WT/MIN(15)/ST/56  
18 December 2015  
(15-6783)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR TU CAM NGUYEN 
DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE 
VIET NAM 
First of all, I would like to thank for the excelle nt efforts exerted by the Government of Kenya in 
hosting this 10th WTO Ministerial Conference in the beautiful city of Nairobi. I also thank for the warm hospitality of the people of Kenya extended to me and the Vietnamese delegation as well.  
 
Two years ago, in Bali, we, ministers, adopted the Bali package to send a very positive signal to 
the world about the prospect of the Doha Round an d the credibility of the WTO in the international 
trade. The outcome of the Bali meeting wa s a great success of the WTO members and 
Director-General Azevêdo, strongly affirming the prestige of the WTO as an effective and trustful 
forum for trade negotiations. Being carefully sculptured with the sophisticated balance, the Bali package successfully addressed a number of outstanding issues of interests to developed, 
developing and least developed members. This is an effective and pragmatic model for the WTO 
members to maintain and follow.   However, for the last two years, the implementation of the Bali package has not met our 
expectations. Some key elements of the package have not been realized or been slowly 
implemented. The WTO members have not consented to the post-Bali work program even though they have made tireless efforts. The credibility of the multilateral trading system is at risk. There 
seems to appear concerns and doubts about the possibility to conclude or even to continue the 
Doha Round here and there.    
In that context, I am of the view that the WT O members should affirm their determination to 
accelerate negotiations to hit the finish line. But we need to be frank about the current status of negotiation so that we can work out a more effective approach. At this conference, I urge ministers to have accurate evaluations and assessments of what are on the table to find out a 
creative model with a view to creating more momentum for the negotiations in the times to come.  
 For our side, Viet Nam will do its utmost to promote the DDA together with other WTO members. 
In this regard, Viet Nam has fulfilled its obligations mandated by the Bali package. I would like to 
take this opportunity to inform that the National Assembly of Viet Nam has approved the TFA and we have delivered the instrument of acceptance of the TFA to the WTO Secretariat at this 
conference. 
 Despite the popularity of the FTA negotiations, es pecially the new generation FTAs such as the 
Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), 
which has certain impacts on the determination of the WTO members in focusing on the 
strengthening of the multilateral trading system, fr om the bottom of my heart, I do believe that 
we all share the same view that the WTO remains the cornerstone and the foundation for the 
international trade agreements. The values of the WTO still remains. The organization still plays a 
key role in enforcing the rule-based international trade system and acts as an important forum for trade negotiations to ensure growth and fair trade. Additionally, we also share the common 
understanding that bilateral or regional trade agreements will not replace or devalue the role of 
the WTO, but to complement to the multilateral tr ading system for further growth of global trade 
and economy.   WT/MIN(15)/ST/56 
 
- 2 - 
 
  Last but not least, we believe that the expansion of WTO membership is very meaningful for the 
multilateral trading system, especially at this moment. Having said that, Viet Nam would like to welcome and congratulate two LDC Members of Libe ria and Afghanistan, together with Kazakhstan 
for joining our WTO great family and hope that we will see more accessions soon. 
 
__________