Yaounde: WTO MC14 wraps with agreements reached, talks to continue in Geneva.

Ministers adopted a series of decisions after disagreeing on a couple of others. They agreed to continue negotiations in Geneva on several unresolved issues after four days of intensive talks.

The meeting, chaired by Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, brought together nearly 2,000 trade officials, including over 90 ministers. 

Negotiations extended well beyond the scheduled closing time, with ministers continuing discussions into the early hours in an attempt to bridge differences. 

The conference, initially set to conclude in the early afternoon of March 29, ran late into the night as delegations worked on complex trade issues.

Despite progress, several critical matters remained unresolved. Among them were the WTO’s work programme on electronic commerce and the renewal of long-standing moratoriums, including one dating back to 1998 that prevents countries from imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions.

The Director General of WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, acknowledged the intensity of the negotiations and the proximity to agreement.

“A lot was accomplished. We decided to work differently. I think we have a new WTO way of working, to modernise the way we do business, so we can be more nimble, more responsive as we move forward,” she declared. 

Decisions adopted at MC14

Ministers adopted several decisions during the conference, including measures aimed at improving the integration of small economies into the multilateral trading system and enhancing the implementation of special and differential treatment provisions in agreements on sanitary and phytosanitary measures, SPS, and technical barriers to trade, TBT.

Progress was also recorded on broader WTO reform discussions, with members agreeing on a work programme to advance institutional reforms, including decision-making processes and dispute settlement mechanisms.

The Yaounde package & next steps

Although a full package of agreements was not finalised, ministers identified a set of draft outcomes referred to as the “Yaounde package” to be carried forward to Geneva for completion at the next General Council meeting.

“We are very close to a Yaounde package of agreements that would be important for members and the future of the organization. But we are not all the way there yet. We shouldn’t leave it on the table,” Okonjo-Iweala revealed. 

The package includes draft texts on WTO reform, electronic commerce, the extension of the moratorium on intellectual property-related disputes, and a package for least developed countries. According to the Director-General, preserving these texts is essential to avoid losing progress made during the conference.

Reform agenda 

MC14 was framed as a “reform ministerial”, with members focusing on modernising the WTO’s functioning. 

Discussions addressed long-standing challenges, including the paralysis of the Appellate Body since 2019 and the need for more efficient decision-making processes.

Ministers adopted a more flexible approach during the conference, opting not to negotiate a traditional comprehensive outcome document. Instead, they prioritised targeted decisions and a chairman’s statement, allowing more time for substantive discussions.

Okonjo-Iweala said this approach reflected a shift towards more agile working methods within the organisation.

“We are trying a new way of working. We worked more swiftly, more nimbly,” she said. 

The Director-General also highlighted the role of plurilateral initiatives, where groups of willing members advance agreements without requiring full consensus, as part of evolving WTO practices.

Host country highlights cooperation

In his closing remarks, Minister Mbarga Atangana highlighted both the organisational and substantive aspects of the conference, pointing to the level of engagement among participants and the broader impact of hosting the event.

He noted that beyond formal negotiations, the conference facilitated dialogue between countries and showcased Cameroon’s economic and cultural landscape, including exhibitions promoting local products and entrepreneurship. 

He also referenced instances of renewed engagement between trade ministers who had not met in years, underscoring the diplomatic dimension of the gathering.

Looking ahead to Geneva

With several issues left unresolved, attention now shifts to Geneva, where WTO members are expected to continue negotiations in the coming weeks. 

The General Council, which has the authority to take decisions between ministerial conferences, will play a central role in advancing the outstanding agenda.

Ministers indicated their willingness to support further work at the technical level, with the aim of building on the progress made in Yaounde and reaching consensus on key issues. 

The next Ministerial Conference, MC15, is expected to serve as a milestone for concluding negotiations on fisheries subsidies and other pending matters.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3746 of Monday March 30, 2026