During a theme session of the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO, Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Deborah Rivas pointed out that the reform system must be based on inclusion and development.

She added that the principles of the Multilateral Trading System must be preserved, development must remain at the center of the work, special and differential treatment must be reaffirmed and pending mandates must be fulfilled.

Among the challenges for the WTO, some of which predate the multidimensional crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the deputy minister mentioned the increase and intensification of the implementation of unilateral and non-tariff measures and the stalemate of the Doha Development Round.

In general, Cuba defended the right of all countries to fair, equitable and non-discriminatory trade, as long as consensus, inclusion, transparency and effective participation of all Member States are guaranteed.

On Wednesday, media reported that the Ministerial Conference will extend its sessions until Friday, in order to seek agreements on issues such as fishing and Covid-19 vaccine patents.

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