Pacific Islands Forum Trade Ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based global trading system, calling for urgent reforms to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and stronger global support for small and vulnerable economies ahead of the next WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.
In a joint statement issued following their meeting on 18 July, the Ministers highlighted the importance of regional unity in the face of growing global trade uncertainty.
“We… emphasise the value of regional solidarity in the face of global trade uncertainty, while highlighting the enduring importance of trade to the livelihoods and prosperity of the peoples of the Pacific region.”
The Ministers stressed their continued openness to “constructive dialogue aimed at shaping a sustainable and inclusive future” and noted the disproportionate impact of trade shocks on vulnerable economies like those in the Pacific.
“We reaffirm the importance of genuine and enduring partnerships with all global partners,” they stated.
While highlighting the stabilising role of the WTO, the statement urged all members to back multilateralism and push forward reforms.
“As WTO Members prepare for the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon in March 2026, we urge WTO Members to:
i. Reaffirm their collective commitment to preserving the WTO and its rules-based system;
ii. Support the advancement of WTO reform, including the urgent restoration of a fully and well-functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all Members as soon as possible;
iii. Commit to ratify the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (Fish 1)… and complete… negotiations… addressing overcapacity and overfishing (Fish 2)… to fully deliver on SDG14.6;
iv. Advance progress in other critical areas such as agriculture, development, services, and e-commerce;
v. Recognise the importance of Aid-for-Trade and the Sevilla Commitment… and support vulnerable countries in building resilience to external shocks…; and
vi. Acknowledge the role of trade in addressing environment and climate change challenges… and support cooperation on mutually reinforcing trade and environment measures.”
The statement also pledged Pacific support for Cameroon in hosting MC14 and called on development partners to engage with Forum Members on trade “through dialogue grounded in mutual respect, good faith, and a shared recognition of the strong historical, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties.”.
