The government of Japan is contributing JPY 27.5 million (just over CHF 230,000) to help developing countries and least-developed countries enhance their trade negotiating skills and participate more effectively in global trade negotiations.
The donation to the WTO’s Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund will finance training workshops for officials in Geneva and elsewhere to help them better understand and implement WTO agreements.
Since the creation of the fund in 2001, over 2,500 workshops have been organized.
This donation will help to provide important training for developing and least-developed countries to help them participate effectively in multilateral trade negotiations and thereby seize the opportunities that trade provides.
Japan has donated almost CHF 11 million to WTO trust funds over the past 15 years.
The Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund
The Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF) was established in 2002, in order to receive extra budgetary contributions from WTO Members to finance the implementation of the annual TA Plans.
The total cost of the TA Plans is budgeted at some CHF19 Mio annually, of which some CHF14.5 Mio is covered from Trust Funds and some CHF4.5 Mio from WTO’s regular budget.
The Global Trust Fund is operated against periodic benchmarks and closely supervised by the Committee on Budget Finance and Administration and the Committee and Trade and Development.
According to the rules established by Members, by December of the year preceding the fund’s revolving annual target period, actual contributions amounting to 25 percent of the annual total should be recorded.
By 31 March, another 50 percent should be in hand for an overall 75 percent of the total estimated expenditure of the year.
By 30 June, 100 percent of the funds needed should be received. Where contribution receipt targets are manifestly not met, the General Council shall meet on an urgent basis to discuss the matter.
