Australia’s contributions to the DDAGTF and the STDF will benefit East and Southeast Asia region as well as countries of the South Pacific, with a clear focus on low to middle income countries. This assistance is intended to build their capacity to negotiate effectively within the WTO and help implement WTO agreements and international standards. These are areas that are key to protecting the trade interests and development needs of the world’s poorest countries.

A first donation of CHF1.5 million (AUD1.75 million) was offered to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund. This contribution will be used to enhance the ability of countries in the East and Southeast Asia region as well as the South Pacific to participate effectively in the WTO negotiations and ensure they fully benefit from the results achieved during these negotiations. Over the last 7 years, Australia has continuously supported the DDAGTF. With this new donation, Australia’s contribution to the fund has now reached a total of CHF5.1 million.

A second donation of CHF600,000 (AUD750,000) was provided to the Standards and Trade Development Facility. This contribution will assist countries in the East and Southeast Asia region as well as the South Pacific in improving their expertise and their capacity to analyze and implement international sanitary and phytosanitary standards (SPS) thus enhancing their human, animal and plant health situation and ability to gain and maintain market access. Australia made its first contribution to the STDF in 2005. With this new donations, its total contribution to the STDF will reach CHF800,000.

WTO Director General Pascal Lamy declared “I welcome Australia’s donations to the WTO trust funds. These contributions will allow developing countries to expand their markets mainly through our technical assistance programmes. Complying with international standards is also a major step in securing market access.”

Australian Ambassador Peter Grey said “Australia has doubled its assistance to the WTO for developing country capacity building highlighting Australia’s ongoing support for a successful conclusion to the Doha Round, continued international trade liberalisation and global economic recovery. Helping developing countries enhance their expertise and capacity to analyse and to implement international standards on food safety and animal and plant health is essential for their ability to gain and maintain market access. We hope that our contribution will encourage the WTO to work closely with our development partners in Asia and, in particular, the Pacific Islands, which face unique challenges because of their small size and remoteness from global markets.”