On 16 September 2025, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General (DG) opened the High-level Platform for LDC Partnerships in Geneva, Switzerland, highlighting trade’s role in fostering resilience and creating new opportunities for least-developed countries (LDCs). The event brought together ministers, funding partners, international organisations, the private sector and around 70 capital-based LDC trade ministry representatives to exchange perspectives on LDC trade and investment priorities and to look ahead to the next phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), a partnership dedicated to helping LDCs use trade to generate growth.
Co-organised by The Gambia (Coordinator of the WTO LDC Group), Germany (EIF Funding Partner Coordinator) and the Executive Secretariat of the EIF, the event was held as part of the EIF Global Forum 2025 titled “Accelerating Impact – On the Road to EIF Phase Three”.
Building on a recent side event at the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development in Sevilla, Spain, in June, this meeting marked another critical step towards the launch of EIF Phase 3. This is due to begin in the coming weeks, in the run-up to a high-level pledging conference at the 14th ministerial conference in Cameroon in March 2026.
In her opening remarks, the WTO DG stressed that EIF Phase 3 came at a pivotal moment, building on more than 15 years of lessons learned to help LDCs navigate current global challenges.
She highlighted the success story of women shea producers in southern Mali, whose cooperative has significantly expanded production and exports with EIF support. Since 2019, the group has produced 3 400 tonnes of shea nuts and processed 1 100 tonnes of shea butter, exporting 420 tonnes to international markets and generating more than $2 million in revenue. “Behind each number are people’s lives,” the DG said. “For these women, trade has meant higher incomes, better jobs, greater economic and social empowerment, and increased resilience to local and other shocks.”
Funding partner representatives reaffirmed their commitment to the EIF. In contrast, a panel of representatives from governments, international organisations and global initiatives discussed ways to reduce trade costs and boost LDC competitiveness. The event concluded with remarks from the executive director of the International Trade Centre (ITC).
Since its inception, the EIF has been the only global Aid for Trade framework dedicated exclusively to helping LDCs use trade as an engine for sustainable economic development and poverty alleviation.
More information on the EIF and its work is accessible at:
