl ect the OECS's overall position.  The DDA Round 
must be concluded satisfactorily, with the fulfilmen t of all mandates and adherence to the principles 
of development; particularly the requirement for an ambitious outcome on the development WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  dimension.  Additionally, substantial progress must  be achieved in the key development components 
of the DDA, including Special and Differential tr eatment for small economies and an effective 
mobilisation of Aid for Trade.  We urge that the progress and convergence achieved up to December 2008, as contained in the December 2008 draft modalities texts, particularly the SVE 
modalities in Agriculture and NAMA, be preserved a nd form the basis of advancing the negotiations 
with no reinterpretation or changes to the ma ndates or backtracking from commitments.  The 
principles of full transparency, bottom-up approach  and inclusiveness must be maintained and the 
multilateral process must remain the principle ar ena for negotiations.  The key objectives for the 
OECS in the DDA negotiations include:  to obtain fl exibility and Special and Differential treatment in 
the tariff-reduction modalities in Agriculture and NAM A, in order to safeguard domestic production, 
export opportunities, and government revenue interests;  to minimize the erosion of preferences in 
Agriculture and NAMA;   and, finally yet importa ntly, to obtain a satisfactory outcome on bananas.  
Nepal 
56. Nepal wants to reiterate the importance of the multilateral trade regime, without which no 
development and peace is possible.  But both peace and development are interrelated, and one cannot 
be achieved in the absence of the other.  But the LD Cs, like Nepal are seriously affected by the trade 
disturbance which is being created by the non-complia nce of the major traders.  So if it the Doha 
Development Agenda is really to be a means of  development, the Round has to be concluded as early 
as possible.  One major concern lies in eased market  access without the hurdle of technical barriers to 
trade, and technical barriers also include the prot ection of intellectual property rights.  Similarly, 
pursuing the Enhanced Integrated Framework pro cess and following the Secretariat's guidelines for 
enhancing trade-related capacity, suggests to us that  receiving funds from the EIF seems to be a very 
complex and cumbersome process for LDCs.  Nepal has started the process of preparing its Tier 1 proposal for completion by early this year.  However, it took around one year to complete the draft proposal.  This is further proof of the complex natu re of the EIF process.  Therefore, the process of 
receiving funds from the EIF should be simplified,  transparent and easily accessible to all LDCs.  
Antigua and Barbuda 
57. Antigua and Barbuda joins other Members in ex tending appreciation to the Government and 
citizens of Switzerland for so graciously hosting th e Seventh Ministerial Conference of the WTO, 
which has been characterized by warm Swiss hospi tality and commendable logistical arrangements.  
The road from Doha has been a difficult and indeed  a lengthy one, and we are still a long way from 
our intended destination.  The WTO promised us  a multilateral trading system that is fair and 
balanced and where the benefits are more widely dist ributed.  This is the promise of Doha.  If we are 
to assess, as we must, our success in establishing a multilateral trading system that is fair and 
balanced, then there is cause for concern.  Antigua and Barbuda believes that there are clear and 
evident fault lines in the current international trad e regime to which we subscribe.  The Doha Round 
was built on the core principle of de velopment.  Yet this core princi ple is honoured more in the breach 
than in the observance.  We now face a situatio n where even the largest players among us are 
questioning the gains to be received from this Round.  In the meanwhile, bilateral and regional 
agreements proliferate, while the grand vision of Doha  is left to wither on the vine.  Surely, for the 
small and vulnerable among us, these are worryin g signs.  The economic viability of Antigua and 
Barbuda resides solely in its ability to produce ser vices and goods competitively.  However, small and 
vulnerable economies face many constraints that im pede their being able to reposition their economies 
to take advantage of new growth opportunities.  These challenges include small domestic markets, 
dependence on foreign-resource flows of investment  and remittances, and susceptibility to external 
shocks, which now abound during th e current international recession.  The Agreement establishing the 
WTO recognised that the multilateral trading system should be conducive to ra ising living standards, 
ensuring full employment and steadily increasing the volume of real income.  The stark reality is that  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  the progressive marginalisation of small economi es and the widening economic gaps between them 
and other Members tell a different tale. 
58. Small economies, like that of Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean, require 
flexibility to implement the provisions and comm itments undertaken under the WTO Agreements.  
These flexibilities include effective and meaningful Special and Differential treatment, longer 
transitional periods, market access for products a nd services of particular export interest to our 
economies, and significant technical and financial assistance to implement these commitments.  In recent years, Antigua and Barbuda has had to endur e a long and arduous battle with the United States 
on the cross-border supply of gambling and betting Serv ices.  This process expo sed the vast disparity 
in financial and technical capabilities available to the largest economy in the world and one of the 
smallest.  Although the Panel and Appellate Bodies clearly ruled in our favour, the remedy available 
to the DSB highlighted the inadequ acies of the current system that called on one of the smallest and 
most open economies in the world to impose trade san ctions on the world’s largest economy.  Despite 
long bilateral negotiations with the United States th at continue, this case re mains unresolved.  More 
innovative solutions that fit the circumstances of the case, as well as the countries involved, need to be 
established.  There are already several worthy proposals for reform of the WTO system, including 
proposals for monetization of available sanctions.  Th is emerging agenda is critical to the preservation 
of the right to meaningful access to justice for small and vulnerable states – or, more precisely, the right of access to meaningful justice.  Only when this reform is implemented by the WTO can this 
august body faithfully claim to meet the needs of all its Members.  Over the last two days we have 
engaged on the overarching theme of  this Conference as well as on the themes of the two working 
sessions.  We remain guided by the fact that the current global economic climate demands that the 
WTO deliver on its principles for all of its 153 Member s.  We have heard the declarations for a 2010 
conclusion to the DDA, but we continue to assert that for the Doha Round to be successful, development concerns must be return ed to the core of the negotiations. 
Peru 
59. Although we consider that the WTO system bri ngs transparency and stability, we think it 
should be improved through a negotiation process.  The Doha Round negotiations represent a great 
opportunity for the multilateral system to ensure better market access for all countries, and clearer 
rules.  Peru is totally committed to seeing a succ essful end to the Doha Round in 2010.  Peru is 
worried that, as the substantive negotiations have m oved forward, there is a danger of backtracking.  
Therefore, we should base our texts on the 2008 modalities.  In the case of Agriculture, we should 
have a discussion on a new, effective safeguard m echanism which does not restrict trade between 
developing countries.  For Peru, the issue of liberali zation of tropical products is also particularly 
important, and we hope for a swift a nd ambitious result in this area.  In NAMA, Peru is one of the few 
developing countries which is going to apply th e Swiss formula and which is not asking for 
flexibilities.  Therefore, we believe that the sector al negotiations have to be conducted on a voluntary 
basis, as laid down in the Hong Kong mandate.  We do not want just superficial changes, but 
significant reforms leading to effective trade libera lization.  We believe there are defects in the 
multilateral trading system which can be solved onl y on a multilateral basis.  For instance, the TRIPS 
Agreement does not address many of the concerns of  developing countries.  For us, the protection of 
biodiversity in the Patent Registry of the TRIPS Agre ement is a priority elemen t, and we have worked 
hard to show that the present situation does not permit an adequate protec tion for genetic resources 
and the traditional knowledge associated with these res ources.  Other points of interest to Peru in the 
reform of the multilateral trading system are the liber alization of tropical products, the elimination of 
fishery subsidies – which lead to overfishing and overcapacity – more commitments in Mode 4 to 
provide services through physical persons, and impr ovement in the disciplines of the Antidumping 
Agreement.  After these eight years of negotiati ons, we urgently need leaders to take correct 
decisions, both internally and externally, whic h will make it possible to ensure a successful 
conclusion of the Doha Round in 2010.  Therefor e, we should be ready to meet soon to adopt WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  decisions regarding the implementation of the Do ha Round, in order not to jeopardise the fair 
liberalization of trade, the future legitimacy of th is organization and Members' commitment to a rules-
based multilateral trading system. 
Chile  
60. With regard to the Doha Round, we wish to begin by saying that it is very important to 
highlight what has been done to date, particularly what is included in the negotiating texts.  We 
believe that this should serve as the basis for the work we will be doing in the next few months to 
adjust expectations and possibly include new flex ibilities which will render it easier to conclude the 
Round.  At the same time, we wish to reiterate  our view on the centrality of the Agriculture 
negotiations.  We are convinced that the final outco me in the Agriculture negotiations will serve as 
the yardstick by which we judge the outcome in the other areas of negotiation.  At the same time, we 
would like to link this issue to the importance fo r Chile, as a fisheries resource-rich country, of 
establishing disciplines to limit or prohibit the appli cation of fisheries subsidies, which as we well 
know, have negative ramifications from an environmen tal point of view.  Of course, we very much 
support the idea of concluding the negotiations during 2010 , and we wish to say at this point that this 
will only be possible if we can achieve greater involvement and participation of the political 
authorities.  We have not failed to conclude the Round as a result of a lack of technical work, but a 
lack of political will. 
