WTO Technical Assistance Annual Report Highlights Positive Impact of
WTO Technical Assistance Activities
The WTO Technical Assistance Annual Report, published on
2 June, outlines how the WTO Secretariat delivered training activities to
developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) and observer governments in
2021 despite the constraints posed by COVID-19. Beneficiaries were able to
improve their understanding of WTO activities, the report notes, and to play a
more effective role in the multilateral trading system.
This document shows the swift reaction of the WTO
Secretariat to the COVID-19 pandemic, WTO Deputy Director-General, Xiangchen Zhang, said in the foreword to the report. He
stressed that, with innovation and flexibility, the WTO Secretariat was able to
continue providing support to developing countries and least-developed
countries despite the constraints posed by the pandemic, such as travel
restrictions.
The report details how virtual training and e‑learning
courses were conducted in 2021 to maintain the WTO's training activities.
Faced by a decline in participation for some courses due
to a variety of constraints — including connectivity issues — the Secretariat
responded by developing new ways of delivering activities virtually. This
approach also resulted in a reduction in the costs related to technical
assistance and training. Making the courses as inclusive as possible remained a
priority in 2021.
The WTO's technical assistance and training aims
at improving trade capacities in developing countries and LDCs — including
observer governments — so that they can take full advantage of the
opportunities arising from the multilateral trading system and respond to the
challenges of participation in international trade. The WTO's capacity-building
support is funded through the Organization's regular budget (38 per cent) and
voluntary contributions from WTO members (62 per cent).
It includes an overview of technical assistance
activities and results as well as a digital interactive presentation of 2021
highlights.