During the meeting of Trade Negotiations Committee (CNC), the Director General of the WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-IwealaHe urged the members to define which issues are ready for ministerial action in the face of the CM14The goal is to establish a viable program for the summit to be held in Yaoundé (Cameroon) from March 26 to 29, 2025.
Towards a decisive Ministerial Conference in a complex context
The presidency of the CNC He stressed the urgency of laying the groundwork for decision-making before next week's General Council meeting in Geneva. According to him Okonjo-Iweala"We live in difficult but also exciting times. The CM14 This may well be the most momentous ministerial conference in the history of this organization."
The Director-General emphasized that the final outcome will depend on "the choices we make and how we progress in our preparations." To that end, she invited the chairs of the six negotiating bodies to assess the technical readiness, clarifying that issues not covered by the CNC These issues will be addressed directly by the General Council. However, responsibility for the agenda remains "collective."
The "Geneva First" principle and the state of negotiations
Members of the WTO They have widely reaffirmed the importance of the "Geneva First" principle, which seeks to resolve technical differences at headquarters before escalating them to ministers. There is a consensus on the need to realism in the preparation of the agenda of the CM14avoiding an excessively broad set of topics that could limit the ability to offer concrete results.
During the session, the following pillars for the negotiation process were highlighted:
- Balance and transparency: The members requested an inclusive approach in the discussions.
- Continuity: The decisions made should not hinder subsequent work. CM14 where further progress is possible.
- Targeting: The aim is to avoid dispersion in order to ensure effective results.
The following details the technical outlook for the summit as reported in the CNC :
| Negotiation Area | Current situation and forecast for CM14 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Subsidies | It is unlikely that additional disciplines will be concluded for the CM14A ministerial reaffirmation is expected to continue the post-conference work. |
| Agriculture | There is strong interest, but no single text is ready for ministerial negotiation. Recent proposals will serve as a basis for exploring a consolidated outcome in Geneva. |
| Trade and Development (G-90) | Broad support to move forward through a process-based approach through the General Council, building on the work from CM13. |
| Summit Logistics | It will be held from March 26 to 29, 2025 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. |
Key points and frequently asked questions about preparing for CM14
What is the main objective of the "Geneva First" principle?
The principle aims to ensure that members reach a common understanding and resolve technical differences in Geneva before the conference, to provide ministers with clarity and avoid complex technical negotiations during the summit.
Are new fishing agreements expected during CM14?
According to the report of CNC The members acknowledge that it is unlikely to conclude additional disciplines on fisheries subsidies at this meeting, choosing instead to reaffirm their commitment to continue the work at a later date.
How will the G-90 proposals on development be addressed?
There is widespread support for moving forward with a process-based approach through the General Council, building on the work done since the previous ministerial meeting (CM13).
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