Address by Minister Mauro Vieira at the 44th Cairns Group Ministerial Meeting - Paris, June 2nd, 2025

Excellencies,

Distinguished Members of the Cairns Group,

With less than one year to go before the next Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, the lack of progress of discussions on agriculture reform remains a serious concern. We are still far from finding solutions that can pave the way for meaningful advancements on one of the most longstanding and urgent agendas in the WTO.

At the same time, we must acknowledge the promising political momentum being generated, in particular by our African partners, in pursuit of concrete results in agriculture at the MC14. The recent resumption of negotiations under the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture is also a positive signal. In that regard, I extend our warm congratulations—through Minister Jam Kamal Khan of Pakistan—on the election of Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain as Chair of the Committee. His leadership will be essential in the coming months.

The responsibility of the Cairns Group is greater than ever: keeping the flame of agricultural reform alive, towards credible and meaningful outcomes. We have before us a set of critical issues with direct implications for development—especially for least-developed countries.

The declaration we issue today reflects a shared commitment to food security, and conveys the important message that removing barriers and protections to agricultural trade is for the benefit of developing countries and LDCs, and not otherwise.

Brazil remains committed to a comprehensive agricultural reform. In line with Cairns Group understandings, there is no single low hanging fruit; we need a set of solutions to cope with historic unbalances and emerging challenges.

Over the decades, WTO agricultural reform has accumulated layers of complexity. Current and looming global crises add to the existing blocs of the puzzle. In the end, we see ourselves unable to move one step at a time; we need a comprehensive, inclusive and ambitious reform.

I wish to express my gratitude to all members represented here for their efforts in submitting technical proposals and data. The Cairns Group is—and must continue to be—recognized for the strength and clarity of its positions, and for its honest, straightforward approach to negotiations.

Brazil is open to updating the WTO negotiating agenda. A tangible example is our recent effort to launch discussions on sustainable agriculture. The retreat held in Geneva just a month ago was a milestone in that direction.

As we look ahead to MC14 in Yaoundé, let us reaffirm our commitment to the multilateral trading system and to rules that work alike for countries in all levels of development.

Reducing distortions and protections to agricultural trade is in the DNA of the Cairns Group, and yet we are always open to new ideas and approaches.

With global food security and sustainable development in sight, Brazil trusts the Cairns Group to navigate through different sets of solutions to a fairer and more transparent agricultural trading system.

Thank you.