WT/MIN(15)/9  
 
3 December 2015  
(15-6423)  Page: 1/2  
Ministerial Conference 
Tenth Session 
Nairobi, 15-18 December 2015  Original: English  
 
 STATEMENT DURING THE SECOND INFORMATION SESSION ON THE LOGISTICAL 
PREPARATIONS FOR THE 10TH WTO MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE (MC10),  
2 DECEMBER 2015 – GENEVA 
The following statement, delivered by H.E. Dr. Stephen Ndungu KARAU, Ambassador, on behalf of 
Ambassador (Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, is being circulated at the re quest of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of 
Kenya. 
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1.1.  I am pleased to be here today at the second and final information session to update you on 
the preparations for the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference. As you are all aware the WTO's Tenth Ministerial Conference is fast approaching – it is only a few days away. The National Preparatory 
Committee has been working round the clock wi th the support and cooperation of the WTO 
Secretariat to finalize all logistical and other related aspects of the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference. 
1 . 2 .   I  a m  g l a d  t o  i n f o r m  y o u  w e  h a v e  m a d e  c o m m e n d a b l e  p r o g r e s s .  T h e  S e c r e t a r i a t  t e c h n i c a l  
visits have been useful in assessing and providing input on various requirements in pursuit of a 
successful Ministerial Conference. The represen tatives of the Kenyan National Preparatory 
Committee and the Secretariat will be presenting to  you this morning a complete picture of where 
we are at the moment on various logistical and other related aspects of the Conference.  
1.3.  I must say that Kenya and the African Cont inent is fully prepared and looking forward to 
receiving you all in Nairobi for the Ministerial Conference with a lot of anxiety and expectations. 
We in Africa are eagerly waiting to warmly welcome you all with our usual African hospitality.  
1.4.  While a lot of progress has been made on the logistical arrangements, we are concerned that 
progress on the substantive deliverables for Nairobi has continued to lag behind. However, we are encouraged to note that the preparatory process on the substance has intensified with a view to 
identifying and reaching consensus on the outcomes for Nairobi.  
1.5.  It is my wish, and indeed the wish of all of  us that the contents of the Ministerial Declaration 
will be agreed upon in Geneva in order to facili tate smooth engagement of the Ministers during the 
Conference in Nairobi. In this respect, I urge you all to remain committed and complete work on 
the outcomes for Nairobi here in Geneva.  
1.6.  We must therefore move with speed to bridge any gaps that exist taking into consideration 
the limited time before the Conference. In my ro le as the MC10 Chair, I have been in regular 
contact with the Director-General who has kept me up-to-date on the intensive work and consultations that have been taking place in Geneva. We all need to support the Director-General so that the product of the Geneva preparatory process can facilitate the Ministers to reach an 
agreement on a consensual Ministerial Declaration in Nairobi.  WT/MIN(15)/9 
 
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  1.7.  I have also been in contact with counterpart s in different regions outlining my expectations in 
terms of Nairobi and seeking support as the Chair of the Conference to ensure that we have a 
successful Ministerial Conference. In Nairobi, we must, therefore, rise above the occasion and demonstrate that this organization can deliver successful outcomes for the global economy and 
sustainable development.  
1.8.  As we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the WTO at MC10 in Nairobi, we must also define a 
shared framework for carrying forward the WTO’s future work in a way that is balanced and 
represents the interests of all WTO Members. This year has been a momentous one for 
multilateralism and global development agenda: We had the Third International Conference on 
Financing for Development which took place in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in July this year which was followed by the adoption of the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals. The COP 21 
which is going on in Paris is expected to result in a sustainable agreement to combat climate 
change. We therefore need to solidly express ou r commitment to the multilateral trading system 
so that the work of the WTO can be fully inte grated into the global sustainable development 
Agenda.  
1.9.  We need to give credibility and confidence  to the Multilateral Trading System and the WTO as 
a rule based organization. We need to build on what we achieved in Bali and move forward. I am 
sure it is in our collective interest that this happens. From my extensive consultations, there is a 
general desire by the Membership for a successful 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi. I would appreciate if this desire to make Nairobi a success can be translated into compromises and convergence on the key pending issues in readiness for a memorable occasion in Nairobi. 
1.10.  I will also be using the policy dialogue in the Fourth WTO China Accession Round Table 
process, to underscore the vital importance of st rengthening trade multilateralism and the benefits 
of a stable, predictable, rule-based inter-dependent global economy. The WTO China Roundtable 
will be held from the 12th to 13th December at the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi. The 
Roundtable meeting will also afford an opportunity to celebrate accession of Liberia and Afghanistan to the WTO family.  
1.11.  Finally, I would like to inform you that my team from the National Preparatory Committee is 
available today and tomorrow, to provide you with any assistance your delegations may require as you prepare to travel to Nairobi for the Conference  
1.12.  In conclusion, I would like to once again assure you that we are ready and look forward to 
receiving all of you to Kenya and to our continent - Africa. It is my intention to work constructively 
with you all to ensure that MC10 is a success. I will therefore count on your goodwill, flexibility and engagement to make this happen.  
1.13.  Thank you and once again, I look forward to seeing you in Kenya soon. Karibuni Kenya. 
Thank you. Asanteni Sana.  
 
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