The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), on the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), was held in Yaoundé. On this occasion, two agreements were concluded by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

One of the agreements concerns fisheries subsidies and the other e-commerce. Julien Paluku, Minister of Foreign Trade, stated that  « regarding the global agreement on fisheries subsidies, it has been observed that fish stocks are at risk of depletion due to illegal fishing in the oceans. Ultimately, this situation could lead to significant shortages. This agreement therefore aims to prohibit major powers from engaging in illegal fishing activities in international waters, as these resources are essential for all of humanity ».

He also indicated that « the DRC has also signed an agreement concerning e-commerce. The objective of this agreement is to reduce human intervention in commercial transactions and limit the risks of financial manipulation ».

This agreement, he said, is an important outcome of the Yaoundé meeting, marking the DRC's accession to the Agreement on Investment Facilitation for Development.