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- Trade-related support for LDCs
- Trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building
Trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building
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A number of mechanisms are in place to support LDCs through technical assistance and capacity-building related to trade.
Instruments | After graduation |
The , supports LDCs in building strong trade institutions, ensuring evidence-based analysis and investing in productive sectors with high export potential. EIF is approaching the end of its second phase and an interim facility had been instituted as discussions continued in a taskforce at the WTO on a future aid for trade mechanism for LDCs. |
The EIF’s current graduation policy allows countries that graduate from the LDC category to remain eligible to receive support from the EIF for five years after graduation. Deliberations on a future support mechanism will likely consider a smooth transition period. |
LDCs are a priority for the technical assistance offered under the WTO’s biennial technical assistance and training plan 2024–2025, which includes trade policy designed specifically for LDCs. LDCs are also a priority in different programmes at the WTO, and benefit from , which aims at facilitating the participation of LDCs in WTO discussions. Several WTO Agreements contain provisions on technical assistance to LDCs:
More information on the WTO's . |
In 2024, WTO members that countries that graduate from the LDC category will continue to benefit from LDC-specific technical assistance and capacity building under WTO’s technical assistance and training plan for three years after graduation. They also continue to benefit from a wide range of technical assistance products offered by the WTO Secretariat under its biennial technical assistance plan. |
LDCs have priority in technical assistance delivered by WTO members and the WTO secretariat under the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. The, a global partnership supporting developing countries to implement sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, especially those under the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, has a target of dedicating at least 40% of total project financing allocated to LDCs or other low-income countries (OLICs). There is also a lower co-financing requirement for technical assistance. The minimum required contribution from LDCs and OLICS is 10%, as opposed to 20% for lower middle-income countries and 60% for upper middle-income countries. | The STDF has a transition mechanism which allows countries that graduated from the LDC category to continue to benefit from the 10 per cent contribution requirement for LDCs for a period of three years following graduation. |
The provides legal advice on issues related to WTO, WTO dispute settlement support and capacity-building, and LDCs do not have to join as members in order to benefit from its services. | To continue to use the services of the ACWL, countries need to join with a one-time contribution. |
The provides countries with timely access to notifications under the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) and the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and facilitates dialogue among the public and private sector in addressing potential trade problems at an early stage. It is available to all countries but especially geared towards meeting the needs of LDCs. It is a joint product of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), WTO and International Trade Centre (ITC). | ePing is available to any interested country or person. |
The works to build the capacity of private actors in LDCs so they can take advantage of the global trading system. ITC's allows users to monitor the trade of LDCs through thematic reports and interactive indicators. | ITC has support programmes for non-LDC developing countries |
Trade-related support for LDCs
- Preferential market access for goods
- Preferential treatment for services and service suppliers
- Special treatment regarding obligations and flexibilities under WTO rules
- Special treatment regarding obligations and flexibilities under regional agreements
- Trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building