Kathmandu: Nepal participated in the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC14), inaugurated by Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister of Cameroon, at Palais de Congres in Yaoundé on March 27. The following three days, the delegation of 166 Members of WTO deliberated and gave political guidance on the key areas of development including priorities of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), agriculture, electronic commerce, investment facilitation for development fisheries subsidies, dispute settlement and WTO reform.
Ram Prasad Subedi, the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations, participated in the 14th China Roundtable on WTO Accessions, Ministerial Meeting of Land Locked Developing Countries, and the Roundtable on LDC’s Priorities and WTO Reform on March 25. At the Ministerial Roundtable on WTO Accessions, Nepal noted WTO accession as a transformative process requiring both domestic reform and global trade integration. In the context of the scheduled graduation of Nepal from LDC status, Nepal emphasized the importance of the continuation of support measures including market access, policy space for industrial development, technology transfer, and capacity building.
At the Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC’s), Nepal underscored the structural challenges faced by LLDCs, including high transport and transit costs, limited connectivity, and low participation in global trade and called for enhanced transit cooperation, effective implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement, and increased investment in digital infrastructure and services trade. Nepal emphasized the need for a dedicated LLDC Work Programme within the WTO.
The Permanent Mission of Nepal stated that Nepal participated in the launch of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Phase III, highlighting its role in strengthening productive capacity, developing export value chains, and supporting LDCs in their graduation process. On the sidelines, the delegation engaged in several thematic events, business conclaves, and bilateral meetings with key trading partners.
A five-member Nepali Delegation led by the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva participated in the MC14. The delegation consisted of Subedi and officials from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Permanent Mission of Nepal.
The WTO 14th Ministerial Conference concluded on March 29.
