France has committed approximately EUR 6 million to finance WTO technical assistance programmes for developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) from 2021 to 2023 aimed at improving participants’ understanding of global trade rules and standards.
French Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire, and Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Franck Riester, confirmed the contribution at a signing ceremony with WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on April 1.
"The technical assistance activities which France is supporting will provide developing countries and LDCs with essential skills and knowledge so that they may more effectively participate in multilateral trade, including trade negotiations, and achieve meaningful outcomes for the people they serve,” said DG Okonjo-Iweala.
"France is convinced that the WTO has a major role to play in the wake of the economic crisis,” said Le Maire. “We need to move forward on a number of reforms so that the WTO can play its role again in easing trade tensions and settling disputes, so that every country can reap the benefits that international trade offers, including developing countries.”