61. With regard to free-trade agreements, our c ountry very much supports the idea of seeking 
convergence, on a gradual basis, be tween multilateral and FTA-type agre ements.  We do not want this 
to be a spontaneous action, nor to be the result of  natural developments.  What we need is strong 
political commitment to achieve this convergence, pa rticularly when it comes to trade disciplines in 
terms of tariff cuts, which makes it ever more impo rtant in terms of trade flows to make the trade 
rules more homogenous.  Following on from that idea,  I would like to highlight what is being done 
with partners from the Pacific area of Latina America, as well as what is being done with APEC in this regard.  In concluding, I would also say that we very much support the simplification of 
procedures to facilitate accessions to the WTO, a nd I would like to support the statement made by 
China in this regard.  It is very important to ensu re that there can be full participation, in order to 
render this organization more global and more inclusive. 
El Salvador  
62. First, we would like to underscore, as a country, the principles governing the World Trade 
Organization – transparency, inclusiveness and full par ticipation by all Members.  We want to stress 
that the World Trade Organization should not be  seen as a purely mercantile system, but as an 
organization governing the developmen t and well-being of all its Members and their inhabitants.  In 
the current global crisis, it is important to strengthe n the credibility of this organization.  We can 
achieve that not only with the conclusion of  the Doha Round, but also by improving the 
administration of the Agreements already in force.  Regarding the Doha Round, we wish to support 
the negotiations and the achievement of an agreement and its goals within the expected timeframe.  It 
is important that achieving an agreement should not be  an end in itself, but a means to an end.  There 
is still much work to be done, and as our colleague  from Chile said, this involves political will.  One 
of the aims of the Doha Round is to achieve bala nce, and thus, better integration of developing 
countries in the multilateral trading system.  If we want the Round to be finished by 2010, the main 
actors must send out clear signals on their trade policies.  This Ministerial Conference will represent 
an important step forward in achieving the conclusion of the Doha Round.  Among the steps to be 
taken as far as this Round is concer ned, we have to assess what has been achieved thus far and what 
remains to be done.  If we wish to get an agreemen t by 2010, we will have to strengthen our political 
commitment and continue our technical work here in Geneva.  What has been achieved so far in  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  Agriculture and NAMA is good progress which reflect s eight years of negotiations.  This progress is 
found in the draft modalities text.  But to achieve a conclusion, we need political will on all sides.  
Indonesia  
63. We are here to ensure that the WTO multilatera l trading system can meet the challenges of 
the uncertain global environment and resist protect ionism.  We welcome the monitoring exercise of 
the WTO, as it has provided the peer pressure to en sure that the pressure for protectionism can be 
limited and its effects compliant with WTO disciplin es.  We also support the need to promote more 
effective and expanded Aid for Trade and trade financ ing, which are needed for developing countries.  
Indonesia is fully committed to an early and successf ul conclusion of the Doha Development Round, 
in line with the mandate and what is already on the ta ble.  In this regard, we must maintain the hope of 
concluding the Round by 2010.  To get there, we must  all utilise all available processes.  This includes 
constructive and real engagement to address the remaining issues as part of the technical process undertaken by Senior Officials in Geneva in the coming months. 
Sudan (Observer) 
64. My country recognizes the strategic importance of the WTO with regard to international trade 
and its robust promotion of both regional and bilateral trade.  Sudan applied for accession in 
October 1994 – that is, 15 years ago – and the memo randum on its foreign trade regime was circulated 
in 1999.  From 1999 to 2002, Sudan received and responded to 462 questions from the WTO 
Members. We succeeded in conducting two Worki ng Party meetings and a number of formal and 
informal bilateral negotiations with ten Member s between 2003 and 2004.  But since October 2004 – 
that is, during a period of 5 years – no progress was achieved at all.  Based on these facts, Sudan has 
been on the waiting list for accession to the WTO longe r than any other country.  The main reasons 
behind this prolonged delay of our accession are clearly non-trade concerns from some Members.  Sudan is the largest country in Africa and located  in the heart of Africa, with huge potential and 
resources that could benefit the members of global family.  Therefore, we urge Members of the WTO to remove non-trade barriers and facilitate our accession to the WTO.  
Iran (Observer) 
65. I would like to make some brief remarks on the theme of the session.  Past WTO experience 
and the present global economic deve lopments have given rise to c oncerns, especially for developing 
countries.  The concerns of these countries in clude, among others, the non-realization of their 
expectations, especially in sectors such as agricultu re, difficulties relating to the implementation of 
their obligations, the need for transparency, and inadequate participation of these countries in the 
WTO decision-making process.  We believe a commitmen t to equity and justice in the current Round 
of trade negotiations is indispensable to ease the pr essure on developing countries.  Equity and justice 
can turn the existing divergence into convergence to meet the objectives enunciated in the Doha 
Declaration.  This will lead to a proper balance between the rights and oblig ations of developing 
countries and the imposition of unfair and strict commitments on these countries, including acceding 
countries.  You may know that we have submitted the memorandum on our foreign trade regime to 
the WTO Secretariat.  It has been circulated among the Members.  We hope that our working party is formed soon and our accession negotiations are started.  
Algeria (Observer)  
66. I would like very briefly to raise the issue of accessions and stress that my country, Algeria, 
has for a long time – 20 years precisely – been ne gotiating its accession to the WTO.  We consider 
this procedure to be too lengthy and too demanding,  despite the reforms and efforts which have been 
made on our side to make our trading system compatible with the WTO system, responding WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  particularly to 1,636 questions raised by Members.  In general terms, we consider that the process 
requires significant engagement and commitment on th e part of candidate countries, in some cases 
beyond their possibilities.  Developing-country candi dates are required to grant concessions which are 
more significant than those which were undertak en by existing Members, including the most 
developed Members.  Requests for Special and Differential treatment from developing-country 
candidates are not accepted, and therefore these countries at the same time have to pay a higher price 
for their entry ticket.  We therefore believe it is ess ential to take this opportu nity to highlight this 
issue, since we are discussing WTO activities, and in that regard I wish to thank you for giving me the 
floor.  As an Observer we believe it is high time to review the accession process and begin collective 
reflection on the implementation of a more flex ible mechanism with clear, transparent and non-
discriminatory rules.  This would moreover allow the WTO to get closer to its own goal of making 
membership in the multilateral trading system universal. 
Chairman 
67. I think that concludes our round of presentations and interventions for this morning's session.  
We have done a good job and I thank and congratulate you for it.  I wi sh to remind you that we are 
scheduled to come back at 3 p.m. for at least three kinds of activities.  First, we will be hearing from 
countries that have not taken the floor so far in th is morning's discussion.  Second, we are hoping for 
some reactions, so that we can further the dialogue el ement in this meeting.  It would be useful to 
have concrete and specific thoughts on some of th e ideas and proposals that have been put forward 
this morning by a number of Members.  To furthe r this discussion and to get the ball rolling early in 
the afternoon, I will begin that session by trying to recall and emphasize some of the main themes of 
this morning's discussion, both in terms of convergen ces and also perhaps diverg ences, so that we can 
have an even more productive discussion in the session ahead. 
 
Afternoon Session 3 pm
 
 
Chairman   
68. Doha Development Agenda
:  There was strong convergence on the importance of trade and 
the Doha Round in economic recovery and the allevia tion of poverty in developing countries.  There 
was reaffirmation of the need to conclude the Doha  Round in 2010 and for a stocktaking exercise in 
the first quarter of next year.  There was support for asking Senior Officials to work and agree on a 
roadmap which would guide the negotiations towards that point.  There was also wide support for 
working on progress made, and that there should not be  attempts to re-open stabilized texts.  There 
was agreement that the development dimension should be fully reflected, and that developing 
countries, particularly least-developed countries, should  be assisted to be able to take full advantage 
of current and future market-access opportunities. 
69. Regional Trade Agreements :  There was broad agreement that the proliferation of 
bilateral/regional trade agreements was an issue for the multilateral trading system, and that there is a 
need to ensure that the two appr oaches to trade liberalization conti nue to compliment each other.  
However, there were differences about how to do this.  Some support was expressed for putting in 
place a mechanism which would ensu re the eventual convergence of the two approaches.  However, 
the idea of extending, on a multilateral basis, benefi ts offered in the regional context was rejected by 
some Members.  There were suggestions that wh ile the WTO transparency mechanism had worked 
quite well, there is still room for improvement.   WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  70. Accessions :  There was strong convergence on th e importance of the accession process in 
broadening and strengthening the WTO.  Many made  references to the 2002 guidelines.  Are those 
enough to ensure the universality of the WTO?  
71. Aid for Trade :  Finally, there was wide recognition th at the provision of market access to 
developing countries and LDCs was not enough on its own.  The importance of Aid for Trade to 
address supply-side constraints and other bottlenecks was stressed, as was the need to ensure that 
commitments are fully acted upon.  On other issues that were rais ed, for example, those concerning 
the functioning of the WTO, there will be, as the Di rector-General noted, an opportunity to pursue 
these further in tomorrow's session. 
Bangladesh  
72. As many of my colleagues have already menti oned, eight years after Doha, the outcome still 
remains elusive.  We have missed deadline after dead line.  This has led us to a state of uncertainty. 
Public confidence in WTO is eroding.  Unless we can  deliver soon, the credib ility of the rules-based 
multilateral trading system will be seriously undermined.  This is, however, not to suggest that we 
should have an outcome only for the sake of an out come.  The long-awaited results of this Round 
must reflect our collective commitments made in Doha .  It has to retain the development dimension at 
its core.  The development dimension of Doha  has to enhance market-access opportunities for 
developing countries.  It has to allow for adequate policy space.  Fair and equitable trade rules are its 
essential element.  For LDCs, market-access opportun ities have to ensure duty-free quota-free market 
access for all products of all LDCs.  We appreciat e the Members' commitments made in Hong Kong 
in this regard.  This was the first step in the ri ght direction.  However, the Hong Kong Decision also 
created scope for excluding major export products of  LDCs and delaying the implementation period.  
In order to ensure that LDCs benefit from trad e, Members will have to fully implement the 100 per 
cent duty-free quota-free Decision at the earliest, and provide clarity on the list of 97 per cent and a time bound phasing-in of the remaining 3 per cent, we ll ahead of the conclusion of Doha Round. 
73. The only area of Services negotiations from whic h LDCs will benefit substantially is through 
Mode 4.  This has to be done through early adoptio n of the Services waiver for LDCs.  However, to 
operationalize this waiver, specific commitments will have to be made in the areas of interest to 
LDCs.  This has to be done before the conclusion of the DDA in order to add development content to 
this Round.  Members are all for a fair, equita ble and balanced outcome of Doha.  Our agreed 
objective is to correct the prevailing imbalances.  He nce, we should be mindful that we do not create 
new imbalances.  In this regard, I particularly refer to the NAMA Chair's current text on the DAC 
issue.  I draw attention to the following calls made by LDC Ministers at Dar es Salaam:  to preserve 
the core principle of S&D treatment and the deve lopment dimension of Doha, by granting all LDCs 
more preferential treatment than non-LDCs;  and to address the issues of concern to LDCs on a 
priority basis and to have an early harvest on dut y-free quota-free market access, the Services waiver 
and the cotton issue.  I came here assuming to a ttend a routine WTO Conference.  But I shall go back 
with high hopes and I shall carry with me the syne rgy and energy of this august gathering for the 
Bangladesh people, the Bangladesh Parliament a nd the Bangladesh Government.  Our collective 
efforts in Geneva in the days after this Conference have to ensure that our statements do not turn out 
to be elusive once again. 
Burkina Faso (for the co-sponsors of the Sectoral Initiative in Favour of Cotton)  
74. As you know, this Conference is not a negotiating session but rather a platform to enable us to 
look at the functioning of the WTO, so I would hope  that the two days of interactive debate will 
enable us to have a rich and fruitful exchange.  The first topic for the in teractive debate is the 
examination of WTO activities, including the Doha Wo rk Programme, and I am sure there will be rich 
discussions on subjects such as monitoring, disput e settlement, accessions, Aid for Trade, economic WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  assistance and international governance.  This session allows me to congratulate the WTO Director-
General for his work since 2005, when he was elected , and since his re-election in 2009, and for his 
efforts to be present, as far as possible, at all th e big international, regional, and even bilateral 
meetings to plead the cause of the multilateral trading system.  In this  regard, all should pay tribute to 
him and encourage him to continue his efforts.  Th is brings me to the cotton issue.  As you know, 
since the launch of the Cotton Initiative in 2003, the C-4 have shown great flexibility, particularly 
since August 2004, in accepting in the Decision of th e General Council that cotton be discussed under 
Agriculture, although the C4 countries had initially want ed cotton to be treated separately.  In return, 
the Decision was for ambitious, rapid and specific treat ment.  Today, we see that this issue is marking 
time in the Doha Round negotiations – in fact, the Doha Round itself is marking time.  The C-4 
countries, together with many other countries, cannot  accept that this Round marks time forever.  If 
the major trading powers can wait forever, we smal l countries cannot, and that is why we plead in 
favour of a very rapid conclusion to the Doha Round. 
Viet Nam 
75. We reaffirm the importance of the DDA to gl obal trade and our strong will to conclude the 
Doha Round in 2010.  As the coordinator of A SEAN in 2010, Viet Nam will, together with other 
ASEAN countries, exert all our efforts to transl ate ASEAN's strong political will for the early 
conclusion of Doha Round into ta ngible progress in the negotiations.  Viet Nam fully supports more 
flexibilities and S&D treatment for least-developed Me mbers in the Doha negotiations.  We are of the 
view that the Doha negotiations can  only be concluded if a balanced  outcome is reached, in which 
S&D treatment should be really meaningful and feasibl e.  To this end, we consider that text-based 
discussions are important for speeding up the negotia tion progress.  The interests and concerns of 
Members vary, and they should be duly reflected in a balanced way in the final texts, so I think that 
we still need to work hard as a group, with a spirit of compromise and an approach of mutual respect 
to reach this goal.  In this r espect, Viet Nam is always available for group discussions with goodwill.  
Viet Nam fully supports simplified procedures for accession, especially the accession of the least-
developed countries.  In this rega rd, we would be happy to be able to share our accession experiences 
with these countries.  
Turkey 
76. We are at a crossroads due to deadlock in the DDA, coinciding with th e negative implications 
of the global economic crisis.  We do not have an y choice but to respect the multilateral trade rules 
and to further liberalize and f acilitate global trade to overcome the difficulties faced.  As many 
Members pointed out in the morning session, pushing ah ead the negotiations is an issue of priority for 
all.  Indeed, we have made progress in the negotia tions so far, especially in framing most of the 
contentious issues in Agriculture and NAMA.  Howeve r, we still have some gaps to bridge regarding 
specific negotiating items, such as SSM in Agricultu re.  Although Agriculture and NAMA are central 
to any acceptable deal, ensuring parallel progres s in all areas in accordance with the Single 
Undertaking is also crucial.  We should also make progress in these areas, as clearly mandated in 
Doha.  Let us specifically highlight a couple of issu es in Agriculture.  This is  an area with a very 
important social dimension.  Deve lopment-related concerns should gui de us in our work, as we can’t 
compromise the livelihoods of our farmers for the sake of economic gains.  In this regard, SSM 
continues to be an issue of vital importance for an y balanced and acceptable outcome for Turkey.  We 
are willing to engage in a serious discussion to  establish a simple, operational and development-
friendly tool in the focused negotiations, in which we  are willing to engage soon.  After eight years of 
negotiations, we do believe we have a good basis to build on. 
77. 
What we need to do from now on is to get back to genuine, text-based negotiations without 
any further delay, so that we can conclude the Round in 2010.  Concluding the DDA with an 
ambitious, development-oriented  and balanced outcome will not only strengthen the multilateral  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
 Page 25 
 
 
  trading system, but also contribute to overcoming the ongoing economic distress.  First and foremost, 
this requires putting our political dete rmination into practice.  We are pleased to observe the readiness 
of a large group of Members to move in this dir ection.  The recent communiqué of the G-33 issued 
right before the start of this Ministerial Conference deserves the attention of Members in this regard.  
For the work programme ahead, we think that a high-level meeting in early 2010 to conduct a 
stocktaking exercise would be a good starting poi nt before proceeding into text-based, intensive 
negotiations.  Turkey stands ready to contribute to this end.  Besides the DDA negotiations, there is a 
need to deal with the regular agenda regarding th e regular work of WTO committees.  In that sense, it 
will be extremely important to keep the work of WTO committees transparent and effective, in order 
to be responsive to the needs of the prevailing tradin g environment.  Let me also add that we see merit 
in the continuation of WTO’s monitoring activities regarding protectionist measures. 
