Panel Discussion: The Future of Multilateralism

Model WTO is a student-led organisation at the University of St. Gallen (HSG) that organises the world's largest and oldest simulation of the World Trade Organization. Each year, it brings together around 70 students from across the globe to experience international trade negotiations, engage with diplomats and deepen their understanding of global trade governance.  

This panel is part of the International Affairs Days, a two-day event organised by student associations, including Model WTO, the Security Policy Forum (SPF) and Amnesty International. Bringing together international stakeholders and the university community, the event discusses current challenges in diplomacy, international relations and global governance.

The panel will consist of an opening segment, three key questions, and a closing segment. It will bring together six ambassadors representing WTO members and other international institutions in Geneva. The esteemed speakers' panel consists of:

H.E. Mr. James Baxter | Australia

Australia's Permanent Representative to the WTO and co-convenor of the negotiations on the WTO Electronic Commerce Agreement. He also co-chairs the WTO Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender.

H.E. Ms. Nahida Sobhan | Bangladesh

Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organisations in Geneva. She represents Bangladesh in multilateral diplomacy at a time when the country's transition from least-developed-country status is a major policy priority.

H.E. Mr. Salomon Eheth | Cameroon

Cameroon's Permanent Representative in Geneva, with previous experience as Director of the International Relations Institute of Cameroon and adviser to the President. He played a significant diplomatic role in preparations for MC14, hosted by Cameroon.

H.E. Ms. Li Yongjie | China

China's Permanent Representative to the WTO since September 2025. She previously served as Deputy International Trade Representative and Director-General of the Department of Treaty and Law at China's

H.E. Dr. José R. Sánchez-Fung | Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic's Permanent Representative to the WTO and Chair of the WTO Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance in 2026. He previously chaired the WTO Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration.

H.E. Mr. Alaa Hegazy | Egypt

Egypt's Permanent Representative in Geneva since November 2024 and Chair of the WTO TRIPS Council in 2026. He previously served as Egypt's Ambassador to Sweden and Assistant Foreign Minister.

Zin Öykü Atalay | Model WTO (Moderator)

Final-year Economics student at the University of St. Gallen, specialising in economic policy, and President of Model WTO.

Background and Context:

The WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) took place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from 26 to 30 March 2026, bringing together trade ministers and representatives of its 166 members. While the conference delivered targeted decisions and progress on selected initiatives, members failed to reach consensus on a broader reform package.

MC14 took place against a backdrop of strong global trade growth, but also rising trade tensions and significant regional inequalities. According to UNCTAD and WTO data released on 26 March 2026, global merchandise exports increased by 7.2% in 2025, while service exports grew by 8.2%. However, this growth was unevenly distributed.

Developing economies recorded strong export growth of 8.7%, largely driven by major Asian exporters, while many smaller developing countries continued to struggle to increase their share of global trade. At the same time, rising unilateral trade measures, geopolitical tensions and uncertainty over trade rules placed growing pressure on the multilateral trading system.

Despite intensive negotiations, the conference delivered limited results. Members adopted three ministerial decisions concerning small economies, special and differential treatment for developing countries, and fisheries subsidies. They also welcomed the entry into force of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

In digital trade, 66 WTO members, representing approximately 70% of global trade, agreed on a pathway to implement the Agreement on Electronic Commerce through interim arrangements.

However, the conference failed to reach consensus on a broader package of agreements, particularly on WTO reform and the extension of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. Negotiations on agriculture and dispute settlement reform also remained unresolved.

Overall, MC14 demonstrated that multilateral cooperation remains possible, but exposed deep divisions among WTO members and the growing difficulty of reaching consensus on major trade issues3.

Following MC14:

Following MC14, negotiations continued in Geneva, with WTO members seeking progress on the unresolved issues.

At the General Council meeting of 5–6 October 2026, members discussed WTO reform, the e-commerce work programme and the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. While no multilateral agreement was reached on extending the moratorium, some members committed to maintaining duty-free electronic transmissions among themselves4.

WTO reform discussions also continued, focusing on foundational principles, decision-making, development and ensuring a level playing field. Meanwhile, disagreements over dispute settlement and agricultural subsidies remain unresolved.

Development concerns are particularly important for least-developed countries (LDCs), including Bangladesh, which is scheduled to graduate from LDC status on 24 November 2026 but has requested an extension of its preparatory period until November 2029.

This request has not been approved. More broadly, MC14 highlighted a growing shift towards plurilateral cooperation, allowing groups of willing members to advance agreements despite the lack of consensus.

The central challenge for the WTO is now to turn ongoing reform discussions into concrete results while preserving an inclusive, rules-based multilateral trading system.