The chair of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) agriculture negotiations has urged member states to submit new proposals ahead of the organization's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). The chair plans to convene another special session of the Committee on 8 December, before a mid-December General Council meeting where members are expected to decide which topics will be presented to ministers at MC14.
The chair welcomed the ideas presented so far but cautioned that, without further submissions reconciling differences among members, his report to the General Council might only indicate that key elements for an agriculture package at MC14 are still missing. He reiterated the "Geneva First" principle, emphasizing that substantive work should be completed in Geneva before advancing files to ministers. He called on delegations to intensify their efforts by submitting new proposals and inputs before 8 December. "These should lay the groundwork, both in content and form, for an MC14 outcome on agriculture," he said.
During the meeting and subsequent sessions focused on public stockholding for food security and a special safeguard mechanism, most delegations reaffirmed their commitment to agricultural reform and food security within the WTO framework. They highlighted that achieving an outcome at MC14 is essential for demonstrating the WTO's relevance in addressing global challenges. Several members also discussed setting a clear direction for future agriculture negotiations after MC14.
The Cairns Group of agricultural exporters and the African Group reported ongoing collaboration on a proposal they believe would serve as an initial step toward broader reforms aimed at creating a fairer and more predictable agricultural trading system.
Developing economies—including those from groups such as the African Group and Least Developed Countries (LDCs)—called for rapid progress toward a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security. They view this as crucial for addressing food insecurity concerns. While current WTO rules allow unlimited purchase of food at market prices for public stocks, purchases at government-set prices must count toward limits on trade-distorting support. Some members have suggested amending these rules to account for inflation since previous trade rounds; others argue this issue should be addressed alongside other unresolved negotiating topics.
Some members requested further text-based negotiations based on a proposal first submitted in May 2022, while others warned that certain options could distort trade or harm food security elsewhere.
Several developing economies also advocated for an effective special safeguard mechanism—allowing them to temporarily raise tariffs during sudden price drops or import surges—and prioritized cotton among discussion topics in line with previous ministerial decisions.
Agricultural exporting economies seeking improved market access thanked the chair for facilitating talks and expressed appreciation for constructive dialogue with other groups. These members are refining a revised proposal aiming for realistic progress at MC14. Another member updated participants about outreach efforts related to its initiative on agricultural trade facilitation.
A group of food-importing countries supporting stronger provisions on export restrictions sought consultations about steps to improve existing WTO rules in this area; one member reiterated concerns over modifying current regulations.
Some members suggested that MC14 could deliver targeted measures assisting vulnerable economies with food security and livelihoods. The African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) group referenced recommendations from an April 2024 report adopted by WTO members regarding emergency responses to food insecurity—a follow-up from declarations made at MC12 in June 2022.
Participants proposed outcomes such as reducing export restriction impacts on vulnerable economies' imports; supporting cotton value chains through better market access; providing technical assistance using innovative methods; and easing purchases of public stock foods by LDCs and net food-importing developing countries.
Several delegations emphasized balancing all members' priorities rather than focusing narrowly on select issues.
One member noted it had not observed emerging consensus around possible MC14 outcomes but stated it remained open to finding valuable results by December.