WT/MIN(15)/ST/2  
17 Dece mber 2015  
(15-6690) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Tenth  Session  
Nairobi , 15-18 December 20 15 Original: English  
 
 STATEMENT BY H.E. MR S MARIE -GABRIELLE INEICHEN -FLEISCH  
STATE SECRETARY  
SWITZERLAND  
Let me first thank wholeheartedly the Government and people of Kenya as well as you personally, 
Madame Chair, for hosting us so generously here in Nairobi for the 10th WTO M inisterial 
Conference.  
 
It is truly a historic moment to convene for the first WTO Ministerial Conference in Africa, home to 
forty-three Members of our Organization, twenty -one years after the WTO was born in Marrakesh.  
 
May I add that I am also very plea sed that we will be welcoming two new Members during this 
Conference – Afghanistan and Liberia.  
 
Switzerland is a strong supporter of the Multilateral Trading System. We are proud to see what 
WTO Members have achieved during the Organization’s first twenty  years.  
 
Let me just mention the expansion of the Membership from 128 to 162, now covering 98% of 
world trade; the resolution of hundreds of trade disputes; new rules and commitments in areas 
such as trade facilitation, government procurement and informati on technology products; 
countless decisions and thorough monitoring in all areas of trade.  
 
The WTO has thus made major  contributions to growth and development and to preventing 
protectionism.  
 
We also know that a lot more needs to be done on the path towa rds a more prosperous and 
sustainable world, as set out by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.  
 
Trade can and must be part of the solution.  
 
However, the economic recovery since the 2009 global crisis has overall been sluggi sh and trade 
expansion limit ed. 
 
I am convinced that a well -functioning Multilateral Trading System is crucial to make trade play its 
full role for development and prosperity.  
 
Switzerland has come to Nairobi to contribute to a successful 10th Ministerial Conference.  
 
We have engaged  constructively in negotiations on possible Nairobi outcomes, even where we are 
among the most exposed Members.  
 
This is particularly true for export competition in agriculture where we stand ready to do our part if 
others are willing to do so as well.  As other Members we also need flexibility to implement our 
contribution to a balanced solution including all pillars of export competition.   
 
We welcome the advances made on LDC issues and look forward to decisions in this regard here in 
Nairobi.  
 WT/MIN(15)/ST/2  
 
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  We also wis h to underscore the importance of concluding the expansion of the Information 
Technology Agreement, the first market access agreement in WTO in 18 years.  
 
Such success should inspire Members engaged in the negotiation on an Environmental Goods 
Agreement to  reach tangible results there soon as well.  
 
This leaves us with a big question – how to reach meaningful results through WTO beyond Nairobi?  
 
After 14 years of great efforts diverging perspectives on what would be required to deliver on 
outstanding Doha issues are threatening to block the way forward in multilateral trade 
negotiations.  
 
We strongly believe that such blockage should not be allowed to happen.  
 
Switzerland calls on all Members to engage, after the Nairobi Conference, in frank discussions on 
how to achieve further progress in the Multilateral Trading System.  
 
A failure to do so would have obvious consequences: more bilateral, regional, mega -regionals and 
plurilateral trade agreements. Such preferential approaches can bring real benefits to par ticipating 
countries. But they are certainly not the best option if we want to make trade work for all.  
 
The Nairobi Ministerial Conference is an opportunity to deliver concrete results for Members and 
the world economy. It is also a crucial moment for Me mbers to reaffirm their commitment to the 
Multilateral Trading System and show their resolve to overcome current challenges.  
 
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