Denmark is contributing DKK 4 million (over CHF 600,000) in 2018 to help developing and least-developed countries participate more actively in global agricultural trade. This donation to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) aims to help developing countries comply with international food safety, animal and plant health standards and increase their access to world markets.
WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said: “I want to thank Denmark for committing to support developing countries and LDCs in improving their trade capacity so that they can deepen their integration into the world economy. Denmark’s generous donation is very welcome.”
Denmark’s WTO Ambassador, Morten Jespersen, said: “We consider the STDF to be an important tool in helping developing countries improve their access to global value chains, thereby easing their integration into international trade. We are very pleased to be renewing our contribution to the STDF, which we have increased this year.”
Denmark has donated approximately CHF 18 million (approximately DKK 120 million) to WTO trust funds over the past 18 years.
The STDF is a global coordination platform that brings together leading trade, health and agriculture experts worldwide to share knowledge, tools and good practice and strengthen the effectiveness of technical assistance provided to developing countries. The STDF also provides support and funding for the development and implementation of innovative projects that promote compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) requirements. The STDF is housed and managed by the WTO.
Source: wto.org