Participants — of whom more than 60 percent were women — are now in a better position to assist their countries in “taking advantage of the opportunities that trade has to offer,” said Bridget Chilala, Director of the WTO's Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation in closing the course.

“It was a great opportunity to get functional knowledge about the essential issues of the multilateral trade system in general – and specifically about the impacts of the pandemic,” said Hayrünnisa Çulha, trade expert at Turkey's Ministry of Trade who took part in the course.

Also taking part in the course, Alejandro Zothner, from Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted the ”diversity and high technical level“ of the seven weekly modules.

The second of its kind, this training was delivered through a combination of pre-recorded and live sessions, in keeping with practices amid the pandemic. The government officials came from across regions. The participating least-developed countries were Angola, Bangladesh, Cambodia, The Gambia, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, and Zambia. Two participants came from Algeria and Serbia, two acceding countries.

While following virtual courses can be challenging, it also gives participants the flexibility to follow the course while managing their daily work responsibilities.

In closing the event, Ms Chilala announced that the WTO Secretariat is getting ready to resume face-to-face training activities, although for now, these will be organised on a case-by-case basis. “We hope to start with national and Geneva-based activities”, the WTO's ITTC Director said. “I truly hope that you will all take advantage of this”, she told participants.

The programme can be found here.