WT/MIN(17)/47  
11 December 2017  
(17-6821) Page: 1/3 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh  Session  
Buenos Aires , 10-13 December 20 17 Original: Spanish  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. SU SANA MALCORRA  
CHAIRPERSON OF THE E LEVENTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE  
MONDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2017 
Welcome once again to Bu enos Aires.  
 
Argentina is proud to be the first country in South America to host a WTO Ministerial Conference. 
This is a reflection of the importance of international trade for our country and for the entire 
region. We saw this yesterday with the attendance of various Presidents at the opening of the 
Conference. We hope that from this southern corner of the world, we can send a message that 
resonates far and wide . 
 
I am especially grateful for the confidence that has been placed in me personally. I assumed the 
responsibility of t he chairmanship wit h the commitment to listen to each and everybody, to make 
this process transparent and inclusive. In recent months I have visited many capitals and met with 
all the groups ; this has enabled me to hear the  regional perspectives and to gain an understanding 
of the ir interests and concerns. I can thus begin this shared task with a proper understanding of 
the areas of agreement and, above all, of the areas  where there are differences.  
 
Over the next few days, we will have a full agenda of issues to discuss and agree upon.  
 
Our representatives have been working hard in Genev a to prepare the ground for 
our deliberations. Yesterday, we h eard the report of the Chairman of the General Council, 
Ambassador Carim, about the work that has taken place in the last few mont hs, and in a few 
minutes you will also hear from the Director -General, Roberto Azevêdo.  
 
It is now up to us, the Ministers, to take up these issues and ensure that this Ministerial 
Conference contributes  to advancing the work of the WTO and setting the di rection for its future, 
so that the benefits of trade reach all its Members. This effort is based on the shared responsibility 
to work on the continuous improvement of the system and its rules.  
 
The WTO has been fundamental in ensuring the growth and prosp erity of our economies. Its rules 
and Agreements en shrine  the core principles of openness, transparency, predictability and good 
governance that have shaped our trade relations for more than 20 years. Principles and rules that 
apply to all equally.  
 
The mo st recent Ministerial Conference s have given a renewed impetus to the work of the WTO 
and restored trust in its decision -making function . 
 
Today, we meet under different circumstances, at a time when international trade is often seen as 
a cause for concern, rather than a force for growth and inclusion.  
 
We cannot ignore this reality. We need to deepen our understanding of the root causes of these 
concerns, and work towards addressing them. We have to be capable of connecting with ordinary 
people who,  more often than not, do  not understand what it is we do and why we do it.  
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  It is therefore essential for this Ministerial Conference to strengthen the WTO's foundations, to 
ensure that for the next 20 years we will continue to benefit from the stability p rovided by the 
multilateral trading system and that these benefits reach all its Members. And it is all the more 
important that we, the WTO Ministers, come together to send a strong  message about our 
Organization, and the positive impact it makes on the li ves and prosperity of our citizens. We must 
be capable of generating a comprehensible and credible narrative.  
 
The development pr ocess in our countries is multi faceted and complex. Agenda 2030, which we all 
approve, assigns a role to trade and to the work of the WTO as one of the engines for sustainable 
and inclusive growth and development. We need to ensure that the W TO has the tools to fulfil 
this role. 
 
Doubtless, we may have different priorities and perspectives on specific issues. But beyond our 
differences, I believe that we are all united  in recognizing the continu ed importance of the WTO to 
the present and future of our trade relations. This should be the focus of this Ministerial 
Conference.  
 
We, in Argentina, are firml y committed to working to fin d common ground. As Chair, I shall do 
everything in my power to build the bridges that make it possible for all the parties  to come closer 
together . This Ministerial Conference should be about preservin g the system represented by 
the WTO.  
 
This will requi re us to recommit to the WTO and to show the necessary political will to deliver a 
positive outcome that would put the work of the WTO on the right track to respond to the needs 
and aspirations of all our citizens.  
 
The WTO, like any human construction, is  perfectible and we must r ecognize this. But as 
President  Macri said yesterday , "The problems of the WTO are resolved with more WTO, not with 
less WTO. It is time to be pragmatic and to move forward on the basis of a blueprint which , while 
not ideal, enabl es us to take small but firm steps. Today more than ever  it is necessary to be 
aware of what is expected of each one of us and how much we  can concede for the 
collective  good."  
 
For all these reasons I am convinced that the dialogue between Min isters, beyo nd the negotiating 
process, is more important than ever in the history of th is system that we have built 
up collectively.  
 
I would like to thank the Director -Genera, the General Council Chair and all the Chairs of regular 
and negotiating bodies for the work done in guiding the process thus far. I have been in regular 
contact with all of them in this preparatory period.  
 
Tremendous efforts have been made to advance discussions on key issues such as agriculture, 
fisheries subsidies and development. Intensi ve discussions have taken place on some issues 
related to services, such as domestic regulation. Members also engaged in dynamic discussion on 
electronic commerce. And some initiatives and conversations among some Members have taken 
place on other matters,  such as investment facilitation and micro, small and medium enterprises 
(MSMEs) - which are key components to move trade forward. Members have different perspectives 
about these matters. However, there is a shared recognition that this is a pivotal  moment  for 
trade, and we need to find a way to work through our differences and build on our commonalities. 
I stress  that this our shared responsibility and we must find a way to fulfil it.  
 
I also appreciate the tireless efforts of the General Council Chair an d the positive engage ment by 
Members to work on a draft Ministerial Declaration for this Conference, even though we heard 
yesterday from the Chairman that the overall circumstances and the divergences in the discussions 
did not allow this task to be comple ted in Geneva.  
 
As Chair of the Eleventh Ministerial Conference, I am committed to carry forward all these efforts 
over the next few days. I will work with all of you in a manner which is open, transparent and 
inclusive at all times, and I assure you that I will spare no effort in helping to bridge gaps and 
building common ground for consensus between different Members, in order to secure a successful 
conclusion to this Ministerial Conference.  
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  I am sure that, with your full support and commitment, this Min isterial Conference will establish a 
solid pathway for the future of the WTO and the multilateral trading system, and pave the way for 
results that will foster inclusive growth, development and job creation.  
 
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