House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
The World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference
21 April 2026 · Department for Business and Trade
Proposed by Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The UK has committed to continuing the e-commerce moratorium between signatories until May
- The UK announced 13 million in technical assistance for developing economies
- The UK will continue to drive WTO reform by addressing trade imbalances and establishing new rules on digital and environmental issues
Issue summary
The statement discusses the outcomes and challenges faced during the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon.
Action requested
The UK has committed to continuing the e-commerce moratorium between signatories until May, announced £13 million in technical assistance for developing economies, and will continue to drive WTO reform by addressing trade imbalances and establishing new rules on digital and environmental issues. The government also seeks a comprehensive e-commerce moratorium.
Key facts
- MC14 took place from Thursday 26 March to Sunday 29 March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- Some procedural outcomes were agreed including recommitment to fisheries subsidies negotiations and SPS and TBT discussions moving to technical committees.
- The e-commerce moratorium fell along with the NVSCs moratorium regarding TRIPS.
- The UK has joined 22 other Members in continuing the E-Commerce moratorium until May's General Council meeting.
- The UK was a key partner in securing the plurilateral Agreement on E-Commerce (ECA).
- The ECA is projected to increase participants’ GDP by up to 0.43%.
- The IFDA between 129 Members will make investment easier in developing countries, expected to increase global GDP by up to 1%.
- £13 million was announced for technical assistance and capacity building support ahead of MC14.
- £1 million has been committed to the WTO Fisheries Fund.