78. Turning to regional trade agreements, we would like to note that ensuring their consistency 
with the objectives of the multilateral trading system should continue to be a major issue of concern.  
The WTO CRTA should be strengthened in order to better oversee RTAs, so that we do not risk the 
good functioning of the multilateral trading system.  Needless to say, enlargement of the WTO 
membership remains vital for a well-functioning multila teral trading system.  It is very important to 
facilitate the accession process for acceding countries in a way that takes their constraints into 
account, and without making the process overly burdens ome with non-trade concerns.  Continuing our 
efforts to enhance the technical capacity of devel oping and least-developed countries needs to stay at 
the top of our agenda, in order to better integrat e these countries into the multilateral trading system.  
The Aid-for-Trade initiative has proved to be an effectiv e tool in that regard.  We are ready to further 
our level of engagement in the days ahead.  
France  
79. In 2009, we experienced a global trade crisis.  Despite this crisis, a generalised wave of 
protectionism was avoided, thanks to the political me ssage from Heads of State, and thanks also to the 
effective monitoring of the WTO.  The WTO Secretar iat allocated considerable resources to that, and 
on behalf of the Government of France, I would like to thank the Director-General, Pascal Lamy, for 
the work done.  On that basis I would like to make a contribution based on two ideas.  First of all, an 
ambitious, global and balanced conclusion to the D oha Round is a core objective.  The European 
Union has made a decisive contribution.  Europe has made major agricultural concessions by agreeing 
to eliminate agricultural export subsidies by 2013.  Since 2003, Europe has undertaken a profound reform of its Common Agricultural Policy, and I would like to say quite clearly and simply that 
Europe will not go beyond these concessions in the ag ricultural sector.  In exchange, there is still a lot 
of work left to conclude this Round on the b asis of the progress already made, and to achieve new 
liberalization in other sectors.  As recalled by the European Commissioner this morning, we must also 
achieve an effective result with respect to Geogr aphical Indications as laid out in the Doha 
Declaration.  The European Union attaches great im portance to the issue of Geographical Indications, 
because of the injury to its producers resulting from th e violation of denominations of origin.  GI's 
also represent quality agriculture, using traditional know -how.  This is something that is of as much 
interest to developing countries as to developed countries. 
80. The second aspect is the activity of the WTO wh ich is essential for economic recovery at the 
global level.  The monitoring aspect of trade polic y is essential – here I am thinking about monitoring 
of Regional Trade Agreement.  The WTO also has th e DSB, which is an effective and legitimate body 
recognised by all Members of the WTO, and here I welcome the fact that the DSB has tackled new 
and less visible forms of protectionism, such as export restrictions.  In the current crisis, more than 
ever, the WTO must play a fundamental role in the inclusion of developing countries in world trade.  The developing countries are not at the origin of the crisis, but they are its main victims.  We must help these developing countries to achieve the trad e capacity needed to take advantage of the 
preferential schemes that they enjoy.  The Direct or-General is right to welcome in his report the WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 26  
 
  progress that has been made since the launching of th e Aid-for-Trade initiative in 2005.  For its part, 
France intends to increase its contribution to the D oha Fund to € 1 million per year in 2009, 2010 and 
2011, and the same amount to the Integrated Framew ork.  More generally speaking, it seems essential 
to us to facilitate the inclusion of the greatest nu mber of countries in the multilateral system.  In 
particular, we feel the accession of Montenegro is vital in the near future.  In conclusion, France 
would stress three messages.  First, the WTO plays a major role in the fight against protectionism and 
we welcome that.  Second, an ambitious global a nd balanced conclusion of the Doha Round must be 
our shared goal.  Finally, going beyond this Roun d, we must be proud of the positive impact of the 
many activities of the WTO, which has made it possible to have a regulated environment for 
international trade, and has contributed to inte grating developing countries in the economic system. 
Egypt  
81. I have been given very strong instructions to  speak very strongly about the Doha Round and 
accessions.  Mr Chairman, you spoke at the beginn ing of this session summarising, as Chairman, what 
you heard in the morning.  While I would agree in ge neral with most of what you said, I think I heard 
the notion of development towards the fourth or fifth line, so I would like just to reflect that what we 
have heard throughout these last two days would put development nearer the first line.  So 
development should shape the nature and success of this Doha Round.  So, I would really put the 
notion of development not towards the fourth or fift h line, but towards the first line.  The second very 
strong message is that 2010 should be seen more as  a deadline than as a target.  Third, not only do 
Members want the Doha Round, they need it, and th ere is a big difference between need and want.  
Fourth, everyone has spoken about the need to take  concrete, tangible negotiating steps to fill the 
existing gaps, rather than to go to new negotiations to create more gaps or to expand these gaps.  On 
accessions, I believe the time has come for this to be seriously addressed.   Frankly speaking, the 
longer the line-up of countries waiting to accede to th e WTO becomes, the more people are going to 
suspect that something is wrong in this process, i.e.  its politicization, etc.  The more the process is 
orderly, technical and commercial, the better-suited it will be to the 21st century of multilateralism.  
Therefore, we strongly emphasize the need to addr ess this issue, especially for Arab countries and 
LDCs who have been trying to accede. 
Central African Republic  
82. The Central African Republic appreciates the pr ogress that has been made by the General 
Council to advance the negotiations of the Doha De velopment Agenda.  The Central African Republic 
has benefited from the backing of the World Trad e Organization in the framework of capacity-
building and through technical assistance.  I should also point out the approval of my country within 
the Integrated Framework, and this has played a ve ry important role when it comes to the reduction of 
poverty in the Central African Republic.  We are a landlocked country and we depend on only one 
port for the transit of our goods, which means additi onal costs, and effectively discourages foreign 
investment, hence the need for resu lts in the area of trade facilitation.  Trade facilitation hinges on Aid 
for Trade in order to make it a reality.  In the cu rrent crisis, however, resources are drying up and 
donors have less and less to pledge, and that is the reason why the strengthening of the mandate of the 
WTO against this backdrop is abso lutely essential, if strategies are to be defined and this programme 
put into effect.  Today, my country stands to gain  a lot from multilateral trading, especially if it can 
improve thanks to the application of the rules.  We  would like to take this opportunity to share with 
you our viewpoint on a number of questions, in the h ope of improving the situation of the multilateral 
trading system.  To face the new challenges, we have  to (i) strengthen the stabilising role of the WTO, 
(ii) when it comes to accession to the multilateral tr ading system, the way should be smooth for the 
acceding countries and the trading rules must be made universal – there should not be a proliferation of Regional Trade Agreements, (iii) further mob ilise resources for the implementation of Aid for 
Trade and also strengthen the WTO's role in in terfacing between aid partners and beneficiary 
countries in the follow-up to Aid-for-Trade initiatives.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  South Africa  
83. South Africa supports the successful conclusion of the DDA through committing to the 
development agenda.  We also need to evaluate th e development mandate as a key and strategic issue 
for the Round by strengthening the developing countries.  The conclusion of the Round should not merely translate into addressing the vested interest s of developed countries by favouring their trade 
interests.  We also need to emphasize an alte rnative measure for assessing the success of the Round.  
Clear proposals will translate into action that addresses trade balances between developed and 
developing countries.  Common perspectives on a successful Round do not necessarily translate to 
immediate benefits for the developed countries.  Failure to reach a successful conclusion to the 
Round, on the other hand, will discourage major pow ers from cohering and being flexible.  South 
Africa supports the speedy conclusion of the pack age for LDCs, including duty-free quota-free market 
access.  We also believe that early resolution of th e cotton issue is essential.  In addressing the issue of 
accessions to the WTO, we believe that the simplifi cation of procedures should be considered.  In any 
discussion that takes place in good faith, transparen cy and inclusiveness in decision making should be 
the order of the day.  Such a forum will be regard ed as legitimate and stable, especially in promoting 
trade relations.  And any organization that is break ing even should allow a principle of consensus to 
shape its direction and should represent the voice of all, irrespective of how small an economic player 
may be. 
84. South Africa will continue to be committed to the development agenda that initiated this 
Round.  History has proven that failure to commit will not address challenges introduced by the global economic recession, such as growth and job creati on.  Having listened to the inputs, a common 
perspective in multilateral engagements should tr anslate into creating strong interdependent 
economies and societies.  The role that developing countries are playing in the world economy should be seen as enhancing development and market access.  What continues to distort international trade is 
what we need to spend time discussing, and how to reverse the decline in global trade.  Clear 
modalities need to be taken into consideration.  We  also need to look at previously negotiated texts 
and avoid bilateral approaches which se ek to undermine this noble cause. 
