Developing countries that are members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) will benefit from the $334,609.50 the government of Ireland has donated to help the trade organisation’s poorest members implement food safety, animal health and plant health standards and improve their sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacity.
Half of the donated amount, according to WTO, will be directed to the internship programme sponsored by France and Ireland, and aimed at assisting the permanent missions of developing countries in Geneva.
Ireland’s SPS contribution has been donated to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), a global partnership that aims to help developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) access agricultural markets.
“This latest donation from Ireland is important in ensuring that the global trading system supports development — and helps to improve capacity of the WTO’s poorest members. I welcome Ireland’s continuous generosity,” Roberto Azevêdo, WTO director-general, said.
Patricia O’Brien, Ireland’s WTO Ambassador, said: “Ireland is committed to helping developing countries — especially least-developed countries – increase their participation in global trade. The overall objective of our donations is to help eradicate poverty, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
Azevêdo visited Nigeria in February and pledged to promote stronger trade relationships with the administration of President Buhari.
“Nigeria has always been a leader in the multilateral trading system. It was a founding member of the WTO, and joined our predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in 1960 — the year of the country’s independence. Today Nigeria is a member of some major negotiating groups at the WTO — and it played a key role in the recent negotiating breakthroughs, which I have described today.
He further said, “I look forward to working with Nigeria to ensure that the WTO delivers further reforms which can support development here — and across Africa. You have my full commitment in that effort — and I ask you to get engaged in the debate. Nigeria’s leadership will be as important as ever.”
Nigeria has been a WTO member since 1 January 1995 and a member of GATT since 18 November 1960.
