Ten member countries of the "Future of Investment and Trade" (FITP) partnership—Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland, and Uruguay—met virtually on March 16 and jointly adopted a ministerial declaration on strengthening the rules-based trading system. Liechtenstein was represented by Deputy Prime Minister Sabine Monauni.

The statement comes ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which will take place from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. It underscores the shared goal of FITP members to advance a long-term agenda for promoting a reliable and modern global trading system.

Key points of the statement

The ministers highlight key areas in which FITP members intend to cooperate more closely with one another and with other WTO members. These include, in particular, strengthening the WTO’s legal framework by incorporating an agreement on investment facilitation or an agreement on electronic commerce, the permanent establishment of a moratorium on tariffs on electronic transmissions to prevent digital trade barriers, and a commitment to the efficient and expeditious resolution of trade disputes, in particular by refraining from pursuing manifestly futile appeals that weaken the WTO dispute settlement system.

Next steps within the FIT partnership

The ministers emphasize that the declaration is a first step in a broader reform process. Among other things, the FIT Partnership aims to develop new approaches to improve decision-making processes within the WTO, establish mechanisms to ensure that the results of negotiations can be implemented more quickly, and draw on scientific, economic, and international expertise to develop practical solutions.

Contribution to the WTO Ministerial Conference

At the virtual meeting on March 16, the delegations expressed their hope that the joint efforts of the FIT Partnership would contribute to constructive dialogue and concrete results at the WTO Ministerial Conference. The goal is to further develop the multilateral trading system so that it remains credible, effective, and responsive to the needs of member states in the future.

About the FIT Partnership

Established in September 2025, the FIT Partnership is a platform for small, medium-sized, and particularly trade-dependent countries. Its goal is to develop innovative solutions for open, fair, and reliable global trade, thereby strengthening the rules-based trading system.