Nepal Actively Participates in the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé

The 14^th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC14) was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Joseph Dion Ngute, Prime Minister of Cameroon, at Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé today. The delegations of 166 Members of WTO will deliberate and give political guidance on the key areas of development including priorities of LDCs, agriculture, electronic commerce, investment facilitation for development, fisheries subsidies, dispute settlement and WTO reform in the next three days.

His Excellency Ram Prasad Subedi participated in the 14^thChina Roundtable on WTO Accessions, Ministerial Meeting of Land Locked Developing Countries, and the Roundtable on LDCs’ Priorities and WTO Reform yesterday on 25 March 2026. At the Ministerial Roundtable on WTO Accessions, Nepal noted that 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 in the market access, policy space for industrial development, technology transfer and capacity building.

Speaking at the Roundtable on LDCs priorities and WTO Reform, the Head of Nepali Delegation called for the continuation support of support measures and the preferential market access for the graduating LDCs. He underscored that WTO reform must remain inclusive and development-oriented, with more operational Special and Differential Treatment provisions.

At the Ministerial Meeting of Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), 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.

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 Permanent Representative of Nepal to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, His Excellency Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi, comprising officials from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and the Permanent Mission of Nepal, is participating in the MC14. 

The WTO 14^th Ministerial Conference is scheduled to conclude on 29 March 2026.

Geneva

26 March 2026