Tunisia Calls for Fairer Global Trade and WTO Reform to Support Africa

Tunisia called for a fairer and more equitable global trading system that better serves developing economies and addresses structural imbalances in international commerce, according to officials representing the nation at major global trade events.

Addressing Imbalances in Global Trade at the WTO

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum held from September 15 to 17, 2026, in Geneva, Mondher Rejab highlighted the disproportionate share of commerce held by developing regions, according to reporting by mosaiquefm.net. Rejab, who serves as counselor for Tunisia’s Permanent Mission in Geneva, pointed out that Africa accounts for just 2,9 % of global trade despite representing roughly 18 % of the world’s population.

According to mosaiquefm.net, Tunisia’s participation in the Geneva discussions emphasizes transparency, equal opportunity, and the integration of development priorities into global market rules. The country’s platform prioritizes food security, industrialization, digital transformation, and capacity building to help developing nations integrate into global value chains.

Ministerial Push for Special Treatment and Agricultural Reform

The recent Geneva statements align with broader positions advanced earlier in the year by Tunisia’s trade leadership. Samir Abid, Minister of Trade and Export Development, outlined similar priorities during the meeting of African Ministers of Commerce held on March 25, 2026, ahead of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon, as reported by lapresse.tn.

During the Yaoundé meetings, Abid stressed the importance of implementing effective special and differential treatment for developing nations. According to lapresse.tn, the Tunisian delegation called for concrete outcomes in technology transfer, the restoration of a functioning dispute settlement mechanism, and lasting solutions for public stockholding for food security.

lapresse.tn noted that African economies face compounding pressures from geopolitical tensions, food insecurity, climate change, and unilateral trade measures. In response, Tunisia continues to press for institutional reforms at the WTO that reflect the aspirations of developing nations and reinforce long-term economic sustainability.