Japan Contributes to WTO Global Trust Fund, Supporting Developing Countries' Participation in Global Trade

Japan has pledged to support the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Global Trust Fund, which provides technical assistance to developing countries to enhance their participation in global trade. The contribution aims to help officials strengthen their skills to better support their economies' effective participation in global trade and to leverage international markets in pursuit of new opportunities for sustainable growth and job creation. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed gratitude for Japan's continued partnership and commitment to supporting the multilateral trading system and capacity-building efforts for developing countries. Japan's Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO, Mr. Naoki Hikota, emphasized the country's firm belief in the essential role the rules-based multilateral trading system plays in providing stability, predictability, and inclusive growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Japan has contributed over CHF 12.8 million to the WTO Global Trust Fund and other WTO trust funds since 2002.
• The contribution aims to strengthen the ability of developing and least-developed country Members to implement the WTO Agreements and support their policies for sustainable development.
• Japan's Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO, Mr. Naoki Hikota, emphasized that the country's support is aimed at expanding the capacity of developing and least-developed country Members to fully participate in the multilateral trading system.
• The Global Trust Fund finances trade-related technical assistance in areas such as market access, trade facilitation, services, and agriculture.
• The objective of the fund is to help participants better understand WTO agreements and participate more effectively in global trade negotiations.

Statistics:

• Japan's contribution to the WTO Global Trust Fund since 2002 is over CHF 12.8 million.
• The contribution aims to support the development and least-developed country members in implementing the WTO agreements.
• The Global Trust Fund provides funding for technical assistance in various areas including market access and trade facilitation services.
• The fund's objective is to enhance the skills of officials to support their economies' participation in global trade.

Sources:

• WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala statement.
• Japan's Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the WTO, Mr. Naoki Hikota statement.
• WTO Global Trust Fund description.