Germany Contributes EUR 500,000 to WTO Global Trust Fund to Strengthen Developing Countries' Trade Capacity

Germany is contributing EUR 500,000 (approximately CHF 460,000) to the WTO's Global Trust Fund (GTF) to help developing economies and least developed countries (LDCs) enhance their participation in the multilateral trading system. Carmen Heidecke, Ambassador of Germany to the WTO, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the German Federal Government at the WTO headquarters in Geneva on 9 November 2026.

· Financial Contribution: Germany has pledged EUR 500,000 (approximately CHF 460,000) to the WTO's Global Trust Fund (GTF) to strengthen trade-related capacity in developing economies and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

· Signing of MoU: Germany's WTO Ambassador Carmen Heidecke signed the Memorandum of Understanding at WTO headquarters in Geneva on 9 November 2026.

· Total German Contribution: With this latest pledge, Germany's cumulative contribution to the GTF has exceeded CHF 28 million since the fund was established in 2000.

· Capacity Building: The funding will help developing countries implement WTO rules, participate actively in multilateral trade negotiations and address emerging global trade challenges.

· Training Activities: The GTF finances approximately 280 technical assistance and training activities annually, covering agriculture, digital trade, import licensing, standards, trade and environment, and negotiation skills.

· Global Outreach: Since its establishment, the fund has supported over 2,800 training workshops worldwide. Around 19,000 participants received training in 2024 alone.

· WTO's Appeal: WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed Germany's contribution and encouraged other WTO members to provide financial support for technical assistance and capacity-building programmes.

[ABS News Service/10.11.2026]

With its latest pledge, Germany has now cumulatively contributed over CHF 28 million to the Global Trust Fund since its formation in 2000, demonstrating its long-standing and reliable commitment to inclusive and equitable international trade.

Ambassador Heidecke said: "The German Federal Government is glad to renew its long-standing commitment to the GTF. We believe that providing reliable funding to this essential WTO technical assistance and capacity-building fund helps ensure that developing and least developed members are empowered to equally participate in the multilateral rules-based trading system."

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: "Germany's generous contribution to the Global Trust Fund comes at a critical time for developing economies and least developed countries. This funding will help maintain and enhance valuable technical assistance activities, at a time when many are pulling back on such support. We welcome Germany's leadership and hope that donations like this one to the GTF will encourage other members to step forward to back the WTO's capacity-building work."

Andrew Rizk, WTO Director, Finance and Corporate Services, added: "Through the Global Trust Fund, Germany's contribution will help developing and least-developed members and observers enhance their capacity to implement WTO rules, participate more actively in the WTO's work and address evolving trade challenges and opportunities. The objective is to enable them to benefit more fully from the economic opportunities provided by the multilateral trading system."

The Global Trust Fund finances approximately 280 activities each year, primarily through tailored training delivered at the national and regional levels, including online. These activities span a wide range of trade-related areas, including agriculture, digital trade, import licensing, standards, trade and environment and trade negotiation skills. 

Since its establishment 25 years ago, the Global Trust Fund has supported over 2,800 training workshops worldwide. For example, 19,000 participants trained throughout the year in 2024 alone.