WT/GC/172  
 
24 September 2015  
(15-4925)  Page: 1/2  
General Council  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR (DR.) AMINA C. MOHAMED,  
CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE,  
AT THE KENYAN PARLIAMENT,  
14 SEPTEMBER 2015, NAIROBI – KENYA 
 
The following communication, dated 21 September 2015, is being circulated at the request of 
Ambassador (Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and 
International Trade.  
_______________ 
 
 1.1.  Within exactly three months, Trade Ministers of more than 150 nations will be gathered here 
in Nairobi, at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference. This will be the first WTO Ministerial to be held 
in Africa – and Kenya is proud to host it. 
1.2.  This conference is key to the future of the WTO and for the advancement of the Multilateral 
Trading System. The central issues of the current Round of negotiations, the Doha Development 
Agenda, will be on the table for discussion and decision by Ministers. 
1.3.  At the outset, let me say that the Government – and myself in particular- are totally 
committed to making this conference a success. 
1.4.  Let me take this opportunity to brief you on  the substantive side of the Conference and on its 
preparations. 
1.5.  As of today, in Geneva, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo is resuming an intensive process 
of consultations with WTO Members. He is starti ng this process with a meeting of LDC, ACP and 
African Group representatives. The objective of this  meeting is to hear from these representatives 
their main concerns and their expectations for the Conference. 
1.6.  Development, as you may know, is central to all discussions in the WTO. This Round of 
negotiations was predicated on the reaffirmation of development as the main goal to be achieved through further opening and regulation of international trade. 
1.7.  At the previous Ministerial Conference in Bali, in 2013, Ministers took several decisions in 
favour of LDCs. Representatives in Geneva are now discussing how to strengthen and broaden the 
scope of those decisions. An important proposal wa s tabled in late July by the so-called G90 group 
of developing countries to help advance the discussions. The ACP countries also tabled a proposal 
with several concrete suggestions and calling for a constructive spirit in the negotiations. 
1.8.  And as we speak of development, the area of Agriculture will be central to any outcomes in 
December here in Nairobi. A new chairperson – the incoming ambassador of New Zealand - has 
been selected for the negotiating group on Agriculture, and intensive discussions are continuing in 
several configurations in Geneva, covering the three areas of Export competition, Domestic Support and Market Access. 
1.9.  Progress in the discussions on Agriculture will be the main parameter and determining factor 
of progress in other areas. WT/GC/172 
 
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  1.10.  These other areas – and mainly Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA, in the WTO jargon) 
and Services are also central to the negotiations. Rules (or trade defence issues such as Antidumping), Intellectual Property and Trade an d Environment are additional chapters in the 
negotiations. 
1.11.  The Director-General is of course keeping all Members constantly informed of the 
consultations which he is holding and to which he is invited. 
1.12.  The next weeks will be crucial to determine the results for Nairobi – and all WTO Members 
will be called to take tough political decisions rapidly. A quick flow of information and a smooth 
dialogue between representatives in Geneva and governments in capitals – including parliaments – will be key to the progress in these talks. 
1.13.  Several trade ministers will be meeting in Turkey in early October, on the margins of a G20 
meeting. Other opportunities may arise for ministers to meet in different formats before the 
Conference here in Nairobi. 
1.14.  To me and to many other Ministers, it is important that the WTO and the trade agenda 
respond to development concerns, and at the same time also reply to current challenges in world 
trade. 
1.15.  Having said that, we also need to keep in mind that the outcomes need to be acceptable to 
ALL. The WTO, as you recall, takes decisions by co nsensus. Therefore, a large dose of realism is 
required, if we are to make progress in this Conference. 
1.16.  We must also remember that this is not the last round of negotiations. This is not the end of 
history. Surely the WTO will still be there and other negotiations will take place in thin future. At 
the same time, we do need to make sure that th e results of MC10 represent an advancement over 
what is currently on the table.  
1.17.  The Conference we are hosting can deliver that – but we must all work hard - and fast. 
1.18.  One word on the logistical arrangements: we continue to work hand-in-hand with the WTO 
Secretariat and the team at the KICC to make sure  the logistics for the Conference run smoothly. 
Several WTO teams have visited Nairobi – the most recent in late August – and some WTO officials 
are here this week too. From now on, we will be on a count-down mode, to make sure everything 
is ready when the Director-General, Ministers and delegates, as well as NGOs and invited guests arrive in December. 
1.19.  The WTO and the multilateral trading syst e m  h a v e  b e e n  a n  i n s t r u m e n t  o f  g r o w t h  a n d  
stability since their creation. It is extremely important that the system is strengthened and 
continues to progress in the future.  
1.20.  At a moment of high fluctuations in the ma rkets, of uncertainty as to the economic outlook 
in some large trading partners, at a moment when the whole world is interconnected and when 
whatever one government (or monetary authority) does has effects on so many other countries, it is imperative that we retain and care for the sa fety net which the WTO and its body of regulation 
represent. 
1.21.  Our Conference in Nairobi in December can help Ministers in doing just that. 1.22.  We will need all the support we can get to make that conference a landmark in advancing 
the WTO and multilateral trading system. 
1.23.  I count on all of you for that. Thank you. 
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