WT/MIN(17)/ST/12/Rev.1  
9 January  2018 
(18-0201) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
STATEMENT BY H.E.  MR RODOLFO NIN NOVOA  
MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE  
URUGUAY  
Revision  
First of all, I would like to thank the Government and people of Argentina for their hospitality and 
the excellent arrangements made for this Eleventh Ministerial Conference of the World Trade 
Organization.  
Special thanks also go to  the WTO Director -General, the General Counc il Chair, the Facilitators, 
the Chairs of the Negotiating Groups and the Secretar iat for their tremendous efforts in preparing 
this event . 
This Conference is taking place a little over 30 years after the launching of the preceding  round of 
negotiations – known as the Uruguay Round – under what was  then the GATT . Then came a 
genuine  milestone in the history of world trade : the creation of the WTO, featuring the 
incorporation of the multilateral trading rules and the Dispute Settlement Understanding  among its 
landmark achievements . 
Over th ose 30 years, trade has been the driver of world economic growth, unquestionably  boosted 
by the existence of clear rules, a system for the peaceful settlement of disputes between Members , 
and more open markets . Trade can play a key role in promoting sustain able development and 
eradicating  poverty, as recognized  in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development.  
There is no denying that some have also lost out in the process as a result  of situations that we 
did not know how to address or deal wit h either collectively or individually . We must learn from the 
lessons of the past  in order to gain in efficiency and inclusiveness and move towards the 
achiev ement of  sustainable development.  
Nonetheless, the reality that we are now facing on the international scene is unpromising . In the 
face of a dizzying rate of unprecedented changes , nationalism a nd protectionism are rising once 
again in response  to fear and insecurity . I have not come here to repeat stock phrases or to recite 
mantras . What I d o believe is that the time has come for us to think about the fact that it is 
precisely the existence of the rules -based multilateral system that has saved humanity from 
threats on a global scale following the Second World War.  
It is our individual and col lective duty to take care of institutions and to work on strengthening 
them. Today, tolerance and dialogue are more important tools than ever.  
Once again, Uruguay reaffirms its deep dedication to multilateralism and its commitment to the 
rules-based multil ateral trading system . I would like t o emphasize that we support 
the Joint Ministerial Statement issued this morning, Monday 1 1 December , by a large number of 
countries, the Friends of the System group and other co -sponsors from developed and developing 
countries that share the  goal of safeguarding  an open, rules -based, multilateral trading system 
embodied in the World Trade Organization.  WT/MIN(17)/ST/12/Rev.1  
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  We must  not forget that the WTO is an organization which, in addition to its tr aditional and 
well-known negotiating and dispute settlement functions, has extremely important responsibilities 
in preventing trade disputes, reviewing trade policies, providing training and dealing with technical 
barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosa nitary measures, to mention but a few.  
I think that the time has now also come to make a major  collective effort and return to the 
negotiating table in a constructive spirit , in the interests of  the global public good of prosperity  for 
our countries . In this connection, I would like to refer to an area of particular importance to 
Uruguay , namely agriculture . Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture provides for a process to 
reform the sector . Twenty years later, little has been done. In Nairobi, it was  said that a n outcome 
in agriculture was vital to ensure the validity and preservation of the Organization's negotiating 
function , and we still believe that this is so . Two years after Nairobi, we cannot but express  our 
frustration at the low level of ambit ion that continues to delay outcomes on domestic support and 
market access.  
Once again, we will not be able to endorse  outcomes that represent a step backwards in the 
disciplines on agriculture . There is legitimate concern about food security, which will h ave to be 
discussed in the future . With its population of a little over three  million , Uruguay can produce food 
for 50  million  people and contribute to resolving  the problem of world food security.  
Let us apply ourselves to defining a work  plan that will lead us into  serious, balanced and 
meaningful negotiations  over the next two  years.  
Some say  that big announcements and major agreements have had their day . This might well be 
the case . On the other hand , we can certainly say that this is the time to work,  to engage in 
securing  tangible outcomes – however modest – aimed at increasing trade liberalization, 
strengthening institutional frameworks  and boosting the development and well -being of our 
peoples.  
Hence,  Uruguay is  already fully committed to the establishment of  work programmes and agendas 
so that we can  push forward in the  coming  years on outstanding issues and topics such as 
e-commerce, investment facilitation, and small and medium -sized enterprises, thus enabl ing this 
Organization and its Membe rs to rise to the challenges posed by the century in which we live.  
To conclude, I reiterate Uruguay's utmost confidence  in and firm undertaking to do everything it 
possibly can to ensure the success of this Ministerial Conference.  
 
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