WT/MIN(17)/ST/52  
15 December 2017  
(17-6976) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial  Conference  
Eleventh  Session  
Buenos Aires , 10-13 December 20 17 Original: French  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR  ALIOUNE SARR  
MINISTER OF TRADE, C ONSUMPTION, THE INFO RMAL SECTOR AMD SMES  
SENEGAL  
Two years  on from the results  delivered  in Nairobi  in December  2015,  which  were particularly  
encouraging  for LDCs,  it is now time to follow  up on and consolidate  the fruits of our commitment  
to building  an increasingly  effective  multilateral  trading  system  for all.  
 
Now more than ever, multilateral  trade  has a key role to play in reducing  inequality  between  
Members , and must contribute  to sustained  growth  and the attainment  of the sustainable  
development  goals set out in the United  Nations  2030 Agenda.  The success  of this Eleventh  
Ministerial  Conference  depends  very much  on our ability  to redress  and correct  the imbalances  
inherited  from the Uruguay  Round  in the area of agriculture,  where  agricultural  subsidies  continue  
to create  distortion  in international  markets,  in particular  the cotton  market,  and to increase  
poverty  in towns  and rural areas  in developing  countries  and LDCs.  In this respect,  Senegal  
believes  that the 2008 revised  modalities  for agriculture  provide  a basis for an ambitious  reform  of 
the system  while maintaining  the flexibilities  needed  by developi ng count ries, LDCs and net 
food-importing  developing  countries  (NFIDC).  
 
My delegation  also remains  firm in its belief  that a definitive  solution  to the issue of public 
stockholding  for food security  purposes  is necessary  in Buenos  Aires.  Such a solution  must, 
however,  include  both the future  programmes  of developing  countries  and safeguard  and 
transparency  provisions , in order  to prevent  any negative  impact  on the development  of certain  
Members .  
 
Regarding  market  access,  in particular  for LDCs,  Senegal  calls upon Members  to honour  their 
commitments  in respect  of duty-free quota -free market  access,  the effective  implementation  of the 
Ministerial  Decision  on Preferential  Rules  of Origin,  the services  waiver,  and export  subsidies . 
 
Development  must remain  at the heart of the multilateral  trading  system , and the system  must 
continue  helping  developing  countries  and LDCs to further  their integration  into global  value  
chains.  The industrialization,  diversification  and structural  transformation  of our economies  are key 
to meeting  this objective.  I therefore  ask WTO Members  to give their consideration  and make  the 
necessary  political  commitment  to the G-90 proposals  on special and differential  treatment .  
 
As regards  fisheries  subsidies,  my delegation  continues  to suppor t an ambitious  multilateral  
outcome  that will contribute  to the sustainable  use of marine  resources  and their preservation  for 
future  generations.  Given  the difficulty  in finding  a definitive  negotiated  solution,  we firmly  believe  
that a partial  outcome  on subsidies  for illegal,  unreported  and unregulated  fishing , which  includes  
the flexibilities  needed  for countries  facing  constraints  in their fishery  management  systems , is a 
first step. 
 
In regard  to domestic  regulation  in services,  Senegal  supports  the continuation  of discussions  after 
Buenos  Aires. We take the view that any future  outcome  in these  negotiations  should  take into 
consideration  the reduction  of barriers  concerning  the qualifications  of our countries'  service  
suppliers  and not affect  the right of Members  to regulate  their service  sectors  in order  to meet 
economic  development  objectives.  It should  also take account  of the policy  space  of develop ing 
Members,  in particular  LDCs.  
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  My delegation  agrees  that so-called  new issues,  such as e-commerce,  micro,  small  and 
medium -sized enterprises,  and investment  facilitation,  are important  and levers  for economic  and 
social  development.  In this respect,  our view is that Members  must explore  how exactly  the WTO 
should  contribute  to the expansion  of e-commerce  and the more effective  participation  of SMEs  in 
international  trade.  This essential  work must not, however,  overshadow  the major  concerns  of 
developing  countries  and LDCs regarding  outstanding  Doha Development  Agenda  issues , or be 
conducted  in such a way that it ignores  the differences  in the levels  of preparation  and 
development  of WTO Members.  Indeed,  one of the strengths  of this Organization  is its ability  to 
move  forward  at a harmonious  pace,  taking  into account  the differences,  needs  and aspirations  of 
Members .  
 
We take this opportunity to acknowledge the work carried out in support of LDCs under the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework programme, which has helped eligible countries  integrate trade 
into their national development strategies and build their production and export capacities in 
recognized  growth sectors. We invite the bilateral and multilateral partners to increase their 
support for this work . 
 
Before  I conclude,  I would like, as the Chairman  of the Council  of Trade  Ministers  of the 
West African  Economic  and Monetary  Union  (WAEMU) , to reaffirm  the commitment  of our member  
countries  to the multilateral  trading  system  and to reiterate  the WTO's  central  role in defining  
multilateral  trade rules.  We also recall  the importance  of strengthening  the foundations  of our 
Organization , which  are set out in the Marrake sh Declaration,  in subsequent  declarations,  and in 
General  Council  decisions .  
 
My delegation  would  also like to endorse  the statements  made  on behalf  of the African,  ACP, LDC 
and G-33 Groups,  and supports  the Declaration  on Women  and Trade , which  reflects  Senegal's  
desire  to make  women  a key pillar in the creation  of growth  and wealth . 
 
In order  to maintain  this momentum  and open up new opportunities  for our Organization,  my wish 
is that the decisions  we take here reflect  the principles  of transparency,  fairness  and inclusiveness.  
This is what will ensure  the success  of our Eleventh  Ministerial Conference . 
 
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