Norway Contributes NOK 16M to Boost Global Trade Standards

Norway is contributing NOK 16 million (approximately CHF 1.3 million) to the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) to help developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) meet international sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, facilitating their access to global markets.

Norway's pledge was confirmed at a ceremony attended by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Norway's WTO Ambassador Petter Ølberg on 12 February at the WTO. The Head of the STDF, Melvin Spreij, also took part in the ceremony.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said: "I am grateful for Norway's generous contribution to the STDF. This contribution underscores the importance of international cooperation in advancing food safety systems, contributing to poverty reduction, enhanced food security and better protection of the environment. With Norway's support, the STDF will continue to develop and finance projects helping developing countries meet international food safety standards, promoting safe and inclusive trade."

Ambassador Ølberg said: “Norway is happy to continue our long-standing support for the STDF. No doubt about it, the STDF is efficient in assisting developing and least developed members access global markets, strengthening their compliance with international sanitary and phytosanitary standards. This also answers to concerns by the WTO G90 group in their Agreement-specific proposal on SPS.”

The contribution from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) will enable the STDF to launch new collaborative SPS capacity development projects across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean. It will also enhance the STDF's knowledge platform, which serves as a catalyst for identifying and disseminating best practices, fostering innovative approaches and promoting the exchange of information that enhances SPS work globally.

Developing economies and LDCs are encouraged to apply for SPS project and project preparation grants from the STDF. The upcoming deadline for submission of funding proposals is 1 March 2024. For more information on how to apply, click here.

The new contribution from NORAD extends its collaboration with the STDF into 2024. Norway's total contribution to the various WTO trust funds from 2001 to 2023 is approximately CHF 44,578,000. 

The STDF is a global multi-stakeholder partnership to facilitate safe and inclusive trade, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank Group, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the WTO, which houses and manages the partnership. The STDF responds to evolving needs, drives inclusive trade and contributes to sustainable economic growth, food security and poverty reduction, in support of the United Nations Global Goals.