WT/MIN(15)/ST/33
18 December 2015
(15-6752)  Page: 1/1
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR JOHN CHEN-CHUNG DENG 
MINISTER OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS 
SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN , PENGHU , KINMEN AND MATSU 
Madam Chair, Director-General, distinguished Members, let me start by thanking Kenya for its 
hospitality and for the excellent arrangements made for this Conference. Holding this Conference in Africa is a good opportunity to highlight th e growth potential of Africa. We concurred with 
Director-General Roberto Azevêdo that we can take important steps that could help to improve the 
lives and prospects of our people and strengthen the multilateral trading system on which we all 
depend. We hope over the coming days we w ill be able to deliver something positive. 
 
As a WTO Member for nearly 14 years, we have always seen the multilateral trading system as an 
impetus for global economic stability and a driving force for growth and prosperity for all countries. 
We therefore join in celebrating the 20th a nniversary of the WTO and its achievements. 
 
The Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), for exampl e, is nearing implementation. We call on all 
Members to complete their domestic ratification processes as soon as possible. We believe that an early entry into force of the TFA will benefit global trade while reassuring the global community's 
confidence in the multilateral trading system.  
 In addition, the completion of the ongoing negotiations on the Information Technology Agreement 
expansion is also very welcome, as well as the progress made on the Environmental Goods 
Agreement. Such plurilateral approaches can stre ngthen and complement the multilateral trading 
system.  
 
Although some progress has been made, the current impasse in the Doha Round negotiations is a disappointment. While recognizing the difficulties an d challenges facing us, we need to reaffirm the 
importance of the development aspect in the negotiations, which is the foundation for our effort in 
the past 14 years. We should continue discussing DDA issues after Nairobi. But we could be more 
creative and focused on smaller package and working step by step towards the ultimate goal of Doha Round. The success of the TFA certainly is a useful reference. We can also learn from the 
process of ITA expansion and work together to reassure that the WTO is the driving force for 
promoting global trade and development.   
I would also like to take this opportunity to extend our hearty congratulations to both Liberia and 
Afghanistan on successfully completing their accessions to the WTO at this Conference.  To conclude, I would like to concur with His Excellency, Honorable Uhuru Kenyatta, the President 
of the Republic of Kenya, said yesterday in his opening remarks, "the spirit that has allowed us to 
come together and achieve measures that many thought impossible should be present at this 
year's 10th WTO Ministerial Conference. The hope for millions of people in increased prosperity on 
the basis of trade and exchange, is in your hands". So let us strive to meet the expectations of our 
people so that confidence in this multilateral trading system may endure for the benefit of the 
world economy and all WTO Members. 
 
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