Mr. Chair:
First of all, we condemn the terrorist act that occurred in Sydney and, on behalf of our Government, extend our deepest condolences to the Government and people of Australia, as well as to the families of the victims.
We congratulate the Minister of Trade of Cameroon on his election as President of the upcoming Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference.
Mr. Chair:
Madam Director-General:
The Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference cannot be another missed opportunity. We cannot continue to postpone the profound reform required by the multilateral trading system, which is currently experiencing its worst disruptions since the Second World War.
The update presented by Ambassador Ølberg notes both the progress made during the Reform Week and the significant challenges that still persist to achieve a truly inclusive, equitable, transparent, and non-discriminatory trading system.
We urgently require a multilateral trading system that does not reproduce global economic inequalities, but rather promotes sustainable development. The decisions adopted must contribute, as a priority, to the legitimate needs of developing countries, primarily the least developed ones (LDCs).
It is essential to strengthen the operationalization of the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, favoring their preferential access to and integration into international trade.
Mr. Chairman:
We need a clear and operational roadmap for the restoration of the Appellate Body. This mechanism would contribute to the security and fairness of the multilateral trading system, based on the accessibility and effective participation of developing countries.
Cuba, a founding member of the WTO, will continue to advocate for preserving its foundational principles, based on the Marrakesh Agreement. We will continue defending decision-making by consensus and the multilateral, transparent, and inclusive nature of the negotiating processes.
Likewise, we reiterate our demand for an end to unilateral coercive measures, which are contrary to the spirit and rules of the WTO and to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Such measures undermine the multilateral trading system and severely affect developing countries.
Cuba, a small and vulnerable economy, sees its participation in global trade limited by the serious damage caused by the illegal and criminal economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the government of the United States for more than six decades.
This policy has been intensified to unprecedented levels in recent years, flagrantly violating the principles and norms of the multilateral trading system. The blockade constitutes the greatest obstacle to the normal development of Cuba's legitimate trade relations with the rest of the world.
Mr. Chair:
I conclude by reaffirming Cuba's commitment to the success of the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference, where we are obliged to honor and give continuity to the numerous unimplemented Doha mandates.
It is the responsibility of all to achieve tangible results in Cameroon that contribute to establishing a rules-based, transparent, predictable, inclusive, non-discriminatory, and equitable multilateral trading system, with development at its center.
The General Council we begin today must contribute to this purpose.
I Thank you.