WT/MIN(17)/ST/115  
 
9 January 2018  
(18-0158) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT CIRCULATED  BY H.E. DR. MAJID ALKASABI  
MINISTER OF COMMERCE  AND INVESTMENT  
KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA 
On behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I would like to thank Her Excellency 
Mrs. Susana Malcorra for her leadership chairing this Eleventh Ministerial Conference and extend 
our deep appreciation to the Government and people of Argentin a for the warm welcome and the 
excellent arrangements made for this important event.  I would also like to thank the Director -
General Mr. Roberto Azevedo and the WTO Secretariat for their hard work in preparation for this 
Ministerial.  
 
We meet today at a ti me when the global economy is gaining momentum as a cyclical recovery 
holding out the promise of more jobs, higher incomes, and greater prosperity going forward. The 
rapid growth in digital technologies and global value chains is transforming trade through  
reshaping productivities and competitiveness. In such context, WTO should now more than ever 
play the role of a sustainable source of stimulus to global growth through trade liberalisation and 
openness.  
 
I’m deeply concerned about the current stalemate on  how to conclude our unfinished work in WTO 
and on how we can move forward. We cannot allow these obstacles to weaken the rules -based 
multilateral trading system, or to overshadow the important work of this house. We should 
redouble our efforts to make fro m this Ministerial Conference a real success.  In this regard, let me 
highlight three important points . 
 
First, our deliberations here in Buenos Aires must convey a clear message that fair trade and the 
multilateral trading system which in recent decades ha s generated growth and helped lifting 
billions of people out of poverty in developing countries can still deliver fair, balanced and 
equitable outcomes and generate further growth and prosperity.  
 
Second, we must continue supporting and reinforcing the mul tilateral trading system, as embodied 
in the WTO rules and continue to strive to find common ground, starting with a constructive and 
efficient post MC11 roadmap for our future work and a frank and detailed assessment of the 
reasons for the current state o f play as early as possible next year.  
 
Third, we must safeguard and strengthen the WTO. It is important to build on the progress already 
achieved and persevere in our efforts. While we continue these efforts, we can be open to discuss 
new trade -related ma tters brought to by Members, as long as there is consensus for that at the 
appropriate standing WTO body.  
 
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia believes in free trade and the multilateral trading system and is a 
strong supporter of the WTO. International trade is o ne of the main pillars of the "Vision 2030" 
which was launched by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and 
implemented and followed up by the Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman to pursue an ambitious 
and active free trade and open  market. Furthermore, we have undertaken extensive commitments 
upon our accession to WTO and wish all countries to do the same. We clearly recognize the 
centrality of development in the work of WTO and the importance to contribute in the support and 
assist ance to the Least Developed Countries.  
 WT/MIN(17)/ST/115  
 
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  On the negotiation front, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wishes to see meaningful and positive 
outcome in important areas such as the Net Food Import Developing Countries’ programmes and 
the permanent solution for Publi c Stockholding for Food Security Purposes, in domestic regulation 
disciplines in trade in services, in phasing out illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing subsidies, 
and in the work program of e -commerce.  
 
We also encourage investment facilitation discussions, and see merit in the number of ideas 
discussed in the past few months aiming at better integration of Micro, Small and Medium 
Enterprises and women in national and global trading system.  
 
It goes with out saying; all these issues should take into account the development dimension.  
 
With regard to accessions, the Kingdom believes that new accessions to the organization are a 
testimony of the universality of this organization and of the vital role it pla ys globally. We hoped to 
welcome new Members in our family by this MC11. However, we call on Members to facilitate and 
expedite the accession process for developing countries and LDCs, especially for Arab countries.  
 
In conclusion, the Kingdom of Saudi Ara bia stands ready to work with other WTO Members 
towards a successful 11th Ministerial Conference.  
 
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