The contribution to the WTO’s Global Trust Fund will help developing countries and LDCs play a more active part in global trade negotiations by helping them better understand and implement WTO agreements and enhance their negotiating skill-set. Over 2,900 activities have been organised under this fund over the past 20 years.

DG Okonjo-Iweala said: “I welcome Lithuania's new donation through which trade officials from developing countries and LDCs will be able to develop their expertise on various aspects of trade and the work of the WTO. With these new skills, we hope that they can help further their countries' development objectives and better integrate into the global economy.”

Lithuania's WTO Permanent Representative, Donatas Tamulaitis, said: “As a firm supporter of the multilateral trading system, Lithuania is pleased to be renewing our strong commitment through this contribution to the WTO Global Trust Fund. We believe it will help to strengthen the trading capacity of developing countries and LDCs, boost their access to new markets and further their integration into global value chains and the global economy.”

Overall, Lithuania has donated close to EUR 400,000 (CHF 425,000) to the various WTO trust funds.