Discurso na Reunião Ministerial do Arranjo Provisório para Apelação por Arbitragem (MPIA) da 14a Conferência Ministerial da OMC - Iaundê, Cameroun

Dear Ministers,
Members of the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA)
 
The MPIA is safe harbor for countries still committed to international rules and a predictable multilateral trading system.
 
It stands as a legal stronghold for those who choose multilateralism over unilateral action.
 
As established in the Marrakesh Agreement, international trade must aim to raise living standards, create jobs, and promote sustainable development.
 
However, trade’s contribution to development relies heavily on the predictability of its rules. Without recourse to a binding dispute settlement, trade risks being driven by raw power dynamics.
 
By preserving a two-tier dispute system, the MPIA helps preventing an international scenario in which power prevails over rights. The MPIA works as a vital safeguard against unilateralism, ensuring that the smallest players are not sidelined by the largest.
 
Predictable trade underpins not only development, but also global stability. History shows that when rules recede, conflict is never far behind.
 
It is precisely in this context that the MPIA has demonstrated its value, and not only in theory. The mechanism has proven effective in ensuring that trade remains anchored in rules.
 
The recent issuance of a second MPIA arbitration award between participating Members confirms that the mechanism is functioning and helping to resolve disputes.
 
Strengthening the MPIA is a way to preserve the predictability of the rules. Efforts to expand its membership are commendable. In this context, Brazil welcomes, with satisfaction, the four new participants who joined us last year – Vietnam, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Paraguay, as well as Barbados, Liechtenstein and Moldova, who are joining us today.
 
Dear Ministers,
 
In concluding, let me reaffirm that Brazil remains firmly committed to the rules-based system.
 
Is this regard, we view the MPIA as a positive complementary arrangement, but not a substitute for our shared objective - confirmed in both MC12 and MC13 - of having a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all members.
 
This remains as our final goal.
 
I thank you.