WTO Assistance to Least Developed Countries

Over the past two decades, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has provided over 223 billion dollars in trade-related development assistance to least developed countries (LDCs) to help build infrastructure and strengthen productive sectors. Earlier this year, the WTO initiated the third phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework. Since 2022, WTO member nations have implemented four specific decisions aimed at addressing the requests of LDCs. Two of these decisions are specifically designed to support these nations in a smooth transition out of the least developed country category. Despite these efforts, officials note that economic progress across these nations remains uneven.