WTO Members Rally for Reform and Repositioning Ahead of MC14 in Yaoundé

As global trade experiences one of the most profound disruptions in recent history, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is shifting its focus toward internal transformation. With less than a year until the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) scheduled for March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, WTO members have reached a “broad agreement” on the need to prioritize reform and repositioning of the multilateral trade body.

This consensus was articulated by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 7 May during a meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC), which she chairs. Her remarks underscored the urgency of capitalizing on the current trade crisis as an opportunity to address systemic weaknesses and revitalize the WTO's relevance in a rapidly evolving global economic landscape.

A Pivotal Moment for the WTO

“We are now in the midst of one of the largest disruptions in world trade in history,” the Director-General stated, highlighting the necessity of MC14 delivering a strong political message of resilience and reaffirmation of the WTO’s role.

Okonjo-Iweala has engaged in consultations with member states to shape a credible roadmap leading to MC14. She emphasized that members overwhelmingly support using the upcoming conference as a platform to launch structural reforms and enhance the WTO’s core functions: negotiations, dispute settlement, and transparency.

The Director-General proposed a phased reform approach, comprising:

1. A facilitator-led scoping exercise ahead of MC14,

2. Ministerial-level guidance on actionable reform steps during the conference, and

3. Implementation within designated workstreams post-MC14, targeting concrete deliverables by the 15th Ministerial Conference or earlier.

Reform Areas and Workstreams

Among the potential workstreams under discussion are:

• Dispute settlement reform,

• Measures to ensure the WTO rulebook remains dynamic and responsive,

• Development of future trade rules tailored to emerging global needs.

Okonjo-Iweala urged members to approach the reform effort with “seriousness and urgency,” and to reflect on what each member is willing to concede for the greater good of institutional survival and modernization.

Other Key Priorities for MC14

In addition to broad institutional reform, other critical areas for negotiation and resolution at MC14 include:

• Agriculture

• The “second wave” of fisheries subsidies negotiations

• The fate of the e-commerce moratorium and digital trade rules

• Incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the WTO framework

• Advancing the Joint Initiative on E-commerce

• Development-related provisions and special differential treatment

A comprehensive progress stocktaking is slated for July 2025, followed by a decisive review in December 2025 to determine which issues are ripe for negotiation at MC14.

Negotiation Chairs Report Progress and Challenges

Agriculture: Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain (Pakistan), Chair of the agriculture negotiations, acknowledged widespread agreement on the importance of agricultural reform for WTO credibility. However, he noted that member positions remain largely entrenched. His strategy involves a combination of bilateral engagement and open meetings to promote transparency, culminating in a stocktaking event by early October.

Fisheries Subsidies: Ambassador Einar Gunnarsson (Iceland) emphasized the urgency of securing the remaining 14 acceptances for the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to enter into force. He announced upcoming focused sessions to revitalize “second wave” negotiations based on a pre-existing draft text.

Trade and Development: Ambassador Kadra Hassan (Djibouti) reported that facilitator-led efforts are ongoing in areas such as sanitary measures, technology transfer, and investment rules, with emphasis on achieving flexible, pragmatic results.

Geographical Indications (Wines and Spirits): Ambassador Alfredo Suescum (Panama) indicated that progress remains stalled due to unchanged member positions.

Trade and Environment: Ambassador Eunice M. Tembo Luambia (Zambia) acknowledged a lack of political appetite for new negotiations in this domain at present.

Services: Ambassador Adamu Mohammed Abdulhamid (Nigeria) is conducting consultations on how to fulfill mandates to improve services schedules and reinvigorate engagement post-MC13.

Economic Climate and Forward-Looking Vision

Chair of the General Council, Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel (Saudi Arabia), shared insights from informal consultations focused on the broader economic context. He reported strong member resolve to maintain the WTO as a cornerstone of the global trading system. To advance discussions, he is considering hosting an informal high-level information session, featuring WTO economists and strategic exchanges among member delegations, particularly to support vulnerable economies.

Conclusion: A Call for Collective Action

As the countdown to MC14 continues, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala and WTO leadership are urging member states to think beyond national interests and embrace collective responsibility. With deepening global trade uncertainties, the conference in Yaoundé is positioned not merely as a routine gathering but as a historical juncture for the future of the WTO and the multilateral trading system it anchors.

Tags: