MC14 in Yaoundé: Consider, Endorse or Finalize? Mixed Procedural Signals in the WTO Reform Package
An Analytical Note on the Procedural Design of the MC14 WTO Reform Package, 17 March 2026
By Vahini Naidu
This note examines the procedural design of the MC14 WTO reform package and its implications for developing countries. It maps six conflicting formulations of what Ministers are expected to do with the draft reform texts, identifies an institutional tilt towards the Facilitator’s document, and shows how non‑binding breakout “takeaways” and informal small group consultations are being used to shape post‑MC14 work. It concludes with practical recommendations for safeguarding a genuinely member‑driven, consensus‑based reform process.
WTO arbitration on China’s standard patents policy threatens TRIPS balance and national autonomy
By Nirmalya Syam
This article critically examines the WTO arbitration award in China – Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights (WT/DS611/ARB25), which marks a significant departure from established interpretations of Article 1.1 of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). The arbitrators endorsed a broad “anti-frustration” reading of the provision, effectively imposing cross-border obligations on WTO Members and challenging the autonomy of national courts. Although Article 1.1 of TRIPS was relied upon by the European Union only in conjunction with Article 28, the arbitrators treated it as an autonomous normative foundation for imposing cross-border constraints on members’ judicial measures. The article contends that this expansion of Article 1.1 goes beyond its text and structure, risks undermining legitimate public-interest measures, and opens the door to non-violation type complaints that are excluded from TRIPS. The analysis underscores the need to preserve the balance between IP enforcement and national policy space, especially in disputes involving public policy considerations.
The South Centre carries out multiple activities to support developing countries with policy-oriented research, inputs and advice for negotiations and capacity building. The Report summarizes the South Centre’s activities in 2025 and highlights the contexts in which they were conducted as well as the objectives that were pursued with their implementation.
MC14 in Yaoundé: Twenty Questions on the Process Documents
A Note on Questions Arising from the MC14 Documents Released on 6 March 2026, 9 March 2026
By Vahini Naidu
This note raises twenty questions arising from the MC14 process documents released on 6 March 2026. It examines whether the conference architecture is consistent with the Geneva First Principle, the WTO Rules of Procedure, and the member-driven character of the organisation.
South Centre Inputs to the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation
The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on the United Nations Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation (UNFCITC) released three documents in January 2026 to inform negotiations at its Fourth Session, held in February 2026 in New York:
Co-Leads’ Concept Note (23 Jan 2026) prepared by Workstream III, presenting potential design features for dispute prevention and resolution protocol mechanisms.
The South Centre submitted inputs on the three documents on February 26 and March 6, 2026, following a call for input by the INC. The submissions are reproduced below:
The South Centre successful in elevating Global South voices in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, with support from United Kingdom’s Fleming Fund
Geneva | 5 March 2026
As the world intensifies efforts to confront antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the gravest global health and development threats of our time, the South Centre has supported low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to strengthen their positions in global governance and policy processes.
A newly released impact report documents how the South Centre, with support from the United Kingdom’s Fleming Fund, has played a catalytic role between 2018 and 2025 in systematically improving Global South engagement in AMR governance, policy discourse, and civil society – led action.
Contribution to the Report of the UN Secretary-General on the implementation of General Assembly Resolution on the “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”
South Centre
13 February 2026
The illegal blockade against Cuba is a continuing violation of the UN Charter & international law and must be lifted to allow full realisation of human rights and SDGs. See the South Centre inputs to the UN Secretary-General’s report, emphasising urgent need to end the blockade.
The webinar will present key findings from the South Centre’s Antimicrobial Resistance impact report, Elevating Global South Voices in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance: The South Centre’s Impact and Lessons Learned (2018–2025), implemented with the support of the Fleming Fund (UK Department of Health and Social Care).
The discussion will be framed within the evolving global AMR landscape, particularly following the 2024 UN Political Declaration on AMR, and will reflect on how to sustain and scale Global South – led engagement in multilateral processes.
MC14 in Yaoundé: Implementation of Consensus in Ministerial Preparations
An Analytical Note on the Evolving Consensus Practices in the Lead-Up to MC14, 23 February 2026
By Vahini Naidu
This Analytical Note examines four procedural developments in the preparations for MC14 against the consensus requirements of Article IX:1 of the Marrakesh Agreement. These concern: (i) the transmission of the draft fisheries subsidies decision without a formal meeting of the negotiating body; (ii) the General Council Chair’s requirement that Members pre-secure consensus before proposed text can be considered for the Ministerial Declaration; (iii) the conduct of WTO Reform consultations outside formal WTO bodies; and (iv) the separation between the consensus-governed agenda and the non-consensus modalities that shape the Conference programme. Each development engages with one or more of the safeguards embedded in the treaty definition of consensus. The Note observes that these evolving practices, which have not been formally authorized by the membership, may have particular implications for developing countries and LDCs with limited delegation capacity.
OECD Two Pillar Solution: Designed to Prevent the Offshoring of High Tech Production to the Global South
By Abdul Muheet Chowdhary
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Two Pillar solution is a tool of the developed countries designed to: a) prevent Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) in frontier technologies like clean energy, computing, semiconductors, etc. from offshoring production to developing countries, and b) minimize Global North MNEs’ taxable profits in developing countries. The recent exemption of the United States’ MNEs from certain aspects of the OECD Global Minimum Tax further strengthens these objectives. South Centre Member States and other developing countries should resist pressures to adopt the Two Pillar solution and make informed, evidence-based decisions, while considering the benefits of other simpler and more beneficial alternatives.
G20 Critical Minerals Deal: A Step Toward Equity or a New Extractive Frontier?
By Touba Esfahani Nejad
This paper examines the Group of Twenty (G20) Critical Minerals Framework adopted under South Africa’s Presidency and the extent to which it represents a shift toward more equitable mineral governance. It analyses the Framework’s key pillars and political commitments alongside the Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Declaration, assessing their implications for mineral-rich developing countries, importing economies, refining hubs, and the G20 itself. The paper pays particular attention to gaps between stated ambitions and practical constraints having in view financing, technology transfer, and the policy space under the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. It concludes by identifying the conditions under which the Framework could support real value addition and industrialization in the Global South rather than function as a supply-security tool for advanced economies.
