The Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) was held in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 26 March to 30 March 2026. Australia’s delegation was led by Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite.

At MC14, Australia helped to establish the E-Commerce Agreement alongside Singapore and Japan, which is currently cosponsored by 67 members. The agreement sets out the first globally relevant digital trade rules, reducing costs and boosting productivity across all sectors.

We are disappointed that the Conference ran out of time to conclude all agenda items, and that the moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions will not be continued. The impact of this will be felt around the world and will be particularly pronounced in developing and least developed countries, where digital technologies help to overcome traditional barriers to trade. Australia will support discussions to reinstate the multilateral moratorium.

We welcome continued momentum on reform in the absence of a consensus workplan at MC14, and Australia will continue to work with WTO members in Geneva to develop concrete recommendations for ministers at MC15.

As Chair of the Cairns Group, Australia strongly pushed for meaningful agricultural trade reform at MC14, advocating for market-based reforms to improve fairness and food security. While we are disappointed that agreement on agricultural reform was not achieved, we secured a plurilateral dialogue on emerging agricultural trade issues. This will enhance understanding of the complex challenges faced by the global agricultural sector.

MC14 also concluded outcomes that invest in the economic resilience of our developing and least developed country partners. Australia contributed $13 million in new funding to help developing countries participate more fully in the international trading system. This included $2 million to the WTO Fish Fund to support sustainable fishing practices, healthier oceans, and long-term economic development, bringing our total commitment to this Fund to $4 million. By supporting development partners to modernise trade regulations and processes, access digital trade and strengthen legal capability, we are helping build the foundations for long-term, sustainable economic growth across our region and the world.