  
  
WT/MIN(22)/ST/12  
12 June 2022  
(22-4448) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: Spanish  
 
  
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR JANIO ROSALES ALEGRÍA  
MINISTER OF THE ECONOMY  
GUATEMALA  
The President of the Republic of Guatemala, Dr Alejandro Giammattei, extend s his warm greetings 
and best wishes for a successful Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization; this twelfth 
Conference  is taking place in a complex international context. The pandemic, geopolitical tensions, 
energy and food security, climate change and the sustainable use of natural resources a re a few of 
the major global challenges we face, in respect of which  the WTO is called on to make important 
contributions.  
 
Guatemala recognizes  the important role that the WTO plays at the multilateral level. The Ministry 
of the Economy is thus committed  to the WTO, to join in efforts to work constructively to ensure its 
optimal functioning, and to improve and adapt it to the ever -changing global challenges.  
 
Our priority is to agree on practical solutions in order  to respond to these challenges and to me et, 
in particular,  the needs of the most deprived and vulnerable  population s.  
 
Today's global debate focuses, among other things, on how to build resilience and seek new 
opportunities for international cooperation.  The pandemic has unquestionably taught u s a great deal , 
and the knowledge gained must be used to better prepare for such situations . For this reason, 
Guatemala has participated and will continue to participate actively in the Membership's efforts to 
respond adequately to this and to future pandemics , to promot e disciplines allowing us to rapidly 
transform the  econom y and to provide equitable access to vaccines, medical technologies and food.  
 
In particular, we are confident that intellectual property is an essential element for the promotio n of 
innovation. We therefore  recognize that the Agreement on Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property contains  the necessary flexibilities to facilitate the expansion of production of innovative 
products, and to promote technology transfer.  
 
In our view, like the pandemic, the food crisis should be resolved through trade facilitation, as well 
as international coordination, cooperation and solidarity, and by allowing  the swift export of 
commodities .  
 
Guatemala is a country that depends on the agricultur al sector  and foreign trade to generate wealth 
and achieve sustainable development . We therefore call for the promotion of food security and hope 
that the agricultural negotiations  produce  a balanced outcome , including commitments to always 
benefit families in our countries . 
 
The matter of the sustainable use of natural resources  is one that that must be addressed 
collectively, through international cooperation. Thus, w e are confident that disciplines on fisheries 
subsidies will contribute significantly to the sustainable use of marine resources.  
 
Regarding  electronic commerce, we recognize the significant role it plays in creating opportunities 
and integrating traders into domestic and int ernational markets. Furthermore, we consider important 
the reactivation and strengthening of  the Appellate Body as a negotiating mechanism that ensures 
compliance with the commitments made in the negotiation process in a transparent, efficient and 
binding manner.  
 WT/MIN(22)/ST/12  
 
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  Thank you for  giving me the opportunity of making this statement  and I wish everyone a successful 
Conference,  with a view to promoting countries' economic development.  
 
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