Director-General updates members on final preparations for "turning point" ministerial

"MC14 will be consequential for the organization," DG Okonjo-Iweala told delegations. "It is what I call a 'Turning Point Ministerial', one in which we can show that the organization is up to the job of taking criticism seriously and using this to reposition itself."

The Director-General said that members were closing in on texts to be sent to ministers for their consideration, and which would deliver the political signals needed to advance post-MC14 negotiating work. 

Ambassador Saqer Abdullah Almoqbel (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Chair of the General Council, said the package "is informal in nature and does not constitute a formal transmission of work from Geneva. Rather, it serves as a briefing tool to help ministers prepare for their deliberations based on the MC[14] programme structure." 

Concerning the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Director-General said that she, the MC14 host - Cameroon - and the General Council were closely monitoring the situation and following developments that could affect the meeting and participation. In the meantime, she said, arrangements for MC14 are still in place and plans have not changed. Members will be kept fully informed and relevant updates will be shared promptly, she added.

WTO reform

On the issue of WTO reform, which has been identified by many members as a priority for discussion in Yaoundé, the Director-General underlined the importance of securing political impetus to advance the work after MC14.

"The WTO has long spoken of unfinished negotiations and long-overdue reform, yet too often our promises have outpaced our results," she said. "This Conference must demonstrate that this time is different."

Reporting in his capacity as the facilitator on WTO reform, Ambassador Petter Ølberg (Norway) noted that "significant progress" has been made since the start of intensified engagement by WTO members in June 2025. He noted that a draft Yaoundé Ministerial Statement on WTO Reform and draft WTO Reform Work Plan, which reflect the cumulative efforts of members over the past nine months, have been presented to members for consideration.

"I fully recognize that these texts may not reflect every preference," Ambassador Olberg said. But, he added, "we have reached the limits of what can responsibly be achieved here in Geneva. If we are truly committed to advancing WTO reform - as I believe we all are - I appeal to you to approach these draft texts in that spirit."

"We have come a long way from where we were," the Director-General said after members took the floor to comment on the facilitator's report. "Yes, there are still disagreements and discordant notes, but . I'm optimistic that we are going to make it."

Agriculture, fisheries subsidies, development

Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain (Pakistan), the Chair of the negotiations on agriculture, reported that nine new submissions have been received from members since his call for new inputs last December. Two rounds of consultations took place in mid-January and early February respectively to facilitate the negotiations. 

Responding to requests from several members, the Chair said he had presented a draft Ministerial Declaration in late February and, following further consultations, a revised draft on 5 March that was discussed at a transparency meeting the following day.

"It is my assessment that the majority of members, barring a few, are prepared to accept the revised draft ministerial text, as they believe that it sets the stage for focused negotiations to commence post-MC14 without prejudging their outcome," Ambassador Hussain said.

With regards to discussions on agriculture at MC14, Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain said the majority of members favour holding a plenary session in Yaoundé, while some favour smaller breakout sessions. The Chair said he would forward a few guiding questions to help structure the discussions.

Ambassador Leslie Ramsammy (Guyana), chair of the negotiations on fisheries subsidies, said he has been holding consultations with members since his appointment in December on what could be accomplished on the issue in the run-up to MC14, as well as on post-MC14 work. The Chair reported broad support for securing a political statement from ministers at MC14 calling for the effective implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and reaffirming members' commitment to continue negotiating additional provisions on fisheries subsidies after MC14. However, several members said they were prioritizing other more pressing matters for MC14.

In light of this, Ambassador Ramsammy said a text issued under his own responsibility seemed the most viable way forward. Circulated on 6 March, the text "succinctly captures the broad views of the membership". "Such a commitment", he added, "would send a clear message to the world that prosperous sustainable fisheries remain an important priority for WTO members".

Ambassador Kadra Ahmed Hassan, chair of the negotiations on trade and development, said that work in the run-up to MC14 continued to focus on proposals in the areas of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), technical barriers to trade (TBT), and Article 66.2 of the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) related to the promotion of technology transfer to least-developed countries (LDCs). 

As to the first two issues, work focused on an updated draft from the G90 group of developing and LDC members on enhancing the precise, effective and operational implementation of special and differential treatment provisions of the SPS and TBT Agreements. While a few differences remain on some elements of the text, significant progress has been made, and there was broad convergence on the draft proposal and its direction, Ambassador Hassan said.

On Article 66.2, members' views on the G90 proposal in this area continue to differ, and reservations have remained, Ambassador Hassan said, adding that the G90 will continue to engage with members to find a possible landing zone ahead of MC14.

MC14 Ministerial Declaration, MC15 venue

Ambassador Almoqbel reported on his consultations with members regarding his proposed "minimalist zero draft" Ministerial Declaration for adoption at MC14. He said it is ultimately for ministers to decide in Yaoundé whether they wish to endorse a Ministerial Declaration or whether the MC14 Chair would consider it more appropriate to issue a Chair statement under his own responsibility.

Ambassador Almoqbel also reported on his consultations regarding the possible venue for the 15^th Ministerial Conference (MC15). While many members expressed appreciation for the offer last October from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host MC15, and while several members voiced their support for this offer at the December 2025 General Council meeting, other delegations have preferred not to take a decision on this before or at MC14.