Kathmandu: The 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded on March 30. The conference concluded at the Palais des Congres in Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon, with the adoption of decisions and progress on some outstanding issues including in WTO reform.
According to the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations Geneva, The MC14 remained meaningful for Nepal in terms of the deliverables on the priorities of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) as it adopted decisions to improve the implementation of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) provisions in the SPS and TBT Agreements, and support measures for the integration of small and vulnerable economies in the global trading system. The progress on Agreement Specific Proposals including a voluntary and non-binding illustrative list of incentives to support the implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, which provides for the technology transfer to DC’s remained noteworthy.
The MC 14 welcomed the launch of the third phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) until December 2031. As the only multilateral Aid for Trade mechanism dedicated to LDCs, EIF Phase III will support Nepal in strengthening productive capacity, building export competitiveness, and ensuring a smooth, sustainable, irreversible graduation from LDC status.
A five-member Nepali delegation led by Ram Prasad Subedi, Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, actively engaged in the Ministerial discussions on LDC graduation, WTO reform, LLDC priorities, and WTO accession. Nepal underscored the need for the continuation of support measures for the LDCs on the path to graduation, effective operationalization of S&DT provisions, andreliable transit and digital connectivity for LLDCs.
The MC14 agreed to continue negotiations on remaining works in Geneva under emerging “Yaounde Package”, which includes the draft Marustenal Declaration on WTO Reform and Work Plan, the draft Decision on Electronic Commerce, the draft Decision on the Moratorium on TRIPS Non-Violation and Situation Complaints, and the LDC package.
These outcomes provide Nepal with important opportunities to enhance market access, benefit from targeted capacity balding support, build digital trade readiness, and secure policy space for industrial development post LDC graduation.
Saudi Arabia has proposed to host 15th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC15) in Riyadh in 2028.
