Events

WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14)

The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC14) is scheduled to take place from 26 to 29 March 2026 at the Palais des Congrès in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

The Ministerial Conference, convening biennially, holds the highest authority within the WTO. It brings together all WTO members, comprising countries or customs unions, enabling decisions on various issues covered by the multilateral trade agreements.

In advance of MC14, discussions among WTO members have increasingly focused on institutional reform of the organisation. At a meeting on 3 February, members considered next steps for advancing reform work ahead of the ministerial conference, and plans were announced for a ‘reform month’ beginning on 5 February to discuss a post-MC14 work plan.

Key areas identified for attention include decision-making procedures, development and special and differential treatment provisions, dispute settlement reform, and other systemic issues. Members are expected to seek ministerial endorsement of a structured workplan at MC14, and preparatory breakout sessions on reform are included in the conference roadmap. These efforts reflect the central role that reform is anticipated to play in Yaoundé and the intention to initiate high-level political exchanges among ministers on this topic during the conference.

The event will also feature side events on 25 March: the MC14 Business Forum, the MC14 Civil Society Dialogue entitled ‘Africa in the multilateral trading system: Choices and challenges’, and a session of the Parliamentary Conference.

The Conference will be chaired by Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, Cameroon’s Minister of Trade.

Organisational session of the UN Global Mechanism on ICT security

The organisational session of the Global Mechanism on developments in the field of ICTs in the context of international security and advancing responsible State behaviour in the use of ICTs will be held on 30-31 March.

This session marks the start of the substantive work of the Global Mechanism, a new single-track, permanent forum on ICT security under UN auspices. 

Proceedings will begin with the opening of the session by the Secretary-General or a representative, followed by the election of a Chair for a two-year term. States will then adopt the session agenda and engage in a general exchange of views on the mechanism.

The session will also consider the agenda for future substantive plenary meetings leading up to the 2030 Review Conference, and consider the overall organisation of work, including the programme for the first plenary session and the structure of dedicated thematic groups (DTGs). Any additional organisational matters may be addressed under ‘any other business.’

The mechanism is mandated to advance discussions across the five established pillars of responsible state behaviour in the use of ICTs, covering existing and potential threats, rules, norms and principles, the application of international law, confidence-building measures, and capacity-building efforts. 

Beyond the organisational session, the Global Mechanism will convene in different formats.

It will hold substantive plenary sessions once a year during each biennial cycle, the first being scheduled for July 2026.

It will hold two DTGs—one addressing general substantive issues and one focused on capacity building—intended to enable more in-depth discussions building on the outcomes of the plenary. In 2026, the dedicated thematic groups are scheduled to take place from 7 to 11 December.

In addition, the mechanism will convene a review conference every five years to assess progress and guide its future direction.

Blockchain Forum 2026

The Blockchain Forum 2026 will be held in Moscow on 14–15 April 2026, bringing together global leaders in Web3, crypto, blockchain, and mining across the rapidly developing CIS region.

The event is expected to draw over 20,000 attendees, including founders, C-level executives, innovators, and investors.

Participants at the two-day forum will gain access to expert insights and forecasts on the evolving industry, engage in high-level networking and deal-making opportunities, and hear directly from founders and senior leaders of major global crypto projects about strategies to capitalise on emerging trends.

The event also features an extensive expo-floor with exhibitions of cutting-edge blockchain and mining technologies, simultaneous translation of sessions, dedicated after-hours networking, and multiple tiers of access for attendees including business and VIP packages.

29th session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)

The 29th session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) is scheduled to take place from 20 to 24 April 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

For its 29th session, the programme will address the priority theme of ‘Science, Technology and Innovation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’, and will also review progress on the implementation and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society at regional and international levels.

The session will include presentations on technical cooperation activities and the work of the multistakeholder Working Group on Data Governance, as relevant to development objectives. Participation is expected from representatives of national governments, international organizations, civil society and the private sector.

ITU Council 2026

The 2026 session of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Council will be held from 28 April to 8 May 2026 at ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

As the primary governing body between Plenipotentiary Conferences, the Council plays a central role in steering the Union’s work across a wide range of issues, including global digital policy, infrastructure development, and the evolving landscape of emerging technologies.

Over the course of the session, delegates are expected to review and guide ITU activities across policy directions, programme implementation and financial matters, as well as to consider emerging issues in connectivity, digital inclusion and ICT development.

Preparatory work for the meeting included a cluster of Council Working Groups and Expert Groups held earlier in January 2026, which addressed specialised topics such as internet policy, child online protection, strategic planning and other expert issues.

Geneva Cyber Week 2026: Shaping the future of cybersecurity and diplomacy

Geneva Cyber Week 2026 will take place from 4 to 8 May 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, under the overarching theme ‘Advancing Global Cooperation in Cyberspace’.

Organised by the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the event will bring together stakeholders from governments, international organisations, industry, academia, and civil society to discuss the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in cybersecurity.

Details on the 2026 agenda and events will be announced closer to the date.

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