Sixth introduction course on WTO for LDCs concludes in Geneva

The sixth introduction course on the WTO for the least-developed countries (LDCs), organized by the Institute for Training and Technical Co-operation of the WTO, concluded on 30 July 2004 in Geneva.

> WTO training courses

Twenty one representatives of least-developed African, Asian and Pacific countries attended the course, which was conducted in English at WTO headquarters.

During the three-week course, participants were given an overview of the structure, rules and functioning of the organization in a series of sessions with ITTC trainers and experts from the “operational” divisions of the WTO Secretariat. They also had the opportunity to develop a network of contacts and reference points both amongst themselves and with WTO staff.

Special attention was paid in all course activities, in particular during the final week, to the development dimension. A forum on technical co-operation was held with experts from UNCTAD, the ITC, WIPO, the World Bank and the WTO, who gave presentations on the technical assistance activities of these organizations, with particular emphasis on the specific needs of the participants’ own countries. Participants were also able to discuss bilaterally more individualized aspects of these organizations’ cooperation with each of their own countries. This forum also served to strengthen participants’ contacts with these organizations.

Over the three weeks, various speakers sought to apprise participants of the current state of play in the negotiations launched within the framework of the “Doha Development Agenda” in the different areas. The participants were also regularly briefed on the final phases of the negotiations held at the same moment to create a consensus for a framework agreement in the context of the Doha Development Agenda. They also attended one of the critical sessions of the Heads of Delegations.

This course was funded from the WTO regular budget as part of the ongoing endeavor since the Doha Ministerial Conference to provide capacity-building for developing countries, in particular LDCs.

The list of participants in the Sixth Introduction Course to the WTO for LDCs is attached.

List of the participants

Bangladesh	Mr. Abul Kalam AZAD, Assistant Director, Textile Department, Export Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Commerce
Bhutan	Mr. Kunzang NORBU, Joint Director, Services Division, Department of Tourism, Ministry of Trade and Industry
Cambodia	Mr. Chanthy DUONG, Deputy Bureau Chief, Asean and IOS, WTO Legal Compliance Office, Asean and IOS Department, Ministry of Commerce
Ethiopia	Mr. Fikru TADESSE, Senior Foreign Trade Development and Follow-up Expert, Foreign Trade Coordination Department, Ministry of Trade and Industry
Gambia	Mrs. Amie NYAN-ALABOSON, Minister-Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of the Gambia, International and Economic Co-operation, Department of State for Foreign Affairs
Lesotho	Mrs. Tsireletso Lucia MOJELA, Chief Industrial Development Officer, Department of Industry, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Marketing
Malawi	Mr. Joy HARA, Senior Economist, Economic Planning and Statistics Unit, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Maldives	Mr. Solih HUSSAIN, Economic Affairs Officer, International Trade Policy Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry
Mozambique	Mr. Cardoso Almirante Manuel COMBOIO, Lawyer, Directorate for International Relations, Ministry of Industry and Trade
Myanmar	Miss Lay Lay SU, Staff Officer, WTO and International Organisation Division, International Trade Promotion Department, Directorate of Trade, Ministry of Commerce
Nepal	Mr. Laxman THAKUR, Under-Secretary, WTO Division, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies
Rwanda	Mr. Justin NSENGIYUMVA, Director, Department of Internal and External Trade, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Investment Promotion, Tourism and Cooperatives
Samoa	Mr. Richard HEATHER, Principal Customs Officer, Ministry for Revenue
Sierra Leone	Mr. Abdulai MANSARAY, Senior Assistant Secretary, Trade Department, Ministry of Trade and Industry
Solomon Islands	Mr. David HO’OTA, Senior Laboratory Analyst / Solomon Islands Codex Contact Point , Public Health Laboratory, Environmental Health Division, Ministry of Health and Medical Services
Sudan	Mrs. Igbal DIRDIRI, Head of Policy Formation Unit and WTO Unit, Ministry of Industry
United Republic of Tanzania	Mrs. Mary Zablon MATARI, Minister Counsellor, Multilateral Co-operation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Tuvalu	Mr. Tapugao FALEFOU, Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Industries
Uganda	Miss Jacqueline WABYONA, Foreign Service Officer, Multilateral Organisations and Treaties, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Yemen	Mr. Ebrahim Ali Abdulwali AL-HASANI, Communication and Coordination Officer and Coordinator with IPRs Sub-Committee, Communication and Coordination Office with WTO, Ministry of Industry and Trade
Zambia	Mr. Davidson CHILIPAMUSHI, Permanent Secretary, Head of the Ministry, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry