Stockholm, 28 August 2023 (TDI): Sweden has pledged SEK 15 million in 2023 to support the participation of government officials from developing and least-developed economies (LDCs) in training and trade capacity-building activities conducted by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
This generous contribution to the WTO’s Global Trust Fund will empower these countries to expand their knowledge of WTO matters and strengthen their ability to negotiate trade rules.
Over the past 20 years, nearly 2,800 activities have been organized under this fund.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed her gratitude to Sweden for its substantial contribution, stating, “This support will ensure government officials from developing economies receive training that would equip them to take full advantage of international trade to increase prosperity.”
Sweden’s WTO Ambassador, Nina Tornberg, reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to the international trading system by supporting developing and least-developed countries in enhancing their trading capacity.
She emphasized, “Trade plays a key role in reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development, and supporting countries’ efforts to meet the many challenges of today.
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Since 2002, Sweden has donated over CHF 64 million to various WTO trust funds, demonstrating its longstanding commitment to supporting the global trading system and promoting sustainable development worldwide.
Moreover, just last month, Sweden contributed SEK 5 million to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism to support developing and least-developed countries in implementing the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
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The donation, presented by Ambassador Mikael Anzén to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will help safeguard oceans and coastal communities worldwide by supporting the ratification process of the agreement and maintaining healthy fish stocks.
The fund, managed by the WTO and partner organizations, provides targeted technical assistance and capacity building.
