Australia is contributing AUD 4 million (approximately CHF 2.1 million) through the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to help developing countries and least-developed countries (LDCs) benefit from global agriculture markets. This funding supports the STDF’s 2025–2030 Strategy, “Facilitating Safe Trade to Meet the Global Goals,” which aims to strengthen sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) capacities, improve integration into transparent markets, and enable broader participation in international trade.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed Australia’s support, emphasizing that it helps farmers and small businesses meet SPS standards, opening new regional and global sales opportunities while contributing to income growth and job creation. She highlighted Australia’s long-standing commitment to the STDF and its vision of promoting sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, and food security.
Australia’s Permanent Representative to the WTO, Ambassador James Baxter, noted that as an agricultural exporter and island nation, Australia understands the importance of accessing the WTO SPS Agreement. He praised the STDF’s science-based, collaborative approach, which strengthens countries’ capacities to curb pests and diseases while expanding their access to international agricultural markets.
This latest contribution continues a two-decade partnership between Australia and the STDF. Over the past 20 years, Australia has contributed more than CHF 21 million to WTO trust funds, including over CHF 4.2 million to the STDF. The funding reinforces Australia’s commitment to resilient and inclusive SPS systems, public-private collaboration, innovation, and regional partnerships that support safe trade and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific and globally.
Beyond funding, Australia actively engages in shaping STDF strategies and participates in initiatives on the ground. Projects include strengthening the Pacific’s apiculture industry, with key roles for women and youth, and piloting scalable approaches for food safety audits and inspections to benefit regional partners and global trade systems.
Developing countries are encouraged to apply for STDF project and project preparation grants. To date, the STDF has funded more than 260 projects supporting LDCs, Small Island Developing States, and other developing nations. The STDF, a global multi-stakeholder partnership managed by the WTO and established with FAO, the World Bank Group, WHO, and WOAH, promotes safe and inclusive trade.
Through its work, the STDF advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, addressing evolving SPS needs, driving inclusive trade, and supporting sustainable economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, and climate resilience.
