. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(01)/11
9 November 2001
(01-5562)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fourth Session
Doha, 9 - 13 November 2001Original:  English
OPENING ADDRESS BY H.E. MR YOUSSEF HUSSAIN KAMAL
MINISTER OF FINANCE, ECONOMY AND COMMERCE
CHAIRMAN OF THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE WTO
Your Highness the Emir of the State of Qa tar, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your
Highness the Prime Minister, Your Highness the Deputy Prime Minister, Excellencies, ladies and
gentlemen,
Welcome to DohaIt is a great honour for us to host the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the WTO, the
Organization that succeeded the GATT in 1995 and acquired a special importance in the last 6 years.
The subjects before us in the next few days are very important. We hope we will address them
wisely and carefully, and that we could reach the necessary consensus. Everybody is watching us.
Your responsibility and mine are great and we have to work together to ensure the success of the
conference. Everybody is waiting for decisions that are tangible and practical, ambitious yet realistic.
We have in front of us a draft declaration that reflects the aspirations of many of us. We know
that some of you have reservations on parts of it, and this is normal, but we have to reach eventually
the solutions that satisfy all.
The implementation of the Uruguay Round Agreements represents for many developing
countries an issue of vital importance. These countries think, and rightly so, that many of the benefits
of the Uruguay Round did not materialize. This should be addressed and a mechanism for dealing
with these issues be created. Some of these issues require clarification, some interpretation, some
proper implementation, and some finally require amendment.
In dealing with these issues, we have to be realistic and flexible. There are some issues where
immediate action may be possible. Other more complicated issues cannot be addressed except through
the work programme under consideration. At any ra te, the mechanism for de aling with these issues
should be clear and should have a determined framework.
The success of the Ministerial Conference and the launch of a new round of negotiations
depends to a large extent on an effective and fair solution to these issues.
Other important issues depend on fundamental reform to the agricultural sector, in relation to
the elimination of export subsidies, improving market access, and reduction of distortions that became
entrenched in this vital sector for many countries. I understand that the decisions that some countries
will have to make in this regard to the liberalization of the agricultural sector are difficult ones, butWT/MIN(01)/11
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they become a necessity, especially that failure to  take them will threaten the whole trading system
and its credibility.
Progress on implementation and agriculture is important and will make progress on other
fronts, especially the new issues, more acceptable to developing countries. Some of these includeSingapore issues. Despite visible flexibility vis-a-vis these issues, their level of readiness for
negotiations varies. It might be important for us on some of these such as investment and competition
to continue the study in the working groups until the 5
th Ministerial Conference. And it might be
possible to start negotiations on others such as transparency in government procurement and trade
facilitation.
Furthermore, the international trading system cannot continue to function effectively without
a strong relationship between trade and environmen t. Whatever results from this conference in this
regard, it should not affect our commitment to safeguard the environment and promote sustainable
development. Dialogue on this issue should continue, even if not in a purely negotiational form.  It is
appropriate that this debate be coupled with building of trust and avoiding all protectionist measures
and policies.
At the same time, we should have a mechanism that allows countries to fulfill their duties in
combating disease and protecting public health. The human life should remain the paramount
consideration, and I do hope that we agree on a separate declaration on access to medicines.
Stressing the human aspect of trade will enhan ce the image of the WTO especially in the least
developed countries, developing Countries, and the civil society.
There are additional policies and measures that could help achieve this objective. For example
the operationalization of the provisions on special and differential treatment.
Our membership today is larger than it was yesterday, and we have a historical opportunity to
confront the challenges that are facing the multilateral trading system, and continue with the reform
and liberalisation of international trade, an opportunity to revive the world economy, focus on the
needs of least developed and developing countries and achieve their fuller participation in the WTO
and the multilateral trading system.
Doha provides you today with a forum for dial ogue and debate on issues that are of great
importance to the whole world. It provides you with the opportunity to launch a balanced round that
satisfies all and responds to their expectations and the expectation of their people.
I hope, despite your busy schedule, that you get a glimpse of the most important sights of my
country, Qatar.
At the end, I wish you a pleasant stay, and successful conference.
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