Slovenia 
85. Just a small intervention from our side regarding WTO accessions.  It seems to us that the 
WTO rules were not designed to cope with all possibl e cases, especially those that have arisen lately.  
We strongly feel that we face a systemic questi on here that unduly prolongs the accession process.  
Some kind of limit or margin could be incorporat ed in the WTO rules in order to prevent ever-
increasing levels of requests in the areas of goods and services. 
Lesotho  
86. We wish to underline the importance of moving the DDA forward deliberately to a 
conclusion, because with delays, relevance and value c ontinue to erode.  It's true that substance should 
drive process or set the pace, but it can be shifted to  a faster pace.  The development dimension should 
also remain at the centre, and it should become an  integral part of the DDA.  We should retain 
transparency, inclusiveness and th e multilateral nature of the negotiations.  Aid for Trade, which 
enables us to tackle supply-side constraints, is now a reality, and we see some showcasing of projects.  
We hope that resources can be maintained and even increased in real terms, there should be minimum 
conditionality, more ownership by beneficiaries, an d the aid should be focused.  We welcome the 
regional dimension, and Aid for Trade could also be less concentrated and less selective than it is at 
present, in order to benefit more countries.  I wish to dwell on the EIF, which is meant to assist LDCs 
to mainstream their trade and international econom ic policy and strategy, and to support LDCs in 
effectively integrating into the multilateral tradi ng system.  This is also a reality and is now 
functioning.  The idea was to have additional and predictable resources, stronger and more efficient WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  coordination and governance, which is also more cl early defined, ownership of the programme by the 
LDCs themselves, and a focus on results, within a credible monitoring and evaluation framework – all 
this has been achieved.  So, actually the EIF is a bout effective partnerships, ownership by LDCs and a 
focus on results and merit.  So, now that legal a nd enabling governing instruments are in place, the 
Executive Secretariat and Executive Director are in place, as well as the Trust Fund Manager, and the 
funds are there – although they are not sufficient – we invite those who can contribute to do so, 
because there are 49 LDCs in the world, and we need more resources to assist them in the tasks that I 
mentioned earlier.  In LDCs, there are already national steering committees, implementation units, focal points and coordinators, and things are already happening. 
Morocco 
87. First and foremost, I would like to commend th e Director-General, Pascal Lamy, and the 
Secretariat of the World Trade Organization for the holding of this working session.  We commend 
you and thank you for the work that has been perform ed and for the reports that have been prepared, 
providing us with an idea of the monitoring of the world economic financial crisis.  This has possibly 
limited the protectionist reflexes of certain Me mbers of the organization.  Regarding the Doha 
process, we are in favour of inclusiveness.  Members have a number of achievements that we want to 
preserve.  We are very close to a conclusion, becau se we have already covered a large part of the 
ground to be travelled, so there can be no question of going back on what has been achieved.  The conclusion of the negotiations is something that is  highly desirable, because we are convinced that 
this will help us, in fact, pull out of the crisis.  We think that the main solutions to this crisis are to be 
found at the multilateral level, a nd must be beneficial to all c ountries, especially to developing 
countries. 
88. Regarding regional trade agreements, since that  is one of the items on the agenda, Morocco 
has negotiated a number of Free Trade Agreements that are all in total conformity with the rules of the 
World Trade Organization.  However, we consider that regional trade agreements cannot in any way 
replace the multilateral trading system, because the so lutions to the current economic backdrop are to 
be found at an international level.  On Aid for Tr ade, the Second Global Review was held in July this 
year.  Most of the developing countries have made  aid a very important part of their development 
strategy.  We welcome the effort made by the WT O in the area of the initiative for Africa.  The WTO 
must consolidate its technical assistance progr ammes and its capacity-building programmes through 
the Aid-for-Trade initiative, and thus provide backin g to national policies and deal with supply-side 
constraints to support these countries.  I am in fa vour of selective measures.  Aid should be very 
targeted, in order to make it possible for countries to  make strides and to put in place developmental 
strategies, and this is totally in keeping with th e framework of the development objectives of the Doha 
Development Agenda.  On accessions, I would like to  congratulate the Members who have joined the 
organization recently.  I would also like to take th is opportunity to urge you to ease the process for 
those countries who are in the process of accession so  they can accede to the membership to ensure 
that the system can be truly universal.  In this connection, I would propose a coaching system be put 
in place, whereby the candidate countries can be coach ed by countries with expertise in the area of 
accession, so that acceding countries' trading policies can be brought into line with WTO obligations. 
The Gambia 
89. The Gambia, being a small and open economy, be lieves in the usefulness of the multilateral 
trading system and is concerned about the delay in concluding the Doha Round.  The food crises 
brought to the fore the need to revisit existing ag ricultural policies and progra mmes, particularly those 
that put developing countries and LDCs at a compet itive disadvantage.  May I remind this gathering 
that in some of our countries, agriculture employs up to 70 per cent of our working population, and most of them are women.  Thus, the multilateral trading system owes it to developing countries and LDCs to ensure that this Doha Round is expeditiously concluded on  the basis of a win-win situation  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
 Page 29 
 
 
  for all parties.  And a more compelling reason exists for the speedy conclusion of the Doha Round, 
given the wider challenges of meeting the MDGs in our respective countries.  This emphasis on 
agriculture does not in any way downplay the impo rtance of other areas, such as NAMA, Services, 
etc., and most importantly the importance of the cl arity and simplicity of rules-based procedures.  
Moreover, the Gambia is of the view that it is n ecessary to do the following:  properly target capacity-
building efforts to enhance the export capacity of developing countries, particularly those of the 
LDCs;  refocus the multilateral trading institutions to adequately respond to a changing global 
landscape, such as economic crises, climate change , and any other emerging challenge, as well as the 
special needs of developing countries and LDCs;  and ascertain that accession guidelines are not 
politicised, as the benefits of having wider membersh ip in the global trading system cannot be over-
emphasised. 
India  
90. Mr Chairman, I would like to thank you for your summary.  I believe it provides a clear focus 
to our discussions, and I would like to make four comments in the spirit of interactive debate and 
deliberation.  First, let me begin with the obvi ous.  This is a development Round.  It follows, 
therefore, that the issue of development has to be at  the forefront of our concerns and at the forefront 
in our deliberations.  I would therefore support wh at Egypt said about development being mentioned 
first in your summary.  This is not a minor point for us.  Second, we agree with you that Senior 
Officials should meet soon to establish a work plan and route map to wrap up our engagement.  However, as we have seen in the last three months, the mere institution of an intensive process is no 
guarantee either of progress or indeed of engagement .  We need a well-considered plan which focuses 
on the main headline issues on which there are diffe rences.  With respect, discussions on templates 
and data are important as well as necessary, but meaningful discussions on issues like cotton, subsidies disciplines and Mode 4 access, to mention a few examples, are what we need to provide 
closure to the Round.  The roadmap should provide for this.  The stocktaking exercise on the progress 
on templates will not carry much meaning. 
91. Third, on RTAs we are delighted that the discussi ons today have taken us to real-world issues 
like RTAs.  We have been too long in denial in the WTO on this issue, which is knowing the vital 
signs of the multilateral trading system.  It is time th at we came to terms with this.  A few months ago, 
India put forward a set of proposals including one on  RTAs.  The essential elements of this proposal 
were, first, that the transparency mechanism h as proved useful and should be made permanent;  
second, that we should require the Secretariat to  produce an annual report based on the review of 
RTAs;  and third, hopefully these reports will high light some common elements in RTAs which we 
could weave together into best-practice guidelines for RTAs, in order to maintain complementarily 
with the multilateral trading system.  Lastly, just  a brief comment on accessions.  I believe this a 
serious concern for all of us, especially when we  pride ourselves and aspire towards inclusiveness in 
our membership.  It is a matter of very serious co ncern that many LDCs have had to wait for more 
than a decade to join this institution.  We find that extraordinary demands are being made on LDCs 
that are way beyond their capacity.  It is important that we institute a deliberative process to discuss these kinds of issues in regard to the accession pr ocess, so that we can make improvements. 
Singapore 
92. Singapore supports the proposal for Ministers to undertake the stocktaking exercise on the 
DDA negotiations.  The Director-General, Pascal La my, posed two questions:  how to bridge existing 
gaps, and how Ministers could orga nise themselves for the stocktaking in the first quarter of 2010.  
