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From Bimbola Oyesola
The European Union is contributing EUR 1 million (approximately CHF 928,000) to support developing economies including least developed countries (LDCs) in strengthening their participation in the multilateral trading system for 2026-2027.
According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the contribution to the WTO’s Global Trust Fund (GTF) will help finance the implementation of the WTO’s technical assistance plan through targeted capacity-building initiatives.
“These programmes enable government officials from developing economies including LDCs to deepen their understanding of the multilateral trading system and enhance the implementation of their WTO obligations,” the organization said.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed the EU’s contribution: “The European Union’s EUR 1 million contribution to the Global Trust Fund comes at a critical time and will help maintain valuable technical assistance activities for developing economies and least developed countries. I welcome the EU’s leadership and hope it will encourage other members to step forward in support of the WTO’s capacity building work.”
H.E. Mr João Aguiar Machado, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the European Union to the WTO, highlighted the importance of continued EU support for WTO technical assistance programmes: “The European Union is pleased to contribute EUR 1 million to the WTO’s Global Trust Fund. At a time when sustained and predictable financing for technical assistance is particularly important, this contribution reflects the European Union’s longstanding support for the Global Trust Fund and for the WTO’s technical assistance programmes.
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“Strengthening the capacity of developing economies including least developed countries is essential for a fair and effective multilateral trading system.”
The Global Trust Fund finances approximately 280 activities each year, primarily through tailored training delivered at the national and regional levels, including online.
These activities span a wide range of trade-related areas, including agriculture, digital trade, import licensing, standards, trade and environment, and trade negotiation skills.
Since its establishment in 2001, the Global Trust Fund has supported over 2,800 training workshops worldwide.
The WTO said the year 2024 saw the highest number of technical assistance activities in the last decade, with over 19,000 participants trained throughout the year.
Building on more than two decades of constructive cooperation with the WTO, the European Union has contributed a total of CHF 34.5 million to various WTO trust funds.
“This latest contribution recognizes and reinforces the European Union’s commitment to promoting a fair, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trading system,” WTO said.
