Lesotho fully supports the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Specific Package for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC14), aimed at discussing challenges and opportunities facing the global trading system.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development, PalesaMatobako says the system responds meaningfully to the developmental needs of least developed countries, including those that have recently graduated into this category.
She also noted that Lesotho continues to face several structural challenges, including limited industrial diversification, vulnerability to external shocks, and an urgent need to strengthen food security.
Matobako made these remarks during the 14thMinisterial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), taking place in Yaounde, Cameroon from 26 March to tomorrow.
This year’s conference is regarded as a pivotal moment for the multilateral trading system, bringing together trade ministers from 166 member states under the theme of WTO reform.
Ministers from across the world are discussingchallenges and opportunities facing the system. They are also expected to take action on the future work of the WTO.
Key discussions are focusing on institutional reform, the future of the e‑commerce moratorium, agriculture, fisheries subsidies, and the restoration of the dispute settlement two‑tier mechanism.
Notably, since the establishment of the WTO in 1996, this marks only the second time the conference is being hosted in Africa.
“Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy and we cannot overstate the importance of addressing persistent food security vulnerabilities, particularly among net food‑importing LDCs,” Matobako told the conference.
She also noted that while digital trade presents significant opportunities, without meaningful technology transfer and sustained capacity‑building support, LDCs risk being left behind.
“Like other LDCs, Lesotho’s digital infrastructure remains fragile, limiting our ability to fully benefit from digital trade. We therefore call for targeted assistance in ecommerce to help unlock new opportunities in trade and services exports,” she pleaded.
Matobako added that aid for trade remains indispensable in strengthening productive capacity and enhancing trade readiness of LDCs.
Lesotho welcomes the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF)Phase three, and calls for adequate resourcing and full alignment with LDC priorities to ensure effective implementation and measurable impact, she indicated.
