Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani highlighted the importance of reinforcing a rule-based trade system that balances inclusivity with flexibility to address emerging challenges by fostering trust and enhancing transparency. Leading Pakistan’s delegation at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Yaounde, Cameroon, he actively engaged in multiple sessions throughout the event.
During the WTO Reform breakout discussions, Minister Kayani articulated Pakistan’s stance on foundational issues, decision-making processes, development concerns, and ensuring a level playing field. In a significant development, he also addressed the plenary session on reform late at night, presenting Pakistan’s views on the Facilitator’s report aimed at safeguarding the country’s critical trade interests. Other delegation members reinforced these positions during the conference.
Serving as Minister-Facilitator for Agriculture at MC14, he played a pivotal role in guiding WTO members toward a consensus on agricultural matters. On the sidelines, he conducted extensive bilateral meetings with key figures including Peter Kyle, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade; Dr. Ömer Bolat, Turkey’s Minister of Trade; Yukinoro Nemoto, Japan’s Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries; as well as representatives from the Cotton-4 group and senior officials from the US, Brazil, China, the EU, Cameroon, Mozambique, Canada, and Argentina.
Minister Kayani called for collaborative efforts to send a reassuring message to farmers and producers across member states who depend on the WTO for stability and fairness in agricultural trade, production, and food security. He expressed gratitude to his counterparts for their constructive engagement and positive cooperation, which contributed to developing common ground on the draft declaration and encouraging wider member participation.
The contributions of Minister-Facilitator Bilal Azhar Kayani and Pakistan’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, Ali Sarfraz Hussain, were widely recognized and praised by ministers and senior officials for their instrumental roles in advancing consensus during the conference.
