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CUTS Daily Bulletin # 02 | March 26, 2026
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The colourful official opening of the 14th Ministerial Conference took place at Yaounde conference Centre on 26th morning with a grand display of Cameroon’s cultural and artistic diversity.
The opening session of the Conference began around 11.00 with welcome remarks by the MC14 Chair, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, Cameroon's Minister of Trade, the WTO Director-General, the host and invited guests, including heads of state or government. The opening session ended by lunch time. The afternoon of the inaugural days is devoted for a ministerial breakout session covering six thematic and foundational issues.
The welcome remarks by the Chair and speakers highlighted the key challenges faced by the WTO system, the economic and trade related challenges of member countries as well as the opportunities provided by the Ministerial Conference.
The Conference has the participation of over 4000 delegates, representing the Government, business, civil society including think tanks and academic institutions and the media. Overall mood and expectations of the conference have been somewhat mixed particularly due to limited progress experienced by WTO in attaining the goals of Doha Development Agenda, food security/public stock holding concerns of developing countries, the disfunction of the dispute settlement system and the diverse positions and limited consensus on the reform agenda of the Organisation. In general, countries from the global south as well from the developed world feel that WTO needs serious reform to meet the expectations of the present-day trading and economic realities of the world.
Unfortunately, the scheduled briefing with Civil Society for 26th was cancelled by the WTO without assigning reasons. There is also space limitations as for Non Governmental organisations at the main venue for hosting meetings.
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India’s Perspective at MC14
Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce & Industry, arrived in Yaoundé to participate in the 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO. This marks a significant diplomatic milestone, being the first visit by an Indian Cabinet Minister to Cameroon in nearly three decades, and the first ever by a Commerce & Industry Minister.
 "In my first engagement, attended the Ministerial Session on 'Foundational issues on WTO, including its principles'.
Emphasised that the discussions on reform of the WTO should be carried out through a transparent, inclusive, and member-driven process.
Highlighted that it must be done keeping development at its core while upholding the organisation's foundational principles of non-discrimination, consensus-based decision making, S&DT, MFN and equity. #WTOMC14
Expert Insight:
 “We must approach today’s challenges with a long-term vision of where we want India to be in the next 25 years. India has a significant stake in the WTO, and we must promote it with a positive 21st-century mindset.”
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The Work Programme for MC14
The work programme for the 14th Ministerial Conference has been announced by the WTO and daily session focus has been provided in the following sequence.
On 27 March, the breakout sessions will focus on WTO reform, with each session facilitated by a minister. A plenary session on WTO reform will be held at the end of the day.
The session on 28th March will begin with an update on dispute settlement reform. This will be followed by ministerial sessions on fisheries subsidies, incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement, the E-commerce Work Programme and moratorium, agriculture, and development including least developed country issues.
The final day, which is 29th March will begin with a Heads of Delegation meeting at ministerial level in preparation for the closing session, scheduled to begin at midday.
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Discussion on TRaNJA initiative by CUTS International at MC14
CUTS International convened a focused discussion at 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé under its Trade, Not Just Aid (TRaNJA) initiative, bringing together experts to reflect on the future of the World Trade Organization.
TRaNJA aims to revive confidence in the multilateral trading system by highlighting WTO’s contributions to growth, stability, and global welfare.
The discussion centred on reform pathways, decision-making mechanisms, and the role of middle powers in breaking the current stalemate.
It also explored emerging challenges such as digital trade governance, intellectual property protection, and inclusivity for developing economies.
Going forward, TRaNJA will continue to build consensus, amplify constructive narratives, and support practical reform proposals for a more effective and inclusive WTO.
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WTO's dispute settlement system should be fully functional, says Piyush Goyal
The Economic Times, March 26, 2026
India on Thursday called upon WTO members to work towards making the WTO's dispute settlement system fully functional, as the current dysfunctional mechanism has deprived countries of receiving effective redressal.
On the first day of the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) 14th ministerial conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that there is a need for a careful reconsideration of the further extension of the moratorium on customs duties on e-commerce trade.
"A dysfunctional Dispute Settlement System has deprived members from effective redressal. We must restore the automatic and binding dispute settlement system," he said. Since 2009, the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism has not been functioning properly as the US has stalled appointments of Members in the Appellate Body. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) Members have agreed not to impose customs duties on electronic transmissions since 1998, and the moratorium has been periodically extended at successive ministerial conferences (MC), which is the highest decision-making body of the 166-member body.
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