THEMATIC DISCUSSIONS DURING THE 12TH WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE (MC12),

The Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, yesterday participated in the thematic discussions on the draft Ministerial Decision on Agriculture during the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), during which he delivered a statement on behalf of CARICOM.

Minister Todd noted that whilst the agriculture agenda is one of the most important aspects of the WTO work programme, there has been little progress since the approval of the Agreement on Agriculture and the decision made in Nairobi on the elimination of export subsidies.

Minister Todd also highlighted the need for meaningful special and differential treatment in all future agreements and the plight of Small and Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) and mostly Net Food Importing Developing Countries.

The Minister further took the opportunity to affirm CARICOM’s commitment to continue discussions and negotiations towards ensuring a balanced and meaningful outcome.