Ireland contributes EUR 200,000 to strengthen trade opportunities in developing countries

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: "We thank Ireland for its renewed support for the STDF. For farmers and small businesses in developing countries, meeting international standards can open the door to new markets and new opportunities. Ireland's contribution will help the STDF turn that potential into reality, making safe trade safer and more accessible and helping more people benefit from it."

On the announcement of the funding, Ireland's Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond said: "Ireland is proud to support the WTO Standards and Trade Development Facility, whose work helps developing countries participate more effectively in global trade. This contribution reflects Ireland's continued commitment to an open and rules-based international trading system that generates opportunities for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Through partnerships such as the WTO STDF, we support developing countries in using trade as a driver of development and poverty reduction."

Ireland's contribution will support the STDF Strategy 2025-2030, including efforts to make sanitary and phytosanitary capacity development more inclusive and responsive to the needs of people involved in food and agricultural trade. Through its projects and knowledge work, the STDF helps identify and address practical barriers that can make it harder for small-scale producers, traders and businesses, including women and youth, to meet sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and benefit from trade. Central to the STDF approach is sharing good practices and lessons, so that successful solutions can be taken up and scaled more widely, promoting sustainable livelihoods, food security and sustainable development.

Ireland's contribution reflects the mutually beneficial nature of the STDF partnership. By strengthening food safety and animal and plant health systems in developing countries, STDF support helps their producers trade more safely and reliably, while contributing to a more predictable global trading environment, ensuring imported food and agricultural products meet the highest international standards.

Housed at the WTO, the STDF is a global partnership that brings together organizations working on trade, agriculture and health to strengthen sanitary and phytosanitary capacity in developing countries and least-developed countries. It was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the WTO. Since its creation, the STDF has funded more than 275 projects and project preparation grants benefiting developing economies and least-developed countries.