WT/MIN(17)/ST/90  
4 January 2018  
(18-0049) Page: 1/1 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh  Session  
Buenos Aires , 10-13 December 20 17 Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR . VINCENT THINAH SER ETSE  
MINISTER OF INVESTME NT, TRADE AND INDUST RY 
BOTSWANA  
Botswana continues to have complete faith in the relevance of the rules -based Multilateral Trading 
System and its contribution to global growth and stability as supported by the WTO and its rules -
based system.  
 
We regret the stalemate in the negotiations and the very divergent positions which continue to 
hinder progress in Geneva. With that, we hold the view that there is need to reach what has thus 
far been a very illusive balance (my emphasis). That will enable us to advance our negotiations 
which are co re to the very existence of the WTO.  
 
We are greatly disturbed by the lack of appetite, of some of our negotiating partners, to engage in 
some areas of the negotiations particularly the Doha Development Agenda. We would like to 
dissuade Members from any s uch precedent that does not stand to help anyone among us. We 
should at the very least be able to listen to each other, and reflect on the concerns/interests of all 
Members. In this way, the Republic of Botswana is willing to show flexibility by way of lis tening to 
and deciding on a way forward in relation to engaging on the new issues of interest to some of our 
partners. However, priority should always be given to the Doha issues so that at the end of the 
day we achieve a mutually beneficial result.  
 
Given  the very limited time we have had in Buenos Aires and the difficult dynamics in the 
negotiations, the likelihood of coming up with tangible outcomes has looked more and more 
remote by the day. We believe that this Ministerial Conference should aim towards  providing 
political direction and guidance to the technocrats on how to take the negotiations forward.  
 
It is of paramount importance that as we reflect on the outcomes of this Conference that we 
devote significant efforts towards agreeing on a future -oriented programme that will guide the 
work of our Organisation in all the substantive areas of negotiations. Maybe now is the right time 
to confront the issues hindering progress in an open and transparent manner. It is time to take 
stock and see whether ou r current make up and structure of doing things is responsive to the 
dynamic nature of our economies. Where found necessary, the Republic of Botswana will not 
hesitate in supporting any reforms that are found necessary to transform our Organisation so as t o 
enhance the workings of the multilateral trade system hinged upon rules that are applied 
objectively taking into account the peculiarities of its Member States.  
 
It would be remise of me not to reflect on the recent successes of the organisation despite  the 
challenges we face. In this regard, we welcome the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on 
Trade Facilitation and the TRIPS Amendment. These instruments stand to address development 
concerns such as improving the trading prospects within and among de veloping countries, and 
providing legal certainty to accessing cheaper generic medicines that would ensure the sustenance 
of our public health programmes. It is on this token that, I would like to encourage their full 
implementation so that we realize thei r true benefit.  
 
 
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