Saudi Arabia Participates in WTO 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé

The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from March 26 to 29, 2026. The Kingdom was represented by a delegation led by Deputy Governor for International Agreements and Organizations at the General Authority for Foreign Trade (GAFT) Fareed Al-Asaly, on behalf of Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of GAFT Majid Al-Kassabi.
 The conference addressed WTO reform, agriculture, fisheries, least-developed country issues, and the e-commerce work program, alongside discussions on investment facilitation, the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver extension, and new member accessions.
 The Kingdom reaffirmed its support for WTO reform efforts, including dispute settlement and improved food security for developing member countries, and reiterated the organization’s core principles, particularly special and differential treatment for developing countries and least-developed countries. It also emphasized accelerating accession procedures to support integration into global trade and value chains. In addition, the Kingdom reiterated its support for extending the moratorium on customs duties on electronic consignments and for adopting the Trade Facilitation Agreement for Development within the WTO.
 Moreover, the Kingdom's trade exchange with WTO member states reached approximately $537 billion, with exports totaling around $305 billion in 2024.
 On the sidelines, Al-Asaly held bilateral meetings with senior officials, including trade ministers and representatives from New Zealand, Ethiopia, Austria, Indonesia, and India.
 The GAFT works to enhance Saudi Arabia's international commercial gains and defend its foreign trade interests in support of national economic growth.