Belize Pushes Fair Trade at WTO Conference  

Belize stepped onto the global trade stage recently at the World Trade Organization’s Fourteenth Ministerial Conference in Cameroon, pushing its priorities in a tough and shifting trade environment. Led by Dr. Harold Young, Belize’s WTO Ambassador, the delegation worked closely with CARICOM and the wider ACP Group, while holding side meetings with partners like Japan, the UAE, and several Caribbean neighbors to strengthen cooperation and expand market access. While the talks fell short of full agreement, Belize saw modest progress on fisheries subsidies and special treatment for developing countries. Major issues, especially agriculture, e-commerce, and WTO reform, remain unresolved for small economies. Belize pressed for fair, enforceable trade rules that support small and medium-sized businesses, calling them key to export growth and job creation. Officials say the conference gave Belize a vital platform to defend its interests, build alliances, and push for a more development-focused global trading system, proof that even small states can shape big conversations.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: