In 2026, the government of China pledged USD 1.1 million (around CHF 900,000) to support the WTO’s Least-Developed Countries (LDCs) and Accessions Programme, also known as the China Programme, as well as the WTO’s general fund for technical assistance. The contributions were formalized on 25 March in Yaoundé, where WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao signed two memoranda of understanding for the financing.
The first contribution, USD 600,000 (close to CHF 500,000), is dedicated to the China Programme, launched in 2011 under the WTO-led Aid for Trade initiative. The Programme aims to help LDCs integrate into the global economy, strengthen their participation in WTO activities, and support non-member countries in joining the Organization. It finances internships at the WTO, China-led round tables on WTO accessions, LDC participation in meetings, South-South dialogues on development, workshops for Trade Policy Reviews, the LDCs Experience Sharing Programme, and capacity-building activities on contemporary trade issues such as digital trade and artificial intelligence. The Programme has also supported the participation of LDC government officials in WTO ministerial conferences.
The second contribution, USD 500,000 (approximately CHF 400,000), goes to the WTO’s Global Trust Fund, which provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to developing and least-developed country members. The Fund covers areas including WTO accession, agriculture, internships, trade negotiation skills, standards, and digital trade, addressing vital but underfunded needs.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala highlighted China’s commitment to facilitating the integration of LDCs into the WTO and the broader global trade system. Minister Wang emphasized the China Programme as a key tool for implementing the Global Development Initiative and strengthening South-South cooperation, noting China’s readiness to continue supporting the WTO and development opportunities for its members.
Since its inception in 2001, the Global Trust Fund has supported thousands of training activities worldwide, with over 13,000 participants in 2025 alone. China has contributed over USD 11 million (about CHF 9 million) since 2008 to assist developing economies, particularly LDCs, in integrating more fully into the multilateral trade system. The 2026 contribution marks the second consecutive year China has funded the Global Trust Fund.
