Ireland has allocated EUR 720,000 to assist developing economies in enhancing their participation in the global trading system. The program, co-funded by France and Ireland, allows government officials from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and small, vulnerable economies to undertake 10-month secondments at their respective missions in Geneva. This initiative involves engaging in the World Trade Organization's (WTO) activities in Geneva, representing their economies at WTO meetings, and attending workshops and training events organized by the WTO. This year, 18 officials participated in the program.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated: "Ireland's contribution will help developing economies with small missions in Geneva engage more effectively at the WTO, which in turn will better equip them to seize the benefits that trade offers to improve their people's lives and livelihoods. I thank Ireland for its continued generosity."
Seán Fleming, Ireland's Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora at the Department of Foreign Affairs, remarked: “Ireland is proud to be contributing to this important programme. We look forward to welcoming the programme's participants in Ireland later in September to share our country's learning and expertise on trade and investment which is so integral to our national prosperity.”
In 2023, Ireland contributed a total of EUR 450,000 (CHF 425,000) to three WTO trust funds: the French and Irish Mission Programme, the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), and the 13th Ministerial Conference LDC Trust Fund. These funds financed LDC government officials' participation in the Conference held at the end of February. In August 2024, Ireland renewed its annual contribution to STDF.
Over the years, Ireland's contributions to various WTO trust funds have exceeded EUR 16 million (CHF 15 million).