Address by the Secretary for Foreign Trade and Economic Affairs (SCAEC), Ambassador Sarquis J. B. Sarquis, at the Informal WTO Ministerial Gathering – January 21st, 2022

The postponement of MC12 (12th Ministerial Conference) should be an opportunity to prepare a comprehensive package - ambitious and realistic - along all priorities. As put forward by the Swiss Chair, this has to include (i) areas where decisions with immediate effects and agreements should be finalized and (ii) areas, such as agriculture and dispute settlement, that are at the core of the WTO and of the multilateral trading system.

Trade and health

- Brazil was an early supporter of the discussions on Trade and Health at the WTO. It remains a priority for us.

- Brazil favours a multilateral outcome and we believe in that, including all aspects of the issue, from trade facilitation and restrictions to IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights) and TRIPS (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights).

- We encourage all Members to show the necessary flexibility, and work in the most constructive, transparent and inclusive manner.

Fisheries subsidies negotiations

- Brazil wants an ambitious agreement on fisheries subsidies, with the highest level of sustainability.

- We should avoid reopening issues on which we have a good agreement and focus on finding landing zones on the sensitive issues that remain unsolved.

Agriculture

- Agriculture is a priority to many of us and should be an indispensable part of the outcome package at MC12.

- We have witnessed Members adopting polarizing stances with the intent to secure multilateral outcomes allowing them to roll back agriculture reform efforts.

- I should recall that Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture establishes the goal of “substantial and progressive reductions in support and protection”.

- Fulfilling this goal is how the Membership will be able to best contribute to the promotion of food security and also of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

- I would also like to stress that, in order to preserve the balance of the negotiations, modalities in domestic support and a decision on PSH (public stockholding programs for food security) are to be agreed to concurrently.

Reform of WTO

- Brazil supports the draft statement on "immediate action to support the multilateral trading system in preparation for a successful MC12".

- We need to begin work on reform immediately, seeking to improve the three main functions of the WTO and notably to overcome the crisis in the dispute settlement system.

- We need to make sure that MC12 paves the way for a successful WTO reform.  

Other areas of agreement

- Last but not least, Brazil supports JSIs (Joint Statement Initiatives) and other initiatives in services, investment, e-commerce and trade and environment.

Thank you.