. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/84 
17 December 2011  
 
(11-6645) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   English 
 
  
JAMAICA 
 
Statement by H.E. Mr Wayne McCook 
Ambassador, Permanent Representative 
  
We meet at a time when the current realities of the global economic and trading environment 
require that the WTO remains credible and relevant. 
 
We are committed to the preservation and strengt hening of a rules-based multilateral trading 
system that guarantees the right of all countries to participate in and benefit from fundamental decisions that affect trade.   After ten years of negotiations, the Doha De velopment Round has not progressed sufficiently 
in order to meet the development asp irations of developing countries. 
  Our efforts to advance the negotiations must  respect the primacy of development and the 
Single Undertaking.  
 We underscore the need to move forward on the basis of progress already made and preserve 
the flexibilities agreed for developing countries and SVEs in particular.   We also emphasize the importance of ensuri ng that the principles of transparency and 
inclusiveness are fully r espected in the process. 
 
 We reiterate our commitment to a successful outco me of the Round.  At the same time we call 
attention to the regular work of the WTO, which mu st be given adequate attention.  For too long the 
WTO has been synonymous with the Doha Round.   Jamaica is strongly of the view that trade and development must remain integral to the work 
of the WTO. 
  The adoption of specific provisions for Special and Differential treatment must therefore be 
reflected in all aspects of the WTO's work programme.  
 The special circumstances of small, vulne rable, trade-dependent and highly indebted 
middle-income countries, such as Jamaica, must be addressed. 
  Our countries still require technical assist ance, capacity-building support and other 
development assistance to confront the inherent struct ural constraints that inhibit our ability to benefit 
from liberalization. 
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   We underline the importance of pursuing eff ective Aid-for-Trade measures.  Jamaica has 
completed its National Aid for Trade Strategy an d looks forward to enhanced collaboration with 
development partners and the WTO, for its successful implementation. 
  We are also now undertaking a revision of our trade policy, in an effort to mainstream trade 
into our National Development Plan. 
  The WTO Membership must demonstrate the necessary political will to adopt and implement 
decisions that will foster economic growth and suppor t development.  The stak e for countries such as 
ours is self-evident. 
 
 In that regard, we fully endorse the statement made on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the SVE Declaration, the Declarati on of the Informal Group of Developing Countries, 
the G33 Communiqué and the declaration of the "F riends of Development" issued during this 
Conference. 
 
 Finally, I wish to join in welcoming newly acceding Members Vanuatu, Samoa, the Russian Federation and Montenegro.   We all have a tremendous r esponsibility to our respective stakeholders to secure renewed 
gains from multilateral trade. 
 
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