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1 April 2021  
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PRESS RELEASE  
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
France contributes CHF 6.1 million to help developing countries 
deepen trade expertise  
 
France is donating approximately EUR 6 million to finance WTO technical assistance programmes 
for developing countries and least -developed countries (LDCs) from 2021 to 2023 aimed at 
improving participants' understanding of global trade rules and standards . French Finance Minister 
Bruno Le Maire and Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade Franck Riester confirmed the contribution 
at a signing ceremony with WTO Director -General Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala held on 1 April at the WTO. 
In a meeting with the DG, they discus sed a number of issues including the role of the WTO in 
supporting a post -COVID -19 economic recovery, WTO reform, climate change and sustainability 
issues, gender and e -commerce.  
  
France's contribution will be distributed to three funds.  
 
• The internship programme sponsored by France and Ireland  will receive an annual 
contribution of EUR 900,000 to finance internships for government officials at the 
permanent missio ns of developing countries and LDCs in Geneva.  
 
• A yearly amount of EUR 550,000 will be targeted to support the new phase of the  WTO's 
Chairs Programme  aimed at helping academic institutions in developing countries and 
LDCs build their expertise in trade policy, international trade economics, internationa l 
relations and international economic law. Since the launch of the Programme, which has 
been part of the Global Trust Fund for ten years and is covered by the technical 
assistance plans, the WTO has provided financial support to 19 institutions in countri es 
across Africa, Asia and South and Central America.  
 
• The Standards and Trade Development Facility  will receive annually EUR 400,000  to help 
developing countries and LDCs implement food safety,  animal health and plant health 
standards required for international trade and to improve their sanitary and 
phytosanitary capacity.  
 
DG Okonjo -Iweala said: "The technical assistance activities which France is supporting will provide 
developing countries and LDCs  with essential skills and knowledge so that they may more 
effectively participate in multilateral trade, including trade negotiations, and achieve meaningful 
outcomes for the people they serve. I welcome France's continued generosity."  
 
France's Minister of the Economy, Finance and Recovery, Bruno Le Maire, said: "France is 
convinced that the WTO has a major role to play in the wake of the economic crisis. We need to PRESS/ 877 
 
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  move forward on a number of reforms so that the WTO can play its role ag ain in easing trade 
tensions and settling disputes, so that every country can reap the benefits that international trade 
offers, including developing countries. Our discussions with the Director -General focused on 
transforming and improving the WTO's Appel late Body, on clarifying and respecting multilateral 
trade rules, and on strengthening the WTO's role in the fight against global warming. Trade must 
serve sustainable development. France is committed to limiting the impact of global warming on a 
global sc ale, and to supporting developing countries in this effort, through the strengthening of 
their industrial and commercial capacities."  
 
France's Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness, Franck Riester, said: 
"This is a crucial moment  for the WTO. We are experiencing an unprecedented paralysis. At the 
same time, this period offers exceptional opportunities to reform the Organization so that it can 
build dynamic, fair, just and sustainable international trade. We support reforms that wi ll revitalize 
the multilateral trading system and level the playing field, especially for developing countries. The 
WTO has a crucial role to play in preserving global common goods, including in regards to the 
environment and health. France supports Dr Ngo zi's ambition to create a third way to ensure that 
access to vaccines is universal. Citizens around the world are waiting for us regarding these 
issues."   
 
France has contributed approximately EUR 28 million to WTO trust funds in 20 years.  
 
 
END