RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is directly leading the consolidation of developing countries at the virtual G-33 Ministerial Meeting held on Monday, March 9, 2026. This meeting serves as a strategic warm-up ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), scheduled to take place in Cameroon from March 26-29, 2026.

As the group's coordinator, Indonesia is pushing for the Conference to become a momentum to revive the stalled agricultural negotiations at the WTO. Indonesia's Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, emphasized that reform in this sector must once again favor developing countries.

"As the coordinator of the G-33, Indonesia calls for WTO agricultural reform to remain development-oriented. Food security, the welfare of smallholder farmers, and national development agendas must be central to the direction of these reforms," he stated in an official release.

The meeting, attended by 47 G-33 members, resulted in an agreement to draft a Joint Ministerial Statement. This document will serve as the primary tool for developing countries in the upcoming negotiations in Cameroon. Several crucial issues to be championed include the Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes mechanism and the Special Safeguard Mechanism to protect against import surges.

"We express our concern over the limited progress in the agricultural negotiations. Indonesia will continue to promote an approach that is firm yet constructive," Budi Santoso conveyed.

Amid global uncertainty, food security is cited as an absolute priority. The WTO Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who also attended the meeting, appreciated Indonesia's efforts. According to her, the G-33 represents the crucial "voice of developing countries."

"In an uncertain global situation, food security is a fundamental issue. I appreciate and support today's G-33 meeting for the success of the Conference," Ngozi stated.

With this leadership, Indonesia is determined to ensure that the outcomes of the Ministerial Conference will not merely be diplomatic documents, but will also bring tangible impacts for smallholder farmers and food security in developing countries.