WT/MIN(17)/ST/105  
5 January  2018 
(18-0096) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
STATEMENT BY H.E.  MR ELADIO LOIZAGA  
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS  
PARAGUAY  
Recently , we have witnessed a re -emergence of protectionist rhetoric . Attempts  have erroneously 
been made to blame the market economy and free trade for lower economic growth and job 
losses . It is being stressed  that trade barriers should be increased , with a view to reducing imports 
and, supposedly, promoting domestic production.  
 
Paraguay is convinced that thes e measures will not lead to growth or increased  well-being . 
Globalization is a tremendous opportunity that improves  people's connections with each other . We 
should take the best from it. However , we are aware of the need to make adjustments and to 
remedy i nequalities so that everyone can reap the rewards of globalization.  
 
To do so, it is vital to strengthen the multilateral trading system and especially the WTO . We 
reaffirm our commitment to designing rules and disciplines which are clear, transparent and 
non-discriminatory, and which take into account the different levels of development of countries, 
and likewise , incorporate  the principle of inclusiveness.  
 
I would also like to point out the central importance of the functioning of the WTO 's dispute 
settlement system, particularly the Appellate Body, which has ensured compliance with 
obligations, and , above all, has provided  Members, regardless of the size of their econom ies, with 
a body to which they can turn in order to resolve situations affecting trade . 
 
Paraguay has been an active participant in the negotiations  with a view to  this 
Ministerial  Conference . We have specific proposals on all topics , but it should be noted that 
agricultural trade reform is our priority . We believe that this is our Organiza tion's greatest debt . 
 
We have therefore put forward a specific proposal in order to move forward with issues relating to 
market access, which allows for commitments to be met gradually from MC11 onwards, as part of 
a continuous process and with the aim of  establishing a fair and market -oriented agricultural 
trading system , as provided for  in Article  20 of the Agreement on Agriculture . For developing 
countries, family agriculture  is an important element in combating poverty.  
 
We have also supported proposal s that address the elimination of trade -distorting domestic 
subsidies, which are some of the main barriers to international trade in agricultural products . 
Moreover, w e have proposed initiatives that seek to increase food security for all Members.  
 
We beli eve that the WTO has the institutional strength and, above all, the technical capacity to 
examine  outstanding items  on the negotiating  agenda , while addressing  new trends that are 
shaping today's global economy . E-commerce and  current business, production,  distribution and 
consumption models force the WTO to look towards the future.  
 
The post -Buenos Aires work must include a road map that addresses  outstanding items , as well as 
new ones that m ay emerge, and must keep the development approach  at the centre of 
discussions . 
 WT/MIN(17)/ST/105  
- 2 - 
  I also wish to emphasize the importance for my country of the entry into force 
of the Agreement  on Trade Facilitation, which is an instrument t hat we consider key to 
reducing  the cost overruns  of our international trade . My delegati on, as Coordinator of th e Group 
of Land -Locked  Developing Countries , undertakes to ensure the full implementation of this 
Agreement.  
 
Lastly, I wish to underscore that Paraguay has based its national development strategy on a free 
and open economy which is  highly integrated with the markets, with foreign trade representing  
almost 90 % of gross domestic product . We therefore undertake to continue strengthening the 
rules-based multilateral trading system with absolute predictability and with development at its  
core. 
 
__________