Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Déborah Rivas.

Geneva, June 15 (RHC) -- Déborah Rivas, Cuban deputy minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX), stressed at the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) that the reform of that organization must be based on inclusion and development.

At the ministerial thematic session on WTO Reform on Wednesday, the head of the Cuban delegation stressed that reform could not mean accepting inherited inequalities or proposals that aggravate imbalances.

In addition, Rivas pointed out that such a process should preserve the principles of the Multilateral Trade System and keep development as the focus of the work, reaffirm special and differentiated treatment, and fulfill pending mandates.

As part of her work program during the 12th Ministerial Conference, Rivas held a fraternal bilateral meeting with Ms. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), where she reaffirmed the island's commitment to that center.

In addition, the meeting reiterated the importance of ITC's activity and the purpose of continuing to work in prioritized sectors.

The 12th WTO Ministerial Conference has been underway since June 12 at the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva.

Ministers from around the world have had the opportunity to review the functioning of the multilateral trading system, formulate general statements and make arrangements for the future work of the WTO.