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1 March 2024  
(24-1949) Page: 1/1 
    
 
 
PRESS RELEASE  
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
EU gives EUR 1 million to support trade know -how in developing 
economies and LDCs  
The European Union is contributing EUR 1 million (about CHF 950,000) over the period 2024 -2025 
to finance training programmes for government officials from developing economies, including 
least-developed countries (LDCs). The contribution to the WTO Global  Trust Fund will help 
developing economies and LDCs deepen their expertise on WTO issues and strengthen their skillset 
to effectively implement trade rules at the WTO.  
 
The Global Trust Fund finances around 280 activities a year, mostly tailor -made trainin g activities 
delivered at national and regional level, covering various trade -related areas including agriculture, 
services and trade facilitation. Close to 2,800 activities have been organised under this fund over 
more than 20 years.  
 
The European Commiss ion's Executive Vice -President Valdis Dombrovskis, said during the 
13th WTO Ministerial Conference  held from 26 to 29 February in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates : 
"The EU remains strongly committed to the WTO and to further integrating developing countrie s — 
especially least -developed countries — into the multilateral trading system. We are pleased to 
continue supporting their economic development through the WTO. We believe our financial 
contribution is particularly timely in view of the current need for enhancing multilateral trade 
governance. " 
 
WTO Director -General Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala said: "I thank the European Union for generously 
supporting the WTO's capacity -building programmes which aim to equip policymakers in 
developing economies and LDCs with sol id trade -related skills. The objective is to help them widen 
their countries' trading opportunities so that more people may benefit from sustainable economic 
development and growth."  
 
Overall, the EU has contributed CHF 33 million (EUR 34.6 million) to the  various WTO trust funds 
over more than 20 years.  
 
 
END 