Thailand has reaffirmed its support for the World Trade Organization (WTO) to accelerate its role in responding to Covid-19 and future pandemics, addressing the global food crisis and food security, and concluding a fisheries subsidy agreement.
In his statement to the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC 12) held June 12-15 via video conference, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said as chair of last month's meeting of the Apec Ministers Responsible for Trade, the ministers reaffirmed their support for MC 12 to deliver concrete and balanced outcomes, in particular on the role of the WTO in responding to Covid-19 and future pandemics.
WTO members' trade measures need to facilitate trade and be consistent with WTO rules so as to maintain resilient supply chains and free movement of essential goods dealing with Covid-19 and future pandemics.
More importantly, intellectual property flexibilities and technology transfer are key solutions for universal access to necessary vaccines during pandemics, he said.
According to Mr Jurin, the WTO should speed up the conclusion of fisheries subsidies negotiations to prohibit subsidies on illegal, unreported or unregulated fishing, while providing flexibility for members with good fisheries management and for developing countries' artisanal fishing, which is vital to conserve and sustain marine resources.
He also called for meaningful outcomes on agriculture trade negotiations to address the global food crisis and food security, and WTO reform, especially in enhancing transparency, establishing an efficient monitoring mechanism and filling the appellate body vacancies which are essential to effectively respond to global trade situations.
In addition, Thailand supports the extension of a moratorium on e-transmissions customs duties until MC 13, as well as the plurilateral negotiations, namely joint initiatives on trade in services and trade and environment discussions.
