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Twenty six participants from 22 African countries were awarded a diploma in recognition of their efforts and work during the regional course. On 11 December, a closing ceremony was held at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou to mark the end of the 12 weeks of training that had begun on 22 September.

The ceremony was presided over by the representative of the Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research, in the presence of the rector of the University of Abomey Calavi and the official sponsor of the regional course, Ms Clotilde Médégan Nougbodé, President of the High Court of Justice of Benin. The WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation was represented by Mr Jean Marc Fortin.

A spokesperson for the participants, Mr Ousmane Aly Mamadou, thanked the University of Abomey Calavi and the WTO for giving the participants the opportunity to improve their understanding of the multilateral trading system.

In her speech, the sponsor of the group, Ms Médégan Nougbodé, urged the participants to make good use of the knowledge acquired during the course and told them that they were part of a “new dynamic bringing hope to the people of Africa”.

Mr Norbert Cossi Awanou, rector of the University of Abomey Calavi, emphasized the fact that “only the efficient use of the fruits of this regional course will allow us to continue down the path we have begun to build, the path to development and the emergence of the African continent”.

The representative of the Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research also urged the participants to “ensure that their countries, their ministries, and the various institutions to which they belong, benefit from the skills acquired over the 12 week course”.

This three month training course covering all areas of the WTO's work is part of the WTO training and technical cooperation activity programme. The regional courses, which began in 2002, are unique in that they are organized in partnership with higher education establishments in developing countries. The important contribution made by regional experts supplements the work of WTO officials. This was the first regional course organized by the WTO in a least developed country. Regional courses are held in Africa, the Asia Pacific region, Latin America and the Caribbean, and are expected to be extended to other regions in 2009.

This first partnership experience with the University of Abomey Calavi in Benin was a success. An in depth assessment will enable the partners to learn from the experience so that they can successfully organize the next regional course for French speaking African countries scheduled for September 2009.

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