World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on Thursday called for stronger global partnerships as a new phase of a trade and investment support program for the least-developed countries was launched at a WTO ministerial meeting in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The program, known as the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), supports the world’s least-developed economies in building trade capacity and attracting investment. Its third phase runs for six years, with The Gambia’s vice president, Mohammed B.S. Jallow, calling for at least $200 million to be mobilized.
“This third phase comes at a defining moment,” Okonjo-Iweala said, citing pressures including global economic uncertainty, climate change, debt burdens and disruptions to the trading system.
She added that the current environment also presents opportunities for least-developed countries to use trade to drive growth and job creation.
Five countries, including Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, announced fresh funding commitments at the launch event.
Combined pledges exceed $10 million, providing an initial boost toward the overall funding target.
The new phase marks a shift from stand-alone projects to multiyear country programming, aimed at strengthening long-term trade and investment capacity and improving coordination among donors.
“Together, let us accelerate impact, deepen partnerships and unlock the full potential of the least-developed countries,” Jallow said.
According to the WTO, the program will prioritize digital trade, services, green value chains and regional integration.
The launch event, co-organized by Cambodia and the United Arab Emirates, brought together ministers, development partners and private sector representatives.
Abdelsalam Mohamed A. Al Ali, the United Arab Emirates’ minister plenipotentiary and WTO representative, said the UAE is committed to helping least-developed countries expand access to growth opportunities through trade and investment, describing the next phase as an opportunity for a more “catalytic, innovative and truly transformative partnership.”
Speakers emphasized the importance of coordinated support and country ownership to ensure trade contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic transformation.
The WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference runs from March 26 to 29 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
