WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “This contribution will help developing countries and LDCs to maximize the benefits of trade by improving their ability to comply with SPS requirements. As one of the main contributors to the WTO's technical assistance activities, Germany demonstrates once more its commitment to helping developing countries and LDCs participate more actively in global agricultural markets for the benefit of thousands of farmers.”

Ambassador Waldmann said: “To meet international standards means to protect your own consumers and help to ensure your people’s health which is as meaningful as to facilitate regional and cross-regional trade.”

Overall, Germany has donated just over CHF 29 million to the various WTO trust funds over nearly 20 years.

The STDF is a global coordination platform that connects diverse public and private sector organizations across agriculture, health, trade and development to share experiences, identify opportunities for collaboration and promote a more coherent approach to SPS capacity development.

The STDF provides support and funding for the development and implementation of collaborative and innovative SPS projects that promote compliance with international standards and other SPS requirements. The STDF was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WTO, which houses and manages the STDF partnership.