Britain has renewed its call for reforms within the World Trade Organization (WTO) ahead of the organisation’s 14th Ministerial Conference scheduled to take place in Yaoundé from 26 to 29 March. The issue was raised during talks between Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, and the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Cameroon, Matthew David Woods.
Discussions focused on key issues expected to feature during the ministerial conference, including WTO institutional reforms, investment facilitation and digital trade regulations.
London highlights need for WTO modernisation
During the meeting, the British delegation stressed that reforming the multilateral trade body remains a priority for London. According to Ariane Vincent, trade policy officer at the United Kingdom’s Permanent Mission to the WTO in Geneva, modernising the organisation is necessary to enable it to respond more effectively to evolving global trade patterns and economic challenges.
The reform agenda also includes the development dimension as a key element of negotiations among member states, with the objective of ensuring that changes to WTO mechanisms address the needs of both developed and developing economies.
Another topic discussed was the plurilateral Agreement on Investment Facilitation for Development (AFID), which aims to improve transparency and predictability for international investors by establishing clearer procedures for cross-border investments. Supporters say the framework could help stimulate capital flows, particularly in developing economies.
Debate over digital trade moratorium
The British delegation also raised the WTO moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions, first adopted in 1998 and renewed at successive ministerial conferences. The measure prevents WTO members from imposing tariffs on digital transmissions such as online services and electronic content.
Its renewal remains contested. Several developed economies support maintaining the moratorium, while some developing countries advocate revisiting the arrangement to allow taxation of digital trade transactions. The issue is expected to feature prominently during the Yaoundé conference.
Cameroon reassures partners on conference preparations
Cameroon has continued to brief diplomatic partners on preparations for the ministerial conference, which is expected to bring together around 3,000 delegates, including ministers, government representatives and international organisations.
Speaking during a diplomatic briefing in Yaoundé, Cameroon’s Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, said the country was mobilising all sectors to ensure the success of the event.
Preparations are being conducted under the framework agreement signed on 26 May 2025 between the Cameroonian government and the WTO Secretariat during the visit of WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Officials say logistical arrangements covering accommodation, accreditation centres, security, transport and protocol services have been organised to facilitate the participation of delegations.
The WTO ministerial conference is the organisation’s highest decision-making body, bringing together trade ministers from member states to negotiate global trade rules and adopt agreements affecting international commerce.
Mercy Fosoh
