The STDF is a joint initiative of the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, the World Organization for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

Sweden is the biggest contributor to the WTO’s technical assistance trust funds. This new multi-year donation brings Sweden’s overall contribution up to CHF 30.9 million.

WTO Director General Pascal Lamy declared “ Compliance with international standards, especially in the SPS area which is technically and scientifically complicated, is often an obstacle for developing countries to fully participate in the multilateral trading system. I welcome Sweden’s donation which will facilitate developing countries’ integration in the global economy and will allow longer term programmes to be implemented.”

Sweden’s Ambassador to the WTO, Marie-Claire Swärd Capra said “ Improving developing countries’ capacity for analysis and implementation of international SPS standards is key to gain and maintain market access. Sweden is happy to support the STDF with multi-year financing, in line with the Paris principles, and we see the STDF as an important and strategic actor in the broader Aid for Trade architecture.”