Ten countries under the FIT Partnership commit to reinforcing global trade rules ahead of the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.
Ministers from 10 member countries of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership (FIT Partnership) have issued a joint declaration to strengthen the global rules-based trading system. The announcement was made on 16 March 2026 following a virtual meeting chaired by Gan Kim Yong of Singapore.
The FIT Partnership includes Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland, and Uruguay. The declaration reflects their shared commitment to support and improve global trade systems.
The declaration was issued ahead of the 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, which will take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon from 26 to 29 March 2026. Ministers said the move aims to contribute to meaningful progress at the global meeting and beyond.
Key priorities outlined in the declaration include incorporating agreements such as the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the WTO E-Commerce Agreement into the global trade framework. Ministers also called for a permanent ban on customs duties on electronic transmissions to support digital trade growth.
Another major focus is improving the dispute settlement system under the World Trade Organization. Members pledged to avoid actions that delay dispute resolution and to use interim mechanisms where necessary to ensure fair outcomes.
The declaration also highlights the need for continued reform in agriculture trade rules, in line with existing WTO agreements. Ministers stressed the importance of modernising trade rules to reflect current global challenges and opportunities.
Beyond immediate goals, the FIT Partnership aims to develop long-term solutions. These include improving decision-making processes, addressing gaps in trade rules, and engaging experts from business, academia, and international organisations.
Launched in September 2025, the FIT Partnership brings together small and medium-sized, trade-dependent countries to promote open and fair global trade. Members said the latest declaration is an important step in ensuring that the global trading system remains effective, transparent, and responsive to future needs.
Source: MTI
