Yaound©: The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded its sessions in Yaound©, Cameroon, from March 26 to 29, 2026. Saudi Arabia 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, participating on behalf of Minister of Commerce and Chairman of the Board of GAFT, Majid Al-Kassabi.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the conference discussions centered around key issues such as WTO reform, agriculture, fisheries, issues pertaining to least-developed countries, and the e-commerce work program. Additionally, it included dialogues on investment facilitation, the extension of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver, and the accession of new members.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to supporting WTO reform efforts, with a specific focus on dispute settlement mechanisms and enhancing food security for developing member nations. The Kingdom emphasized the importance of maintaining the organization's core principles, particularly special and differential treatment for developing and least-developed countries. It also highlighted the need to expedite accession procedures to bolster integration into global trade and value chains. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia expressed support for extending the moratorium on customs duties on electronic consignments and advocated for adopting the Trade Facilitation Agreement for Development within the WTO framework.
In terms of trade, Saudi Arabia's exchange with WTO member states was reported to reach approximately $537 billion, with exports amounting to around $305 billion in 2024.
On the sidelines of the conference, Fareed Al-Asaly engaged in bilateral meetings with senior officials, including trade ministers and representatives from countries such as New Zealand, Ethiopia, Austria, Indonesia, and India.
The General Authority for Foreign Trade (GAFT) continues to focus on enhancing Saudi Arabia's international commercial interests and defending its foreign trade gains in alignment with national economic growth objectives.