WTO News

1. Members participating in IFD Agreement issue joint ministerial declaration at end of MC14

   The 129 WTO members participating in the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) issued a joint ministerial declaration on 29 March at the end of the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A joint press release by the IFDA co-Coordinators — the Republic of Korea and Chile — is provided below.

2. MC14 concludes with adopted decisions, progress on key outstanding issues

   The WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) concluded early 30 March with ministers adopting a number of decisions as well as making a commitment to continue work in Geneva on key outstanding issues.

3. DG cites MPIA as "practical, confidence-building bridge" pending dispute reform deal

   The Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) is serving as a practical, confidence building bridge for WTO members committed to a fully functioning dispute settlement system pending an agreement on dispute settlement reform, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said on 28 March. She made her remarks at a meeting of parties to the MPIA on the sidelines of the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

4. Ministers exchange views on key WTO topics, consider paths forward at MC14

   Ministers and senior officials attending the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) participated in a series of meetings on 28 March to address key issues on the WTO agenda and to provide political direction for the post-MC14 work ahead.

5. Members adopt a pathway to bring E‑Commerce Agreement into force via interim arrangements

   Sixty-six members, covering approximately 70% of global trade, have adopted a pathway to bring into force the WTO Agreement on Electronic Commerce through interim arrangements while continuing to work towards its incorporation into the WTO legal framework of rules, co-convenors announced on 28 March at the 14th Ministerial Conference taking place in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The joint press release is below.