Singapore has the following proposals.  There is a n eed to get into the specifics.  Lamy identified 
seven major gaps at the recent APEC Ministerial m eeting in November.  There was general agreement 
that these could be specific areas to focus on:  SSM in Agriculture, Tropical Products and Preference 
Erosion, Cotton, NAMA – flexibilities in specific sect ors and bilateral testing, Services, Rules, and WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 30  
 
  TRIPS-related issues.  Where possible, we should al so get into text-based negotiations.  Where there 
are gaps, and no text, we should aim to formulate su ch text.  Senior Officials should then aim to 
narrow the gaps.  We should also not re-open text s from July and December 2008 that have been 
stabilized.  From July, we should aim to keep to the spirit of the Signalling Conference on Services.  
On the process, time is short.  Th ere is a need to be pragmatic about  the need to strictly stick to a 
sequential process.  Otherwise, we would not be ab le to meet our deadline.  We should try all 
avenues.  For example, bilateral meetings are impor tant for the testing of flexibilities.  For Services, 
we recognise that this is acknowledged as being request  and offer, essentially a bilateral process.  We 
now have to be certain that we are in the end ga me, and intensify engagement .  I am encouraged by 
the high intensity of positive pledges to conclude  the DDA made at all meetings.  But we should not 
just limit this to talk among ourselves.  We mu st reach out to other critical groups beyond trade 
Ministers.  These constituencies include our capitals, legislatures and business communities.  As developing countries, the Doha Round presents concrete  gains for all of us.  We must seek to convey 
that message.   
Ecuador 
93. On the basis of the points made in the introduc tory statement, Ecuador reiterates its support 
for and commitment to the multilateral trading sy stem and the Doha Round.  The development 
dimension is intrinsic to the Round and therefore, ear ly harvest would be the best way to give greater 
legitimacy to the development objectives of the Round.   With respect to the roadmap which should be 
followed for a prompt conclusion to the Round, we should be cautious with the concept of 
transparency and inclusiveness, in order to continue  to legitimise the development goals of the Round.  
Ecuador is committed to a prompt conclusion, and on the basis of what has al ready been agreed.  The 
last eight years have seen intensive work on all aspect s of the Round, and it would not be desirable to 
re-open the negotiations on modalities.  Full impetus should be given to the negotiations, but there are 
certain aspects related to development where an earl y harvest should be achieved, particularly with 
respect to, inter alia , the elimination of subsidies and the issue of cotton. 
Hong Kong, China 
94. Thank you for allowing me to take the floor fo r the second time today.  I said this morning 
that I would revert to some of the subjects menti oned by Pascal that I did not cover.  You have also 
suggested that we try to make this afternoon’s sessi on more interactive by reacting to points made by 
colleagues earlier, and I would specifically like to focus on the five points made by Uruguay.  Let me start by making a few remarks on anti-protectionism.  Unlike some pessimistic predictions at the onset 
of the financial crisis, we have not witnessed an outbreak of widespread trade protectionism.  While 
the painful lessons we learned from the past can pa rtly explain why this has not been the case, the 
insurance provided to us by the rules-based syst em is another key reason why we have not seen a 
repeat of the beggar-thy-neighbour phenomenon.  Not only do we have binding trade rules, we also have a well-tested enforcement system.  The disput e settlement mechanism has proved its resilience in 
times of economic hardship.  In addition, the co llective surveillance by Members and the peer 
pressure thus created have proved to be an effectiv e shield against creeping protectionism.  However, 
while the WTO trade policy information system has demonstrated its value in keeping protectionism 
at bay, experience in the past 15 months has also pointed to the need for improvement.  Our objective 
should be clear, and that is our systems should be  able to provide Members with comprehensive, 
accurate and up-to-date information on trade policy developments.  Much work has been undertaken 
by the TPRB and various councils and committees to  promote transparency, improve timeliness and 
enhance the coherence of our monitoring systems.  These efforts are commendable.  But in addition to 
seeing through their smooth implementation, we mu st seek continuous improvements. We look 
forward to working with other Members in taking  this area of work to a higher level in 2010.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
 Page 31 
 
 
  95. I would now like to turn to Aid for Trade.  In our view, this provides the crucial link between 
trade policy and trade capacity building.  By improving developing economies’ productivity capacity and expertise, Aid for Trade will help them make  effective use of the new export opportunities under 
the Doha Round.  We welcome and fully support the work of the Secretariat in preparing a new Work Programme on Aid for Trade in consultation with ot her Members and partner organizations.  It will 
help maintain the momentum generated in Aid-fo r-Trade initiatives since the Hong Kong Ministerial.  
As some Members noted yesterday, this institution will only grow stronger and serve the international 
trading system better if we have more Members on board.  As a founding Member, we have always 
believed that the WTO should be open and inclusive.   Economies that are committed to abiding by the 
WTO rules and procedures are most welcome to join.  We note and commend the efforts of acceding 
economies in undertaking trade liberalization a nd economic reforms in the accession process, and 
look forward to welcoming them soon as Members of the WTO. 
96. On the question of how best to take forward the next stage of the Doha negotiations, I find 
myself in agreement with Uruguay, as I am sure do many other delegations.  Ever since the Delhi 
meeting in September, we have been observing a structured short-term programme, spanning the 
period until mid-December, combining discussion of technical issues in all negotiating groups with 
regular meetings of Senior Officials and Heads of Delegation.  We believe that this process has not 
only kept things ticking over, but has also creat ed a greater focus on some outstanding, largely 
technical issues, which needed to be addressed in mo re detail than hitherto.  We therefore support the 
call for a similar work programme to be drawn up fo r the period from January to March 2010 in order 
to continue this process.  It will be important for Senior Officials to continue their involvement at 
regular intervals in order to bring a necessary level of  oversight to the issues from time to time.  We 
also support continuation of the Chair-led negotiatin g process, which should now intensify.  At the 
end of that period, we believe it would be appropria te to make an assessment at the political level of 
where the remaining gaps remain in the negotiations and where the solutions to these may lie.  Above 
all, we should recall that we are mandated to co mplete the Round by the end of 2010, and between 
now and then we should do everything in our  power to achieve that important objective. 
Mauritius 
97. On Aid for Trade, I want to underscore the impor tance of this issue.  What is needed is the 
fast-track implementation of Aid-for-Trade pledges and a substantial increase in Aid-for-Trade funds, 
commensurate with the actual needs of countries.  Countries that have elaborated ambitious economic 
and trade reform programmes, which have been endorsed by international institutions, should be 
supported in their implementation on a priority basis through budgetary support under the Aid-for-
Trade initiative.  The coherence mandate of the WTO should be reinforced thorough regular and 
structured meetings with international financial institutions, with the focus being on supporting trade 
reforms of Member states and addressing trade-re lated capacity-building.  On the question of 
accession, we support the proposals made to accelerate the process, especially for the LDCs, but also 
for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) who depe nd on international trade for their survival.  
Given the specificity of SIDS and the constraints they  face in integrating into the international trading 
system, consideration should be given to set up a specific desk for the SIDS  at the WTO.  On the 
DDA, we believe that the process should continue on  the basis of the convergence achieved in July 
and December 2008, especially on preference erosion,  which is crucial for a large segment of the 
WTO membership.  Services is important for all coun tries, but capacity constraints are hindering the 
participation of many developing countries.  Addressing this issue should be an important focus of the 
WTO Secretariat.  
Chile 
98. Chile would like to support the idea by Moro cco that countries in the accession process be 
coached or sponsored.  This is a very good idea, and probably Members that have acceded recently WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 32  
 
  could offer advice in this respect.  I would also like to refer to the convergence of RTAs with the rules 
of the WTO.  Chile is one of the countries whic h has the most bilateral agreements and which has 
made the most of the recently-agr eed transparency mechanism.  The issue is how we can ensure that 
our bilateral agreements converge with the multilateral trading system.  There are two key aspects.  
The first is that these agreements have to be broa dly open, with few waivers in goods and services.  
The second is that the rules for both sanitary measures and technical barriers to trade have to be in line 
with international standards.  This would be in  accordance with the WTO, because if a country opens 
up its trade bilaterally, it is then more open to tran slate these concessions at the multilateral level.  As 
mentioned by India, Members should give more subs tance to disciplines of the WTO, in particular 
with respect to Article XXIV:5.  We are working on  a mandate and will continue to do so, particularly 
bearing in mind the great proliferation of these agreements.   
