Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Cameroon this weekend for the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference, where he will again serve as a vice chair of the negotiations. Labour’s Trade and Export Growth spokesperson Damien O’Connor will join New Zealand’s delegation.

“As a small, export driven economy, New Zealand depends on predictable and rules based global trade. The WTO is an important part of this system,” McClay said. He added that with protectionism on the rise and supply chain resilience in focus, members recognise the need for a modern, effective WTO.

As vice chair, McClay will help facilitate talks. He said New Zealand will push for outcomes that maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the organisation, which oversees the bulk of global trade.

The Ministerial Conference is the WTO’s highest decision-making body and meets every two years, bringing together ministers and representatives from 166 member economies. This year’s agenda includes e-commerce, agriculture reform and disciplines on harmful fisheries subsidies. The meeting runs from 26 to 29 March.