From 26 to 29 March, the EESC took part in the World Trade Organisation’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Mira‑Maria Danisman, Chair of the EESC International Trade Follow‑up Committee, reports on a conference that delivered few concrete results.

By Mira‑Maria Danisman

The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, brought together WTO members and stakeholders at a time of rising geopolitical tensions and increasing fragmentation in global trade. The objective was clear: to take stock of the multilateral trading system and push forward long-overdue reforms. Yet despite modest expectations, the meeting delivered few concrete outcomes ─ highlighting once again how difficult it has become to move the WTO forward.

At the centre of the discussions was the WTO reform process, which many had hoped would be politically endorsed and launched at ministerial level. The reform agenda aims to tackle fundamental challenges ─ from decision-making and dispute settlement to the scope of WTO rules. While there was broad agreement on the importance of a predictable, rules-based system, members failed to converge on the way forward. As a result, the file returns to Geneva, with no clear timeline for progress. Disagreements on the e-commerce moratorium ─ particularly on the length of its extension ─ further complicated the negotiations and contributed to the stalemate.

Where multilateral efforts stalled, plurilateral initiatives continued to move ahead. Progress was made on e-commerce, investment facilitation, and domestic regulation in services, reflecting a growing shift towards 'coalitions of the willing.' At the same time, the interim dispute settlement mechanism (MPIA) expanded its membership, now covering around 60% of global trade and helping to keep dispute resolution functioning despite the paralysis of the Appellate Body.

Discussions also touched on topics such as agriculture and systemic imbalances, but ─ as in previous ministerials ─ these issues remain politically sensitive and largely unresolved.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) delegation was actively engaged in Yaoundé, exchanging with a broad range of stakeholders. It stressed the need to preserve a strong multilateral trading system while ensuring that trade policy supports sustainability, social standards, and economic resilience. The delegation also highlighted the key role of civil society in fostering transparency and trust, both of which are currently in short supply.

Looking ahead, the path to the next ministerial remains uncertain. Advancing WTO reform will be critical, but equally challenging. In the meantime, plurilateral initiatives are likely to continue shaping the agenda. Rebuilding trust among members will be essential if the WTO is to regain momentum.