WT/MIN(17)/INF/ 20 
 
21 November  2017 
(17-6132) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017    
 
 NOTE TO DELEGATIONS  
ARRANGEMENTS FOR CON FERENCE SESSIONS AND  OVERALL PROGRAMME  
 
 
1  OFFICERS  
The Officers of the Eleventh  Session of the Ministerial Conference are as follows:  
 
Chairperson :  H.E. Ms . Susana Malcorra  (Argentina ) 
 
 Vice-Chairs:   H.E. Dr. Okechu kwu Ene lamah  (Nigeria ) 
H.E. Mr. David Parker  (New Zealand ) 
Mr. Edward Yau  (Hong Kong, China ) 
 
 
2  OPENING  SESSION  
The Co nference will be opened at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday 10 December. Because of the participation 
of high -level dignitaries, delegates should plan t o arrive at the Buenos Aires Convention Centre at 
least one hour before the scheduled start time to accommodate special security arrangements.  
 
During this  Session, the Chairperson will propose the adoption of the Agenda1 and the Chairman of 
the General Co uncil will make a statement.  
 
Also during this session, there will be addresses b y the President of the Republic of Argentina, 
H.E. Mauricio Macri, and the Director -General. Heads of State of  countries  of the region will also be 
present at the Opening Sess ion. 
 
The Opening Session will take place in the Buenos Aires Convention Centre  and s eating for 
delegations will be indicated by chair bands.  The s pecial arrangements  for th e Opening Session, 
including  those  to facilitate the arrival of Heads of delegation  and delegates, as well as its 
programme will be announced in due course.  
 
 
3  PLENARY SESSION  
The Plenary Session  will commence at 10:00 a.m. on Monday 11 December and will continue over 
the following days. As at past Ministerial Conferences, the Plenary wi ll provide an opportunity for 
Ministers to make prepared statements in accordance with the List of Speakers , which was opened 
for inscription on 6 November .  
 
The List of Speakers will be taken up , starting with the hosts  and Chairs of previous WTO 
Ministe rial Conferences in chronological order, in keeping with established practice.  The Plenary 
Session will take place in  room Pacífico A at the Hilton Buenos Aires Hotel , and seating  for 
delegations  will be indicated by chair bands.  
 
                                                
1 Contained in WT/MIN(17)/W/1.  WT/MIN(17)/INF/ 20 
 
- 2 - 
 
  Full details concerning a rrangements for speakers in the Plenary Session can be found in 
WT/MIN(1 7)/INF/ 16.  Additional arrangements for the first Plenary Session, taking place on 
Monday 11 December at 10:00 a.m. , will be communicated in due course.  
 
4  INFORMAL SESSIONS  
Information on any informal sessions for Ministers will be provided in due course. Any such 
sessions would take place i n parallel to the Plenary Session . 
 
 
5  CLOSING SESSION  
The Closing Session will take place on Wednesday 1 3 December, at 4:00 p.m. in room Pacífico A at  
the Hilton Buenos Aires Hotel . Seating  for delegations  will be indicated by chair bands.  
 
 
6  OVERALL PROGRAMME  
Below is a preliminary overview of the programme of formal sessions of  the Ministerial Conference.  
This programme may be subject to change.   
 
 
Programme for the Ministerial Conference  
 
 
 
Sunday  
10 December  
  
Opening  Session  
5:00 p.m.  
 
Monday  
11 December   
Plenary Session  
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
 
Plenary Session   
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
 
 
Tues day  
12 December   
Plenary Session  
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
 
Plena ry Session  
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. 
 
 
Wednes day  
13 December   
Plenary Session  (if necessary)  
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
 
Closing Session  
4 p.m.  
 
 
 
Delegations are advised that meetings will begin on time.  In this regard, delegations are strongly 
encouraged to allow  adequate time for any traffic -related delays in Buenos  Aires and security 
screening at the Buenos Aires Convention Centre and at the Hilton Buenos Aires Hotel  in advance 
of the scheduled meetings.  
 
For the above -mentioned Sessions, delegations are kindly requested to wear formal business 
attire . 
 
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