Trade ministers from across the Commonwealth met in Windhoek, Namibia, on 19–20 June 2025. The meeting, which brought together representatives from the 56-member bloc and was the first ever held on African soil, focused on strengthening intra-Commonwealth trade and investment, supporting reform of the multilateral trading system, and coordinating efforts around climate resilience and digital trade readiness.

The gathering also produced a joint Commonwealth statement to be submitted to the World Trade Organization’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). That statement focused on maintaining an open, inclusive, rules-based trading system and outlined specific areas for continued collaboration and reform.

Much of the discussion throughout the two-day session centred on identifying areas where practical cooperation could offer value, particularly for small states, least developed countries (LDCs), and small island developing states (SIDS).

Intra-Commonwealth trade and investment: translating commitments into mechanisms

One of the headline commitments reaffirmed in Windhoek was the shared target of increasing intra-Commonwealth trade to $2 trillion by 2030. Ministers noted that the volume of trade between Commonwealth countries has continued to rise, but recent volatility has exposed persistent gaps that could slow progress toward the target.

To support investment into key sectors, ministers reviewed the operationalisation of the Commonwealth Investment Network (CIN), which was announced at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2024 and is now active with funding from the UK government through March 2026. The CIN is designed as a mechanism for identifying bankable projects and engaging with private investors.

In parallel, the Commonwealth Working Group on Trade and Investment (WGTI) presented its updated work plan. There was general agreement that implementation, rather than new declarations, should be the focus going forward.

While ministers stopped short of proposing formal economic integration, they did encourage continued dialogue on the practical steps toward lowering intra-Commonwealth trade barriers, especially in areas such as services, green technology, and digital goods.

Reaffirming multilateralism and refining positions ahead of MC14

The joint Commonwealth statement for submission to the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference reiterates support for the multilateral trading system and outlines several positions relevant to the current WTO agenda, including fisheries subsidies, digital trade, and dispute settlement.

One area of consensus was the need to restore a fully functional WTO dispute settlement mechanism. Ministers also called for the timely ratification of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement and expressed interest in concluding outstanding negotiations in a way that preserves space for special and differential treatment, particularly for LDCs and small economies.

In relation to digital trade, the statement acknowledged differing positions on the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions, but encouraged members to engage constructively under the existing WTO Work Programme on E-Commerce. Ministers also expressed concern about the growing use of unilateral trade-restrictive measures, noting that these tend to disproportionately affect developing economies.

Green trade, digital readiness, and areas for technical cooperation

In addition to trade governance and investment, the meeting also focused on how the Commonwealth can support members in managing transitions related to climate policy, energy systems, and digital infrastructure.

Attendees discussed ongoing work under the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition (CSET) Agenda, which aims to improve trade in renewable energy goods and services. There was broad recognition that small and developing states face particular challenges in accessing clean technology and trade finance, and that public-private partnerships may be needed to overcome entry barriers in this space.

On the topic of the critical minerals sector, there was emphasis placed on value added at or near the source, and the importance of building sustainable supply chains. While the topic is still emerging in many Commonwealth jurisdictions, ministers noted its potential relevance to both climate goals and trade diversification.

Regarding digital readiness, the ministers reviewed progress on the Commonwealth Model Law on Digital Trade. The model law is being developed to provide a flexible legal framework that can accommodate the varying levels of digital maturity across Commonwealth countries. 

Next steps: toward CHOGM 2026 and continued coordination

The meeting concluded with a recommendation that key items discussed in Windhoek be taken forward to the next CHOGM, scheduled for 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda. The forthcoming Commonwealth Strategic Plan, due later this year, is also expected to help frame ongoing work across trade, investment, and development.

With economic headwinds likely to persist, the focus is now on refining tools that already exist and ensuring that the multilateral system remains responsive to the needs of all Commonwealth members.