WT/MIN(15)/ST/45  
18 December 2015  
(15-6770)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: Spanish  
 
  STATEMENT BY H.E. MR WALTER ENDARA 
VICE-MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE 
PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA  
On behalf of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, we thank the authorities and citizens of Kenya for 
their hospitality and for undertaking to host this Ministerial Conference. We underscore the excellent organization of this event.  
In 1947, a group of countries agreed to conclude an  agreement on tariffs and trade with a view to 
creating a more open, stable and transparent global trading system and combating protectionism and discrimination, so that the expansion of trade would lead to more extensive and efficient use 
of global resources, aimed at increasing levels  of employment and income and enhancing human 
well-being.  
As already stated in a key letter to this Organization, the facts show that these goals have not 
been met so far. Trade is still a long way from achieving economic development and alleviating poverty.  
On the contrary, what we have is a trade liberalization mechanism that further encourages frantic 
capitalist consumption patterns that are causing irreparable damage to the earth.  
It should also be recalled that this Organization emerged in order to promote global governance of 
the multilateral trading system which would addr ess the needs of all of its Members and which 
today is facing a major challenge - that of  making a contribution to development. 
 
Despite the limitations imposed by multilateralism, this contribution has taken the form of a mechanism that to some extent addresses the needs of the weakest in the Doha Round. On the other hand, we are concerned to note the intention of putting an end to the Doha Round 
undertakings here in Nairobi. 
 Bolivia draws attention to this matter and totally rejects any measure that would undermine the 
achievements made in benefit of the weakest in the Doha Round. 
 Bolivia wants a successful Ministerial Conference here in Nairobi, but success must be measured in 
terms of outcomes that further the development of WTO Members and not only outcomes 
benefiting multinational corporations.  In order to enjoy genuine credibility in the eyes of the world, the WTO must successfully conclude 
the work undertaken 14 years ago. If it does  not, our peoples will seriously question the 
development dimension of this Organization.  
Bolivia therefore supports a reaffirmation of th e mandate of the Doha Development Round and the 
subsequent Ministerial Declarations and Decisions, which were adopted collectively and by consensus in this Organization. 
 
Moreover, we believe that it would be highly regrettable for this Organization to take new topics on board without resolving issues of interest to the developing countries such as agricultural reform, a process which has been ongoing for more than 20 years. 
 WT/MIN(15)/ST/45 
- 2 - 
  Bolivia is concerned about a number of procedures aimed at reaching agreements that are neither 
inclusive nor open, designed - or so it would appear - to secure agreement in some sectors while precluding the opportunity to discuss the concerns of the majority of the Membership.  
As regards possible outcomes, we were also concerned to note in Geneva that the work relating to 
export competition was directed at designing renewed flexibilities in favour of the developed countries, as was the case in Bali with the Decision on the administration of agricultural tariff 
quotas.  
 In our view, it is important that this Ministerial Conference should ensure that the flexibilities which the Agreement on Agriculture has provided for the developed countries since 1995 are 
extended to the developing countries, as stated by the G-33 in the proposal relating to the Special 
Safeguard Mechanism.  
Another proposal that we consider important is the one concerning public stockholding for food 
security purposes.  
To conclude, in the words of Evo Morales, President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, "[i]n the 
21
st century, the 'Development Round' cannot be about 'free trade' alone; it must also promote the 
kind of trade that helps achieve a balance between countries, furthers development and serves as a poverty reduction tool". 
 
__________