RESTRICTED  
  
WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
4 November  2022 
(22-8250) Page: 1/10 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Fifty-Sixth Session on Aid for Trade    
 
  
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF  11 OCTOBER  2022 
Chair person:  Ambassador Dwarka -Canabady (Mauritius)  
Contents  
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  ................................ ................................ ....................  1 
B. PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE WORK – STATEMENT BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR -GENERAL 
XIANGCHEN ZHANG  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  1 
C. IMPLEMENTATION OF AID -FOR-TRADE WORK ACTIVITIES  ................................ ..... 3 
I. Resource Mobilization and Implementation Activities  ................................ ......................  3 
II. Mainstreaming  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  5 
III. Regional Dimension  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 7 
IV. Private Sector  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  9 
V. Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation and Development Effectiveness  ...................  9 
D. OTHER BUSINESS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 10 
 
A. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA  
1. On 11 October 2022, t he Committee on Trade and Development  (CTD)  Aid for Trade held its 
56th session under the chairmanship of H.E. Ms Usha Chandnee Dwarka -Canabady, of Mauritius.  The 
Agenda, as circulated  on 19 September 2022  in WTO/AIR/COMTD/AFT/24 , was adopte d without 
amendments.  
B. PRIORITIES FOR FUTURE WORK – STATEMENT BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR -GENERAL 
XIANGCHEN ZHANG  
2. Deputy  Director -General (DDG) Xiangchen Zhang  opened the meeting with an update on the  
future  Aid-for-Trade priorities. Recalling the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) outcome 
document, h e underscored  the importance of the  Aid-for-Trade  Initiative in bringing attention to, 
and mobiliz ing funding for, the financing needs of least developed countries  (LDCs) , including for 
those on the path to graduation.   
3. According to the Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development ( OECD ), by the 
end of 2020, a total of USD 556 billion had been  disbursed to help improve the export performance 
of developing countries , with 29% of the total USD 48.7 billion disbursed to LDCs.  
4. He emphasi zed the need to move towards models of economic growth and trade grounded in 
sustainable development , in line wi th the d iscussions held at the 2022 Global Review of Aid for Trade 
and the monitoring and evaluation exercise undertaken in preparation to the event.  
5. Official Development Assistance (ODA) needed to work in tandem with, and mobilize, other 
sources of financ e. This was the rationale behind Director -General Ngozi  Okonjo -Iweala 's invitation 
to "green Aid for Trade" while adopting an "Invest for Trade" approach.  Moving to such an approach 
consisted in considering a scope broader than just ODA. Reframing of the Initiative as "Invest for WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  Trade" (or "Invest for Sustainable Trade" ) would help to ensure the continued relevance of the 
Initiative.   
6. With respect to the  Work Programme , in light of the 2006 Aid -for-Trade Taskforce 
recommendations, he invit ed the Members to focus on "Invest for Sustainable Trade" to help ensure 
ownership by developing countries of their own development process.  He touched on key themes of 
the Initiative such as gender and digital connectivity. He suggested holding  an interim high -level 
event  in addition to the Global Review  as a part of the new biannual programme .  
7. The representative of Cameroon  echoed the need to expand access to resources  to face 
current challenges  and his country's interest to participat e in constructive discussions to find points 
of consensus . 
8. The representative of India recalled the mandate accorded to the Initiative at the Hong Kong 
Ministerial conference of  2005;  he pointed out the necessity to consider  the Aid-for-Trade narrative 
that ha d been established over the years . In particular, he  referred to the  centrality of the  ownership 
and alignment principl es. He underscored the difference s between  investment  and aid that led him 
to raise concerns about reconfiguring the Aid-for-Trade  Initiative to "Investment for Trade".  He 
pointed out that the alignment of investment to national development objectives of developing 
countr ies or LDCs would be unique according to the  Member  in question  and would require 
unrestrained policy space . Expanding climate funds and having a more inclusive Agenda  were points 
India favoured . He also expressed concern about the serious implications any redirection  could have 
on the aspirations of the LDCs and expressed reservations about a Secretariat -driven approach to 
re-orienting the Initiative .  
9. The representative of China  recalled the successful o utcomes of MC12 and the Aid for Trade 
Global Review and expressed  China 's commitment  to support the future work of the Secretariat . The 
country  was devoted to carry out Aid for Trade in a targeted manner in light of priorities  set. 
10. The representative of the European Union (EU ) expressed gratitude for the DDG's presentation 
and conveyed its engage ment on the priorities and substance for the 2023 -2024 WTO Aid -for-Trade 
Work Programme. He also communicated that  areas such as green and c limate, digital and 
connectivity, as well as women 's economic empowerment and gender equality , were well aligned 
with the Union's  strategic priorities.  
11. The representative of United Kingdom (UK ) thanked DDG for his intervention  and welcomed 
the idea of  revisiting the Aid -for-Trade Initiative.  He pointed out  the need to undertake conversation s 
and reach a shared understanding on what the concept  meant . "Invest for Trade " could trigger 
potential sensitiveness around  the term "Investment ". The UK acknowledged the need to find 
additional  financing  in its international development strategy . The UK pledged to mobilize  up to 
GBP 8 billion in funding per year by 2025, targeting the main barriers to investment in developing 
countries and partnering with capital markets and sovereign wealth funds to co-invest in projects 
and provide scale. In accordance with the  Clean Green Initiative, the UK would  support countries to 
mobilize  public and private finance to deliver on their cl imate ambitions and grow their economies 
sustainably. Moreover, in the context of its British International Investment, the UK  committed  to 
invest ing GBP 1.5-2 billion a year in private sector -led development  in the Indo Pacific and Caribbean  
region s.  
12. The representative of Norway  expressed its interest in a  potential pivot from "Aid" to "Invest " 
for Trade. However,  she encouraged  further discussions and suggested some specific issues t hat 
need to be  tackle d, including clarifying the link between "Invest for Trade" and  the Investment 
Facilitation for Development discussions . Overall, she viewed  the areas of work outline d by DDG as 
in accordance  with Norway 's priorities.   
13. The Chair called for  Members to agree on a new  Work Programme by the end of the first 
quarter of 2023  at the latest . A separate process would be envisaged if Members wish ed to broaden 
the scope of work beyond the focus on the new Work Programme. Members were also encouraged 
to suggest the  modalities for that process.  The Chair propose d to hold two informal open -ended 
CTD Aid-for-Trade Committee Meetings  on 1 and 29  November  2022. The meeting s would focus on  
issues  of Members ' interest  to incorporate  in the new Work Programme , discuss ions on  the 2006 
Task Force recommendations  and the draft Work Programme.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  C. IMPLEMENTATION OF AID -FOR-TRADE WORK ACTIVITIES  
I. Resource Mobilization and Implementation Activities  
14. A statement was delivered by the Secretariat  on behalf of the Inter-American Development 
Bank (IaDB ) on its actions  and initiatives .  
15. Climate action was identified as one of the five priority areas of support to Latin America and 
the Caribbean by the IaDB Group's Vision 2025 . To align all operations with the goals of the Paris 
Agreement from 2023, t he IaDB committed  to provide USD 24 bil lion in climate and green finance 
in the  2022-2025 period . IaDB was  also investigating the link between trade and climate change , 
focusing on  policies that could be adopted to achieve greenhouse gases emissions  reduction .  
16. Sustainable trade and climate cha nge was addressed as  central theme s also in the IX Summit 
of the Americas  in June 2022  and in the One Region, One Commitment  conference in September. 
On regional public goods and integration initiatives , the statement recalled the project on "Circular 
Economy and sustainable management of plastics in the countries of the Alliance " by the Pacific 
Alliance. The project aimed to improv e socio-economic conditions, combating climate change, 
restoring ecosystems , and implementing sustainable development practices in the Amazonian 
regions of Colombia and Ecuador.  
17. On investment in private financing , in 2021, I aDB's "Invest " allocated resources from 
sustainable bond issues of USD 1.6 billion to 54 projects , among w hich "Socioeconomic Advancement 
and Empowerment " (USD 799 million), "Renewable Energy " (USD 387 million) and "Employment 
Generation " (USD 257 million). Impact metrics from the operations include d over 2.5 billion tonnes 
of emissions reductions, 5 ,750,000 micro, small and medium enterprises ( MSMEs) financed, 
5.3 million MWh of renewable energy generated,  and 413 ,551 loans disbursed to women led  MSMEs.  
Through "Invest", IaDB also  financed a project  in Honduras  to install  a solar photovoltaic park of up 
to 6.4 MW . The project  would generate  around 4 ,000 jobs  and help mitigate the emission of 
approximately 94 ,000 tonnes of CO2 over the following  25 years.  
18. The representative of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Devel opment (EBRD ) 
underscored the utmost importance of food security, especially in light of the ongoing  conflict in 
Ukraine.  He expressed EBRD's commitment to support both international trade and food security.  
EBRD was working together with its partners to support global trade resilience  and promote trade 
and sustainable growth.  
19. EBRD considered  private sector involvement crucial to ensure a long -term sustainable 
approach to food security.  In 2021, EBRD  had provided EUR 400 million in direct finan cing and 
EUR 800 million in trade finance with private companies engaged in the agribusiness and food value 
chains . It also scaled up international financing to the Ukrainian private sector .  
20. EBRD pledged to continue working with commodity traders and proc essors of agricultural 
products to promote exports in the supplying regions and, at the same time, provide financing to 
improve value chain efficiency in the importing countries. It intended to address the challenges faced 
by businesses in the region, focu sing on working capital needs and liquidity constraints.  
21. Under its Trade Facilitation Programme (TFP), EBRD provided EUR 3.2 billion  in 2021 . In 2022, 
EBRD  had increased substantially its trade finance support for Ukraine, with an envelope of 
USD 320 million and support provided via ten partner banks. In the six months following the start 
of the war, the trade finance programme supported import and export transactions wort h 
EUR 200 million.  
22. In the first eight months of 2022 , the EBRD TFP supported the financing of foreign trade with 
food, food commodities, fertilizers,  and agricultural equipment with a total amount of 
EUR 610 million. Examples of transactions financed include the import of grain, oil seeds and 
vegetable oils into Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Serbia, Tajikistan, Türkiye , and Uzbekistan. A  significant 
part of these transactions supported intra -regional trade, including imports from Kazakhstan, 
Moldova, Romania,  and Ukraine.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  23. The EBRD also provide d advisory services to MSMEs looking to start or expand their exports 
and imports. In 2021 alone, it reached out to al most 2 ,200 MSMEs through MSME advisory projects 
and almost 42 ,000 MSMEs and it launched  digital platforms, such as the EBRD 's "MEREZHA " or 
"Know -How Academy ". Alongside its local partner banks, the EBRD launched a financial product 
aimed at facilitating MSMEs participation in global supply chains.  
24. The Secretariat provided  an update on Asia 's economic outlook and Aid-for-Trade implications 
on behalf of the Asian Development Bank (AsDB ). AsDB 's projections portended a regional economy 
growth decrease  by 4.3 % in 2022, compared to April's projection of 5.2 % expansion, and a decreas e 
to 4.9 % from 5.3 % in 2023 .  
25. AsDB acknowledged  the crucial role of  promoting open trade to ensure goods reach consumers 
efficiently in a long-term approach of development, in particular in food security. In 2021 -2022 the 
AsDB had supported more than 1 ,900 food and agriculture -related imports transactions valued at 
USD 2.3 billion to ten countries in developing Asia, t hrough its Trade and Supply Chain Finance 
Program.  AsDB plann ed to disburse  USD 14 billion over 2022 –2025 in a comprehensive program of 
support to ease worsening food shortages in Asia and the Pacific. A sDB also pledged  USD 500 million 
in extra finance for food imports in the region.  
26. The Aid-for-Trade role was considered crucial in expand ing technical  skills, financial resources , 
and investments to create an enabling environment for a vibrant private sector . AsDB noted that 
only 1.3% of the Aid-for-Trade flows disbursed by official donors to Asia and the Pacific in 2020 was 
allocated to policy and regulations , and just 0. 4% of Aid for Trade focused on digitalization.  
27. As reflected  in the "Aid for Trade in Asia and the Pacific " Report,  a refocus and moderniz ation 
of the Aid-for-Trade  Initiative  was necessary  to support developing countries leveraging trade and 
Digital Agreements for Sustainable Development.  Precisely,  USD 16 billion in Aid for Trade deployed 
in the region was primarily used to promote economic infrastructure and build productive capacity.  
28. AsDB noticed that s haping the future of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative  and expanding the 
assistance on "Trade Policy and Regulations " or "soft infrastructure " was critical to help all economies 
quantify the costs and benefits of trade and digital agreements, ensure regulatory convergence and 
coherence, and bring more MSMEs  the benefits of trade and digital trade. The trade and environment 
interfa ce was  tackled in the 2023  "Asian Economic Integration ". AsDB also reaffirmed  its 
commitment  to supporting its developing members  to effectively benefit from regional and global 
value chains. It also acknowledged  the power o f trade for the sustainable and inclusive development.  
29. The Secretariat communicated  a statement on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB ). 
The COVID -19 and the conflict  in Ukraine highlight the fragile, yet critical importance of international 
trade, and the need to invest and build a more resilient trading system.  Global trade fe ll by 10 % 
between 2019 and 2020 with sectors , such as travel and transport , dropping  respectively by 63 % 
and 18 %. On the African continent, wheat prices increased by 42 % in Egypt, 31 % in Tunisia, 2 % in 
Nigeria, 24 % in Tanzania, and 17 % in Kenya. A supply gap of 30 million metric tons of wheat, maize, 
and oilseeds on the continent  was estimated .  
30. In response , the AfDB had focused on  helping African countries alleviate the shocks of 
COVID -19, and build the resilience of Africa 's food systems, particularly under the  African  
Continental Free Trade Area ( AfCFTA ). The Bank  had launched a USD 10 Billion COVID Response 
Facility  (CRF)  to provide flexible support for sovereign and non -sovereign operations . The CRF 
included  USD 5.5 billion for sovereign operations in A fDB middle -income countries,  USD 3.1 billion 
for sovereign and regional operations in A frican Development Fund low-income countries , and 
USD 1.5 billion for non -sovereign operations (private se ctor) in all African countries.  
31. AfDB support ed operations aim ed at sustaining growth , strengthening economic and financial 
governance , supporting trade development and policy and institutional reforms , mitigating the 
adverse impact of shocks , and contributing to the recovery, state building and arrears clearance in 
fragile states. Deferral of Debt Service Payments (USD 405 million), Emergency Liquidity Facility 
(USD 405 million) and Trade Finance and Guarantees Facility ( USD 270 million ) were also financed . 
32. To mitigate the impact of the conflict  in Ukraine , AfDB had formulated a USD 1 billion  
emergency food production plan. An African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF) had been  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  designed to foster  the local production of cereals and oil grains to build the resilience of Africa 's food 
systems. The AEFPF relied  on three pillars : (1) delivering certified seeds of climate -adapted varieties, 
fertilizers, and extension to 20 million farmers  and supporting post -harvest management and market 
development ; (2) providing financing for the large -scale supply of fertilizers to wholesalers and 
aggregators ; and (3) promoting  a political dialogue and the implementation of political reforms.  
33. On infrastructure and trade capacity development , AfDB  had updated its program mes. For 
instance , The Board of Directors of the Bank  had approved USD 321 ,75 million loan ( Asian 
Development Fund  (ADF), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (A IIB), OPEC Fund for International 
Development (O FID), and grant (EU) for the development of roads and the interconnection of 
maritime transport networks in the Indian ocean and Beira corridor in the "Madagascar - Beira Port: 
Corridor Development and Trade Facilitation Project" . Moreover,  AfDB had approved  EUR 469 ,86 
million  towards  the "Pointe Noire -Brazzaville -Bangui -Ndjamena multimodal transport corridor " 
programme.  
34. AfDB also undertook  several projects to develop the investment and trade ecosystems in Africa 
and drive greater integration and trade.  Among those, the  "Project to Build Inclusive Business 
Ecosystems for Stabilization and Transformation in the Mano River Union " which targeted  Liberia 
and Sierra Leone and aim ed to empower women traders in cross -border value chains for resilient 
economic growth and social cohesion. Reference to the Institutional "Capacity Building for the African 
Union Project " and "Institutional Support Project " to the AfCFTA Secretariat for an effective AfCFTA 
Implementation were equally made in the statement delivered.  
35. In conclusion, AfDB reaffirmed its commitment to scal e up Aid  for Trade and to provide the 
infrastructure and financing necessary to enable regional member countries to invest in their trade 
and investment climate ecosystems and impro ve Africa 's trade and production structure.   
36. The Bank's statement was welcomed by Cameroon  on behalf of the African Group.  
37. In reaction , the representative from the  EU underscored the impacts of the crisis on food 
security and referred to the EU's  General Council statement on solidarity with Ukraine .  
II. Mainstreaming  
38. The representative of New Ze aland provided an overview  of its Trade Policy Review  completed 
in June 2022, including  the "Trade for All " programme and its core element s: Māori and Indigenous 
Trade , Trade and Environment  and Sustainable Trade , and Trade and Gender .  
39. She noticed that d edicated Trade and Economic Cooperation chapters featured in two recent  
free trade agreement negotiations  between New Zealand and the EU and the UK. At the WTO Public 
Forum, New Zealand sponsored a session led by two Māori business leaders and trade policy experts, 
to enable indigenous perspectives on trade to be registered at  the multilateral level.  The 
representative  then introduced  other  initiatives  that were developed to deepen indigenous 
cooperation and economic empowerment across the Asia -Pacific region and beyond , such as the 
"Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooper ation Arrangement ".  
40. On strengthening the sustainability of the trade policy , New Zealand was a leading proponent 
of phasing out and eliminating environmentally harmful subsidies, including the reform of 
agricultural, fisheries and fossil fuel subsidies.  It consider ed that the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement 
reached at MC12 would  bring significant environmental and sustainability gains .  
41. New Zealand 's trade and sustainable development efforts included leading Joint Ministerial 
Statements on Fossil  Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) at MC11 and again at MC12 . In October 2022 , 
New Zealand convened a first FFSR meeting to elaborate options to advance FFSR before MC13 . 
42. Concerning Trade and Gender , in 2020 , New Zealand,  together with Canada  and Chile, signed 
the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement (GTAGA)  to advance a more inclusive approach to trade, 
including by addressing barriers women face when participating in trade . The GTAGA was joined by 
Mexico (2021) , Colombia and Peru (2022) .  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  43. New Zealand support ed the need for effective technical assistance to help developing 
Members, in particular LDCs, to implement multilateral rules, as well as to achieve greater 
participation in and derive further benefits from engagement in global trade . Overall, New Zealand 
had contributed approximately USD 2.6 million to WTO trust funds since 20 02 and it was one of the 
first countries to apply unilateral duty -free, quota -free access for all LDCs in 2001.  
44. Regionally , New Zealand advocated  for small island developing state  and LDCs participation 
in intra -regional and international trade.  In the Pacific region, New Zealand provided USD 4 million 
in development assistance to Pacific Island PACER -plus signatories and USD 7 million to the new 
PACER -plus Implementation Unit . Moreover , New Zealand provided a total of USD  501.5  million to 
Aid-for-Trade projects supporting economic infrastructure and capacity building over the period 
2018-2021, 70 % of which went specifically to projects in the Pacific.  
45. The representative of Switzerland  updated the Committee on Switzerland's Trade Policy 
Review . She identified  trade promotion as a key area of activity in Switzerland 's development 
cooperation. Climate change mitigation and adaptation as well as gender equality were also 
important cross-cutting objectives.  
46. In addition to  supporting the global Aid -for-Trade Initiative of the WTO and the OECD and the  
Enhanced Integrated Framework,  Switzerland support ed several initiatives aiming to improve the 
capacity of developing countries to participate in international trade .  
47. Switzerland granted assistance to  customs administrations  through the Global Trade 
Facilitation Programme of World Customs Organization and through the World Bank's Trade 
Facilitation Support Programme. It built in -country export know -how in developing countries , in 
partnership with the International Trade Centre , in addition to assist ing trade policy makers in 
partner countries to build their capacity in trade negotiations and implementation of trade 
agreements and unil ateral trade policies.  
48. Together with United Nations Industrial Development Organization , Switzerland support ed 
local quality infrastructure systems to help MSMEs comply with international standards. Switzerland 
also provided assistance in i nvestment climate programmes , core labour standards and decent work  
and e-commerce , among other areas .  
49. The representative of Enhanced Integrated Framework  (EIF) provided an update on its latest 
Aid-for-Trade activities.  The representative referred to opportunities for win -win investments 
through effectively coordinating and linking trade and climate processes . However, s he noted  that 
in the LDCs , technical capacity to prepare for and access climate -related funding  remained  low, and 
frequently no strong synergy between the impacts and opportunities on trade and the measures 
taken in support of climate change  was detectable .  
50. Among the work already in progress , the EIF funded the flower farm Ziway Roses in Ethiopia, 
to unlock constraints to markets and supported the development of  e-waste policy in Rwanda  to 
both importing and exporting electronic waste materi als to be re -purposed  and creating new jobs.  
51. The representative underscored that p aperless trade solutions, together with trade initiatives 
focused on building and maintaining forests were leading to significant reductions in carbon 
emissions. In this rega rd, she mentioned , as examples , the "Trade Single Window " in Vanuatu ; 
over 400,000 bee forage seedlings that were  planted in Ethiopia ; and more tha n 6,000 jobs in 
Zambia  created by  honey exports.  
52. In June 2022 , the EIF's Annual Report for 2021 had been  released . Positive results, such as 
the increase in access to new markets for LDCs ' products, more engagement and involvement of 
women in trade, and the adoption of new trade investment regulations and related policies, amo ng 
other were highlighted . In conclusion she thanked EIF's partners and donors for their support.  
53. The representative of Australia  thank ed the EIF for its  update, efforts  and for arranging 
Informative Mission s to Cambodia and Laos , in partnership with  the respective National 
Implementation Units . He underscored the importance of multilateral  Aid for Trade  to support the 
LDCs, especially in integrating the  Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs ) into business and 
investment activities and in bringing the public and private sectors together in capacity building.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  54. Recalling the outcomes of the 2022 Global Review , he encouraged  to keep on providing 
support, especially to women , on access to capacity  building, finance,  and connectivity  through 
multilateral Aid -for-Trade funding. He also noted that the Aid for Trade Global Review revealed a 
5% fall in the shares of the Aid for Trade  going to LDCs, down to 29 % of total global Aid for Trade. 
He urged to ensure that Aid -for-Trade capacity building and technical assistance would support LDCs, 
especially in the current context. In concluding, Australia  was commit ted to participate in 
constructive and cooperative discussions among the EIF, donors, and LDCs on the future  steps.  
55. The representative of the UK thanked EIF for the update on its activities and echoed the 
comments from Australia . 
56. The representative of the Standar ds and Trade Development Facility (STDF ) affirmed that it 
was focusing on upgrading standards to enable MSMEs and women and men farmers to boost their 
productive capacity and connect to and benefit from trade .  
57. She underscored that in l everaging private sector investments and financing  STDF encourage d 
collaboration with the private sector, implementers, partners and providers of finance, expertise,  
and other resources.  In this regard , she remarked that several  STDF projects promote d 
public -private partnership approaches leveraging resources and funding from diverse private sector 
partners to support longer -term impact.  USD 37 million  in-kind and financial resources were 
leveraged by the projects  from other sources including national governments and the private sector .  
58. The STDF acknowledged that developing private sector support and partnerships were part of 
the shift to data -driven digital solutions to improve standards and facilitate secure tra de. In this 
regard, she mentioned  STDF 's "ePhyto " project  and announced that the facility  was undertaking pilot 
projects focused on data -driven approaches and digital solutions to improve food safety . 
59. Regarding the gender perspective, the representative emphasized  that members of the 
STDF  global partnership were actively engaged. She also noted that an external gender assessment , 
with a specific focus on women , found that the level of awareness of the gender impacts of Sanitary 
and phytosanitary measures ( SPS) remained low among STDF members, as well as partners and 
stakeholders in developing countries, limiting the integration of gender mainstreaming into 
STDF  processes and project development. The gender assessment also underscored  the potential of 
the STDF in increas ing the  understanding and dialogue on gender equality, for instance  among 
SPS Committee Members, to influence wider change. The representative men tioned that the 
implementation of the recommendations would  be discussed by the Members of the STDF working 
group in November.  
60. Finally, she pointed out that the STDF had received a record number of new project 
applications for the working group meeting an d that more information  and updates of STDF's work 
and results  were made available on  STDF's Annual Report and  website.   
61. The representative of Australia  expressed  his country's support to the STDF and emphasized  
the importan ce of the engagement with the Inter -Pacific Developing and LDCs on standards and 
trade development .  
III. Regional Dimension  
62. The representative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO ) 
inform ed the  Committee on its Aid-for-Trade  related activities in Africa, forums,  and Programmes 
for Country Partnership  (PCPs). 
63. UNIDO  was preparing a contribution to the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference 
(COP27), including global green hydrogen initiatives. UNIDO was planning a green hydrogen day to 
showcase transformative energy strategies and technologies in Africa with a view to mobilizing 
investments. The event would  build on insights derived from the session which UNIDO  organized 
jointly with Germany at the Global Review of Aid for Trade. He also announced  UNIDO's collaboration  
with the African Union Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa on the 
African Union Summit on Industrialization and Econ omic Transformation from 20 to 25 November.  WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  64. The representative introduced  the results of the two pilot PCPs in Ethiopia and Senegal  that 
were implemented over the period 2015 -2021. The ir purpose was  mobilizing public and private 
investments to enhance prod uctive  capacities in the countries , mostly in agro -processing sectors.  
65. In Ethiopia , the programme led to fast-tracked industrial infrastructure development, and 
unprecedented mobilization of partners and resources for agro -industrialization.  The funding 
leveraged (since 2015) amount ed to USD 1.8 billion in public and private funding . The programme 
saw the collaboration of over twenty  partners, including financial institutions, bilateral donors, 
multilateral facilities, UN entities, and the private sector.  
66. In Senegal , the leveraged funding was estimated at USD 1.1 billion (cumulative since 2015), 
including allocations by  or to the Government of Senegal for infrastructure development, such as 
from the AfDB, the China Exim Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank , among others, and private 
investment from international and national companies . 
67.  Independent evaluations of the two pilots conf irmed that agro-industrial parks were an 
effective vehicle for the structural transformation of the economy in LDCs through the 
commercialization of the agricultural sector or agro-industrialization . In this regard, the 
representative highlighted that PCPs were being implemented additionally in  eight African countries . 
68. The representative of the United States (US ) provided an  update on the trends in U S funding 
for trade capacity building programs for 2021. In 2020-2021, the US Agency for International 
Development (USAID), the US Department of Agriculture, and the Department of State, together, 
invested USD 374 million in activit ies relevant to trade technical assistance. More than 500 projects 
across 118 countr ies and geographic regions had been  delivered . In 2022, the US also contributed 
USD 600,000 to the WTO's Global Trust Fund.  
