Discussing Crucial Issues, Indonesian Delegation Holds Meetings with Several Countries at WTO Ministerial Conference
An Indonesian delegation conducted a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the 14th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26 to 29 March 2026.
The bilateral meetings addressed MC14 issues as well as trade and investment relations between the two countries. The Indonesian delegation was led by Johni Martha, Special Staff for International Relations at the Ministry of Trade.
“We held bilateral meetings with Germany, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, the European Union (EU), and the Netherlands on the sidelines of MC14 WTO to share views on crucial issues discussed at MC14 and to enhance bilateral trade cooperation. These countries share the same view on the importance of the WTO and the need for reform to make the WTO more relevant in the current global situation,” Johni stated.
In several of these bilateral meetings, Johni was accompanied by Nur Rahman Setyoko, Deputy Permanent Representative of Indonesia II to Geneva/Indonesian Ambassador to the WTO, and Dina Kurniasari, Director of World Trade Organization Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade.
In addition to discussing MC14 issues, the meetings served as an opportunity to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment cooperation. With the EU, Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany, both sides agreed to utilise the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (I-EU CEPA) mechanism to discuss issues and efforts to improve trade relations. These countries support the prompt implementation of the I-EU CEPA process.
Johni further explained that Indonesia and these countries also agreed that business actors in each country should enhance cooperation among business players. This can be achieved through business matching or other trade promotions.
With Saudi Arabia, both countries agreed to push for the swift conclusion of negotiations on the Indonesia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) CEPA. Specifically, the Swedish delegation also conveyed plans for Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden to visit Jakarta in September 2026 to enhance Indonesia-Sweden investment and trade.
Additionally, the German delegation urged that the 2nd Meeting of the Indonesia-Germany Joint Economic and Investment Committee (JEIC) be held at the earliest opportunity.
The 14th MC in Yaoundé, Cameroon
The 14th MC WTO was held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26 to 29 March 2026 to advocate for global trade reform and strengthen the multilateral system. The selection of Cameroon as the host highlights the strategic role of developing countries, particularly in Africa as representatives of least developed countries (LDCs), in achieving inclusive, fair, and consensus-based trade. This MC is an important moment for developing countries to ensure that the world trade system does not abandon the consensus principle and accommodates inclusive economic interests.
The MC is the highest decision-making forum in the WTO, held every two years. Trade ministers from WTO member countries will make strategic decisions on key issues of the multilateral trade system at this forum.
“The hosting of MC14 in Yaoundé is a strategic moment to promote increased trade and investment cooperation between Indonesia and Cameroon while expanding Indonesia’s partnerships with countries in the increasingly developing Central African region as potential economic partners,” stated Agung Cahaya Sumirat, Indonesian Ambassador to Cameroon concurrently accredited to Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, and the Central African Republic.
The Indonesian Embassy in Yaoundé was newly opened in 2025. The establishment of the diplomatic representation aims to enhance cooperation with countries in the Central African region.