PRESS/ 938 
 
17 November 2023  
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PRESS RELEASE  
STANDARDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY (STDF)  
The United States extends its strategic partnership with the STDF 
until 2028  
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed to a five-year agreement with 
the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), dispersing funds from 2023 -2028. An initial 
contribution of USD 150,000 (approximately CHF 135,000) from the USDA will help developing 
countries meet international food safety, a nimal and plant health standards, and facilitate safe 
trade.  
 
WTO Director -General Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala said: "The United States is a longstanding supporter of 
the STDF and of WTO technical assistance more generally. This latest contribution reflects the US ' 
continuing commitment to enhancing developing countries' sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) 
capacities through science -based approaches, helping them meet international standards and 
access markets. This will help producers participate more effectively in regional and global value 
chains, and will contribute to raising export revenues, incomes and living standards. The STDF's 
global partnership is a practical example of how Aid for Trade can simultaneously contribute to 
poverty reduction, enhanced food secu rity and better protection of the environment."  
 
H.E. Ms. María Pagán,  Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO said: " The United 
States continues to invest in technical assistance to support the implementation of the WTO SPS 
Agreement . This work facilitates agricultural trade, increasing availability, access and affordability 
of safe and nutritious food, and is especially relevant as the SPS Committee prepares to report on 
the work programme of the SPS Declaration , Responding to Modern SPS Challenges , at the 13th 
WTO Minister ial Conference (MC13). We recognize STDF 's important contributions in delivering 
programmes and disseminating results that are effective, transparent and science based. We 
welcome the renewal of our investment in a partnership that accelerates the transfor mation 
toward more resilient, sustainable and inclusive food systems that help support global food 
security. " 
 
Non-compliance with international SPS standards and requirements can lead to market rejections 
and economic losses for producers as well as food recalls and health risks for consumers. The 
STDF will use the new contribution from the USDA to strengthen the ability of small -scale farmers, 
producers and traders to access global and regional food markets by developing and implementing 
innovative and co llaborative SPS projects.  
 
The long -term partnership with USDA will also enhance STDF's coordination and knowledge 
platform by identifying lessons and promoting good practices to improve SPS capacity PRESS/ 938 
 
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  development outcomes globally, including on cross -cuttin g topics such as gender inclusion and 
climate change, and their impact on agri -food trade.  
 
Overall, the United States has contributed approximately USD 29 million to various WTO trust 
funds since 2002.  
 
Public and private sector organizations in developing and least -developed countries are 
encouraged to apply to the STDF for project and project preparation grants. The next deadline for 
submission of funding proposals is 1 March 2024. Information on eligibility criteria and how to 
apply is available  here. 
 
The STDF is a global multi -stakeholder partnership to facilitate safe and inclusive trade, 
established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the World 
Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Bank Group, the World Health Orga nization 
(WHO) and the WTO, which houses and manages the partnership. The STDF responds to evolving 
needs, drives inclusive trade and contributes to sustainable economic growth, food security and 
poverty reduction, in support of the United Nations Sustaina ble Development Goals.  
 
 
END