How ready is Cameroon to host the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference which begins in Yaounde this Thursday?
The awarding of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference to Cameroon is anything but a coincidence. Cameroon was already being considered to host the 13th Ministerial Conference. The honour bestowed upon our country by entrusting it with the organisation of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference is simply a just and accurate reflection of the influence of our diplomacy on the international stage, at the highest level, and the embodiment of the major role played by Cameroon within the various WTO bodies. As proof, our country has held the chairmanship of the African Group at the WTO for two consecutive ministerial conferences – at the level of ambassadors and ministers. The facts, as you can see, are stubborn and speak for themselves.
What does Cameroon stand to gain from organising this Ministerial Conference both from the diplomatic and economic fronts?
I will refrain from any precise calculations to provide any figures on the impact of this event on our ecosystem. Nevertheless, accommodating and feeding 3,000 to 4,000 people for nearly a week will undoubtedly have an impact on hotel and restaurant owners, artisans, merchants, and many other stakeholders in the national economy. But more importantly, it will enhance our country’s global profile before, during, and after the Ministerial Conference. The WTO comprises 166 member countries worldwide, across all continents. And in all these capitals, the only name that comes to mind right now is Cameroon. You can imagine the implications, beyond simply boosting our image. I am thinking in particular of the potential impact on attracting foreign direct investment, tourism, and so on.
The conference is taking place at a time trade multilateralism is increasingly being challenged trade protectionism. How does the Conference intend to address that?
In fact, we are witnessing an unprecedented and dangerous resurgence of unilateralism, bordering on protectionism and encompassing a wide range of issues, from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere. The Yaounde Ministerial Conference is, from this perspective, extremely timely. Among the topics under negotiation on its agenda is the very reform of the WTO, among others. Cameroon, which holds the presidency of the 14th Ministerial Conference, wishes to reassure all member states that it will spare no effort to ensure that the necessary compromises are found, compromises that do not harm the interests of any country or group of countries, so that a strong and inclusive Ministerial Declaration, with a clear negotiating mandate for our ambassadors, emerges from the Conference. Cameroon, therefore, extends a hand to all ministers and heads of delegation so that we may work together, driven by the same dynamism, that which underpins the principles and rules of our common organisation. As Chairperson of the Conference, I assure everyone of my full availabilityl
