. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/92 
17 December 2011 
 (11-6676) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original: English 
 
  
YEMEN 
 
Statement by H.E. Dr Ibrahim S. Al-Adoofi 
Ambassador, Permanent Representative 
(speaking as an Observer) 
   On behalf of the newly formed national rec onciliation government in the Republic of Yemen, 
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to  the Swiss authorities and the Organizing Committee 
for the excellent arrangements extended to hosti ng MC8.  I would like also to congratulate 
H.E. Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga for his election as Chairman of this Ministerial Conference, as well as his Honourable Deputies, whom I believe would guide this Eighth Session to a very successful 
conclusion.  I equally would like to congratulate th e Director-General, the WTO Secretariat, and the 
General Council Chairman for their unrelenting e fforts and dedication throughout the preparation 
process. 
 
The MC8 is an important opportunity to take stock of different activities of this almost 
universal institution has taken since MC7 in 2009.  It is timely to address some of the most pressing issues and concerns, particularly to the least advant aged countries, i.e. LDCs.  It also comes at a 
crucial juncture, when the world is attempting to  overcome many economic, financial and political 
challenges.  
Despite the fact that DDA negotiations on many  issues have made substantial progress, the 
fact remains it is in an impasse.  This unfortunate state of affairs has limited LDCs ambition for positive conclusion to address some of their concer ns.  The global financial and economic crises 
adversely affect the LDCs reaching the Millennium Development Goals and other development plans.  
Nevertheless, I am hopeful that with strong political  will progress shall be made to close this ongoing 
trade round.  Concluding the DDA would assist in delivering the needed trade contribution to world 
economic recovery and demonstrate the benefits of  the multilateral trading system.  Equally, Yemen 
is still hopeful that an early harvest of LDC issues sh all come about in the very near future, within the 
spirit of paragraph 47 of Doha Ministerial Declaration. 
 
Yemen fully subscribes to Arab Group a nd LDC Group communiqué and declaration, 
including calls for positive actions on draft deci sions and guidance by MC8 on different areas of 
priorities and interests to their respective c ountry members.  As an  acceding LDC, Yemen 
underscores the importance of the Decision on the Accession of Least Developed Countries to further 
strengthening, streamlining and operationalizi ng the 2002 LDC accession guidelines, and look 
forward to seeing full implementation of the decision by July 2012.  
This has been a very good year for accession to  WTO.  Yemen would like to congratulate the 
four Members-to-be who conclude their respective accessions process this year, namely 
the Russian Federation, Montenegro, Samoa and Vanuat u.  I am pleased to note that the latter two are 
LDCs.  Yemen, along with the two LDCs, was among the priority list for accession in 2011 but, WT/MIN(11)/ST/92 
Page 2  
 
  unfortunately, we missed that window of opportunity .  Equally, we reaffirm Yemen support for the 
early accession of other fellow Arab, LDCs and de veloping countries.  All acceding countries should 
not be requested to undertake commitments beyond their respective level of development or status 
and existing WTO rules.  
Yemen remains hopeful to join WTO in the ve ry near future, with WTO Members support 
and understanding of Yemen status as an LDC.  Yemen Government  is committed to seeking full 
membership to this rules-based organization.  Curre ntly, we are preparing for full reactivation of this 
process as early as possible.  Therefore, I call upon a ll WTO Members to spare no effort to assist my 
country on the path of stability and economic rec overy.  On this occasion, I would like to thank 
Yemen development partners for their continued support to fully integrate in the global economy, 
through accession to WTO.  
Yemen fully appreciates the Enhanced Integr ated Framework Programme, which Yemen was 
one of the first two LDCs to benefit from its Tier  1 project.  I equally hope that full implementation 
shall be resumed as soon as possible.  We also value the progress made by Aid-for-Trade initiative 
with a view to help LDCs and other developi ng countries to address trade-related development 
challenges and mainstream trade into  their respective development strategies.  Yemen, continue to call 
for additional targeted technical and financial assi stance through such mechanisms and others to 
facilitate diversification of LDCs economies and meeting WTO implementation obligations. 
 
Finally, I sincerely wish this Ministerial Conference all success, and hope it shall come up 
with the necessary decisions and guidance to conc lude the DDA with development dimension and 
concerns of LDC and developing c ountries at the heart of its outcome. 
 
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