  
  
WT/MIN(22)/ST/40  
12 June 2022  
(22-4476) Page: 1/1 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12-15 June  2022 Original: Spanish  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MS VILMA ARBAJE DE CONTRERAS  
DEPUTY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN TRADE  
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC  
Ladies and gentlemen, the Government of the Dominican Republic tackled with great determination 
the situations in which we found ourselves as of 2020 with COVID -19 and the disruption to 
international logistics as a result of that health crisis; global inflation of raw materials and 
commodities including food; and , more recently, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.  
 
All these fa ctors have caused major disturbances that have had a profound impact on the future of 
sustainable agricultural development, peoples' food security, and food and nutrition for everyone , 
but the most vulnerable have been hardest hit.  
 
We therefore advocate s pecific action be taken in this Organization so that we undertake 
commitments geared towards global food security and an inclusive agricultural economy and 
development, resilient to current global tensions.  
 
Members' trade policies should be increasingly p redictable and transparent. They should not restrict 
trade in goods, especially those that are essential to global livelihoods, and should be aligned with 
existing rules and based on the Agreement on Agriculture and other multilateral disciplines.  
 
Food s ecurity is underpinned by the stability, sustainability and availability for everyone  of foodstuffs 
at affordable prices, thus Members need to take the path towards global trade stability and achieve 
consensus on these issues in the trade disciplines as a matter of urgency.  
 
This Ministerial Conference, unlike previous conferences, places the responsibility for the ensuing 
course of action on world trade squarely on our shoulders. This could mark a milestone for future 
generations.  
 
The food crisis we are facing is primarily affecting the most vulnerable. Those who are unable to 
change their fate because they have little influence on the world market, including least developed 
countries and net food importing countries  
 
It is becomin g urgent to take decisions that will change this Organization's course of action in order 
to get everyone on board and be inclusive. We must also reduce our impact on the environment and 
scale back practices that threaten natural resources, especially mari ne resources and those linked 
to food production.  
 
For all of the above reasons, agricultural reform pursuant to Article 20 of the multilateral agreement 
is increasingly important, safeguarding the guarantees of special and differential treatment, 
reciproc ity and proportionality in the commitments of the Members that have the most influence on 
distortions.  
 
The Dominican Republic is committed to participating in, driving and encouraging agricultural reform 
to ensure a better future for our peoples.  
 
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