Colombia 
99. First, the vigilance, monitoring and follow-up of  protectionist measures should be maintained, 
in order to avoid having new measures of this type.  Second, in terms of Aid for Trade, we understand 
that more funding is available, but at the same time we must ensure that these funds are made 
available as quickly as possible to the beneficiarie s.  Third, on accessions, we should apply the rules 
to ensure that LDCs can accede more easily and be part of the system.  There are some 50 LDCs that 
are outside the system at present.  Finally, on the Do ha Round, the key here is political will.  We have 
heard very clear messages that there is a desire to conclude the Round by the end of 2010.  Although 
we all have one vote, some votes are weightier than ot hers, and certainly some actors will have to take 
decisions and show political will to move forward.  We  must ensure that Senior Officials get together 
in the next few weeks in December, and then we could have a decision-making meeting of Ministers 
early in 2010, possibly in the first quarter of 2010.  We will need all our effort and will to conclude 
the Round as quickly as possible and make it a reality. 
Australia 
100. I would like to follow up on my colleague from Colombia in re-emphasizing the importance 
of political will.  As frustrating as concluding Doha has been, the truth is that there has been some 
important progress in the period between June and no w.  In part it has come about because there has 
been a regularity in informal political contact.  Ther e has also been some important narrowing of the 
issues by Senior Officials.  We have found flexib ility within the Hong Kong mandate to deal with and 
embrace a bilateral mechanism and a plurilateral approach.  We have also found the important ability 
to have a parallel process going in other important ar eas, in particular Services and Rules.  All of 
these are going to be important to the final conclusion, but what we have got to do is to find an 
effective means to multilateralize that progress and c ontinue to narrow the gaps.  That is why I am 
very strongly of the view that we have to aim for that political engagement in the early part of next 
year, not just to have a stocktaking, but genuin e engagement.  So that we get beyond merely 
aspirational statements and realise that there has to be a constructive political will – a real 
commitment – to deal with the hard issues and to send a strong signal to our officials that they need to 
work harder on our behalf in narrowing the differences. 
101. The second point I want to go to is the Aid-for-T rade debate, because as I said yesterday in 
my intervention in the plenary, I see this as crucia l to developing countries and their engagement with 
trade.  We have doubled our commitment to Aid for Trade, but we have done more in the region in 
terms of making practical commitments to Aid for Trade in our regional discussions.  The Pacific 
Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER-plu s) is an approach in terms of the Pacific 
countries, to genuinely be about not just trade-re lated issues, but capacity building.  Regarding the 
conclusion of our ASEAN Free Trade Agreement with New Zealand, crucial to that was a commitment to realising the importance of capacity building within the ten nation states, and that was 
an important clincher in the deal.  So, I think th at it is important to see how we can extend the Aid- WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  for-Trade principle in terms of the emerging global and regional architectures.  The final point I 
would make on Aid for Trade is this simple observa tion.  There is a debate going on in another forum 
about aid for climate change.  It is really important that we not only e ngage in that debate too – for the 
same reasons about capacity building, mitigation an d adaptation – but if we are serious about it we 
should also be talking not just about aid for climat e change but trade for climate change.  And that 
brings us into the issue of trade and environmenta l goods and services, which also can be a part of 
concluding the Round if we are creative about it, but also can be an important contributor to the way 
in which we meet and contribute to the challenge of climate change.  
Ethiopia (Observer) 
102. On behalf of the Government and people of th e Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, let 
me first thank the Secretariat and all other de velopment partners for the sustained support and 
encouragement of our accession negotiations.  I should also mention my thanks to all WTO Members 
for their positive support reflected right from the very first Working Party meeting.  We held a Working Party meeting in May 2008, which gave us  an excellent opportunity to clearly state our 
economic policies and measures taken over the cour se of several years to improve the business 
environment.  Following this productive meeting,  we have taken several crucial steps towards 
fulfilling WTO membership requirements.  Accordi ngly, we have submitted answers to the second 
round of questions that were raised by some Memb ers, and other necessary technical documents to the 
WTO.  We are currently working relentlessly on pr eparing additional technical documents yet to be 
submitted to the WTO and preparing for the second Wo rking Party meeting that we expect to hold 
shortly. 
103. Benefiting from the multilateral economic syst em requires implementi ng and sequencing the 
right policies and regulatory mechanisms.  We beli eve that to support the development agenda of 
acceding countries, flexibilities and sufficient transiti onal periods are essential to allow them to build 
institutional capacity and to put in place the necess ary regulatory mechanisms .  The accession process 
today is extremely onerous, complex and costly.  In  our preparations so far, my country has been 
primarily concerned in implemen ting and sequencing the right policies and regulatory mechanisms, 
and in building institution al capacities to properly carry out the accession process.  In this regard, we 
believe that the current process of accession needs to  be further simplified.  I also would like to call 
on all WTO Members to refrain from exerting undue pressure on acceding countries and from requiring those countries to make concessions and co mmitments that could possibly undercut their 
ability to realize their development objectives.  Finally , I request Members to continue to intensify the 
provision of technical assistance to support the capacity  building of acceding countries at all stages of 
the accession process. 
Trinidad and Tobago (for CARICOM)  
104. This Seventh Ministerial Conference offers  an opportunity to reaffirm our collective 
commitment to a trading system that brings real  benefits to all WTO Members through a genuinely 
inclusive, transparent and multilateral process.  In th is context, there are a number of issues that the 
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) would wish to highlight.  First, CARICOM is exceedingly concerned about the attempts to recalibrate th e mandate of the Doha Development Round.  Our 
participation in the Round has always been predi cated on the rebalancing of the multilateral trading 
system in a manner that promotes the sustainable development of developing countries.  We therefore call on all WTO Members to reaffirm the centrality of trade provisions that are supportive of our 
development aspirations in the multilateral tradi ng system.  Second, the CARICOM WTO Members, 
as Small and Vulnerable Economies, wish to em phasize the importance we place on accelerating the 
full implementation of the Small Economies Work  Programme.  This constitutes a development 
benchmark in assessing the true value of the DDA.  While considerable progress has been made, let us 
redouble our efforts at marshalling the political will and technical acumen required to complete the WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
Page 34  
 
  Small Economies Work Programme.  Third, CARICO M supports the work and objectives of the G-33 
on Special Products and the Special Safeguard M echanism.  This mechan ism must be simple, 
operational, effective and non-burde nsome, and offer enhanced flexibilities for SVEs.  We are, 
however, concerned at the lack of progress in co mpleting the negotiations on the SSM.  The adoption 
of such an SSM remains pivotal to the cardinal pursuit of food security, promotion of rural 
development and poverty alleviation. 
105. Fourth, we support entrusting the WTO with the role of mobilizing additional Aid-for-Trade 
resources and monitoring its impact on our economies.  It has been established that Small and Vulnerable Economies can take advantage of trad e openings only when these are complemented by a 
sustained programme of trade capacity-building meas ures.  The fast-tracking of Aid-for-Trade support 
programmes in CARICOM states assumes even great er importance in light of the loss of long-
standing preferences on major agricultural commodities.  CARICOM is deserving of receiving a fair share of Aid-for-Trade resources.  Fifth, the imminent conclusion of the WTO dispute on EU MFN tariffs on bananas constitutes yet another serious Ca ribbean concern.  The resolution of this long-
standing trade dispute will result in the decline of  a major CARICOM export.  Moreover, the banana 
dispute reaffirms the Caribbean's conviction that particular emphasis should be placed on carving out 
additional opportunities for these small, vulnerable, pr eference-dependent Members.  Furthermore, we 
reiterate our position that the outcome on bananas cannot be divorced from the treatment of other 
preference-erosion products.  We will therefore not  accept any attempt to alter the already agreed 
package, in particular those provisions related to  major CARICOM export products, such as rum and 
sugar. 
106. CARICOM fully supports the ACP Ministerial Declaration, which comprehensively captures 
our position on the various concerns that we  have highlighted.  CARICOM has been hit 
disproportionately hard by the global economic and fi nancial crisis.  Our policy options in response to 
this crisis are severely constrained by the high  level of indebtedness of our economies, thereby 
limiting our ability to apply adeq uate national fiscal stimulus  programmes. While CARICOM 
recognizes that the crisis has not generated the ra mpant protectionism of the 1930s, it remains most 
concerned with a number of recent developments.  We are worried that there is insufficient appreciation of the needs of the Caribbean Comm unity resulting from this crisis.  We remain 
concerned that the pledged resources have not yet b ecome available.  What we have seen instead is 
action being pursued that further exacerbates our situ ation.  These include threats to offshore finance 
centres and the imposition of a discriminatory airport departure tax by a major source of tourism 
arrivals.  We remain committed to working with other Members of the WTO to ensure that the 
organization assists with the recovery of the gl obal economy.  In conclusion, CARICOM fully 
supports the early conclusion of the DDA with e xplicit development-oriented trade measures. 
CARICOM also strongly associates itself with the st atement of the Informal Group of Developing 
Countries, notably on the general process of WTO Accession by developing countries.  Further, we 
reiterate our unwavering support for the speedy acc ession to the WTO of one of our Members – the 
Bahamas. 
