The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference concludes in Yaoundé

Press Release

The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference concludes in Yaoundé with the adoption of decisions and progress on outstanding issues, Nepal actively engaged for delivering outcomes on development

The 14^th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded today at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé, the capital city of Cameroon, with the adoption of decisions and progress on some outstanding issues including in WTO reform.

The MC14 remained meaningful for Nepal in terms of the deliverables on the priorities of 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 LDCs remained noteworthy.

The MC14 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 H.E. Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi, Ambassador and 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, and reliable transit and digital connectivity for LLDCs.

The MC14 agreed to continue negotiations on remaining works in Geneva under emerging “Yaoundé Package”, which includes the draft Ministerial 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-building support, build digital trade readiness, and secure policy space for industrial development post LDC graduation.

Saudi Arabia has proposed to host the 15^th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC15) in Riyadh in 2028.

Geneva
30 March 2026