WT/MIN(15)/28
17 December 2015
(15-6661)  Page: 1/3
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English
 
REMARKS BY HIS EXCELLENCY HON.  UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H.,  
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA 
MC10 OPENING SESSION 
15 DECEMBER 2015 
It is my pleasure and privilege to warmly welcome you to Kenya and to Nairobi.  
I know many of you have travelled from afar to attend this important Conference. This is a clear 
demonstration of the importance you attach to this event.  
A very warm welcome to all the Heads of State and Government, as well as Heads and 
Representatives of multilateral and Civil Society Organizations who have joined us for this auspicious occasion. As we say in this part of the world, KARIBUNI SANA .  
For those of you visiting Kenya for the first time, take a few days after the Conference and enjoy 
Kenya's beauty and hospitality.  
Let me also take this opportunity to commend Mr. Roberto Azevêdo, the Director-General of the 
WTO and his able team, for their vital role in the consultations that preceded this conference.  
This is the 20
th year of the WTO . We are pleased that you chose to celebrate this Anniversary 
in Africa , and in Kenya .  
As we look forward to the next twenty years of our collective effort to build prosperity, we should 
get encouragement from the achievements of th e WTO. Africa, and indeed the whole world, 
eagerly awaits the completion of a framework for a new order of sustainable development.  
That ambition, which once seemed distant, is now within reach given the singular achievements as 
a multilateral community we have seen this year.  
In July 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, we had a successful Third International Conference for 
Financing for Development , arising from the Monterrey Consensus. It was followed by the 
adoption of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals  in September, in New York, 
by the world leaders. Subsequently and in the past week, at COP 21 , in Paris, France, we reached 
a historic agreement to combat climate change.  
Indeed, year 2015  is a year in which we have displayed unparalleled cooperation in agreeing on a 
number of collective approaches to some of the most pressing problems facing humanity.  
The spirit that has allowed us to come together and achieve measures that many thought 
impossible should be present at this year's 10th WTO Ministerial Conference . The hope for 
millions of people in increased prosperity on the basis of trade and exchange, is in your hands.  
The outcome of this meeting will positively touc h on many other pressing challenges such as 
insecurity, instability and inequality. It is, theref ore, my earnest encouragement to all negotiating 
teams represented here today to seize this mome nt. Reach for mutually beneficial compromise, 
and allow yourself no result except success.  WT/MIN(15)/28 
 
- 2 - 
 
  There is no doubt that the WTO has made major contributions to the growth and stability of the 
global economy.  
It has helped boost international trade, resolved disputes among Members, and supported 
Developing Countries, in particular the Least Developed Countries, to integrate into the multilateral 
trading system. The growing Membership of the organization is a strong endorsement of its 
continuing relevance.  
As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary , we need to reflect on and address the challenges 
encountered.  
This will be critical in ensuring that WTO effectively plays its role of promoting global trade that is 
supportive of sustainable and shared development across the world by increasing the number of 
developing countries able to fully reach their potential.  
We must remember that globally, the consequences  of lack of adequate economic opportunities 
are a leading driver of the social and political instability, which helps drive extremism and violence.  
The deliberations of this Conference, therefore, are important in unlocking the economic potential 
of many countries, with positive benefits for all of us. It will win millions of supporters for the 
global order at a time when it is under increased pressure than it has been for decades.  
We note that this Conference is taking place at a time when world trade has slowed, and the world 
economy is experiencing weak growth.  
This context suggests that the WTO has an important role in contributing to the recovery of global 
economy by taking measures that promotes growth of trade.  
In this respect, the WTO should continue to assist countries in undertaking domestic structural 
reforms aimed at modernization, diversification and improvement of business 
environments .  
Holding this Ministerial Conference in Africa is a good opportunity to highlight the growth potential 
of Africa and, indeed, of the Least Developed Countries.  
As the continent with the lowest participation in global trade, and the world's youngest and fastest 
growing populations, the world will change for the better from an Africa that trades more good and 
services with more markets.  
Africans are showing that they are ready to be part of the global economic transformation  
toward inclusion and sustainability.  
Today, Africa is one of the fastest growing regions. In 2014, six of the world's ten fastest growing 
economies were African.  
Africa is now a "rising and emerging continent" , with an abundance of opportunities, optimism 
and dynamism.  
In volume terms, Africa's exports of goods gr ew by 500 percent, between 1995 and 2013, while 
inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) grew from US$ 9 billion in 2000 to 57.2 billion in 2013, an over 600% increase. In addition, which is encouraging, investments in Africa record higher rates of 
return than in any other region.  
Yet, the Continent is still faced with serious cha llenges of poverty. African leaders are determined 
to tackle them, but to succeed we need the goodw ill and the support of the rest of the world. A 
global trade system that allows us to seize opportunities is a fundamental  part of our drive to 
solve challenges such as poverty, inse curity, and environmental destruction.  
In addition, the global trade system will enable  sustained and inclusive economic growth that 
allows us the means to deliver solutions at the scale they are so urgently required.  WT/MIN(15)/28 
 
- 3 - 
 
  For our part as Africans, even as we seek a deep er more beneficial role in the global economy, 
boosting regional integration is a priority . We know that increasing trade between ourselves 
will boost our economic growth, and create jobs for our youth.  
The building blocks for this integration are th e regional economic groupings such as the East 
African Community . These blocks will eventually give way to larger groupings such as the 
African Continental Free Trade Area. 
This process is complementary to our engagement with the WTO which supports domestic 
economic and trade reforms, development of multilateral trade rules, greater market access and 
investment, regulatory cooperation, and good governance.  
The slow progress in concluding the Doha Round  has given impetus to a multiplicity of mega free 
trade agreements.  
This does not augur well for an open and transparent, all inclusive, and rule based Multilateral 
Trading System .  
The WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2013 was the first under the Doha 
Round that succeeded in concluding negotiations in a limited number of areas including the Trade 
Facilitation Agreement.  
The Agreement is a positive contribution that removes unnecessary barriers and harmonizes 
related standards.  
We need to build on it, and agree on tangible outcomes here in Nairobi  in order to give 
credibility to the WTO as a rule based organization.  
You will find Africa ready to do all we can to ensure the success of this Tenth Ministerial 
Conference.  
Our countries firmly believe in the multilateral trading system's ability to deliver meaningful 
outcomes for our growth, development and poverty reduction strategies. 
We, therefore, must deliver for all, and especially for Africa  and the Least Developed 
Countries .  
The agriculture negotiations in the Doha Round  are the ones from which developing countries 
can derive most gains. Agriculture is particularly important for Africa considering that majority of 
the population depends on it for food, livelihood, and employment .  
However, distortions in this sector have continued to prevent it from realizing its full potential. 
Africa's farmers simply cannot compete against heavily subsidized farmers in developed countries.  
In this connection, the Doha Round of negotiations in agriculture provides us with the best 
opportunity to address the distortions and alig n global trade with our development goals. I urge 
all of you to accelerate toward a positive en d to our long journey of establishing a fair 
and market oriented trade in agriculture.   
Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank all the negotiators in Geneva, who have worked hard 
to get us to this stage. I have been informed that, while divergent positions still persist on several 
fronts, great effort is being made to reach agreement. I urge you all to exercise flexibility in the 
spirit of compromise.  
I am confident that you will rise to the occasion and demonstrate that this organization can deliver 
successful outcomes for the global economy and sustainable development. We owe the world and 
our young people that much. I thank you all.  
__________