PRESS RELEASE
technical assistance
Japan gives CHF 105,000
to help developing economies enhance trade know-how
Japan is contributing EUR 115,000 (about CHF 105,000) to the WTO’s
Global Trust Fund to finance training programmes for government officials from developing
and least developed country (LDC) members. The objective is to help these members broaden their expertise in WTO matters and deepen their
skillset so that they may efficiently negotiate and implement trade rules. This is Japan's second donation to this
fund in 2024.
The Global Trust Fund
finances around 280 activities a year, mostly tailor-made
training courses delivered at the regional and national level, covering various
areas such as trade facilitation, agriculture, development and services. Close
to 2,800 activities have been organised under this fund over the past 20 years
or so.
Japan's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, Atsuyuki Oike, said: "This contribution of Japan renews its
standing commitment to inclusive and sustainable global trade. Our support for
the WTO Global Trust Fund focuses on enhancing capacities of the developing and
LDC members to better benefit from their participation in the multilateral
trading system. Through this contribution, we aim to foster inclusive growth
and resilience by empowering these members to effectively implement WTO
Agreements and fully engage in global trade. Japan’s support reflects our deep
commitment to creating pathways for economic inclusion – whether through
technical cooperation, capacity building, or direct support for entrepreneurial
initiatives, especially among women."
WTO Director-General
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: "Trade
is a key enabler for sustainable development. I thank Japan for its generous and
continuous contribution to the WTO Global Trust Fund, which will help
government officials from developing members and LDC members gain the trade
know-how needed to help them leverage the full potential of world trade and
build a better future for their people."
Overall, Japan has donated just over EUR 13.6 million
(approximately CHF 12.8 million) to the various WTO Trust Funds in over 20
years.
END