WT/MIN(17)/ST/36  
13 December 2017  
(17-6924) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires , 10-13 December 2017  Original: French  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MS  ESSOSSIMNA BALOUKI É PSE LEGZIM  
MINISTER OF TRADE AN D PRIVATE SECTOR PRO MOTION  
TOGO 
The Togolese Republic  would like to reiterate its appreciation to the Government of the 
Argentine  Republic for its excellent organization and hospitality in hosting  this Elevent h Ministerial 
Conference.  
Togo is determined to maintain the integrity of the WTO as the leading ins titution responsible for 
rules-based, fair and equitable multilateral trade, as enshrined in the Marrakesh Agreement  
establishing the WTO . 
We strongly emphasize that special and differential treatment for the developing countries, in 
particular LDCs, is ce ntral and crucial for the credibility and efficiency of the multilateral trading 
system , with a view to  promot ing the industrialization, structural transformation  and economic 
diversification  of these countries . 
We thus  reaffirm that the Doha Development A genda (DDA) and its negotiating mandate remain 
key point s of reference. The same goes for  the disciplines on fisheries subsidies , in line with 
SDG 14.6, which provides for effective special and differential treatment for the developing 
countries and LDCs . 
As to the Trade Facilitation Agreement  (TFA) , we welcome its entry into force  since 22 February . 
We take note of the inbuilt special and differential treatment mechanism and the flexibility 
provided under Section 2 of the Agreement . We do, however,  caution  that our countries  might  face 
a number of challenges in implement ing the Agreement , primarily due to capacity constraints in 
financial, technical and regulatory areas. Therefore, developed country Members and development 
partners must deliver on  their com mitment s to provide financial and technical support to our 
countries in implementing its provisions , pursuant to  the letter and spirit of the TFA. Such 
assistance must not be diverted from support provided in other priority areas for LDCs. 
Nonetheless, we are pleased to inform MC11 participants that Togo has just notified its 
Category  A, B, and C commitments.  
Turning to the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), w e welcome  its contribution to Togo's  
efforts to integrate into the multilateral trading system and build its trade-related capacity to 
achiev e its own development objectives as well as  the Sustainable Development Goals.  
We sincerely thank the United Kingdom for announcing its forthcoming con tribution to Phase II of 
the EIF and urge the other  donors to provide additional financial and technical support in a 
predictable way so that the EIF can meet its funding target for Phase II of the programme needed 
to enhance the LDCs' institutional and pr oductive capacity . 
We are pleased that the WTO continues to prioritize Aid for Trade and welcome  the outcomes  of 
the Sixth Global Review this year.  We underline the importance of Aid for Trade initiatives in 
building trade -related capacity, addressing supply -side constraints, promoting infrastructure 
development and facilitating integration of our economies in to regional trade.  
We call for the elimination of all forms of trade -distorting domestic support  in Agriculture . WT/MIN(17)/ST/36  
 
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  Regarding the Bali and Nairobi De cisions on public stockholding for food security purposes,  we are 
convinced that a permanent solution must take into account the needs of countries such as the 
LDCs which do not yet have any public stockholding programmes.  
As to domestic support for cotton , Togo strongly support s the position of the C4 to give effect to 
the mandates agreed by Ministers in Hong Kong, Bali, and Nairobi . 
On the subject of special and differential treatment , we affirm  that the G -90 proposal in 
JOB/DEV/48 is crucial for structural transformation and industrialization, as well as for increasing 
the producti ve capacity of developing countries and LDCs in order  to enhanc e their ability to take 
an effective part in  the upper levels  of regional and global value chains , thereby facilitating their 
participation in t he multilateral trading system.  
As regards domestic regulation in services , Togo considers that  any future negotiations should  
avoid intrusion into internal policy -making proces ses, preserve Members'  right to  regulate  and not 
hinder the capacity of our countries , and LDCs in particular , to develop an appropriate framework 
for the ir development.  
Concerning  the new issues, in particular e-commerce, investment facilitation, micro, s mall and 
medium -sized enterprises, my country believes that discussions on the issues in question will allow 
more in-depth consideration  of these matters beyond MC11 in order to address the concerns 
expressed by the developing countries.  
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