DDG Zhang welcomes 2025 participants in two WTO technical assistance programmes

In his welcome remarks, DDG Zhang told participants: "You have come to the WTO at a very important time. We will shortly be commencing preparatory work for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for Yaoundé, Cameroon in March 2026. During your presence in Geneva, you will have the opportunity to be at the forefront of this very important aspect of the WTO's work."

DDG Zhang said that participants in both programmes will have the opportunity to experience first-hand the work of the WTO, including witnessing how trade policy is shaped in the WTO, attending meetings in areas of direct interest to their economies, and interacting closely with the WTO Secretariat.

 A total of 18 participants were selected for the French Irish Mission Programme this year. Funded by France and Ireland, this programme aims to support Geneva-based government officials from developing and least-developed WTO members to engage in WTO activities. Participants will gain valuable hands-on experience in trade policy development by working directly within their respective permanent missions in Geneva.

Emmanuelle Ivanov-Durand, France’s Permanent Representative to the WTO, said: "The experience you will gain here will be a tremendous asset, both for your own career paths and for your governments. France's support for this programme reflects our commitment to an inclusive multilateral system."

Noel White, Ireland's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, underlined that: “Ireland attaches great importance to its long-standing association with and support for the French Irish Mission Programme. Ireland’s development cooperation programme, which lies at the heart of our foreign policy, recognises the importance of inclusive and sustainable international trade to promote economic development and alleviate poverty. We are working on arrangements and hope to be able to welcome all the participants to Ireland as we did last year to share the lessons we have learned as a small, open economy with global trade connections.”

The 16 officials selected for this year’s Netherlands Talent Programme, which is funded by the Netherlands, will benefit from on-the-job training in various divisions of the WTO Secretariat. The programme offers participants the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of the multilateral trading system and to contribute actively to WTO initiatives.

Audrey Goosen, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the WTO, explained that the name of the programme was recently changed to “Netherlands Talent Programme” to reflect the high level of expertise that previous participants have brought to the WTO. She told participants: "I hope that the insights that you will gain over the next months will make trade work as an engine for sustainable economic growth and job creation in your countries."