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The World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference

21 April 2026

Proposing MP
Chris Bryant Lab
Rhondda
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Business and Trade
View on Parliament.uk -->

At a Glance

Issue Summary

The statement discusses the outcomes and challenges fac [3D [K faced during the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC [3D [K (MC14) in Cameroon.

Action Requested

The UK has committed to continuing the e-commerce mo [2D [K moratorium between signatories until May, announced £13 million in technica [8D [K technical assistance for developing economies, and will continue to drive W [1D [K WTO reform by addressing trade imbalances and establishing new rules on dig [3D [K digital and environmental issues. The government also seeks a comprehensive [13D [K comprehensive e-commerce moratorium.

Key Facts

  • MC14 took place from Thursday 26 March to Sunday 29 March [5D [K March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
  • Some procedural outcomes were agreed in [2D [K including recommitment to fisheries subsidies negotiations and SPS and TBT [K discussions moving to technical committees.
  • The e-commerce moratorium fe [2D [K fell along with the NVSCs moratorium regarding TRIPS.
  • The UK has joined [K 22 other Members in continuing the E-Commerce moratorium until May's Genera [6D [K General Council meeting.
  • The UK was a key partner in securing the pluril [6D [K plurilateral Agreement on E-Commerce (ECA).
  • The ECA is projected to incr [4D [K increase participants’ GDP by up to 0.43%.
  • The IFDA between 129 Members [K will make investment easier in developing countries, expected to increase g [1D [K global GDP by up to 1%.
  • £13 million was announced for technical assistan [8D [K assistance and capacity building support ahead of MC14.
  • £1 million has b [1D [K been committed to the WTO Fisheries Fund.
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