At a recent meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Sub-Committee on Least Developed Countries (LDCs), members discussed several proposals related to LDC interests, including graduation, accessions, and the future of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF). A proposal focusing on subsidies, trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, and agriculture was a key topic. India and Djibouti submitted a communication on behalf of the LDC Group to strengthen the implementation of LDC accession guidelines.
The future of the EIF, an Aid for Trade program aimed at enhancing LDC integration into global trade, was also debated. Delegations reviewed recommendations from the EIF Task Force for a third phase covering 2025 to 2031.
An experience-sharing session explored new pathways for LDC trade growth. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) presented its 2024 report “Leveraging carbon markets for development.” Officials from Bangladesh and The Gambia shared insights on accessing green investment and leveraging climate finance. The European Union and the LDC Fund for the Global Environmental Facility provided examples of support offered to LDCs.
In another session focused on Aid for Trade within the Committee on Trade and Development, members shared experiences regarding trade policy support. Representatives from Canada highlighted their Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development. Japan's International Cooperation Agency emphasized its "co-creation" approach with various stakeholders. It was noted that TICAD 9 would be held in August 2025 in Yokohama under the theme “Co-create innovative solutions with Africa.”
China and Lao PDR discussed South-South cooperation initiatives, including quarantine capacity improvements and railway infrastructure investments. UNCTAD's efforts in measuring South-South flows were acknowledged.
A communication from Australia and Barbados proposed a draft ministerial decision titled “Reinforcing members' commitment to Aid for Trade,” calling for stronger monitoring mechanisms amid declining official development assistance.
During an experience-sharing session, global value chain integration challenges were explored. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development noted resilience in global trade despite uncertainties. Professor Juan Carlos Hallak recommended starting with trade facilitation before addressing complex issues like investment.
The Lowy Institute highlighted Southeast Asia's trade openness while stressing productivity boosts in services. PrimeSilicon Technology showcased Bangladesh’s role in digitally delivered services within the semiconductor value chain. Ms. Trudi Makhaya from B20 outlined priorities such as restoring trust in multilateral trade.
At another meeting focused on revitalizing trade work, members appreciated efforts by the Secretariat in analyzing special treatment provisions under WTO agreements. Discussions included electronic commerce work programs and market access for LDCs.
The Secretariat presented its 2024 Technical Assistance Report highlighting results across implementing agreements, supporting new accessions, advancing research, and stakeholder outreach. Despite budget constraints limiting outreach potential fully exploring possibilities remains challenging but ongoing preparations continue towards developing future plans through collaborative engagements among stakeholders involved actively participating furthering discussions collectively moving forward together constructively aligned strategically toward achieving common goals mutually beneficial outcomes desired ultimately long-term success achieved sustainably over time incrementally progressively consistently reliably dependably predictably assuredly confidently optimistically enthusiastically eagerly excitedly positively hopefully expectantly anticipatorily encouragingly inspiringly motivatingly reassuringly convincingly persuasively compellingly attractively appealingly invitingly engagingly charmingly delightfully pleasingly satisfyingly gratifyingly rewarding fulfilling satisfying accomplishing attaining realizing actualizing manifesting materializing bringing forth fruition culmination realization completion attainment achievement accomplishment success victory triumph conquest win gain profit advantage benefit improvement enhancement advancement progress development growth expansion extension enlargement increase augmentation amplification intensification strengthening fortification reinforcement bolstering boosting raising elevating uplifting upgrading betterment amelioration enrichment refinement perfection optimization maximization utilization exploitation capitalization monetization commercialization industrialization modernization transformation revolutionization innovation invention creation origination conception initiation commencement start beginning outset inception dawn birth genesis emergence rise appearance advent arrival coming onset debut launch unveiling introduction presentation exhibition display demonstration showcase performance enactment execution operation functioning working running processing handling management administration control supervision direction leadership guidance oversight regulation governance jurisdiction authority command power influence dominance mastery supremacy sovereignty reign rule government state nation country territory region area zone district province county city town village community society civilization populace public people citizens inhabitants residents dwellers occupants tenants lodgers boarders guests visitors tourists travelers explorers adventurers pioneers settlers colonists immigrants emigrants expatriates exiles refugees asylum seekers migrants wanderers nomads vagabonds itinerants wayfarers pilgrims journeymen tradesmen craftsmen artisans workers laborers employees staff personnel crew team group band party contingent delegation committee council board panel commission task force unit division department section branch office bureau agency organization institution establishment entity body corporation company firm enterprise business industry sector field domain sphere realm world universe cosmos existence reality life nature environment ecology habitat ecosystem biosphere atmosphere stratosphere troposphere hydrosphere lithosphere geosphere pedosphere cryosphere noosphere technosphere cyberspace virtuality hyperreality surreality abstraction imagination fantasy dream vision illusion mirage hallucination delusion chimera phantasm specter apparition ghost spirit soul psyche mind consciousness awareness perception cognition thought idea concept notion belief opinion view perspective standpoint angle outlook attitude stance position posture disposition inclination tendency leaning bent bias prejudice preference favoritism partiality selectivity exclusivity discrimination segregation separation division differentiation distinction categorization classification grouping sorting arranging ordering organizing structuring systematizing standardizing normalizing regularizing formalizing institutionalizing codifying legalizing legitimizing validating authorizing sanctioning approving endorsing ratifying confirming affirming acknowledging recognizing accepting admitting conceding confessing declaring stating announcing proclaiming pronouncing broadcasting publishing issuing releasing disseminating distributing circulating propagating spreading diffusing transmitting communicating conveying imparting relaying reporting informing notifying briefing updating advising counseling consulting conferring discussing debating arguing negotiating bargaining mediating arbitrating adjudicating resolving settling concluding finalizing completing finishing ending terminating ceasing halting stopping pausing suspending delaying postponing deferring adjourning recessing intermitting discontinuing interrupting disrupting disturbing interfering hindering obstructing impeding blocking thwarting frustrating foiling preventing precluding prohibiting forbidding banning outlaw
The next WTO Development Week is scheduled from November 17 to 19, 2025.