World Trade Organization

21 December 2011

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Australia donates AUD 14 million to WTO development programmes

At the 8th WTO Ministerial Conference of 15-17 December 2011, Australia announced it will give three donations to WTO development programmes. Australia will offer a donation of AUD 8 million to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund (DDAGTF) for 2011-2015, a grant of AUD 3 million to the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and will make a contribution of AUD 3 million to the International Trade Centre (ITC).

This assistance is intended to build the capacity of developing and least developed countries (LDCs) to negotiate effectively within the WTO. It will also enable them to enhance their ability to participate effectively in the wold economy, using trade as a tool for development. A first donation of AUD 8 million was offered to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund. This contribution will be used to finance WTO technical assistance activities targeted especially at the needs of developing and least-developed countries, as well as economies in transition. The aim is to enhance their ability to participate effectively in the WTO negotiations and ensure they fully benefit from the results achieved during these negotiations.  A second donation of AUD 3 million was granted to the Enhanced Integrated Framework, a programme that works in support of sustainable trade and development outcomes for LDCs thereby helping them integrate into the global trading system. A third donation of AUD 3 million was granted to the International Trade Centre (ITC) to assist developing and least developed countries build technical skills needed to benefit from global trade. “I welcome this donation which illustrates Australia’s commitment to help least developed countries integrate in the global economy and take better advantage of the multilateral trading system” declared WTO Director General Pascal Lamy. Australia’s Ambassador Tim Yeend said “Australia believes that trade continues to be a critical engine for economic growth, development, and poverty reduction, especially in the world’s poorest countries. By building trade capacity in a range of critical areas, the WTO can help LDCs reap the full benefits of an open, rules-based multilateral trading system.”