   
  
PRESS/956  
 
7 March 2024  
(24-2130) Page: 1/1 
    
 
PRESS RELEASE  
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
EU contributed EUR  75,000 for LDC participat ion in MC13  
The European Union contributed EUR 75,000 (about  CHF 72,000)  to support the participation of 
government officials from least-developed countries (LDCs) in the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference  
(MC13) , which took place from 26 February to 1 March in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.  
 
The contribution helped to cover  travel expenses for government officials from LDCs  attending  
MC13.  The financing was provided to  the WTO LDCs Trust Fund , which is set up for each Ministerial 
Conference. Multiple WTO members contribute  to this fund.  
 
"I thank the European Union for generously supporting the WTO's capac ity-building programmes 
which aim to equip policymakers in developing economies, including LDCs, with solid trade -related 
skills," WTO Director -General Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala said. "The objective is to help them widen their 
countries' trading opportunities so  that more people may benefit from sustainable economic 
development and growth. " 
 
The EU's WTO Ambassador, João Aguiar Machado, said: "The EU remains deeply committed to 
promoting the active participation of least -developed countries in the multilateral tr ading system. 
This starts with their participation at the Ministerial Conferences, as a way of ensuring an inclusive 
WTO that can address their needs. " 
 
Overall, the EU has contributed CHF 33 million (EUR 34.6 million) to the various WTO trust funds 
over m ore than 20 years.  
 
 
END 