Speech

14 September 2003

Australian Statement - Concluding HODS Meeting

Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference
Cancún, Mexico

Mr Chairman

Australia shares your disappointment that this conference has not been able to secure the outcome that we all agreed in Doha.

Let me say at the outset that despite this shared disappointment, your personal commitment and drive in seeking a successful meeting in Cancún has been exemplary. For it, you and Mexico have our thanks.

Careful reflection on the cause's of this disappointment are warranted and necessary.

This round of negotiations has sought to achieve the deeper integration of developing countries into the multilateral trading system. For many years Australia has believed that securing effective and real increases in market access is the key to this deeper integration.

It is unfortunate that this opportunity to reform agriculture, for which Australia has so long worked, has not been reached here in Cancún.

Australia believes that this opportunity was available. The major players were, in our view, seriously engaged. The level of ambition may have been less than we desired but we were committed, as were many others, to bridging the remaining gaps

Australia has always seen market access as the core of this round - in agriculture, industrial products and services. But we understand and acknowledge the wider and different issues of some members, and were prepared to advance work on these issues as part of this round.

It is regrettable that we have not succeeded at this meeting. But we must now redouble our efforts. Australia remains as committed as ever to this, and to the abiding role of the WTO and the multilateral trading system as a vital engine for growth and shared prosperity.

Lastly, Mr Chairman, may I again thank you for the great warmth and hospitality we have enjoyed from you, from Mexico, and from your people who have made our stay here so enjoyable.