Selected by the WTO Secretariat from across the world, the interns are government officials working on trade-related matters. Priority is given to Sub-Saharan Africa, LDCs, small and vulnerable economies (SVEs), countries with small permanent missions in Geneva, acceding governments and recently acceded WTO members.

“I thank France, Ireland, and the Netherlands for the generous contributions of their countries that make it possible every year for the WTO to continue with these important capacity-building initiatives”, DDG Zhang said in his opening remarks. Welcoming the interns, he encouraged them to “observe, listen, learn, contribute, develop your autonomy and network with as many colleagues as possible.”

French-Irish Mission Internship Programme

A total of 22 interns are participating in this year's edition of the French-Irish Mission Internship Programme funded by France and Ireland. The programme seeks to build sustainable trade-related capacity in beneficiary countries by allowing government officials to participate in WTO activities in Geneva. The interns work in their respective permanent missions in Geneva and can represent their countries at WTO meetings. Priority is given to the permanent missions of LDCs and SVEs.

France's WTO Permanent Representative, Etienne Oudot de Dainville said: “France is proud to be contributing to this programme, which helps developing countries implement their WTO commitments and participate more effectively in current and future negotiations. It is fully in line with the technical assistance mandate contained in the 2001 Doha Ministerial Declaration.”

Ireland's WTO Ambassador, Noel White, said: “Ireland’s support for the Mission Internship Programme demonstrates our commitment to strengthened participation of LDCs and small, vulnerable, economies in international trade through the work of the WTO.”

Netherlands Trainee Programme

A total of 17 interns are participating in the 2023 edition of the Netherlands Trainee Programme. Funded by the government of the Netherlands, the programme aims to build capacities in beneficiary countries by providing government officials with an opportunity to develop their expertise on the WTO and the multilateral trading system.

Congratulating the trainees on their selection for the programme, the Netherlands' WTO Deputy Permanent Representative, Marcel Vernooij, said: “You have been given the chance of a lifetime to further your own interests and those of your country. We hope the gained expertise will assist your country in making global trade work as an engine for sustainable economic growth and job creation. I hope you will have a good experience and a successful traineeship”.

The ceremony was attended by WTO ambassadors and representatives from the countries participating in the programmes.

Participants