WT/MIN(17)/ST/53  
 
15 December 2017  
(17-6977) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. JOHN RONALD  DIPCHANDRA FORD  
AMBASSADOR PERMANENT  REPRESENTATIVE TO TH E WTO  
GUYANA  
The Delegation of Guyana wishes to associate itself with the statements made on behalf of the 
Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) of States, 
African Group, Pacific Group and the Group of Small and Vulnerable Economies (SVEs).  
 
Trade and Development  
 
My delegation reaffirms its endorsement of t he Presidential Declaration of Buenos Aires issued by 
South American Presidents on Sunday December 10, 2017 on the occasion of this Conference 
through which Guyana has reiterated its unequivocal support for the multilateral trading system.   
 
Guyana apprec iates the considerable efforts which have been made in Geneva over the past year 
by the Director General and WTO Members to advance work on key areas of trade negotiations for 
this Conference. However, we share the widespread disappointment among WTO membe rs that 
consensus was not possible in Geneva on any issue on the table and call for the necessary political 
impetus here in Buenos Aires to deliver an outcome through a transparent, inclusive and member -
driven process that I, dare say, is needed to strengt hen and safeguard the multilateral trading 
system and the World Trade Organization (WTO).  
 
We had hoped that the promise of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) would have contributed 
to facilitating development -oriented solutions to problems faced by econom ies such as ours in a 
world characterized by the opposing forces of increased trade protectionism and expanding 
globalization.  
 
Guyana and the rest of CARICOM are all small developing and vulnerable economies that are open 
and highly dependent on trade. T he success of our efforts to build trade institutional capacity and 
industry competitiveness will be enhanced by adequate aid for trade resources and meaningful 
market access. We continue to work towards building a rules -based multilateral system that 
fosters fair and sustainable trade.  
 
Trade and Climate Change  
 
Trade policy should also promote sustainable production practices that protect both the planet and 
livelihood systems. CARICOM Member States continue to pursue policies to protect the 
environment a nd mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.  Guyana, for example, has long 
advanced a national programme, including the Green Economy agenda to integrate its tropical 
rainforest as part of a global initiative to reducing emissions from deforestatio n and degradation.  
It is important that trade policies promote sustainable forest product trade.  
 
As you will know, the assessed impact of climate change on the Caribbean Community has already 
shown significant damage to the livelihoods of our people, tra de infrastructure, agricultural 
production and food security.  Several of our members – small vulnerable states - have been 
decimated by the 2017 hurricanes which visited the island states of the Eastern Caribbean. These 
countries, which are perpetually vu lnerable to climate change and natural disasters, have lost 
years of critical infrastructure and capacities at all levels.  The impact of the economic destruction 
is felt throughout the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).   WT/MIN(17)/ST/53  
 
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The multilateral system, including the multilateral trading system at the WTO, needs to respond 
and we call upon Ministers here in Buenos Aires to do so -  to consider meaningful trade policy 
responses to support the reconstruction of these economies and l ivelihoods of these worthy 
members of the WTO family.   
 
Beyond Buenos Aires  
 
This WTO Ministerial is a critical one for the multilateral trading system. We must achieve tangible, 
meaningful outcomes here in Buenos Aires, outcomes that are recognized by th e global community 
as an important contribution to advancing national, regional and global economic development 
goals. What we achieve here will also shape the processes and products of our [future] work. Our 
representatives in capitals and in Geneva must leave understanding the clear and positive next 
[negotiating] steps.  
 
In closing, the Delegation of Guyana reiterates its full support towards making this eleventh 
Ministerial Conference an unequivocal success. It is the small and vulnerable economies tha t stand 
to lose the most if success eludes us here in Buenos Aires. For us, failure will be disastrous. We 
must succeed.  
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