The donation is to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership that helps developing countries gain access to markets by improving sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) knowledge and by promoting food safety, animal and plant health. It supports sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, food security and environmental protection.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said: “Canada's new contribution will help developing countries ensure that their products can move across borders while meeting sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. I welcome Canada's generosity.”

Canada's Ambassador to the WTO, Stephen de Boer, said: “We are pleased to continue to support the STDF as part of Canada’s commitment to the multilateral trading system. Through our renewed contribution, we hope to help developing countries implement international sanitary and phytosanitary standards so as to bolster their ability to gain or maintain access to world markets.”

The STDF Working Group is currently chaired by Julie Emond, First Secretary at the Canadian mission.

Overall, Canada has donated approximately CHF 13 million to the various WTO trust funds over nearly 20 years.