WT/MIN(17)/72  
17 January  2018 
(18-0457) Page: 1/1 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
STATEMENT BY H.E.  MR HORACIO CARTES JARA  
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF PARAGUAY  
MC11 OPENING SESSION  10 DECEMBER  2017 
I am honoured to be here at the first Ministerial Conference to be held in South America since the 
creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) . In this regard, I should like to highlight the great 
organizational effort that has been made by the Argentin e Government, reflecting  its well -known 
hospitality and its ability to carry out successful international meetings whose overriding  purpose 
is to enhance the well -being of all our citizens.  
For Paraguay, this Ministerial Conference is of great significance  since it reaffirms  our commitment 
to strengthening the multilateral trading system and, above all, to the WTO.  
It likewise reaffirms our interest in designing clear, transparent and non -discriminatory global 
trade rules constitut ing a predictable platform  that serves as the underpinning for Members ' 
development p lans, in which poverty eradication, the creation of decent jobs, environmental 
protection, access to health and education and the empowerment of women are key objectives and 
an essential part of ou r shared international commitments.  
International trade is a tool that has unquestionably contributed to Paraguay's growth . We are 
confident that by fostering that tool we will be able to cataly se more job opportunities for our 
population, greater  access t o technology, broader  inclusion and wider  participation in the economic 
and social benefits generated by international trade.  
At the same time, the promotion  of internat ional trade can and must serve to further the 
development of small -scale farmers  and sm all and medium -sized enterprises, and empowerment 
of women and young people . In short, international trade requires us to undertake a structural 
transformation of our economies in the interests of diversifying production  and boosting 
competitiveness within  our countries.  
In this regard, I should like to make brief reference to three points:  
1. The priority for our region continues to be agricultural trade reform ; we must reach 
agreements that enable developing countries to compete on a level playing field, without 
encountering high tariffs or, above all, running into invisible barriers in the form of trade -distorting  
domestic subsidies.  
2. At the same time, we must coordinate actions to address the challenges arising from the 
digital age , especially where th e digital economy and e -commerce are concerned . Our countries 
must foster  discussion of those issues in all international development for ums. 
 
3. Thirdly, I should like to emphasize the importance of inclusive trade and of ensuring that the 
trade rules we develop favour  the participation of small enterprises and economic empowerment of 
women.  
To conclude, I would reiterate that our efforts respond to the objectives of creating decent jobs 
and economic opportunities for the entire population . The 11th Ministerial Conference in 
Buenos  Aires will be our platform for projecting the WTO into the future.  
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