The three-week course aims to develop participants’ understanding of the WTO and its agreements through a variety of approaches, including presentations, practical exercises and interactive discussions. The overall objective is to provide the participants with key information on WTO issues so that they can improve their awareness of the structure and basic principles of the WTO as well as the main disciplines contained in the WTO agreements, including the flexibilities available to developing countries.

During the course, the participants will have an opportunity to attend a meeting of a WTO body  and to take part in a roundtable discussion with Geneva-based delegates. They will explore issues of particular interest to LDCs in the WTO’s current work and in the forthcoming WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Buenos Aires in December. 

External speakers from the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will share their experiences on technical assistance and capacity building programmes provided by their respective organizations. A visit to the Advisory Centre on WTO Law (ACWL) in Geneva will give the participants the opportunity to learn about the legal advice and training that is available to LDCs.  

The course is a Level 1 activity in the WTO’s Progressive Learning Strategy. Successful completion of the course allows participants to apply for other, more advanced, WTO training activities.

List of participants: