LIBREVILLE, 30 MARCH 2026 (AGP) – The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Sunday, marking the end of a four-day negotiation marathon involving representatives from 164 member states. The Cameroonian Press Agency reported that the high-level gathering, the WTO’s supreme decision-making body, tackled pivotal topics including the reform of the multilateral trading system, fisheries subsidies, digital trade, and sustainable development concerns.
Participants commended the discussions’quality, noting a collective desire to rejuvenate multilateral trade amidst global fragility stemming from geopolitical tensions and economic disruptions. For Cameroon, hosting the conference was a significant diplomatic achievement, bolstering its international profile and providing Africa with a strategic platform to voice its trade interests.
The successful outcome contrasts with the 13th Ministerial Conference in 2024, which ended in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with mixed results, notably on agricultural issues due to a lack of consensus. The conclusion of the Yaoundé meeting heralds a fresh phase of negotiations, with optimism for more ambitious agreements in future WTO sessions. Paragraph: The successful conclusion of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé signals a new chapter in trade negotiations, emphasizing the pursuit of trade reforms. The event underscores Cameroon’s burgeoning role in international diplomacy and Africa’s dedication to influencing the global trade landscape.
Source: Cameroonian Press Agency
