WTO Director-General Emphasizes Need for Partnerships to Support Least-Developed Countries through Trade

Strategic Insights -

World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of mobilizing partnerships to support least-developed countries (LDCs) through trade at a high-level side event on 30 June 2025. The event focused on strengthening international partnerships in support of LDC trade and investment priorities, with several countries announcing new funding commitments to the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Phase Three. This new phase aims to deliver catalytic and transformative impact for LDCs through trade, with a USD 200 million funding target. The event brought together ministers from Djibouti, Finland, and Guinea, along with senior representatives from other LDCs and donor countries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) Phase Three aims to mobilize at least USD 200 million to help LDCs strengthen trade capacities, expand exports, and harness trade for inclusive, sustainable development.
  • Several countries announced new funding commitments to EIF Phase Three, including Sweden, Denmark, France, Norway, Liechtenstein, Finland, and the United Kingdom, with pledges totaling SEK 75 million, DKK 20 million, EUR 300,000, NOK 12 million, CHF 50,000, and GBP 400,000.
  • The EIF has supported USD 1 billion in LDC exports and enabled hundreds of thousands of small farmers and entrepreneurs to improve their livelihoods.
  • EIF Phase Three will run up to 2031 and aims to deliver catalytic and transformative impact for LDCs through trade.
  • A follow-up pledging and partnership event is scheduled for September 2025 on the margins of the WTO Public Forum in Geneva.
  • The event brought together ministers from Djibouti, Finland, and Guinea, along with senior representatives from other LDCs and donor countries, including Sweden, Denmark, France, Norway, Liechtenstein, and the United Arab Emirates.

Statistics:

  • USD 200 million: The funding target for EIF Phase Three.
  • USD 1 billion: The amount of LDC exports supported by the EIF.
  • 2031: The end of EIF Phase Three.
  • 80%: The percentage of Sittina Farate Ibrahima's products that are exported to Europe.
  • SEK 75 million: The amount contributed by Sweden to EIF Phase Three.
  • DKK 20 million: The amount contributed by Denmark to EIF Phase Three.
  • EUR 300,000: The amount contributed by France to EIF Phase Three.
  • NOK 12 million: The amount contributed by Norway to EIF Phase Three.
  • CHF 50,000: The amount contributed by Liechtenstein to EIF Phase Three.
  • GBP 400,000: The amount contributed by the United Kingdom to EIF Phase Three.

Sources:

  • World Trade Organization (2025). WTO Director-General Emphasizes Need for Partnerships to Support Least-Developed Countries through Trade.
  • Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) (2025). EIF Phase Three: Mobilizing Partnerships to Support Least-Developed Countries through Trade.