The donation is to the LDC Trust Fund, which is set up for each Ministerial Conference, the WTO's top decision-making body. The contribution will help defray travel expenses (i.e. travel tickets and accommodation) for officials from LDCs wishing to participate in MC12. Multiple WTO members contribute to this fund.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: “At MC12, differences can only be bridged through an effective participation of all WTO members. I thank Sweden for ensuring that officials from LDCs can actively negotiate trade-related outcomes that will benefit their people.”

Sweden's WTO Ambassador, Mikael Anzén, said: “The multilateral trading system has been instrumental in boosting Sweden's exports and economic growth. We would like to see LDCs reap the benefits of trade in a similar way. Participating in MC12 is a first important step.”

Overall, Sweden has donated just over SEK 553 million (approximately CHF 60 million) to the WTO various funds over the past 20 years.