Germany contributes EUR 500,000 to strengthen developing economies' trade capacity

With its latest pledge, Germany has now cumulatively contributed over CHF 28 million to the Global Trust Fund since its formation in 2000, demonstrating its long-standing and reliable commitment to inclusive and equitable international trade.

Ambassador Heidecke said: "The German Federal Government is glad to renew its long-standing commitment to the GTF. We believe that providing reliable funding to this essential WTO technical assistance and capacity-building fund helps ensure that developing and least developed members are empowered to equally participate in the multilateral rules-based trading system."

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: "Germany's generous contribution to the Global Trust Fund comes at a critical time for developing economies and least developed countries. This funding will help maintain and enhance valuable technical assistance activities, at a time when many are pulling back on such support. We welcome Germany's leadership and hope that donations like this one to the GTF will encourage other members to step forward to back the WTO's capacity-building work."

Andrew Rizk, WTO Director, Finance and Corporate Services, added: "Through the Global Trust Fund, Germany's contribution will help developing and least-developed members and observers enhance their capacity to implement WTO rules, participate more actively in the WTO's work and address evolving trade challenges and opportunities. The objective is to enable them to benefit more fully from the economic opportunities provided by the multilateral trading system."

The Global Trust Fund finances approximately 280 activities each year, primarily through tailored training delivered at the national and regional levels, including online. These activities span a wide range of trade-related areas, including agriculture, digital trade, import licensing, standards, trade and environment and trade negotiation skills. 

Since its establishment 25 years ago, the Global Trust Fund has supported over 2,800 training workshops worldwide. For example, 19,000 participants trained throughout the year in 2024 alone.