俞建华大使在全体成员代表团团长会议上的发言

Statement on Continuing the DDA Negotiation

20 November 2015, Room W

Thank you, Mr. Chairman,

It isan indisputable fact that an overwhelming majority of the WTO Members are staunchly supporting the continuation of the DDA in itscurrent framework. This is stated in theproposalsby the African Group, ACP, RAMs, LDCs and other developing members. We hearcertain voices saying that the DDA must be die, because it achievednothing.

Thisis simply untrue. We need to tell the world the real story about what we havebeen doing here in the past 14 years in the name of DDA. And we have to beresponsible for history and for our future generations.

Firstof all, saying that DDA has achieved no outcome is simply groundless. It istrue that DDA has been going on for 14 years, with many ups-and-downs, but itis equally true that the DDA represents the biggest and most extensive tradeliberalization efforts under the WTO since its founding 20 years ago. The DohaRound has achieved quite number of significant outcomes with collective effortsof all WTO members. Just to name a few:

2years ago in Bali at MC9, as part of DDA, we have harvested the Bali Package,which includes Trade Facilitation Agreement, public stockholding for foodsecurity purpose and a dozens of Decisions.

4years ago here in Geneva at MC8, we have adopted the mechanism on servicewaiver for LDCs.

9years ago, as part of DDA, we have agreed and implemented the RTA transparencymechanism.

10years ago in Hong Kong, as part of DDA, we reached consensus on eliminatingagriculture export subsidies and on granting DFQF treatment to LDCs.

Today,we are working intensively for getting outcomes for MC10, particularlydeliverables on LDCs and Agriculture Export competition. If, all of sudden, wedeclare giving up DDA, not reaffirming our commitments to the DDA at MC10, notreiterating the previous Ministerial Declarations and Decisions, it willgravely undermine the confidence of WTO members who are preparing for and expectingfrom the MC10.

Second,it is a matter of political will. The challenge we are facing is not aboutmandate or framework. The real challenge is some major members are unwilling toparticipate in the DDA negotiation. Ournegotiating history shows that, every time we members showed political will, wewould make the deal. The July Package and TFA can prove that. On the contrary,whenever there lacked political will, our negotiation would stumble, as what we encountered inCancun.

Itis discouragingly surprised to see that, one major founder of this Organizationhas quietly deleted the information related to WTO and Multilateral Trading Systemon its Government website. What is flaring in the homepage is the eye-catchingMega-Regionals and plurilateral agreements.

Third,abandoning Doha runs counter to our Leaders’ instructions. The United Nationshas just adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, again not all WTOmembers are the member states of UN. Among its 17 development goals, the 2^nd(Food Security) and 17^th goal (Global Partnership and SustainableDevelopment) have clearly instructed us to conclude DDA according to itsMandate. The 2030 Agenda is a paramount political guideline for us. We haveobligations to observe and implement the Agenda.

Following ourleaders’ instruction but unable to achieve outcomes, it is one thing. Disregardingor even defying Leaders’ instructions is another thing. The latter is akin toabuse of power. Giving up Leaders’instructions would lead us to nowhere.

Fourth,giving up DDA is a severe setback for the global economic governance. TheMultilateral Trading System is playing an increasingly significant and irreplaceablerole in fostering growth, creating jobs and fighting protectionism.

DDAis the most important and concrete move to enhance and reinforce theMultilateral Trading System, but it is facing unprecedented challenges, such asincreasingly complicated negotiation realities, diversified interests frommembers and distraction of major WTO members in mega regional and regionaltrade agreements.

Ifwe choose to give up when we confront challenges, it is both short-sighted andirresponsible. Such move will dampen ouraspiration in the Multilateral Trading System and destroy the trust between WTOmembers. If we choose to give up the existing Ministerial Declaration andDecisions, it will put this Organization in jeopardy. If this happens, it willkill this Organization.

Fifth,giving up DDA will deal a severe blow to Africa. MC10 is the first WTOMinisterial Conference to be held in African continent. One billion Africanpeople have earnest expectation for this meeting which should deliver on development,and deliver for Africa. If DDA is ended in failure at MC10, how can we tell ourAfrican brothers and sisters that ending DDA is a success for MC10? Are wegoing to bury the DDA while we are celebrating the 20^th anniversaryof the WTO?

Sixth,although Doha Ministerial Declaration and other ministerial declaration,decisions and general council decisions are not subject to DSU of thisorganization, but they are still international treaties which are covered by publicinternational laws. WTO members do have obligations to follow these treaties.

Mr. Chairman, As an ancientChinese saying runs, when a bird's nest isoverturned, no egg can remain intact（覆巢之下，安有完卵）. This is a matter of to be or not to be. If the DDA isdead, there will be no development agenda in post-Nairobi era, developingmembers, especially LDCs, will have nothing to hold on in future negotiations.

Thatis not what we are looking for.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman,