G/SPS/GEN/2135  
 
22 June 2023 
(23-4292) Page: 1/7 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures   
 
UPDATE ON THE STANDARDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY  
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) is a global partnership that promotes 
improved food safety, animal and plant health capacity in developing countries and helps imports 
and exports to meet SPS requirements for trade, based on internationa l standards. It operates as a 
funding mechanism and global platform for dialogue, learning and good practice on SPS capacity 
developmen t, acting as a catalyst and aiming to influence SPS capacity development more broadly . 
1.2.  The STDF works on thematic topics that cut across the areas of food safety, animal and plant 
health, and trade , drawing on the input of all STDF partners, donor members and beneficiaries . 
Outputs include user -friendly knowledge products (briefing notes, publications, short videos, etc.), 
global and regional client -facing events, and the creation of practitioner groups on selected topics.  
The STDF is housed and managed by the WTO.  
1.3.  This document provides a brief update on STDF's activities and projects. Delegates are 
encouraged to visit the STDF website  to view and become familiar with STDF activities and projects, 
download STDF briefing notes and other publications, and subscribe to STDF's mailing list to receive 
regular updates on its work.  
2  UPCOMING AND RECENT STDF EVENTS  
2.1.  The STDF will organize a side event on 13 July 2023  on gender mainstreaming  in the margins 
of the SPS Committee meeting. It will facilitate a discussion aro und the importance of gender 
equality for SPS compliance, the relevance of gender -responsive standards for the development and 
implementation of SPS capacity development, and the role of the STDF in mainstreaming gender to 
improve the results of SPS capaci ty development. The event is targeted at WTO Members with an 
interest in inclusive trade to ensure that trade benefit s more people and support s the SDGs, including 
members of the SPS Committee . Delegates can register for this event on the STDF website here. 
2.2.  In collaboration with the Inter -American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the 
STDF will organize a  regional  event  on electronic SPS certification  from 25-27 July  2023  in San 
José, Costa Rica. Th is two and a half -day event will bring together experts from all 34 IICA Member 
States to provide a platform to exchange lesson s learned on electronic SPS certificates and discuss 
ways to pilot test a regional approach for the exchange of electronic veterinary/sanitary certificates.2 
2.3.  In collaboration with the African Union  Commission (AUC), the AfCFTA Secretariat and other 
partne rs, the STDF will organize a two -day learning event  to promote the use of Good Regulatory 
Practices (GRPs)  to facilitate safe trade in Africa  from 21-22 September 2023  in Accra, Ghana. 
The event will increase knowledge and skills on GRPs and promote dialogue among the public and 
private sector and civil society on immediate actions to improve the development and 
implementation of GRPs , in support of an accelerated implementation of the A fCFTA.3 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
2 More information about this event w ill soon be available at : https://standardsfacility.org/events . 
3 More information about this event w ill soon be available at : https://standardsfacility.org/events . G/SPS/GEN/2135  
 
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  2.4.  On 21 March 202 3, the STDF organized a workshop for SPS delegates to inform and support 
the work of Group 5 in implementing the MC12 SPS Declaration , in close co llaboration with the co -
stewards (Australia and Ecuador) and other members of this group. Participants reflected on the role 
of the STDF partnership in building SPS capacity development to facilitate safe trade, heard about 
the results and impact of selected STDF projects , and took part in a discussion on broader lessons 
and experiences  to strengthen national SPS systems . More information about this event, including 
the recording, is available here.  
2.5.  On 13 June 2023 , the STDF hosted a webinar  with SSAFE , a global non -profit membership 
organization aimed at strengthening the safe supply and trade of food around the world through 
PPPs. More generally, t he STDF promote s PPP approaches  in building SPS capacity to leverage 
expertise and resources and support longer -term impact and sustainability. The STDF website 
includes several case stories  of PPPs  to strengthen SPS capacity, including STDF projects.  
2.6.  On 14-15 June 2023 , the STDF Working Group  met in person in Geneva, chaired by Dr Gillian 
Mylrea from the World Organization for Ani mal Health (WOAH).  STDF partners, donor organizations 
and beneficiaries from across agriculture, health, trade and development  shared information on a 
wide range of ongoing and planned SPS initiatives and programmes and approved three new STDF 
projects and  three project preparation grants (PPGs). The next meeting of the Working Group is 
scheduled on 21 -23 November 2023.  
3  STDF ANNUAL REPORT  
3.1.  STDF 's 2022 Annual Report  titled, "Adapting and Learning to Promote Safe " reflects on 
progress made in the implementation of STDF's five -year Strategy  and illustrates how the STDF is 
intensify ing learning on SPS capacity development in ways that  produce stronger results with more 
impact. The report provides updates on various aspects  of STDF's work , including gender , climate 
change, project results, knowledge work, communications, monitoring, evaluation and learning, a s 
well as  the financial situ ation of the STDF Trust Fund . The report will be  issued by the end of June 
2023 and available on the STDF website . 
4  GENDER MAINSTREAMING  
4.1.  The STDF recently adopted a Gender Action Plan to ens ure a more systematic and coherent 
approach to gender mainstreaming in STDF's work, following an external assessment  in 2022 of how 
gender equality  is addressed in STDF's work . The Action  Plan has two main objectives: (i) to a dvance 
and support women's capacity to meet trad e related SPS requirements ; and (ii) to p romote increased 
attention to gender mainstreaming in SPS capacity development work led by members of STDF's 
partnership and oth er organizations.  The Action Plan will be accompanied by a set of guidelines to 
provide practical support to mainstream gender in STDF project cycles for improved results and 
sustainability .4 
5  PRIORITIZING SPS INVESTMENTS FOR MARKET ACCES  
5.1.  The STDF promotes an evidence -based approach to prioritize SPS investments for market 
access ( P-IMA) and to inform and improve SPS planning and decision making. T his approach is being 
applied in STDF and other projects, resulting in additional SPS investments and market access for 
targeted agri -food products.  In 2023, t he STDF published an updat ed P-IMA Guide , which provides 
an introduction to the P -IMA framework and guidance on how to use it , including practical examples , 
experiences and lessons  from developing countries. A P-IMA Facilitators Handbook  is also available , 
providing  detailed, step -by-step guidance on how to apply P -IMA, including in virtual environment s. 
Both documents are also available in French  and Spanish . 
6  MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING  
6.1.  The STDF uses a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework  to track progress in 
terms of achieving results, provid ing feedback on the management of the Facility and to distil, learn 
from and communicate key experiences and lessons across STDF’s work programme.  This f ramework 
 
4 The Gender  Action Plan and accompanying guidelines will soon be available on the STDF website: 
https://standardsfacility.org/ . G/SPS/GEN/2135  
 
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  is accompanied by a new Guidance Document  for project implementing partners, which includes 
information about LogAlto, STDF's web -based monitoring and evaluation tool to facilitate results -
based management.  
6.2.  Selected STDF projects are subject to independent ex -post impact evaluations. Two evaluations 
were completed in 2023.  
a. The evaluation  of the "ePhyto" project ( STDF/PG/504 ) determined that the ePhyto Solution 
was successfully implemented and resulted in a number of SPS capacity, trade facilitat ion, 
and environmental benefits.  
b. The evaluation  of a regional project benefiting the member countries of the Southern Cone 
Plant Health Committee (COSAVE) found i ncreased capacity to implement phytosanitary 
measures that in turn facilitate d trade (STDF/PG/502 ). 
6.3.  The STDF partnership and programme is evaluated every five years by an independent 
evaluator. The next evaluation is scheduled to start in September 2023. The STDF Secretariat will 
provide an update on the status of this process to the Committee in due course . All previous 
evaluations of the STDF programme are available here. 
7  STDF FUNDING  
7.1.  The STDF provides funding for the development and implementation of collaborative and 
innovative SPS projects. Since its inception, the STDF has devoted 64% of its project resources to 
Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Other Low -Income Countries (OLICs), going beyond its target 
to devote at least 40% of its resources to these countries. Of all STDF projects, 49% has b enefited 
Africa, 25% to Asia -Pacific and 17 % to Latin America -Caribbean. 9% of all STDF projects are 
classified as global, benefiting all developing countries. An  overview of all on -going project and 
project preparation grants is provided in Annex 1 . 
7.1  New p roject and PPG application forms  
7.2.  With a view to enhance the overall quality of project and PPG applications, and to clarify and 
simplify the application process , the STDF revised its application forms in May 2023. The new 
templates  (for PPGs and for Project Grants) are available on STDF's website.  
7.2  Project de velopment  
7.3.  The STDF provides advice and support on issues related to SPS project development and 
finances project preparation grants (PPGs) . PPGs, normally up to US$50,000, are available  to help 
applicants articulate their SPS needs and develop technically sound and sustainable project 
proposals. PPGs can be requested to: (i) apply SPS capacity evaluation and prioritization tools; 
(ii) prepare feasibility studies before project developmen t to assess the potential impact and 
economic viability of proposals in terms of costs and benefits; and (iii) develop project proposals for 
funding by STDF or other donors. Since its inception, the STDF has approved a total of 12 7 PPG 
applications.  
7.3  Projec t implementation  
7.4.  The STDF also finances projects  that promote compliance with international SPS standards and 
requirements. Preference is given to projects that: (i)  identify, develop and disseminate good 
practice s in SPS -related technical cooperation, including the development and application of 
innova tive and replicable approaches; (ii) apply regional and cross -cutting approaches to address 
SPS constraints; and (iii) implement collaborative approaches across food safety, animal and plant 
health, and trade. Beneficiaries must contribute to STDF projects  from their own resources, either 
in the form of financial or in -kind contributions such as staff time, use of premises, vehicles or other 
existing assets.  Since its inception, the STDF has approved 11 7 project applications.  G/SPS/GEN/2135  
 
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  7.4  How to apply for funding?  
7.5.  Applications for STDF funding can be made at any point in the year but should be received at 
least 60 working days in advance of each Working Group meeting to be considered at that meeting. 
The next deadline for the submission of applications is o n 11 August 2023  (for consideration in 
November 2023) . Further information on the system, eligibility criteria, etc. is available on the 
STDF  website . 
RECOMMENDED STEPS TO APPLY FOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE STDF  
1. Browse the funding webpage  for information (aims, eligibility criteria, etc.) on PPGs 
and PGs.  
2. View examples of previous projects:  
• PPGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectpreparationgrants  
• PGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectgrants  
3. Consult relevant stakeholders in the country/region  
4. Send a  brief concept note of your potential project for comments to: 
STDFSecretariat@wto.org  
5. Fill out an application form and submit it electronically before the deadline to: 
stdf.funding@wto.org  
 G/SPS/GEN/2135  
 
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  ANNEX  1 
ONGOING STDF PROJECTS AND PROJECT PREPARATION GRANTS (PPGS)  
1  COUNTRY PROJECTS  AND PPGS  
Country  STDF reference  
and hyperlink  Project / PPG name  
Bangladesh  STDF/PPG/831  Prioritizing SPS Investment in Bangladesh  
Bhutan  STDF/PPG/734  Strengthening Bhutan's border inspection and control 
capacities  
Burkina Faso  STDF/PPG/859  strengthening Burkina Faso's sesame and cashew export 
capacity  
Burundi  STDF/PPG/773  Assessing SPS needs in the Burundian horticultural sector  
Cabo Verde  STDF/PPG/869  Strengthening food safety control capacities in Cabo Verde  
Ecuador  STDF/PPG/709  prioritizing SPS investments in Ecuador using the P -IMA tool  
Egypt  STDF/PPG/720  Establishing an avian influenza -free compartment in Egypt  
Grenada  STDF/PG/880  enhancing SPS capacity and market access for Grenadian 
soursop exports  
Guinea  STDF/PG/498  strengthening Guinea's phytosanitary system  
India STDF/PG/517  Strengthening the spic e value chain in India to improve market 
access  
Indonesia  STDF/PPG/860  Reducing histamines in pole and line caught tuna in Indonesia  
Jamaica  STDF/PG/759  Enhancing food safety capacity of the pepper value chain in 
Jamaica to increase market access  
Kyrgyz Republic  STDF/PG/569  Enhancing food safety of fruits and vegetables in Kyrgyzstan  
Mali STDF/PG/611  Improving the safety of smoked fish in Mali  
Nigeria  STDF/P PG/817  Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) to improve  the plant 
health system in Nigeria  
Papua New Guinea  STDF/PG/553  Enhancing trade for cocoa farmers in Papua New Guinea  
Senegal  STDF/PG/672  Improving shellfish safety in Senegal to boost market access  
Sri Lanka  STDF/PPG/721  Strengthening food safety and quality compliance in select Sri 
Lankan spices  
Uganda  STDF/PPG/847  Sustainably managing aflatoxins in maize using systems 
approach in Uganda  
Uganda  STDF/P PG/846  Comparing post -harvest technologies for Uganda's fresh fruits 
and vegetables to reduce pests  
Zambia  STDF/PPG/789  Building phytosanitary capacity of cross -border traders in 
Zambia  
Ghana  STDF/PPG/909  Improving food safety and market access in Ghana's spice 
value chain  
The Gambia  STDF/PPG/921  Scaling up the P -IMA tool in The Gambia  
Nigeria  STDF/PG/845  Improving SPS compliance to boost Nigeria's export capacity  
 
  G/SPS/GEN/2135  
 
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  2  REGIO NAL PROJECTS  AND PPGS  
Region/countries  STDF reference  
and hyperlink  Project / PPG name  
Africa  
Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, 
Tanzania, Uganda  STDF/PG/807  Managing scale insects in fresh fruits in East Africa  
Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, 
South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, 
Zimbabwe  STDF/PG/694  Harmonizing regulations and mitigating pesticide 
residues in the SADC region  
Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, 
Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, 
Rwanda, South Sudan, 
Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, 
Zimbabwe  STDF/PG/809  Managing invasive potato pests in Eastern and 
Southern Africa  
Benin, Burkina  Faso, 
Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea,  
Guinea  Bissau, Niger, Mali, 
Senegal, Togo  STDF/PPG/770  Using digital tools to facilitate safe food trade in 
West Africa  
Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, 
South  Africa  STDF/PPG/765  Mobilizing food safety laboratories in Southern Africa  
Mozambique, South Africa  STDF/PG/567  Establishing fruit fly -free areas in Southern Africa  
Rwanda, Uganda  STDF/PG/842  Piloting a vTPA  programme in East Africa to improve 
food safety in horticulture and fisheries  
Cameroon, Central African 
Republic, Democratic Republic 
of the Congo , Gabon, Equatorial 
Guinea, Chad  STDF/PG/768  Harmon izing the phytosanitary legislative framework 
in Central Africa  
Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea -
Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, 
Togo, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire  STDF/PG/770  Digitalizing accreditation and conformity assessment 
systems in West Africa  
Asia and Pacific  
Bangladesh, India, Iran, Lao 
People's Democratic Republic , 
Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, 
Samoa, Thailand  STDF/PPG/858  Piloting One Health to manage aflatoxin in Asia  
Bangladesh, Cambodia, 
Indonesia, Lao People's 
Democratic Republic, Nepal, 
Sri Lanka  STDF/PG/634  Mitigating pesticide residue through promotion of 
biopesticides in Asia  
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao 
People's Democratic Republic , 
Nepal, Philippines, Thailand, 
Viet Nam  STDF/PG/755  Strengthening phytosanitary compliance to boost 
seed trade in the Asia Pacific  
Cambodia, Lao People's 
Democratic Republic, Viet  Nam STDF/PG/619  Safer spices: boosting food safety and market 
access for the peppercorn value chain  
Cambodia, Lao People's 
Democratic Republic , 
Philippines, Viet  Nam STDF/PG/7 98 Improving biosecurity and c ontrol of African Swine 
Fever in four ASEAN countries  
Niue, Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, 
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, 
Papua New Guinea and Tonga  STDF/PPG/935  Advancing apiculture for economic development in 
the Pacific Islands  
Latin America and Caribbean  
Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic , 
Ecuador, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, 
Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru  STDF/PG/753  Mitigating chemical residues in Latin America 
through the promotion of biopesticides  
Argentina, Colombia, Costa 
Rica, E cuador, Honduras, 
Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru  STDF/PG/716  Improving food safety risk analysis capacity in Latin 
America  
Belize, Honduras  STDF/PG/682  Piloting the use of vTPA in Central America  
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, 
Peru STDF/PG/838  Strengthening regional pest surveillance on banana 
farms in the ANDEAN community  G/SPS/GEN/2135  
 
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  Region/countries  STDF reference  
and hyperlink  Project / PPG name  
CARICOM countries  STDF/PPG/733  Prioritizing SPS investments in the Caribbean using 
the P-IMA tool  
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru  (and 
Trinidad and Tobago)  STDF/PG/577  Coordinating management of cadmium levels in 
cocoa in Latin America and the Caribbean  
Colombia, Ecuador  STDF/PG/681  Mitigating high levels of cadmium in cacao in 
Colombia and Ecuador  
Dominican Republic, Haiti  STDF/PG/751  Strengthening the phytosanitary and food safety 
system in key value chains  
Global  
All developing countries  STDF/PPG/782  Applying remote food safety inspection practices for 
improved trade  
 
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