On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the following Statement has been delivered by Ambassador Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, at the Trade Negotiations Committee, Heads of Delegations Meeting on October 12, 2020:
On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the following Statement has been delivered by Ambassador Mohammad Qurban Haqjo, at the Trade Negotiations Committee, Heads of Delegations Meeting on October 12, 2020:
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for convening this meeting and for the comprehensive report. I also express our appreciation to the Chairs of the Negotiating Committees for their respective updates on the current state of negotiations.
Mr. DDG,
With the MC12 in the horizon, we hold the view that we must overcome the organizational challenges of the WTO and do our homework to deliver substantive work to achieve concrete outcomes for all Members in order to reap the benefits of the global trade and development, based on fair, inclusive, sustainable, and rules-based multilateral trading system. We are happy to note that the two leading candidates for DG position share this vision.
Chair,
My delegation supports the current negotiations and subscribes to the call upon all Members to engage constructively to achieve possible convergence on the key and important issues such as development, agriculture (with emphasize on fishery subsidies, and cotton), and others; based on solution-targeted and result-oriented approaches and efforts.
To this end, Afghanistan is committed to engage in these efforts and we are of the view that the current pace of the negotiations needs to be accelerated by prioritizing them based on their mandate and urgency to balance and sustain the benefit of the global trade for all Members, especially most vulnerable economies and LDCs.
Special and differential treatment is an essential part of the WTO Agreements for a fairer, more equitable, inclusive and transparent system. All S&DT measures must be made more effectively in compliance with the paragraph 44 of the Doha mandate - in line with the founding principles of the WTO.
On development, we encourage Members to engage in a constructive manner with the G90 on the substance of the 10 ASPs. Acknowledging the fact that there is still room for further improvement, we should focus on text-based discussion of the proposals.
In line with the position of the G90 and LDC Group, my delegation supports a political declaration of the Ministers reaffirming the centrality of development in the WTO as an outcome for S&DT at MC12, with the hope that the negotiations on the G90’s 10 ASPs conclude before MC13.
Mr. Chair,
Regarding the DSB, Afghanistan is of the view that a well-functioning dispute settlement body is an imperative to the Multilateral Trading System and to the WTO itself in order to ensure a full and fair enforcement of rules and obligations by Members. Afghanistan regrets and expresses its deepest disappointment that, despite tireless efforts of Members, we couldn’t save the system as it was. Hence, for my delegation resuming the two-pillar dispute settlement system is an urgent and essential issue. We therefore call upon all Members to double their engagement to find a pragmatic solution to the DSS problem and resolve it before or during MC12.
Chair,
Finally, on the joint initiatives, Afghanistan supports the work of Investment Facilitation, MSMEs and women empowerment through trade. Afghanistan subscribes to the work of the informal groups on the buildup of the respective frameworks and their inputs towards a multilateral working program under the WTO.
We appreciate discussion on these initiatives and commend their proponents, coordinators and members for their extensive works and we acknowledge the opportunity through open, transparent and inclusive discussions where all members can participate and engage.
Particularly, regarding the Investment facilitation, we thank Members for their efforts on developing a streamline text.
I would also like to thank the Chair of the NGR for organizing and conducting the monthly cluster meetings and bilateral consultations with groups and members and for his efforts in managing the text-based negotiation process. I would also like to thank all members and facilitators for their cooperation in continuing the negotiations based on the draft text and we hope the negotiations will be concluded soon.
Thank you!
