Australia Supports the Representation of Small States at the World Trade Organisation

We are pleased to announce that Australia has agreed to provide a further $500,000 to support small states’representation at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva. 

Australia is committed to assisting small nations, including Pacific island states to develop sufficient institutional capacity to further their trade interests at the WTO.

In recognition of this, the Australian Government provided initial funding of $500,000 in 2002 to support the work of the Agency for International Trade Information and Cooperation (AITIC), an inter government organisation that provides personalised information, advice and technical assistance to small states to facilitate their active participation in the WTO.

AITIC, which is based in Geneva, has a proven track record in helping to sustain developing countries’participation in the new WTO round.

The Australian Government has agreed to provide a further $500,000 in 2003 to continue this good work. This additional assistance is a concrete indication of Australia's strong and ongoing commitment to small states’interests.

Australia has a long history of providing development assistance to Pacific Island nations.  Our support for AITIC, along with the ongoing efforts of the WTO, will help small Pacific Island nations to enhance their trade engagement with the international community through the World Trade Organisation.

Several other countries, including Switzerland and the United Kingdom, are also supporting AITIC. Australia will be working actively with these countries to encourage the WTO to broaden its efforts to better serve the needs of its small state members, to maximise their ability to participate effectively in, and benefit from, the multilateral trade system.

Contacts:  Chris Kenny (Downer's office) (02) 6277 7500, Matthew Doman (Vaile’s office)  (02) 62777420 or 0418 273 475