Indonesia to push for WTO reform at Cameroon ministerial conference
According to a statement from the Ministry of Trade in Jakarta on Wednesday, Indonesia will bring several strategic priority agendas to ensure the multilateral trading system remains inclusive, fair, and capable of addressing global economic challenges.
Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso emphasized that WTO reform will strengthen the global trading system without abandoning the organization’s core principles, ensuring that the benefits reach developing nations.
“WTO reform can strengthen the system and safeguard fundamental principles, including consensus-based decision-making and special and differential treatment for developing countries,” he remarked.
He further stated that Indonesia will also continue to push for the immediate restoration of the dispute settlement system to ensure legal certainty for all WTO members.
Several key issues Indonesia is championing include fisheries subsidies, agriculture, e-commerce, the incorporation of joint initiative agreements, and non-violation and situation complaints (NVSC).
Indonesia will also continue its active involvement in negotiating additional provisions for the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (AFS) and agricultural sector talks that highlight the importance of food security, including government food reserve policies.
Indonesia believes that global rules in these sectors must provide fair space for developing nations to maintain domestic food stability.
“Indonesia always champions support for small-scale farmers and fishers in agricultural and fisheries subsidy negotiations, primarily to ensure the creation of fair, effective, and sustainable rules,” Santoso asserted.
Regarding digital trade, Indonesia is highlighting the importance of comprehensive discussions regarding the future of the moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions (CDET) and the continuation of the WTO Work Programme on E-Commerce.
The minister assessed that every global policy in the e-commerce sector must take into account the digital divide and development needs of developing nations.
At the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference from March 26 to 29, 2026, the Indonesian delegation will be led by an expert staff member for international relations at the Ministry of Trade, Johni Martha.
In addition to the main session, the delegation is set to participate in several ministerial meetings, coordination meetings for developing country groups, bilateral meetings, and various other supporting events to bolster Indonesia’s position in international trade negotiations.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia, Raka Adji