Yaoundé (Cameroon), March 27, 2026: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is leading the Indian delegation at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, which commenced on March 26 in Yaoundé.
Addressing the ministerial session, Goyal called for reforms in the WTO to be implemented through a transparent, inclusive, and member-driven process, with development at its core. He emphasized the need to uphold the organization’s foundational principles, including non-discrimination, consensus-based decision-making, and fairness.
The conference opened with participation from global trade ministers and senior representatives, alongside WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. A brief ceremony was also held to mark the implementation of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, which came into effect in September 2025.
On the sidelines, Goyal held bilateral talks with Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, focusing on strengthening India–Cameroon ties and broader multilateral cooperation. He also met the WTO Director-General to discuss key agenda items of the ongoing conference.
Further engagements included meetings with counterparts from countries such as the Netherlands, France, and Ethiopia, aimed at deepening bilateral trade relations. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held discussions with representatives from multiple countries, including the United States, Chile, Peru, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union, focusing on advancing trade partnerships and reviewing progress on ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.
