First, I wish to express my delegation's thanks to the African Group for its foresight and initiative in calling for this special session of the Council.
Barbados believes that this special session can make a positive contribution, not only to work within the TRIPS Council, but also in relation to the preparations for the Doha Ministerial Conference.
My delegation is looking forward to concrete results/action coming out of this special session in terms of reaching a common understanding on the principles and objectives of the TRIPS Agreement and the options open to governments to pursue their public health policies. Such a result would have a positive impact on the ongoing "confidence-building" that is necessary if we are to have a successful Ministerial Conference, and if all Members, including developing countries, and in particular LDCs and small economies are to feel that they are part of the ownership of the multilateral trading system, and can maintain their faith in its role as a tool for achieving sustainable development.
My delegation took the floor specifically to express its strong support for the paper tabled by Brazil and co-sponsored by a large number of developing countries, including Barbados.
The Caribbean region, like many others, has experienced the negative impact of the AIDS pandemic on its society and its productive capacity. Within CARICOM, we have devised a regional strategy to try to meet the many challenges which this disease poses. We have also made a positive contribution to discussions on differential pricing, which is an essential issue for Barbados in the implementation of its public health policy. The scale of the problem we face is such that it is clear that we will need creativity, sensitivity and a deep commitment if we are to devise effective, sustainable and long-term solutions.
It must be stressed, however, and the paper makes it quite clear, that the issue before us today in the Council involves much more than the AIDS pandemic. In this regard, my delegation feels that the interpretations advanced in the paper of the various provisions of the TRIPS Agreement strike an appropriate balance between the need to protect private rights and public health concerns.
Permit me to conclude by reiterating the importance my delegation attaches to the issues under consideration. We do not expect that we will resolve all the outstanding problems today, but we do expect and have high hopes that Members, particularly our developed country partners, will take part in these discussions in a positive and constructive manner.
