WTO Chief Praises Côte d’Ivoire’s Leadership Ahead of Ministerial Conference

Present in Yaoundé, Cameroon, to participate on behalf of Côte d’Ivoire in the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), scheduled from March 26 to 29, 2026, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Handicrafts, Ibrahim Kalil Konaté, was received on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, by the WTO Director-General, Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

During their discussions, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala praised the leadership of Côte d’Ivoire under the vision of the President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, highlighting the country’s strong economic performance and positive trajectory.

She also commended Côte d’Ivoire’s active engagement within the WTO and expressed her hope to rely on the country’s leadership to ensure the success of these high-level meetings.

Ibrahim Kalil Konaté thanked the Director-General and emphasized her vast experience and expertise.

While reaffirming his country’s support for the successful outcome of the conference, the head of the Ivorian delegation noted that Côte d’Ivoire is committed to the structural transformation of its economy. He also outlined the country’s expectations regarding the conference, particularly in key areas such as agriculture, food security, cotton, development, the link between trade and industrial policies, e-commerce, and investment facilitation.

In total, 166 ministerial delegations from around the world will take part in these high-level discussions on strategic issues shaping the future of global trade. The agenda for this major event, whose official opening ceremony is scheduled for March 26, includes WTO reform, development issues, agriculture, e-commerce, investment facilitation, and fisheries subsidies.