WT/MIN(15)/ST/15
17 December 2015
(15-6701)  Page: 1/1
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English
 
STATEMENT BY HON. VINCENT T. SERETSE 
MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY 
BOTSWANA  
First and foremost, we wish to join others in expressing our gratitude to the Government and the 
people of the Republic of Kenya for their customary warm hospitality as well as the conducive environment for our deliberations.  
As we mark the twentieth (20th) anniversary of  the establishment of the WTO, we acknowledge 
the continuing relevance of the rules-based Multilateral Trading System and its contribution to global growth and stability. For small countries like Botswana, the platform is crucial as it offers us 
an opportunity to participate in matters that affect us. It is thus opportune to reaffirm the 
principles and objectives set out in the ‘Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO’, in particular Article III relating to the functions of the Organisation. 
 
In Bali we adopted the Agreement on Trade Facilitation which brought hope to continued engagement on the remaining Doha Development Ag enda issues. We as developing countries have 
made and continue to make efforts to ratify and facilitate the implementation of the Agreement 
upon its entry into force.  We did and continue these efforts in the good faith that we will in-turn 
invigorate efforts towards the conclusion of the Round.   
We note with great regret that our Post-Bali Mandat e has proved difficult to achieve. This adds to 
the fact that after a decade and a half of a collective effort towards the conclusion of the DDA, and at a great cost to small economies like ours, we have limited results to show especially in the 
gateway issues of Agriculture, NAMA and Services . We should, therefore, take the opportunity to 
reflect on how best to reorganise ourselves so as to achieve our objectives and realise the ambitions we set for ourselves.   
In this regard, we have to take into account changed landscape since 2001 when we agreed on the 
Doha Mandate. This way, we can explore together what is profitable and reaffirm that it is only fair that commitments be commensurate with the level of development. Doing so would strengthen the 
basis for a meaningful contribution to global sustainable development.  
 In shaping the outcome, it will be important to reaffirm the principles that have brought us this far 
such as: the centrality of development, Specia l and Differential Treatment, Less-Than-Full-
Reciprocity for developing and least developed countries, consensus-based decision making, inclusiveness, transparency and member-driven process. These principles should remain an 
integral part of the WTO’s future work. 
 
As I conclude, let me say that, we should recognise that our common interests are greater than the sum of our differences. So long as our relationsh ip is defined by our differences, we will leave 
Nairobi without a clear understanding and commitment on how we progress or shape the future of 
the WTO’s work. This would deal a devastating blow  to one of the core WTO functions as a forum 
for multilateral negotiations. The unfortunate reality is that in the process, the loss will be most 
heavily borne by Members that can least afford it such as Botswana. 
 Finally, let me take this opportunity to congratulate  the Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Liberia 
and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on their accession to the WTO in 2015. 
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