Austria Commits EUR 200,000 to Strengthen Trade Expertise in Developing Economies

The WTO Chairs Programme is the organization’s flagship technical assistance initiative supporting academic institutions in developing economies.

Austria has announced a 2026 contribution of EUR 200,000 (approximately CHF 187,000) to the World Trade Organization’s Chairs Programme, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to trade capacity-building in developing and least developed countries (LDCs).

The WTO Chairs Programme is the organization’s flagship technical assistance initiative supporting academic institutions in developing economies. Selected institutions receive funding over a four-year period to strengthen trade expertise through research, curriculum development, and policy outreach.

Building Long-Term Trade Knowledge and Policy Capacity

Under the programme, participating universities and research centres develop local expertise in international trade and WTO-related issues, helping bridge the gap between academic research and policymaking. After completing the four-year support cycle, institutions remain part of the WTO Chairs network, which now includes 39 academic institutions worldwide.

The programme is designed to deliver lasting impact by embedding trade knowledge within national education systems and policy communities, ensuring expertise continues well beyond the initial funding period.

WTO: Investment in Knowledge Pays Long-Term Dividends

WTO Director-General welcomed Austria’s contribution, highlighting the strategic value of sustained support for academic institutions.

“Austria’s contribution to the WTO Chairs Programme is an important investment in knowledge and capacity-building,” the Director-General said. “Supporting academic institutions over the long term helps create a strong global network of trade expertise that benefits policymakers, students and stakeholders across developing economies and least-developed countries.”

Austria Reaffirms Support for Inclusive Multilateral Trade

Austria said the contribution reflects its broader commitment to strengthening inclusive participation in the global trading system.

Federal Minister for Economy, Energy and Tourism Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer said: “Austria is pleased to support the WTO Chairs Programme, which plays a key role in strengthening trade expertise through research, curriculum development and outreach in developing economies and least-developed countries. This contribution reflects our longstanding commitment to capacity-building and an inclusive and fair multilateral trading system.”

Two Decades of Sustained WTO Support

Austria’s latest contribution builds on more than 20 years of engagement with WTO technical assistance programmes. Overall, Austria has contributed more than CHF 6 million to WTO trust funds, underscoring its continued support for strengthening institutional capacity and trade governance globally.

The WTO Chairs Programme remains a cornerstone of the organization’s efforts to ensure developing economies can effectively engage in the multilateral trading system and shape trade policies based on rigorous, locally grounded research.