At the meeting of the UN Secretary-General with UN principals, DDG Zhang underscored how trade can improve economic welfare in LDCs. “We have a shared responsibility to redouble our efforts and find ways to improve the lives of 1 billion people in LDCs before the end of the decade,” he said. Highlighting the key outcomes achieved by WTO members at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) held in June 2022, he said: “MC12 outcomes directly contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Doha Programme of Action for LDCs — from the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies to steps for addressing food security to ensuring access to vaccines.”

DDG Zhang also provided an update on the work carried out jointly by the WTO and the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), to help LDCs achieve the trade objectives of the Doha Programme of Action. He noted that in preparing for the LDC5 Conference, the WTO and UN-OHRLLS, in partnership with the United Nations Regional Economic Commissions and the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), consulted over 100 LDC trade officials and about 20 trade experts to identify ways of achieving the trade objectives of the Doha Programme of Action.

“Integrating LDCs more fully into the global economy is at the heart of LDC5. We can bring about transformative changes in the lives and livelihoods of more than a billion people living in the 46 LDCs by harnessing their trade and investment potential,” said Rabab Fatima, High Representative and Under Secretary-General of UN-OHRLLS.

On 5 March, the WTO co-organized a session entitled: “LDC trade development: towards new frontiers” with the UN-OHRLLS and the EIF. Speakers included the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Permanent Mission of Djibouti to the WTO, the International Trade Centre and the European University Institute. Under discussion were the opportunities and challenges of LDCs' participation in digital trade.

“Digital trade helps to connect smaller firms and professionals to consumers in other parts of the world”, said Ambassador Kadra Hassan of Djibouti, Coordinator of the WTO's LDC Group. “We have young dynamic entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. It is our shared responsibility to create an enabling environment to help them flourish.”

“Helping LDCs boost their trading capacities is a central aspect of the United Kingdom’s development policy. Digital transformation is a key part of this process to increase LDCs' integration in global trade,” said the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.

Speakers stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure and skills. “Digital connectivity matters for development. With an internet connection, a small business in a least-developed country can sell in global markets. So, make connectivity accessible and affordable and invest in small firms’ skills to do business online,” said Ms Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre.

The role of regional and international cooperation on digital trade was also recognized. Presenting a policy note entitled “Digital trade: opportunities and challenges,” released in the context of the LDC5 Conference, Professor Bernard Hoekman from the European University Institute outlined how international cooperation can help support the digital trade objectives of LDC firms. “Adopting supportive regulatory practices and trade policies, including through international cooperation, can help LDCs realize the untapped potential in digital trade”, he said.

See the full details of the session here.

On 7 March, DDG Zhang will participate in the high-level thematic round table entitled “Enhancing the participation of LDCs in international trade and regional integration”. The WTO, in partnership with other international organizations, will organize several other events to discuss LDCs' trade priorities. See the full details of the WTO's participation in the LDC5 Conference here.