Delegates attend the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 26, 2026. The four-day 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) opened on Thursday in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, bringing together ministers of economy, trade, and development from around the world, alongside representatives of global economic and trade organizations. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)
YAOUNDE, March 26 (Xinhua) -- The four-day 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) opened on Thursday in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, bringing together ministers of economy, trade, and development from around the world, alongside representatives of global economic and trade organizations.
In his welcome remarks, Cameroon's Minister of Trade Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana affirmed the country's commitment to promoting trade that is equitable, open, and inclusive.
"One of the main goals of this conference is to make progress on a reform program aimed at strengthening the capacity of the institution to respond to the changing world economy. The reform must lead to a stronger and more effective WTO," he said, stressing the need for WTO reform.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the challenges facing global trade, citing conflicts in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, and elsewhere as sources of disruption and uncertainty. She urged members to chart a path forward for the global trading system.
"It is no secret that the world trading system is experiencing the worst disruptions in the past 80 years," Okonjo-Iweala said. "It is time to tackle the problems that beset the organization and detract from its performance. We cannot forever complain and then miss the opportunity to fix the problems."
The ministerial conference, the WTO's highest decision-making body, is generally held every two years. ■
Delegates attend the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Yaounde, Cameroon, March 26, 2026. The four-day 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) opened on Thursday in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, bringing together ministers of economy, trade, and development from around the world, alongside representatives of global economic and trade organizations. (Xinhua/Liu Qiong)
