The course is the second of its kind and will run until 8 April 2022. It follows a successful first edition organized in 2021 and seeks to ensure trade-related technical assistance continues to be made available to government officials from WTO members and observers in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the countries represented are 11 LDCs — Angola, Bangladesh, Cambodia, The Gambia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda and Zambia — and two WTO observers, Algeria and Serbia. Over 60 per cent of the participants are women.

The course is composed of seven modules, each one dedicated to a specific WTO issue. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade and related policy challenges are among the topics presented. The course will be delivered through a combination of pre-recorded and live sessions, including roundtables with external speakers, allowing for participants to follow the course while managing their daily work responsibilities.