Statement By Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism And Transport, Hon. Faiyaz Koya At The Plenary Session: Session On The Challenges Facing The Multilateral Trading System

Statement By Minister for Commerce, Trade, Tourism And Transport, Hon. Faiyaz Koya At The Plenary Session: Session On The Challenges Facing The Multilateral Trading System

14 Jun, 2022

Hon Chair,

With all protocols observed.

Our meeting here this week, indicates the importance we place on solidarity at the multilateral level to deal with today's pressing global problems, brought on by:

• climate change and environmental issues;
• pandemics and inaccessibility to health related goods;
• rise in supply chain and food security issues; and
• increase in cost of trading.

Hon Chair,

There are multiple shortfalls with the multilateral trading system, fractures that have become more conspicuous. There is a danger that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like Fiji will fall through the ever widening cracks, if we as Ministers do not come together at this Ministerial Conference.

Whilst we need to ensure that the WTO rules address the opportunities and challenges of the 21^st Century, we cannot overlook the historical challenges that are yet to be addressed. These issues include, the lack of progress on key issues such as the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, integration of SIDS into the global value chains, and most importantly - provision of ample policy space for our development.

The wrath of Climate Change grows more violent, almost unabated. In the Pacific we are experiencing hurricanes that wiped away years of developmental gains and investments in critical infrastructure, in a matter of hours. We faced one such super storm in 2016, Cyclone Winston, which eliminated one-third of our GDP when it struck. Since then we have had more than 14 cyclones, causing widespread flooding and devastation.

We have led and cheer-led the fight against climate change at international platforms, including introducing plastic pollution and the environment at the WTO.

We also want the WTO to conscientiously address the issues such as lack of and high cost of transport connectivity, telecommunications, access to financial services for MSMEs in SIDS. If these fundamental differences between have and have-nots persist, a collective and inclusive solution to free and fair trade will continue to evade us.

Fellow Ministers and Excellencies,

On fisheries subsidies agreement, it has been more than 20 years since the negotiations commenced. It shouldn't take another two decades to conclude a meaningful Agreement. Our fish stocks are dwindling together with our livelihoods.

The agreement needs to target large and powerful subsidisers, at the same time, give SIDS the ability to develop its domestic fisheries and the ability to fish their own waters.

Fellow Ministers and Excellencies,

Even with limited resources and multiple urgent issues vying for our attention, we have travelled almost 17,000m km to the other side of the word, for a total of 30 plus hours, to ensure that our voices are heard and that the decisions taken here do not exacerbate our pre-existing challenges.

We can all agree that the System is not perfect. Nevertheless, Fiji, like a number of our fellow members, joined the WTO more than two decades ago. We came together to establish a multilateral trading system that offered hope that we were all equal, we are all one. The WTO should reflect this ideal in spirit, and more importantly, in practice, now more than ever.

I look forward to working with you, Chair, and all Ministers, to ensure that the 12^th WTO Ministerial Conference delivers, as I share the DGs fervent goal to make this Conference successful.

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