   
  
JOB/AG/251  
 
13 October 2023  
(23-6914) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Agriculture  
Special Session  Original: English  
 
MINISTERIAL DECISION ON L EAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIE S AND  
NET FOOD -IMPORTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES  EXEMPTION  
FROM EXPORT  PROHIBITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS  
DRAFT  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE LDC GROUP  
The following communication, dated 12 October 2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Djibouti on behalf of the LDC Group . 
 
_______________  
 
 
The Ministerial Conference , 
Having regard to paragraph 1 of Article IX of the Marrakesh Agre ement Establishing the World Trade  
Organization;  
Determined to make progress towards the achievement of a fair and market -oriented agricultural  
trading system, ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, while promoting  
sustainable and resilient agriculture and food systems, in fulfilment of Sustainable Development 
Goal 2 of the United Nations;  
Concerned that high and excessively volatile prices and associated trade restrictions could  
undermine food security in all Member s, and particularly in Least Developed Countries and  Net Food-
Importing Developing Countrie s; 
Determined to ensure that emergency measures introduced to address food security concerns shall  
minimize their impact particularly on Least Developed Countries  and Net Food-Importing Developing 
Countrie s. 
Decides as follows:  
1. Net food -exporting Members1 shall refrain from imposing export prohibitions or restrictions  on 
foodstuff imported by Least Developed Countries  and Net Food-Importing Developing 
Countrie s2 for their domestic use.  
 
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1 For further clarity, net food -exporting  Members do not include Least Developed Countries . 
2 Net Food -Importing Developing Countries  include Members identified in the WTO list of Net Food -
Importing Developing Countries  for the purposes of the Marrakesh Ministerial Decision on Measures Concerning 
the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least Developed Countries and Net Food-Importing 
Developing Countries , and its subsequent revisions.  