Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce made a statement at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) in which he referred to previous meeting outcomes of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade. These outcomes, he said, support WTO functioning in order to cope with Covid19, push forward a fishery subsidy conclusion, develop agricultural food security, and reform WTO works. Thailand reiterated the call for a renewal of electronic commerce tax exemption to be promoted at the next MC12 meeting.
Ms. Auramon Supthaweethum, Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, said that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, made his statement at the WTO 12th Ministerial Conference (WTO MC12) by video. In the video he referred to the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting outcomes, hosted by Thailand in May 2022, where APEC highlighted its support for the WTO to achieve four important results. Regarding the WTO role in coping with the Covid19 crisis, promotion of trade facilitation, adoption of trade measures in line with WTO mandates and intellectual property rights to ensure inclusive access to vaccines for members should be included. WTO MC12 pushed forward a conclusion to fishery subsidy negotiations for sustainable fishery resource conservation. The conclusion shall prohibit any forms of subsidies that lead to IUU but will provide flexibility to accommodate nations with sound management of fishery resources.
The agricultural reform will prohibit export banning or measures restricting food commodities under the world food program for food security reasons. The WTO reform focuses on appointment of a member to fill a vacant position in the Appellate Body. In addition, Thailand supports a renewal of electronic commerce tax exemption at the next MC13 and multistakeholder discussions on trade in services as well as trade in products and the environment.
The MC12 was held from 12 to 15 June 2022. WTO members aimed at reaching conclusions to pressing matters, including: WTO coping measures against Covid19 and future diseases; actions for food security challenges; conclusion of longstanding fishery subsidy issues; an action plan for agricultural negotiations, and; WTO reform. The WTO Ministerial Conference is organised every two years to make decisions and govern the future direction of WTO works.
Video records of the statements by Thailand and other WTO members are released at www.wto.org
Department of Trade Negotiations
Ministry of Commerce