The ITC, a joint cooperation agency of the WTO and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), complements the government-led work of those two agencies by helping businesses in developing countries translate the negotiated multilateral trade agreements into concrete trade and economic opportunities.

The three agencies jointly carry out  regular technical assistance activities and training to help businesses enhance their export capacity and further integrate into the global economy. Both UNCTAD and the WTO are represented in the Joint Advisory Group supervising ITC’s work.

“Ms Coke-Hamilton's appointment is very welcome. The WTO looks forward to furthering the joint collaboration with ITC and UNCTAD to raise awareness of export and import opportunities among businesses in the developing world. This will help make trade more inclusive and improve people’s lives across the world,” said WTO Deputy Director-General Yonov Frederick Agah.

Mukhisa Kituyi, Secretary General of UNCTAD, said: “We at UNCTAD look forward to our continued partnership with ITC to help poorer countries reap the benefits of trade. This is particularly important now given the key role that trade can play in helping to support economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.”

Ms  Coke-Hamilton of Jamaica was appointed as the ITC's eighth Executive Director on 27 July by the WTO's former Director-General, Roberto Azevêdo, and UNCTAD's Secretary-General, Mukhisa Kituyi. She succeeds Arancha González Laya of Spain and was the Director of UNCTAD's Division on International Trade and Commodities. Ms Coke-Hamilton has extensive governmental and institutional experience in promoting trade for micro, small and medium enterprises in developing countries.