Fiji represented at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers and Senior Trade Officials meeting

The Fiji High Commission in London-UK recently represented Fiji at the High-Level Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting (CTMM) and Senior Trade Officials Meeting (STOM II) convened in Windhoek, Namibia from 16th to the 20th of June 2025.

Discussions emphasised the power of the Commonwealth as a model for cooperation built on our shared values and common goals to advance economic growth, prosperity and development. With geopolitical shifts and global trade tensions, the Meeting discussed how the Commonwealth can collectively undertake more ambitious actions to expand the intra-Commonwealth trade to US$2 trillion by 2030; while also achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It reflected on the evolving challenges and uncertainties affecting global trade and underscored the importance of partnerships to address issues of mutual interests and advancing the Commonwealth collective trade and investment priorities.

On the discussion on the Multilateral Trading System (MTS), Trade Ministers reaffirmed their support for a fair, transparent, equitable, inclusive, member-driven, non-discriminatory, open, rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. Trade Ministers commended the valuable and impactful technical and capacity building support provided to Commonwealth small states through the Commonwealth Small States Office (CSSO) in Geneva and urged continued support to small states in their negotiations at the WTO and particularly in the lead up to and during MC14 that will be held in Cameroon in March next year.

Similarly, the Trade Ministers and Heads of Delegation reflected on the challenges to financing the economic development and the infrastructural deficit amongst Commonwealth member states, and the reduction in Foreign Direct Investments to developing countries and small states because of the downturn of the global economy. Discussions also centered on the opportunities that exist, and need for Commonwealth countries to leverage private investments; and innovative finance models to drive increased investments through public-private partnerships and blended finance into critical sectors to enable sustainable development of our countries.

Trade Ministers and Heads of Delegations considered the scope and potential for deeper economic integration in the Commonwealth, and how it could help member countries to navigate the challenging and increasingly uncertain global trade and economic landscape.

The week-long comprehensive exchange focused on how the Commonwealth can enhance trade policies to address the energy transition, particularly through investments in renewable energy sources and related supply chains, and the removal of intra-Commonwealth trade barriers.

Trade Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation on the food security and nutrition within the Commonwealth and noted the need for strengthening access to productivity-enhancing technologies and data systems for agricultural and fisheries trade and investment.

On the Digital space, Trade Ministers emphasised the need to consider the diverse digital readiness of our member states, particularly by supporting LDCs and SIDS to build the legal, regulatory and infrastructural capacity to fully benefit from digital trade. A critical issue of discussion was the increasing vulnerabilities due to climate change, and the need for building resilient trade infrastructure, accessing green technology, and mobilising climate-aligned trade finance.

The CTMM 2025 concluded with the Trade Ministers, Heads of Delegation and Trade experts recommending that the respective Heads of Government reflect on these issues when they meet for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda. The 2025 CTMM was the inaugural Trade Ministers meeting hosted outside of London, and unique as for the first time Commonwealth Business Summit was also hosted on the sidelines of this high-level meeting.