Outgoing Chair of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agriculture negotiations, Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Türkiye, has issued a clarion call for members to break the current deadlock and deliver meaningful outcomes at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026. In his final report presented on 6 February, Ambassador Acarsoy emphasized the urgent need for progress, urging members to move beyond recurring stalemates and rebuild trust in the negotiating process.
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala echoed this sentiment, expressing her deep appreciation for Ambassador Acarsoy’s leadership and urging members to remain steadfast in their efforts. “Let’s continue from all angles, trying to make this work,” she said, underscoring the importance of political will and flexibility to achieve a breakthrough.
A Missed Opportunity at MC13
Reflecting on the past two years of negotiations, Ambassador Acarsoy lamented the lack of a concrete outcome on agriculture at MC13 in 2024, despite coming tantalizingly close to an agreement. He noted that members find themselves in a position strikingly similar to where they stood before MC13, warning against a recurring “Groundhog Day” scenario.
“Rebuilding trust and setting credible targets are paramount to progressively restoring an effective negotiating process and achieving an agricultural outcome in March 2026 in Yaoundé,” he stated. The Chair called for “evidence-based discussions” and “text-based negotiations” to drive progress, emphasizing the need for a structured and results-oriented approach.
Agriculture at the Heart of MC14
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala stressed that agriculture must take center stage at MC14, given its critical importance to global food security, trade, and development. She welcomed ongoing initiatives, such as the collaborative efforts between the African Group and the Cairns Group of agricultural exporting countries, which aim to level the playing field and create a fairer, more predictable global trading system.
The African Group and the Cairns Group provided an update on their joint work, reaffirming their commitment to submitting a “modalities” package ahead of MC14. This package, which outlines formulas and figures for reducing trade-distorting domestic support, is seen as a critical step toward achieving a balanced agreement. Both groups acknowledged the challenges of the process but highlighted its consultative and constructive nature as a model for future negotiations.
A Call for Innovation and Inclusivity
Members broadly agreed on the urgency of advancing the agriculture agenda, with many emphasizing the need to address the specific needs of least-developed countries (LDCs) and deliver tangible benefits for Africa. Several members supported the Chair’s call for the swift resumption of substantive negotiations, while others advocated for a more creative and innovative approach to overcome entrenched positions.
The role of formal and informal negotiation tracks also sparked debate. While some members stressed the importance of sticking to formal forums, others pointed to the constructive dialogue between the African Group and the Cairns Group as evidence of the value of informal engagement. Additionally, there were calls to incorporate new knowledge into the negotiations, including through technical workshops and discussions on emerging challenges such as sustainability and climate resilience.
Leadership Transition and the Road Ahead
As Ambassador Acarsoy prepares to step down, Director-General Okonjo-Iweala assured members that the General Council Chair is actively working to identify a successor to ensure a smooth transition. She expressed hope that Ambassador Acarsoy’s efforts would inspire a “genuine desire” among members to break the deadlock and achieve meaningful progress.
With MC14 on the horizon, the pressure is on for WTO members to deliver. As the global agricultural landscape continues to evolve, the stakes have never been higher. The question remains: Can members rise to the occasion and forge a path toward a fairer, more sustainable future for global agriculture trade? The world will be watching.
