Ireland is contributing EUR 150,000 (CHF 156,582) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in 2015 to help developing countries comply with international food safety, animal and plant health standards and gain access to markets. Another contribution of EUR 150,000 (CHF 156,582) will be directed to the Internship Programme for Selected Missions to help interns from developing countries gain experience of the multilateral trading system by working in the Geneva mission of their home country.

A contribution of EUR 50,000 (CHF 52,194) will support the participation of least-developed countries (LDCs) in the Tenth WTO Ministerial Conference to take place on 15-18 December 2015 in Nairobi, Kenya. The Ministerial Conference — the WTO’s top decision-making body — is to be held in Africa for the first time.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said: “I welcome Ireland's donations which will help developing countries and LDCs to integrate into the global trading system. This generous support is particularly timely and welcome as it will support the participation of our LDC members in the WTO's Ministerial Conference in Nairobi this December.”

Ireland's ambassador, Patricia O'Brien, said: “These donations underscore Ireland’s continued commitment to help developing countries fully participate in the WTO, to expand their trading capacities and to use the potential of trade as a strong engine for development, growth and poverty reduction.  As the WTO marks its 20th anniversary, we are especially pleased to support the full and active participation of LDCs in the Tenth Ministerial Conference in December.”

Since 2002, Ireland has donated EUR 11,520,660 (CHF 12,024,844) to WTO trust funds.  

The STDF  is a global partnership working to increase awareness, mobilize resources, strengthen collaboration, identify and disseminate good practice and provide support and funding for the development and implementation of projects that promote compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. Established by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health, the World Bank, the World Health Organization and the WTO, the STDF is financed by voluntary contributions. The WTO provides the Secretariat and manages the STDF trust fund