69. Transparency and good regulatory practices were highlighted as a focus area for US technical 
assistance. She underscored that polit ical commitment toward reform, paired with demand -driven 
approaches to programming, was effectively supporting transition from a low -skilled, 
labour-intensive industrial model to a more diversified economy that aims to move up the value 
chain in Viet Nam.  
70. The representative of China  update d on China's  latest  work on Aid for Trade. On LDCs 
tariff-free treatment , China promoted the exchange of notes with 44 LDCs to provide zero -tariff 
import treatment on 98 % of all tariff lines . The preferential tariff arrangement had come  into force 
on 1 September for the first 16 countries which signed the exchange of notes . 
71. China shared pandemic prevention and treatment plans with more than 180 countries and 
international organizations, had dispatched 38 teams of medical experts to 34 countries, and 
provided more than 2.2 billion doses of the vaccine to more than 120 countries and international 
organizations. In this regard, the representative recalled the MC12 decision on the TRIPS Agreement  
and underscored that China support ed an early decision on its extension to cover the production and 
supply of COVID -19 diagnostics and therapeutics.  
72. On capacity buildin g, China strengthened  trade policy communication with developing 
Members through the cooperation project on Human Resources Development. Since April 2022, 
China held 93 multilateral and bilateral training programs training over 3,900 people from over 
110 countries.  In addition , the representative recalled that the "Fifth South -South Dialogue on LDCs 
and Development " under the China Program was held in May and thanked DG Dr  Ngozi, DDG Zhang 
and representatives of all Members and Committees for their participation .  
73. The representative of India presented some of the development assistance work that India 
had undertaken . He highlighted the variety of India's development cooperatio n: among others, India 
provided  training to students from more than 160 countries under the  "Indian Technical and 
Economic Cooperation " programme and concessional lines of credit of over US D 30 billion to 
66 countries, including to South Asia and Africa.  
74. India had further simplified its market access for LDCs by re -working its Duty Free Tariff 
Preference Scheme of 2008. India provide d LDCs duty free market access on 96 % of tariff lines and 
preferential duties on 2.2 % of the lines. India had also notified preferential treatment to services WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  and service suppliers of LDCs.  On digital tra nsformation , the India Stack, a collection of technology 
products and frameworks , brought India 's population of USD 1.4 billion into the digital age.  
75. The representative of the UK referred to  the UK's  Developing Countries Trading Scheme , which 
applied to 6 5 countries, offering lower tariffs and simpler rules of origin requirements.  
IV. Private Sector  
76. The representative of the International Trade Centre (ITC ) provided an overview on  the 
implementation of its Strategic Plan 2022 -2025. In light of the ongoing  crisis, t he representative 
underscored the importance of  Aid for Trade for re-building inclusive and resilient  systems .  
77. In August, ITC had launched its Annual Report 2021. The report highlight ed ITC's com mitment 
to build inclusive, sustainable,  and prosperous economies through small businesses and international 
trade. The report highlighted  that 1,000 women coffee growers in Rwanda  had benefited from digital 
traceability solutions through the  "SheTrades Commonwealth " project  that had helped achieve 
USD 45 million in sales.  
78. The ITC's representative also provided  highlights  on ITC's project works and events, 
partnerships,  and publications.  Through the "GreenToCompete Strategy " ITC worked  on digit al 
solution s for MSMEs to enhance their environmental performance across different dimensions, such 
as carbon and water footprint and waste management. Under the "Netherlands Trust Fund - NTF V " 
project , ITC was  leveraging the power of digital technology t o enhance the competitiveness and 
sustainability of MSMEs in the cocoa, coffee,  and cashew value chains. It also contributed to create  
the "Social & Labor Convergence Program  Gateway ", an online platform that enabled alignment of 
social and labour assessment criteria to reduce audit fatigue and improve working conditions within 
the fashion industry . In addition, the "Strengthening Agribusiness Resilience and Competitiveness " 
project in Uganda  increased  resilience of agro -pastoralist households to n atural disasters.  
79. Other p rojects  and initiatives included  the "Refugee Employment and Skills Initiative " in 
Somalia , focuse d on enhancing income generation and job creation for refugees. In Iraq and The 
Gambia, ITC was contributing to the WTO Trade 4 Peace  agenda through sports -based programs.  
80. To ensure food security , ITC was  discussing follow -up phases for its regional projects like the 
"West Africa Competitiveness Programme " and the "Market Access Upgrade Programme " in East 
Africa . ITC committed to continue linking farmers to markets, helping them meet food safety 
standards and building private sector capacity to enhance export competitiveness. The 
representative also updated on the "Strengthening the Agriculture and Agri -Food Value Chain and 
Improving Tr ade Policy " project in Iraq  and the "Alliances for Action " project in Eswatini.  
