Belize Pushes Trade Priorities at WTO Conference in Cameroon

Belize is reinforcing its presence on the global stage, advancing both national and regional trade priorities at a major international forum.  The country participated in the 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, held in Yaoundé, Cameroon from March 26 thru to the 30^th, where Belize joined global partners in navigating an increasingly complex and shifting trade environment.  Leading Belize’s delegation was Dr. Harold Young, supported by Director General for Foreign Trade Andy Sutherland and Senior Trade Economist Berisford Codd. The team worked closely with CARICOM counterparts and participated in broader discussions within the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group.  On the sidelines of the conference, Belize held a series of bilateral engagements with key partners, including Suriname, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, United Arab Emirates, and Japan. These meetings focused on strengthening cooperation, addressing market access, and expanding opportunities for Belizean exports.  Discussions at the conference reflected the evolving, multipolar nature of global trade, with limited consensus reached on several longstanding issues. While there was some progress on fisheries subsidies and aspects of special and differential treatment, key concerns for small and vulnerable economies like Belize remain unresolved, particularly in agriculture, e-commerce, intellectual property, and broader WTO reform.  Belize used the platform to strongly advocate for fair, transparent, and predictable trade rules, especially those that support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade says that while the conference did not deliver all desired outcomes, it provided a critical opportunity for Belize to assert its interests, build strategic alliances, and contribute to ongoing discussions on reforming the global trading system.  Looking ahead, Belize is reaffirming its commitment to export diversification and market expansion, while continuing to work alongside CARICOM partners to push for a more inclusive and development-focused global trade agenda.