Colleague Ministers;
Secretary General;
Senior Officials;
Representatives of Regional Fisheries Organisations; and
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and welcome to this Virtual Pacific ACP WTO Trade Ministers Meeting in preparation for the WTO Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) that is to be convened in Geneva from 30 November to 3 December 2021.
I wish to thank the Secretary General (SG) for setting the scene for the discussions today. As stated by SG, strengthening the Multilateral Trading System (MTS) is important for the region. The MTS is considered the platform through which we, the small island developing states (SIDS), can have an equal voice.
As we prepare for MC12 there are three priority outcomes expected to be delivered, namely;
- an Agreement on fisheries subsidies;
- an agreement on an Agriculture framework for future negotiations; and
- a WTO response to COVID-19
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It goes without saying that securing a well-balanced and equitable Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, which provides flexibility to SIDS to build our fisheries sector, is a priority for the Pacific.
The Agreement should afford protection to traditional and small scale fishers and fulfil the mandate of sustainability and development. The WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement can be an important tool to reduce harmful subsidies used by Distant Water Fishing Nations in our waters and complements our national and regional fisheries management efforts.
Most importantly, this Agreement must address the development interests of our members in line with the special and differential treatment for developing countries required in the SDG 14.6 mandate. The Pacific combined use a negligible amount of subsidies and contribute very little to the decline in global fish stocks — in we maintain the healthiest fish stocks. Our fishing grounds need to be protected from IUU fishing.
This Agreement must, therefore, take account of the interests of Pacific members now and into the future, by preserving access fees, which are important revenue sources for many of our members. Providing flexibility for small-scale and artisanal fishing for livelihood security and securing policy space to build our fishing capacity in future.
The SG shared the expectations for MC12 on the following issues:
- Joint statement initiatives such as on E-commerce, Investment Facilitation, MSMEs; and
- New initiatives such as the Trade and Gender, Trade and Environment initiatives including plastics pollution and fossil fuel subsidies. Some of these initiatives are co-sponsored by the Pacific WTO members.
Fellow Ministers,
It is evident that trade remains an important enabler for our countries’ sustainable economic development, as well as in supporting recovery from the impact of the pandemic.
The upcoming Ministerial Conference will be a closely watched event, as the world is waiting for the WTO to deliver important mandates that will become a conduit to economic recovery efforts.
The global trade landscape has drastically changed since the last Ministerial meeting held in 2017. Today, the WTO faces multiple challenges, and it is imperative that we the Trade Ministers must deliver at MC12. However, I must remind us all that this should not come at the cost of the lives and livelihoods of the Pacific people.
Colleagues, today’s agenda will focus on two main topics, namely the:
- Key issues for the Pacific ACP WTO States at MC12; and
- Proposed Strategy and Draft Pacific Group Statement for MC12
Fellow Ministers, you will also note that due to the time zone difference, the WTO Director General will address our meeting at 6pm FT, which is 07.00am Geneva Time.
I wish to encourage your active participation during our discussions today, as well as seek your positive consideration of our Pacific Group Statement for the MC12.
I wish to reiterate that the issues discussed today are still evolving. Therefore, I will seek your indulgence that our technical experts be provided the flexibility to revert with updated information in the coming days prior to the MC12.
With these few opening remarks, I wish to thank you all, for your attention.
Vinaka Vakalevu