Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have confirmed the dates for the 14th Ministerial Conference, which will be held in Cameroon in 2026. This decision follows a proposal from the United Arab Emirates and Cameroon that was agreed upon in December 2022. The UAE hosted the previous conference, MC13, from February 26 to March 1, 2024, in Abu Dhabi.
The upcoming conference marks only the second time an African nation will host such an event, with Kenya previously hosting MC10 in Nairobi back in 2015. General Council Chair Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway stated that "the final structure and programme of MC14 will be addressed in due course depending on progress made next year."
Cameroon's Ambassador Salomon Eheth expressed gratitude for the opportunity to host MC14. He remarked, "My country hopes to not only make a contribution to the development of the multilateral trading system but to seize the opportunity to show to the world the potential of Cameroon and Africa for investment and sustainable development."
The Ministerial Conference serves as the WTO's highest decision-making body and is attended by trade ministers and senior officials from its 166 member countries.