JOB/TNC/62  
 
28 July 2017  
(17-4153) Page: 1/2 
  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY MS  SUSANA MALCORRA  
CHAIR OF THE ELEVENT H SESSION OF THE MIN ISTERIAL CONFERENCE (MC11)  
DELIVERED ON 25 JULY 2017  
 
The following communication, dated 25 July 2017, is bei ng circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Argentina.  
 
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1.1.  I would like to formally convey my Government's and my appreciation for the trust you have 
put in Argentina to host this year's Ministerial Conference.  
1.2.  For us, in Argentina, for us, Argentineans, hosting the WTO Ministerial Conference mea ns 
supporting the multilateral trade system and being committed to upholding its values and 
integrity.  
1.3.  President Mauricio Macri has entrusted me with the task of chairing this WTO Ministerial 
Conference, the MC11, and I can only assure you that I will spar e no efforts, and I am sure you 
already realized that, to guarantee its success.  
1.4.  For this, I intend to follow the preparatory process closely. I have been in regular contact 
with the DG and his team to keep up with the developments in Geneva. And I have me t already 
with the Chairs of the negotiating groups twice. In fact, I have dedicated the whole of yesterday to 
discuss each of these negotiations.  
1.5.  In this respect, I would like to thank the Director -General and the Chairs for their efforts in 
advancing the  discussions in all areas. We all have just heard their reports. I would also like to 
extend my gratitude to the delegations for their engagement and commitment demonstrated.  
1.6.  I have to say that I have seen progress since April, but I am deeply concerned of  how much 
work we all have before us. It is clear that divergences still need to be overcome and that even 
though efforts have been made to put more papers on the table, the negotiating instances have 
not really yet started. And I think this is a clear sig n that, and everybody made reference to the 
summer break, I will also do the same; after the summer break we have no time to spare. We 
have to exercise flexibility and focus, and hopefully, our shared belief in the multilateral trading 
system and its role in supporting our economies.  
1.7.  Argentina, as a founding Member of the WTO, cherishes the stability and predictability that 
the transparent, rules -based multilateral trading system embodied by the WTO has provided to our 
country since its establishment. Our G overnment is working to ensure that Argentina integrates 
further and successfully  into the world economy. It is a prime objective of our Government.  
1.8.  However, we all need to recognize that we, collectively, are facing challenging times. 
Globalization and op en markets are often being blamed for job disruption and inequality, giving 
breeding ground to protectionist tendencies and insularity.  
1.9.  But more than that, I think, we need to recognize that our citizens, our peoples, feel distant 
from their leadership and  from organizations such as WTO. They sometimes wonder about the 
relevance and positive impact tha t an organization such as the WTO make s in their lives. This adds 
responsibility to the world that we are committed to. It should push us to act with even mor e 
conviction to ensure that the role and function of the WTO are preserved and strengthened.   JOB/TNC/62  
 
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  1.10.   Agenda 2030 has set the tone for our work. Less than two years ago, we, collectively, 
signed on this effort to leave no one behind. There was a clear recognition of the underlying 
inequalities between countries and within countries. That is why this became a universal agenda: 
not a developing world agenda, a global agenda.  
1.11.   And, of particular significance for us, here, trade was highlighted as a key enabler of this 
agenda towards inclusivity. Trade was highlighted.  
1.12.   In the face of growing political and economic uncertainty, Buenos Aires, we, in Buenos 
Aires, need to send a clear message that the system is essential to our common prosperity. As 
Members of this Organiz ation, we need to reaffirm our belief that trade, international trade – based 
on transparent and shared rules –provides us with more and better opportunities for  economic 
growth and development.  
1.13.   The system we built together is not perfect. Let’s work togeth er to improve it, to make it 
more effective and more efficient to all. Let’s find common ground to build bridges, not to build 
walls.  
1.14.   The results of the most recent Ministerial Conferences have shown that we can achieve 
results. What happened recently in Nairobi is a clear example of what can be done. But it is also 
true that we face a more significant challenge given the environment we will be discussing in while 
in Buenos Aires.  
1.15.   We have to recommit to the system. What is at stake here is not a particular  issue. We have 
here the Chairs of the Negotiating Groups. And we have seen that issues are put on the table. But 
we need to come to the table with the conviction: that the profound discussion we are facing is not 
about any particular issue. It’s about the  system being preserved.  
1.16.   So, this time more than ever before, it is not only about the technicalities of the issue, it is 
about the values and the principles that brought us together sitting around this room.  
1.17.   We know that there are outcomes that have bee n long delayed. And for us in Argentina the 
view of farmers is at the center, no question about that. So, we recognize that. But we also 
recognize that there are new issues of the 21st century that require attention. So, how we find 
ways to balance that? S o that we can prove to our peoples that this Organization is relevant and it 
keeps up with the demands from the times; it is absolutely essential.  
1.18.   The role of WTO in building international economic coherence is undeniable. The 
complexities of the challenges we face and their scope mean that multilateral action is the best 
option we can provide.  
1.19.   I will say that we want Buenos Aires to serve as a platform, as a timely platform in which 
we can all recommit and endorse again this system. It is a way to  be, if I can use this word, 
"refoundational" on the notion of the system that we all need; even though, again, we all 
recognize that the system may need improvements.  
1.20.   I can assure you that you can count on my personal continued support and assistance. You  
will see me around; probably you will hope not to see me so often. I will be reaching out to your 
capitals as needed. And again, I hope that it will not happen very much, because in your able 
hands things will move forwards, as needed.  But we really feel,  from deep in the south, that these 
are times for us to stand up, to recognize that solutions are not easy, to recognize that getting our 
view 100% will not be possible, and to recognize that preserving a system that can be the 
umbrella for all of us to go  further in the 21st century is central.  
1.21.   So I count on you as much as you can count on me. I look forward to working with you, 
with the DG, his team, with the Chairman of the Council, with each one of the delegations with the 
view that "no successful Bueno s Aires"  is not an option. That the only option we have is to be able 
to build those bridges and to make every possible effort, coming from our corner, but recognizing 
that only a shared perspective will get us there.  
1.22.   Thank you very much.  
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