WT/MIN(17)/ST/49  
 
13 December 2017  
(17-6934) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR  TSOGTBAATAR DAMDIN  
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN  AFFAIRS  
MONGOLIA  
At the outset, let me express my sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Argentina for 
hosting and organizing this important Conference.  
 
The multilateral trading system is facing uneasy times. It delivered growth and wealth, but they 
were not s ufficiently equitable and inclusive. However, what is surprising today is that the players 
that benefitted the most out of the free trade are now becoming more inward -looking. Mongolia is 
of the view that the only way out of the social and economic constra ints experienced globally is 
through preserving and enhancing the multilateral trading system. This system with its special and 
differential treatment mechanism enhanced further can deliver both prosperity and equity.  
 
The negotiations at the WTO must tak e into consideration the existing imbalance between the 
capacity of developed and developing countries. Hence, I would like to emphasize the need of 
developed economies to demonstrate flexibility and greater willingness to accommodate and 
recognize the spe cial situation as well as the needs and challenges of the Landlocked Developing 
Countries (LLDCs), the net food importing developing countries (NFIDCs), and the Small 
Vulnerable Economies (SVEs) . Such approach is to guarantee Members fair access to the sec urity 
of the rules irrespective of their size and level of development.  
 
 We believe that all the WTO members want to deliver on the core long -standing Doha negotiating 
issues. However, in addition to these issues, some members have been suggesting other i ssues. 
These include, inter alia , steps to support micro, small and medium sized -enterprises (or MSMEs), 
investment facilitation, trade finance, e -commerce etc. I would like to highlight the  importance of 
enhancing multilateral work on these issues by usin g the opportunity offered at the 11th Ministerial 
Conference to take the necessary steps to revitalize the work in the WTO.  
 
MSMEs, especially in LLDCs, face major hurdles in accessing financing on affordable terms. 
Adequate provision of trade finance coul d help them join markets and reap more benefits from 
increased trade.  
 
The lack of access to the sea presents a set of challenges particular to the group of LLDCs.  Above 
all, it often results in transportation costs that are higher than average.  
 
I would like to call upon the constructive cooperation of transit countries for the effective and early 
application of the TFA disciplines that contribute to reducing transit time and costs, simplifying 
procedures and enhancing certainty in trans -border trade.  
 
Mongolia, with the view to improve the access of its goods and services to its neighbouring 
markets, has been collaborating closely with Russia and China. We will be soon launching a joint 
study on the FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union. Also we are elabor ating on the development 
of economic corridor between China and Russia, through the territory of Mongolia, as an extension 
of the BRI of China.  
 
I would like to highlight here that China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could bring new 
opportunities to the landlocked developing countries along the BRI, which have been heavily 
penalized by distance from the main economic centres. I am positive that the initiative and efforts WT/MIN(17)/ST/49  
 
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  by China will play a prominent role in developing the countries along the Belt and Road, including 
Mongolia.  
 
Taking this opportunity, I should also commend the ten countries that ratified the UN Multilateral 
Agreement on the Est ablishment of the International Think Tank (ITT) on LLDCs, which facilitated 
its entry into force on 6 October 2017. Herewith, I would like to urge the other LLDCs to do the 
same.  
 
By noting that the ITT started active operations based in Ulaanbaatar sinc e 2012 with the financial 
contribution provided by the Government of Mongolia, we invite the United Nations system, 
Member States, including development partners, and relevant international and regional 
organizations to support the international think tank , as it has started playing an important role in 
enhancing the analytical capacity of the LLDCs and provide home -grown research to cater for our 
specific needs.   
 
Lastly, we propose to announce the group of LLDCs as a formal one. We call on the Members to  
afford a favourable consideration of this proposal.  
Thank you very much for your attention.  
 
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