Montenegro (Observer)  
107. It is my pleasure, as Minister in the Montenegrin Government, to have an opportunity to 
address the WTO Ministerial Conference.  I come from a small European country and the youngest UN Member.  WTO accession is a strategic priority for the Government of Montenegro, which has 
been confirmed through its dynamic accession pro cess since February 2005.  In this process, 
Montenegro has fulfilled all its obligations at the multilateral level and concluded its bilateral 
negotiations in a timely manner.  The draft Worki ng Party Report was prepared on 7 November 2008.  
At that meeting, the Working Party concluded that all WTO Members having comments on the draft 
report were to deliver them not  later than 21 November.  Subsequently, the WTO Secretariat 
completed the accession package of Montenegro with consolidated schedules and circulated it to the  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
 Page 35 
 
 
  Members on 12 December 2008 for final verification.   Montenegro's accession was scheduled for 
consideration by the General Council on 3 February 2009.  A year ago,  Montenegro was ready to join.  
Nevertheless, it has not yet become a WTO Me mber.  Why?  This is a good question, but, 
unfortunately it is not possible to provide a simple and easy answer.  However, the facts and figures speak for themselves.  During the so-called verifi cation procedure, on 19 December 2008, almost one 
year ago, a country which had recently acceded to the WTO a few months before, submitted an 
extremely comprehensive market-a ccess request.  It is a country  whose representative was present 
only at the last Working Party meeting on November 2008, when it announced that it reserved the right to open bilateral negotiations with Monteneg ro.  But this was not done within the proposed 
deadlines decided by the Working Party.  The request  of the aforementioned country to open bilateral 
negotiations came after the consolidated schedules ha d been circulated to WTO Members.  This is 
usually never done – the consolidat ed version of the schedules is supposed to be the last one, for 
obvious reasons.  Otherwise, negotiations could go on ad infinitum . 
108. One year on, some progress has been achieved, due only to strong efforts made by 
Montenegro, but we still do not have a deal, after having held four official bilateral rounds of 
negotiations.  Unfortunately, nego tiations were unfruitful because of very strong requests from this 
country and a lack of any kind of flexibility on its side – the country never made any compromise in 
any of its requests.  So, Montenegro’s accession pro cess is blocked.  This is extremely disappointing 
for the Government and frustrating for its constituen cies.  Allow me to focus your attention on four 
important facts.  (i) Montenegro is one of the smallest European countries, with a population of only 630,000, and a presently small but very open and libera lized economic environment.  (ii) The simple 
average FBR in Agriculture is 11.9 per cent, and 4. 6 per cent in NAMA, which is one of the lowest 
average rates, in comparison with RAMs and th e region.  (iii) Trade volume with the above-
mentioned country is about 0.02 per cent of tota l trade.  (iv) Montenegro has completed its 
multilateral commitments, but has been blocked by a single country for an entire year. 
109. Finally, a simple question has to be asked – why is WTO membership such a priority for 
Montenegro? Or what is Montenegro losing if it do es not join the WTO?  Having in mind that we 
respect all WTO rules, although we are still not offici ally "in", this situation impacts negatively on the 
image of Montenegro as an attr active business destination for FDI,  which means fewer possibilities 
for economic development and prosperity.  Po stponing WTO accession could slow down the overall 
process of the European and Euro-Atlantic integrati on of Montenegro.  In trying to raise awareness 
among other WTO Members and acceding countries about this problem, Montenegro is also voicing 
concern for its neighbours who are not WTO Members.  Montenegro expects the understanding and 
support of WTO Members.  Today, its current probl em in the accession process is only a problem for 
Montenegro.  However, tomorrow it could be a pr oblem for other acceding countries as well.  Please 
keep this in mind – it is our common responsibility. 
Pakistan 
110. We appreciate your summary, which is a true reflection of our discussion so far.  For us, 
development remains the code word of the Round,  and on the basis of the Single Undertaking we 
need to work on all areas aggressively within the Hong Kong sequencing framework.  The Senior 
Officials meetings need to continue, but with more  emphasises on substance.  The SOMs have to be 
issue-based and time-bound, so that objective engageme nt on the gaps is made possible.  We support 
the Australian contention that political engagement in  the early part of next year should go beyond a 
stocktaking.  On accessions, we believe that th e WTO's performance of the last decade has been 
discouraging and defeats the core principle of inclus iveness and transparency.   The criteria need to be 
more technical and transparent.  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  Chairman 
111. Do we have any other requests to address this meeting from either Members or Observer 
Governments?  Well, that being so, let us move then  to conclude this session, but before we do that let 
me remind you that we are far from being done w ith our work.  We have another session tomorrow, 
which I have full confidence will be as productiv e as today's working session.  The second working 
session begins tomorrow at 9.30 a.m., which I believe is  earlier than today.  The title of this session is 
"The WTO's Contribution to Recovery, Growth and Development".  Some of those subjects, or at 
least subjects related to the overall topic, were i ndeed addressed today, but on those that we did 
address, I think we will certainly have more contri butions and fresh ideas forthcoming, and there are a 
number of implications in relevant areas that we did not get to address today,  and we will be doing so 
without any doubt tomorrow.  Today we have mostly talked about the issues of the day and of the 
past.  Tomorrow we will be dealing mostly with the future.  I thank you for today's remarks, for all 
your contributions, and we shall see each other at 9.30 a.m.  The Session is closed. 
 
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  WT/MIN(09)/WS/R/1 
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  ANNEX 
 
Statement  submitted by Albania for inclusion in the records of  
the Working Sessions of the Ministerial Conference  
 
 
1. This Ministerial meeting is held at an unpr ecedented time for the world economy.  Difficult 
financial and economic circumstan ces, unemployment and the decline in trade volume are symptoms 
of a crisis which, in addition to a direct impact  on international trade, has opened a hot debate on 
globalization, deregulation and the future of the wo rld economy.  As we note a significant increase in 
protectionist measures on a global scale, we also ne ed to affirm that many countries did not apply 
these measures but rather embarked on daring refo rms and encouraged financial instruments to 
mitigate the direct impact of the crisis on their economies.  During this year, many countries also 
showed resistance to protectionism, a willingness to further trade liberalization, and the crafting of 
careful policies to alleviate the post-crisis impact.  Albania managed to circumvent the economic 
crises, and to date represents the country with th e greatest economic growth in Europe.  The real GDP 
growth in 2008 was 8 per cent, while this year we witnessed a GDP growth of 5.3 per cent.  
Telecommunication and services sectors have show n the largest increase in 2009, of 18 and 16 per 
cent respectively, while primary industries and trad e are the sectors most affected by the crisis, 
although not for internal reasons. 
2. The improved business environment and resilient  macroeconomic policies resulted in rapid 
productivity growth, and therefore provided a solid e ngine for economic growth.  Due to structural 
and regulatory reforms, Albania was ranked second among the top ten reformers in "Doing Business" 
in 2008, and showed good progress in 2009.  Alba nia also improved remarkably its raking in the 
Global Competitiveness Index and in the Global Economic Freedom report, leaving behind even some EU countries.  However, the common denominator of our trade and economic reforms are the main 
WTO principles of transparency, predictability and ac countability.  Albania today offers a very liberal 
trade regime for investors and a consolidated, tran sparent and favourable business climate.  Our trade 
policy is progressively deepening our openness index and, through a liberal approach, we aim to strengthen our competitiveness and foster internal pr oduction.  Our weighted average tariff is 2-3 per 
cent, while tariffs continue to decrease.  Albania do es not apply protectionist measures or instruments.  
Full compliance with WTO principles and rules guides our efforts regarding the trade agenda.  At the 
same time, we are succes sfully implementing free-trade agreemen ts with our main economic partners 
– the European Union, the Western Balkans and Turkey. 
3. The Doha Development negotia tions are very important to  us, and we have actively 
participated during the RAM and SVE Group negotiati ons.  We have been active in the area of Trade 
Facilitation, co-sponsoring many proposals.  We a ppreciate the work done to date, and we would 
encourage the acceleration of the Doha talks to c onclude these negotiations.  The history of economic 
development of the past decades shows sustainabl e growth and improvement of worldwide living 
standards.  The WTO multilateral trading system has contributed a lot to this achievement, and 
Albania, despite being a small country, has steadily  contributed through its  positive and open-minded 
approach.  We hope this will be the motto of this  Ministerial too, in order to successfully address 
issues which potentially would hinder not only global  economic recovery, but benefits deriving from a 
balanced globalization process a nd prosperity for individuals. 
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