WTO Ministerial Conference: China, Switzerland confirm presence, pledge support as gov’t readies Y’de.

During the audience, the Chinese diplomat reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Yaounde in the final stretch before the ministerial conference. 

At the centre of the talks were infrastructure upgrades at the Yaounde Conference Centre, the venue selected to host the high-level event.

According to Ambassador Xu Yong, who personally inspected the site last week, a team of Chinese technicians is working alongside Cameroonian counterparts to ensure the facilities meet international standards. He indicated that the works would be completed before the end of February.

Minister Mbarga Atangana welcomed the update, stating that it will give the government enough time to test all conference equipment before the official opening.

High-level Chinese delegation expected

On the diplomatic front, China’s participation at MC14 is set to reflect its status as a major global trading power. Ambassador Xu Yong disclosed that his country would dispatch a delegation of more than fifty high-level personalities to Yaounde, led by the Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Wentao.

Beyond the official sessions of the ministerial conference, China has announced the organisation of a High-Level Meeting on March 25, 2026, on the eve of the formal opening. 

The meeting will take place at the Yaounde Conference Centre, under the theme: “Accelerating Africa’s Industrialisation: Chinese Investments”. 

The objective, according to the Chinese side, is to deepen Sino-African cooperation in trade and investment and to support Africa’s industrialisation as well as its autonomous and sustainable development. 

Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana has been personally invited to attend this high-level meeting in his dual capacity as Cameroon’s Minister of Trade and President of MC14.

Switzerland confirms top-level presence

Meanwhile, in a separate audience held on February 16, Minister Mbarga Atangana received the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation to Cameroon, H.E Nathalie Kohli. Both officials reviewed the final technical and logistical adjustments ahead of MC14. 

Ambassador Nathalie Kohli gave assurances that preparations were on track as all necessary arrangements have been made in advance and lodging has already been secured. 

Switzerland also confirmed that the President of the Swiss Confederation will personally lead the country’s delegation to Yaounde. 

Ambassador Kohli further informed the Minister that high-level bilateral meetings are planned with various sectoral ministers during the conference. 

She noted that the Swiss delegation was pleased that the 14th Ministerial Conference would be held in Cameroon and indicated that discussions are expected to address, among other issues, reform of the World Trade Organisation.

The Swiss envoy conveyed her delegation’s enthusiasm and commitment to contributing to the success of the Yaounde meeting. At the close of the discussions, both parties agreed to continue exchanging information until the opening of the ministerial conference.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3709 of Friday February 20, 2026