81. ITC had successfully co -hosted the 13th World Trade Promotion Organizations Conference in 
Accra in May, in collaboration with the Ghana Export Promotion Authority. On that occasion, ITC and 
the AfCFTA Secretariat signed a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure inclusive and sustainable 
economic growth for MSMEs.  
V. Monitoring and Evaluation of Implementation  and Development Effectiveness  
82. A representative of the WTO Secretariat provided Members with an oral report on the 
Aid-for-Trade workshop titled "Maximizing the Economic Diversification of Aid for Trade" held on 
10 October 2022.  
83. Organized  in a hybrid form at, it was attended by approximately 80 people drawn from 
Geneva -based delegations.  The first session featured policy perspectives on economic diversification, 
and how Aid-for-Trade financing interplays with sustainable development objectives.  The OECD 
highlighted that trade priorities have evolved since 2006, with objectives such as climate transition, 
digitalization and women's economic empowerment taking centre stage. Private financing 
instruments for development were gaining traction, with 87 % of private funds mobilized over 
2012-2020 targeting trade -related sectors. The World Bank Group stressed that Aid for Trade could  
facilitate economic diversification by building an incentive framework for investments and supporting 
policies addressing trade a nd adjustment costs. The Bank was an active supporter of a climate 
transition, providing climate financing worth USD 31.7 billion in 2021 alone. A presentation by WT/COMTD/AFT/M/56  
 
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  2X Collaborative underscored the value proposition in using gender lens investing. Its gender -metric 
had received wide recognition, gathering USD 11.4 in commitments, far more than initial targets.  
84. The second session was dedicated to practice  perspectives. A representative of USAID 
highlighted that its partnership with Viet  Nam has helped Vie t Nam expand trade capacity, accede 
to the WTO, and improve trade facilitation commitments. USAID sought  to support Vie t Nam's 
transition from a labour-intensive  development model to a knowledge -based economy. The EIF 
observed that despite considerable progres s, 38 of 36 LDCs had remain ed commodity -dependent. 
Aid for Trade could  help to facilitate economic diversification by financing project requirements such 
as needs assessment exercises, project preparation support and proof of concept studies. Aid for 
Trade  could  also leverage seed funding, provide de -risking commitments,  and promote regulatory 
transparency. A representative from India highlighted that ownership and alignment must remain 
the fundamental principle of the Aid -for-Trade Initiative. India ha d also provided extensive 
South -South support to developing countries. This was in the form of infrastructural support, lines 
of credit, duty free access to LDCs and commitments to international frameworks.1  
85. The representative of India referred  to the statement made the previous day at the workshop 
and underscored the paramount importance of transparency in the Aid-for-Trade  monitoring and 
evaluation mechanism  and of the ownership principle . He also recalled some of India's concerns 
related to t he use and capture of data.  
86. The representative of the EU highlighted that in the follow -up to the EU Joint Aid -for-Trade 
Strategy from 2017 , the EU improved its monitoring and reporting. The 2022 Annual Progress Report 
would be published in October. Consid ering the priorities of the WTO Work Programme on Aid for 
Trade, the report would include a focus on actions to green EU's Aid for Trade and sustainable and 
safe food systems. The Report pointed out that almost half of the EU's Aid for Trade was targeted 
at environmental objectives and present ed numerous examples of support in areas such as nutrition, 
food security and compliance with environmental and SPS standards.  
87. The EU engagement with its member States during the 8th Global Review of Aid for Trade, 
focused in particular on how Aid for Trade could support a just green transition. The representative 
affirmed the EU was committed to increase the share of its Aid for Trade going to LDCs, in line with 
SDG 8.a. The  representative also recalled  the launch of  the "Global Gateway ", the EU's  strategy for 
sustainable, high -quality infrastructure investments to support infrastructure, policy,  and 
people -to-people connections. The strategy corresponded to the concept of "Investment for Trade" 
and would mob ilize EUR 300 billion until 2027.  
D. OTHER BUSINESS  
88. No comments were provided under this agenda item.  
89. In closing , the Chair encouraged all Members to take an active part in the upcoming 
consultations on the 2023-2024 Aid -for-Trade  Work Programme which would take place on 1 and 
29 November  2022. 
90. The meeting was adjourned . 
__________  
 
1 Presentations made at the event, a summary report , and the audio recording are available on the 
WTO website at: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/a4t_e/workshop_10oct22_e.htm