WT/MIN(15)/ST/103  
6 January 2016  
(16-0085)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR GANESHMAN PUN 
HON. MINISTER FOR COMMERCE AND SUPPLIES 
NEPAL 
At the outset, I would like to congratulate Her Excellency Madam Amina C. Mohamed on her 
election to preside over this historic Conference of the WTO being held here in the African continent for the first time. We would like to extend sincere thanks to the Government of the Republic of Kenya and its nice people for the warm hospitality extended to my delegation since our 
arrival.  We also appreciate for the excellent arrangements made for the conference. 
 We pay our tribute to His Excellency Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya for his 
inspiring inaugural statement delivered in the opening session. We thank His Excellency 
Mr. Roberto Azevêdo for his dynamic leadership.  
We reaffirm our commitment to the principles and objectives set out in the Marrakesh Agreement 
that established the WTO. This Organization must further be strengthened as a prominent global forum for setting trade rules, enhancing market access opportunities, removing trade barriers across nations, resolving trade disputes, and fina lly fostering sustained growth and employment 
opportunities for all.  I believe that the making of globally inclusive and prosperous society 
depends upon the sincerity of our efforts in th e promotion of a universal, open, rule-based and 
non-discriminatory global trading system. 
 
Many poor developing countries, and particularly LDCs, are still unable to utilize the power of trade as an engine of economic growth and development.  The Doha Round of Negotiations with promises 
of development outcomes for the poorer countries must therefore be pursued until it is brought to 
a logical conclusion. WTO Members should come forward to display necessary flexibility to conclude the DDA at the earliest so that meaningful outcome can be delivered equitably to the deserving Members.   
 
It is obvious that LDCs cannot stand and compete if provisions laid in the WTO Agreements, decisions and declarations that provide favorable treatment and flexibility have no cutting edge to 
provide results on the ground. We emphasize effect ive implementation of the Bali LDC package by 
turning the decisions into legally binding ones. Our desire to turn the best endeavor provisions of 
the Special and Differential Treatment in WTO agre ements and decisions into concrete actions and 
results is guided by pragmatism and necessity.  
 A country like Nepal with the joint vulnerabilities of both the LDC and LLDC faces formidable challenges, calling for special and focused attention. May I mention here, that the current 
disruption of transit, transport and trade across ou r southern border is causing severe impacts on 
our economic lifeline, and is leading to a crisis of humanitarian proportion. The sound principles and framework that we have established under th e multilateral trading system over the years 
must be upheld and reflected into action  in protection of such countries.  
 We encourage bold initiatives under Aid for Trade.  Welcoming the outcome of the EIF pledging 
conference, we call for leveraging additional resour ces to meet the increasing needs of the second 
phase EIF project.   We congratulate Liberia and Afghanistan for having successfully concluded their accession 
package.  WT/MIN(15)/ST/103 
 
- 2 - 
 
   
My country promulgated a federal, democratic and inclusive constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly recently. This heralds a new era of peace, stability and inclusive development for Nepal. We value our partnerships with all friendly countries, including our 
immediate neighbors for larger and integration of our small economy into the global whole.  The 
Multilateral Trading System is crucial to achieve our overall development objectives.   
__________