Germany has committed EUR 150,000 (approximately CHF 140,000) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) in 2024, aimed at enhancing the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacities of developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs). The funding will help these nations improve their access to global and regional markets, promoting sustainable economic growth, food security, and poverty reduction.
The pledge was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by Germany’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Carmen Heidecke, on behalf of the German government. This contribution reinforces Germany’s ongoing efforts to support international development through trade capacity building.
“Germany demonstrates once again its commitment to helping developing countries and LDCs maximize the benefits of trade by improving their ability to comply with SPS requirements,” said WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. “This contribution will allow them to participate more actively in global agricultural markets for the benefit of thousands of farmers.”
Ambassador Heidecke highlighted the critical role the STDF plays in addressing global challenges through technical assistance. “The STDF makes important contributions to help developing countries and LDCs implement SPS standards and tackle global challenges. The German Ministry for Food and Agriculture is therefore very pleased to be renewing its support to help the STDF carry out its projects,” she stated.
Germany has been a long-term supporter of the STDF, having donated CHF 10.6 million to the facility since 2006. In total, Germany has contributed CHF 38.5 million to various WTO trust funds over the past 25 years.
The STDF, a global multi-stakeholder partnership, is managed by the WTO and was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the World Bank Group, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the WTO. It plays a crucial role in facilitating safe and inclusive trade, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by addressing evolving trade needs and driving sustainable economic growth across the globe.
Editor: Gabriel Ani
