On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in accordance with the priorities of the Government of Haiti, James Monazard, Minister of Trade and Industry, addressed the Ministerial Meeting of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), held in preparation for the Fourteenth Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). He presented Haiti's position in favor of a profound transformation of the multilateral trading system.

In an international context marked by geopolitical tensions and increasing pressure on the rules of multilateralism, Haiti called for greater attention to the challenges facing the WTO. The Minister emphasized the need for appropriate reforms to better address persistent imbalances and the legitimate expectations of developing countries.

Haiti thus advocated for an ambitious reform of the WTO, based on greater fairness, transparency, and inclusion, with a view to correcting the system's asymmetries and better integrating the interests of developing countries, particularly those of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

On the agricultural issue, Haiti reiterated that food security must be a central priority in the negotiations. For vulnerable economies, it represents a matter of sovereignty, stability, and dignity. The Minister called for concrete progress commensurate with the current challenges.

Regarding special and differential treatment, the Haitian delegation reaffirmed its alignment with the G90 proposals, believing that their adoption would constitute a major step forward for the effective integration of LDCs into the global economy.

Concerning fisheries subsidies, Haiti supported a balanced approach, reconciling the preservation of marine resources with the protection of the interests of developing countries. The Minister emphasized the need for concrete support for the reforms, adapted to the realities of the LDCs.

Beyond the negotiations, Haiti championed a broader vision of trade as a driver of development, emphasizing technology transfer, reduced remittance costs, strengthened Aid for Trade and the Enhanced Integrated Framework, and better integration of trade with environmental concerns.

In conclusion, Minister James Monazard called on all WTO Members to translate their commitment to multilateralism into concrete actions for the most vulnerable countries. He stressed that the credibility of the 14th Joint Ministerial Conference (JMC14) will depend on its ability to produce tangible and inclusive results.

For Haiti, the goal is clear : to promote a fairer, more equitable, and development-oriented international trade order.

HL/ HaitiLibre