France releases second WTO fund instalment for trade support
France has released a second instalment of CHF 1.7 million (~$2.16 million) to boost technical assistance and capacity-building efforts for developing and least-developed countries (LDCs), under a three-year €6 million (~$6.82 million) commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The funds support the French-Irish Mission Programme, the WTO Chairs Programme, and the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), which collectively aim to enhance trade policy implementation, WTO said in a release.
'Given the pace of changes we are experiencing in trade, the value of technical assistance is more important than ever. With France's targeted support, these programmes continue to make significant contributions to developing economies by providing hands-on experience at the WTO, facilitating practical projects and establishing sustainable systems to help government officials tackle complex new areas with the help of academia,' said Deputy Director-General Zhang.
The French-Irish Mission Programme, jointly backed by France and Ireland, will receive €900,000 (CHF 870,000) to finance the placement of officials from developing and least developed nations at permanent missions in Geneva.
The WTO Chairs Programme is set to receive €550,000 (CHF 530,000) to support academic institutions in WTO member and observer countries through research, curriculum development, and outreach in trade policy.
The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) will benefit from €500,000 (CHF 480,000) to assist these economies. The funding aligns with the STDF Strategy for 2025–2030, aimed at strengthening sanitary and phytosanitary capacities.
"Technical assistance is an important part of the WTO – it increases the number of people who are able to participate in the multilateral trading system and ultimately reap its benefits. France is proud to support the French-Irish Mission Programme, the WTO Chairs Programme and the Standards and Trade Development Facility, especially in these difficult times when resources are increasingly difficult to mobilise and when the multilateral system is under strain,' said France's WTO Ambassador Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand.
France's latest contribution adds to its longstanding support for WTO development goals, bringing its total funding to WTO trust funds to over €34 million (~$38.6 million) in the past two decades.
France has released CHF 1.7 million (~$6.82 million) WTO pledge to support trade capacity in developing countries. The funds back the French-Irish Mission, WTO Chairs, and STDF programmes, aiming to enhance trade skills, academic expertise, and compliance with global standards. France's total WTO support now exceeds €34 million (~$38.6 million).
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