WT/MIN(17)/ST/122  
 
8 January 2018  
(18-0115) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MRS. ABEER ODEH  
MINISTER OF NATIONAL  ECONOMY  
PALESTINE  
(Speaking as an Observer)  
It is a great pleasure for me to represent the State of Palestine at MC11. Please allow me first to 
congratulate you, Madam Chair , on your election to preside over this Conference. I greet you all 
on behalf of my government, and I want to thank the Arg entinian government and the 
WTO Secretariat for their excellent organization.   
 
This is the sixth time Palestine participates in a session of the Ministerial Conference as an ad hoc 
observer. Our persistent participation highlights the seriousness of my Government to join WTO 
and to get enrolled in an open, predictable, and rule -based m ultilateral trading system. 
The Palestinian government strongly believes that trade can significantly contribute in the 
advancement of the global sustainable development agenda; and firmly subscribes to the 
principles of the multilateral trading system.  
 
The recent declaration regarding Jerusalem renders the two state solution unattainable and the 
prospect for economic development impossible.  
 
Palestine, despite the significant constraints imposed by the military occupation, has taken 
important steps towards establishing a functional market economy, achieving macroeconomic 
stability; building our institutions and strengthening our governance capabilities.  
 
Our hard work was recently acknowledged by the World Bank in the Doing Business 2018 Report, 
as Palestin e advanced 26 points in the total ranking from the previous Doing Business 2017 
Report. Jumping from 140 to 114. Currently, we are working on developing the legal framework 
and the economic infrastructure based on international best practices and in harmon y with the 
WTO’s rules and regulations.  
 
While we are not yet actively participating in the rule -making processes; and not being able to 
reap all the benefits that derive from being a Member of the WTO, our Palestinian trade, by virtue 
of our sovereign co mmitments under the Paris Protocol with Israel, has, been de facto  governed by 
the WTO rules and disciplines for a long time. Moreover, Palestine has adopted binding 
commitments in trade agreements with a number of WTO Members, which already commit us to 
implement the different WTO agreements.   
 
We are now in the process of implementing our trade policy, in the areas of trade in goods, 
services and intellectual property rights. In pursuing our efforts we have received very valuable 
technical cooperation fr om a number of WTO Members, which I would like to acknowledge. In this 
regard, I would like to note that Palestine is already bound by many international trade rules 
through its bilateral and regional trade agreements.  
 
The purpose of being an observer to  the WTO General Council and its subsidiary bodies is to allow 
our government to better acquaint itself with the  WTO and its activities, and to prepare itself for 
accession negotiations. To be first an observer to the WTO is exactly what the government of 
Palestine has been seeking for some time now; and we firmly believe that the time has come.  WT/MIN(17)/ST/122  
 
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  This decision follows a long period of reflection and consultation with different WTO Members and 
the international financial institutions, which have recommended us to take this important step. 
We recognize the strong support for our aspirations that we h ave received from an overwhelming 
majority of WTO Members.  
 
Any opposition to our request should not be motivated by political considerations; which have no 
room in this forum; I am confident that our request will receive a positive response, and will be 
placed as soon as possible at the agenda of the General Council. We as Palestinian would like not 
to be left behind and to be part of the global trade system, pursuant to the inclusiveness principle 
of the WTO as reiterated by the distinguished speakers du ring this Ministerial Conference session.  
 
The government of Palestine is looking forward to participate, initially as an observer, more 
actively in the work of the multilateral trading system and at this important organization in the 
near future.  
 
Again, the multilateral trading system should be positively reflected on the wealth and prosperity 
of its citizens.  
 
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